Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Brain surgery today, scared

162 replies

Gumbo · 25/08/2019 02:39

That's it really.

I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid of leaving my wonderful child. We're ridiculously close...we both have Aspergers and 'get' each other, and although he loves DH very much he'd struggle without me.

And most of all I'm afraid of brain damage. The awfulness of the stage between living and dead is horrendous.

It's all so sudden. I was only admitted on Friday night unexpectedly, now they're sawing my head open later this morning to deal with a bleed and tumour. A couple of days ago I was planning an active bank holiday weekend outdoors.

Has anyone had this done and woken up fine and dandy and happy to have had the surgery?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Hospitalexpert · 26/08/2019 20:00

Thank you for the update. Best wishes for recovery- take it gently. FlowersBrew

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/08/2019 20:05

Yep I had this in May. Big tumour and big bleed. I was diagnosed, operated on and discharged all within 5 days.

I'm 35 and it's a Met from other cancer I knew I had. A brain tumour I was BOT expecting but the team who looked after me were so so amazing.

Lots and lots of ThanksThanks

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/08/2019 20:07

Oh and I wasn't given any painkillers (sadly!) and was back at work after being home a week. I wasn't in any pain, it was a better recovery (physically) than other surgery. Emotionally I struggled though.

The most annoying thing is not being allowed to drive for a year. I really miss it.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/08/2019 20:08

Ooh (and sorry for the monologue) I think mine was on a BH weekend too! Weird!

So glad you're through it all

stucknoue · 26/08/2019 20:17

Thanks for the update, was thinking of you yesterday. My uncle had a brain tumour removed in 1988, he's still very much alive and kicking at 80, the weakness took about 3-4 weeks to dissipate. I know it depends a lot on the tumour and waiting for the histology is nerve racking but surgeons are amazing (and it's come a long way since 1988!) Such fast treatment, the NHS at its best.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 26/08/2019 20:22

stuck absolutely. The surgeons were amazing.

I knew my tumour would be malignant (weirdly I've also had a benign one but a whole long time ago) but the Radiotherapy they did on me was all clever and advanced, not to mention very easy as a patient.

Proseccoinamug · 26/08/2019 22:14

Wowee, I did not think you’d be able to update today!! That’s incredible and really positive. I’m so glad you’re out the other side. I hope you’re being kept as comfortable as possible and getting good care, and that you see your family soon.

Brainstories5698 · 26/08/2019 22:15

@namechange I've just realised that I also got my diagnosis on the Aug bank holiday weekend in 2015. How funny! Due to start radio next month, then chemo as a preventative measure.

OP: it's likely that you'll be home in a few days if it all went to plan as the main thing your brain needs is rest rather than medical care. I was in hospital for two nights, so the same as when I had my baby. I found that I struggled with reading (or anything requiring concentration) for a while which really bugged me but it came back, in the most part, within a few months. As I said before I'm also less articulate and struggle to find the precise words for nouns, but I think it's the kind of thing I notice more than others. The exact impact will be individual to you and will depend on exactly where in your brain it was, my tumour is in my frontal lobe so language etc were most impacted.

BeneathTheMist · 26/08/2019 22:42

Wow, good to see you back on here, hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
Gumbo · 27/08/2019 05:39

Hi... I'm amazed by the number of you who have had brain surgery! The stories and experiences are very helpful, thank you.

I think I was on shock from it yesterday as I really hadn't had a chance to process it properly... The surgeon came to see how I was doing and found me sobbing on my bed saying I was useless because I couldn't even eat. She pointed out that she'd cut through the 'chewing muscles' by the ear which also meant I couldn't open my mouth very wide so speech is affected.. I was so relieved to hear it! I haven't eaten since Saturday lunchtime... But I have plenty of reservesGrin

My surgeon was a woman which I think made a difference to my 'hairdo".. she doesn't seem to have shaved any hair and just glued the whole wound which is amazing!

My family came to see me yesterday which was wonderful and I think it helped DS. I cried a bit - don't think he's seen me cry before, but it was good.

Anyhow, I'm ridiculously tired all the time so will leave it there. Thanks for the insightful and supportive messagesSmile

OP posts:
LifeOfBox · 27/08/2019 07:09

Get well and rest gumbo 💐.

MrsMozartMkII · 27/08/2019 07:19

Try Complan and / or milkshakes for sustenance.

Crying for all and any and no reason at all is perfectly normal.

You'll remain in our thoughts lass.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 27/08/2019 07:35

brainstories let's form the bank holiday club Grin

Yeah the tiredness hits you when you aren't expecting it doesn't it? And then when you DO want to sleep, no chance!

Egghead68 · 27/08/2019 08:01

Hope you can get some rest.

Did the surgeon say whether your chewing muscles will grow back?

ReTooth · 27/08/2019 08:02

Hope you feel much better soon OP 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

Benjispruce · 27/08/2019 08:13

I would imagine they’ve been repaired but obviously not healed yet.

Lindy2 · 27/08/2019 08:16

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

writersbeenblocked · 27/08/2019 08:16

You are so brave OP!

Lardlizard · 27/08/2019 08:19

Gumbo you are doing amazing
Keep going girl xxx

notapizzaeater · 27/08/2019 08:30

You are doing fab. Every time I have anaesthetic I spend the next few days crying x

ChicCroissant · 27/08/2019 08:48

The muscles will repair and you might get a visit from a physio in a day or so. I would advise doing the exercises (voice of experience here, I had my neck muscles severed on one side) and I know that it is quite weird when you can't move your head or face as normal! You don't realise how heavy your head is until you lose some of the muscles that support it.

I had a tiny bit of hair shaved, and woke up with my (then quite long) hair neatly tied to one side and plaited.

Oddgirlout · 27/08/2019 08:52

Gumbo you're amazing. If the surgeon isn't worried then it must all be part of the process of healing. You're very brave. So glad your fam came to visit. X Flowers X

Daisypie · 27/08/2019 12:42

Gumbo you are amazing to be updating. You are a brave and fierce woman.

edsheeranpaidmoretaxthanccola · 27/08/2019 14:30

Best wishes Gumbo

bringmesmiles · 27/08/2019 20:24

I used to work in neurosurgery with an incredible neurosurgeon who was renowned for her skills with scars/hair/wounds etc ... we were one of the only neurosurgery departments in the area so had patients travelling a long long way . I’m wondering if you’re at my precious workplace ... slim chance to be honest but you never know !

I’m sure wherever you are that you’re being very well looked after though - it takes its time but you will notice small improvements , you’re already doing bloody amazing managing to update on here Flowers

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.