In a&e just told I have a brain tumour

[Wells37]

Just that really. It's 2cm ish on ct scan symptoms for 5 weeks. I can't stop crying. I just sent dh home as kids are at home.
Terrified

I really hope so. I've been reading lots about Dave Bolton from ahead of the game.
I just need lots more time with my kids.
So much to sort out. If life insurance and my small pension pays out dh can go part time which makes me feel very grateful that he will be with me more but also very very sad we can't bring myself to look what the policy says. I doubt we will have the right information until after the op anyway.

Give yourself a break on planning until after the surgery.

For what it's worth, I got to know a neurosurgeon via my job (writer). He was involved in an advanced trial doing very delicate work on the actual spinal cord. Using purpose-built structures that were actually attached to the patient with screws. I was present in pre-op with one patient, when the neurosurgeon came in to talk with him (all patients were volunteers with a particular condition) and he was so jaunty and confident. "Just another day at the office," were his exact words, smiling as he patted the patient's shoulder and held his hand.

Those people are a breed apart, supremely confident, and they won't do anything they don't think is in the patient's best interest.

I hope it goes smoothly for you and you get a great treatment plan. There are many medical miracles out there now compared to even five or six years ago.

Those people are a breed apart, supremely confident, and they won't do anything they don't think is in the patient's best interest.

Most definitely and with an eye to cosmetic results at the same time, utterly amazing.

I know you are about to face one of the scariest, most surreal experiences any human being can go through. It’s not exactly the same but I am having hopefully life-saving heart surgery this week and am cuddling my awkward teenagers and DH and the poor dog keeps side-eyeing me every time I go near her too. I’m thinking of you and sending you the best vibes!

Still thinking of you @Wells37 , and everyone else going through this hell of uncertainty. Has the date come through yet? No pressure to disclose if you don't want to, but positive vibes are heading your way. There will be some rough days (today is one of mine), but there's the option of further good days post surgery. I get what you mean about wanting more time with your children, good grief it's a wake up call when you get news like ours. I've taken to spending, rather than saving, to make memories (given lasting until retirement is doubtful for me). Keep going, one step, one minute at a time, we are all here x

Thinking of you @Wells37 and you in my prayers

OP, my life insurance paid out when I was diagnosed with MS. Sometimes you literally just need a diagnosis. I'm really lucky in that I have very few symptoms and have been able to keep working, so DH and I invested it to top up my pension, in case I have to retire early due to ill health.

I was listening to an interview with Miles Jupp the other day - he has come through a similar experience and surgery. Might be worth googling. He talks of how terrified he was at first but how well he has done.
Thinking of you OP and hoping all is going to plan.

Thanks everyone. No date yet but should definitely be within next 2 weeks. I spoke to specialist nurse and admin person yesterday and I'm definitely very much on the radar he said. So just a waiting till consultants decide on the urgent list each week.
They have reduced my steroids to just one in the morning and that's helping me sleep better.
Going to go to exercise and yoga class at Maggies this morning.
My dads bought me a very posh red light therapy box to help with sleep and general well being. Eating really well, low carb and lots of veg and organic meat/protein.
Someone i know is a pt and has said she will do me a 1 to 1 session once a week for free once I've recovered from surgery.
She is going to liaise with the Maggies pt then work us out a routine.
Booked a zoom call with Dave Bolton from Ahead of the game foundation too.
Trying to just think about positive things I can do.

That all sounds very proactive and I think it's important that you control what you can. We're all behind you!

You sound in control and taking active steps to secure your well-being. That isbthe way to go ... well done.

You're doing so well, OP.

I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are getting on. Keeping my fingers crossed that you will be treated very soon and it will be as good an outcome as possible x

I keep focusing on what the specialist nurse said. My stats aren't on Google, and my stats will be hugely different than someone who's for example 70, unfit and has other health problems too, and when they get it out they will know exactly what they are dealing with and the right treatment.
There's so much which I can control, I realise is very rare and he's a tiny percentage but Dave Bolton has had it for 10 years. Treatments must have improved since then too.

Absolutely. That's a very sensible approach.

We are going to look at hyperbolic oxygen therapy If the life insurance pays out, I will get one for at home.
Thanks for positive thoughts x

Sending well wishes your way - full of admiration for how you seem to be coping with this.

You are doing amazingly, I am in awe of how quickly you are on this, taking action and concentrating on the positives. Keep on keeping on x

It's good to have focus and positivity @Wells37otherwise what's the point, you may as well give up now.

A lot of people say to myself and DH how can you be so normal in such an awful situation, our answer is you have to be otherwise you would never get out of bed and be constantly under a black cloud.

Draw up a list of all the fun things you would like to do that you have never had time for and do them x

I've been silently following since day 1 and am amazed at how proactive you are at researching options and not letting this defeat you. Your amazing!

Hey OP - your insurance policy, I’m assuming you mean critical illness cover?

For about 15 years I used to assess these types of claim when I worked for an insurer.

Typically both benign brain tumours and malignant tumours are covered, but you’ve said it’s definitely cancer. I just wanted to set your mind at rest and say that these types of tumour will 100% be covered by a critical illness policy.

The insurer will probably want to wait until the surgery has taken place and the histology of the tumour can be confirmed, but you will be covered. No question.

I can see that you’ve been focussing on practical ways to handle this shocking diagnosis so I thought it might be helpful to hear firsthand from someone who has seen many of these claims.

I’ve been following quietly since the start and just want to add my voice to the many on here - you are a fucking warrior the way you’re handling this. I’m so pleased you have support around you but we’re here if you ever feel as if it’s easier to talk anonymously 💐

If you have any other questions about your insurance please just ask and if I can help, I’d be happy to.

I just want to add my voice of support to the others on here. I've been following your story closely and my heart goes out to you. I have a good friend who had cancer of the bladder and she really got into all sorts of healing methods that ended up working for her. I'd happily pass you her contact info if you want to private message me. She did a lot of work with nutrition, but also with emotional and mental healing too. Sending you a ton of love and well wishes.

Just checking in to say I've been thinking of you and I hope you're managing to enjoy this lovely sunny day.

Another voice to wish you well. I hope you’re able to find pocketfuls of happiness at the very least.

My dh's critical illness policy paid out for his brain tumour, he didn't have a biopsy or surgery because of where it is, too difficult apparently. So we don't know the exact diagnosis of his tumour, but he's still here 7 years later.