Brain Tumour - diagnosed on Friday, now what to do?

[Whizkidwithacrazystreak]

6 hours after returning from a lovely holiday my GP left a message requesting a call back. I called and was told that the MRI I had showed Meningoma(s), which I have since learnt are more often benign tumours that will require removal.

I am still coming to grips with this news and am now wondering how I am going to deal with the appointments and recovery as I have two DSs (5&3 yrs). My family are all OS but my mum will come over at a drop of a hat, but I want more info from the specialist before she takes the 24hr flight.

I don't know if I require a live in au pair or would a live in mothers help be better? Am I being realistic thinking that 25-30hrs a week at around £100 per week be sufficient?

DS1 will start school in Sept and DS2 will return to nursery every morning at the same time. The hours required will differ depending on the time and when I will be scheduled for surgery.

I dont usually have any help so it's going to be very new for us all......

Yes, home help moves in tomorrow and my mum and sister arrive on the 17th.

A big treat - yes, mmm what should I do/get?

That's a good question.
A weekend by the sea. Cottage with a good view, so even if you're not up for bracing sea breezes you'd get the benefit of the scenery.
Pricey though, lol.

Just want to add the story of my friend. Last year she too was diagnosed woth a benign tumour which surgically removed. She saw Dr Neil Kitchen. I went with her and stayed overnight. Everyone was brilliant, made her feel safe and confident. I was allowed down to the theatre wit her, as soon as she was asleep I went off for a walk. Three hours later she was out, sat up in bed with just a dressing around her head, no drain needed. She came home two days later and has been fine ever since, no real after effects apart from tiredness. I wish you well xx

Hi Whizkid, my dh has a meningioma, I've never met anyone else with one before so this is quite exciting! His was in the olfactory groove, it was removed at Addenbrookes 8 years ago, he's 100% fine now other than his sense of smell has gone.

If there's anything you want to ask/talk about please feel free to pm me.

Hope it goes well... Best of luck

Triplets and Prof - thanks for sharing your experiences. I've done quite a lot of research and I hope I come out the other side with nill effects as most seem to.

I can't believe your friend was home 2 days later. That's amazing, I've been told that I'm likely to stay in for 7-10 days with a few months recovery. I guess each case is different and it would have been better if mine had been found earlier when it was the size of a clementine, not a tangerine....

That sounds about right Whizkid. First time round my dh was in for about 10 days (which was a bit longer than they planned) and took 3 months to get back to work. His tumour was 8cm long though and pointy rather than fruit shaped due to being in the gap between the two halves of the brain.

It re-grew a few years later but as he was having annual scans it was picked up when it was just a few mm in size. He recovered much more quickly from that one.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
The outlook for non cancerous brain tumours is more positive, they are non aggressive usually.
The op might be to remove all of the tumour( if it's reachable) or they may take a section out for testing.
You may be put on steroids pre-op which help with any swelling from the tumour.
I know many people with non cancerous brain tumours who are able to lead an ordinary life.
My DH went in to have part of his tumour removed for testing, he had the op on the Monday and was home on the Thursday. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Update. I had surgery on the 20 September and it all went so very well. I feel like a very very lucky girl indeed and a very happy one now that the tumour is not pressing on my right front lobe. My live in help is an Angel and I could not have asked for anyone better. It's all good! I think my dad is shining a lucky star on me. Bless you dad.

Thank you the update, so pleased that the surgery was a success, here's some

Thanks for the flowers Maybe!

hi Whiz I just read all the posts for the first time and glad everything going well for you - what an amazing story and fab attitude you have - lots of love xx

Oh Whizzkid. Really glad you came back to update - thank you. What an amazingly positive outcome So pleased for you

Good to hear you are doing well. Best wishes for a full recovery.