Brain surgery! Help please!

Sharyn,

Check out Nic from OZ and Jag's posts.  Both have too much experience with brain surgery but they are both great sources of information.

Hugs,

Jerry from Cape Cod

Sharyn,

Check out Nic from OZ and Jag's posts.  Both have too much experience with brain surgery but they are both great sources of information.

Hugs,

Jerry from Cape Cod

Hi Sharyn

If they have suggested surgery it must be in a position that is accessible, Michael had a 5cm Met that bled but the Operation was straight forward and recovery quick, its surprising even when he had a 2nd Met one month later he was out of Hospital in 2 days!  As stated Nic and John have had multiple Ops. with no probs.

I thought there would be a massive incision but no they generally  do like a little trapdoor. Good luck with it and in my opinion Surgery is the best option.

best wishes

James

Hi Sharyn

If they have suggested surgery it must be in a position that is accessible, Michael had a 5cm Met that bled but the Operation was straight forward and recovery quick, its surprising even when he had a 2nd Met one month later he was out of Hospital in 2 days!  As stated Nic and John have had multiple Ops. with no probs.

I thought there would be a massive incision but no they generally  do like a little trapdoor. Good luck with it and in my opinion Surgery is the best option.

best wishes

James

Oh no.  I'm so sorry to hear about this latest situation.  Sharyn,  if I can do anything to help in whatever way just give me a ring.  Val  xx

Oh no.  I'm so sorry to hear about this latest situation.  Sharyn,  if I can do anything to help in whatever way just give me a ring.  Val  xx

Hi Sharyn – I had emergency brain surgery last June for a 2×3 cm tumor that had started bleeding into my brain. I didn't have to go through the advance fear because I was unconscious prior to the surgery but I woke up in recovery making jokes!

The tumor that was bleeding was on the right temporal lobe. I have a scar about 5 inches long that runs from above my temple over and past my ear. I had the surgery on Friday night and was moved out of the ICU Saturday morning and given the option of going home on Sunday. I was convinced they were trying to poison me with the hospital food so I opted to go home even though my husband was a bit afraid of that choice.

Don't try to be a hero about pain medication! Any surgery involving bones will have a lot of pain for the first 48 hours so take whatever medication you need to stay ahead of it knowing it will get better really fast! About five days after surgery, I was up and walking slowly and carefully out to sit next to the fence where my horses are, my best medicine! By then I really wasn't experiencing any pain at all from the surgery.

Depending on where the tumor is located, you may experience an increase in symptoms for a while from swelling so don't let it worry you! You also may experience some new ones like things tasting weird, visual problems, balance problems and so on. Just be sure to ask the neurologist what to expect from where the tumor is located.

Be prepared to feel incredibly tired. I slept more than I was awake for the first two weeks and my onc told me that was the best thing for me since the brain does the majority of healing during deep sleep. Just rest and eat as nutritionally as possible and be prepared to be impressed at how amazingly the brain can recover from trauma!

My symptoms gradually disappeared over about a three month period. In my case, some were permanant, mostly vision and hearing problems and some language comprehension but that's a small price to pay! In my case, two tumors were treated one month after the craniotomy with gamma knife surgery and my 3 month and 6 month brain MRIs were clear of new tumors and the two old ones are considered to be just scar tissue now.

I know it's easy for me to say but try not to be afraid! If I were told I had to go back in for more brain surgery, I would not be any more afraid now that I've experienced it than I would of any other surgery. In fact, in some ways the recovery was easier than some of my other surgeries over the last two years.

What I remember more than anything else was that I laughed more and felt more uninhibited joy those first couple of months after brain surgery than I've ever felt in my life. Most of that was just pure gratitude that we get to experience the advances that have been made in recent years for treating brain mets and mostly, it was shear joy at being alive! I hope that is what you wake up to in recovery too, absolute joy at being alive! My best wishes and prayers to you for as easy a recovery as I had…Carmon

Hi Sharyn – I had emergency brain surgery last June for a 2×3 cm tumor that had started bleeding into my brain. I didn't have to go through the advance fear because I was unconscious prior to the surgery but I woke up in recovery making jokes!

The tumor that was bleeding was on the right temporal lobe. I have a scar about 5 inches long that runs from above my temple over and past my ear. I had the surgery on Friday night and was moved out of the ICU Saturday morning and given the option of going home on Sunday. I was convinced they were trying to poison me with the hospital food so I opted to go home even though my husband was a bit afraid of that choice.

Don't try to be a hero about pain medication! Any surgery involving bones will have a lot of pain for the first 48 hours so take whatever medication you need to stay ahead of it knowing it will get better really fast! About five days after surgery, I was up and walking slowly and carefully out to sit next to the fence where my horses are, my best medicine! By then I really wasn't experiencing any pain at all from the surgery.

Depending on where the tumor is located, you may experience an increase in symptoms for a while from swelling so don't let it worry you! You also may experience some new ones like things tasting weird, visual problems, balance problems and so on. Just be sure to ask the neurologist what to expect from where the tumor is located.

Be prepared to feel incredibly tired. I slept more than I was awake for the first two weeks and my onc told me that was the best thing for me since the brain does the majority of healing during deep sleep. Just rest and eat as nutritionally as possible and be prepared to be impressed at how amazingly the brain can recover from trauma!

My symptoms gradually disappeared over about a three month period. In my case, some were permanant, mostly vision and hearing problems and some language comprehension but that's a small price to pay! In my case, two tumors were treated one month after the craniotomy with gamma knife surgery and my 3 month and 6 month brain MRIs were clear of new tumors and the two old ones are considered to be just scar tissue now.

I know it's easy for me to say but try not to be afraid! If I were told I had to go back in for more brain surgery, I would not be any more afraid now that I've experienced it than I would of any other surgery. In fact, in some ways the recovery was easier than some of my other surgeries over the last two years.

What I remember more than anything else was that I laughed more and felt more uninhibited joy those first couple of months after brain surgery than I've ever felt in my life. Most of that was just pure gratitude that we get to experience the advances that have been made in recent years for treating brain mets and mostly, it was shear joy at being alive! I hope that is what you wake up to in recovery too, absolute joy at being alive! My best wishes and prayers to you for as easy a recovery as I had…Carmon

Dearest Sharyn:   My prayers are with you as always.  John and Nic can talk you through this, they both have come through thhis procedure, and yes I know everyone is different, but sometimes having someone who knows sort of what you will be facing, someone who you know…is easier.

My love to you all. 

Bonnie and Bob and Jennifer too!

Dearest Sharyn:   My prayers are with you as always.  John and Nic can talk you through this, they both have come through thhis procedure, and yes I know everyone is different, but sometimes having someone who knows sort of what you will be facing, someone who you know…is easier.

My love to you all. 

Bonnie and Bob and Jennifer too!

Dearest Sharyn:   My prayers are with you as always.  John and Nic can talk you through this, they both have come through thhis procedure, and yes I know everyone is different, but sometimes having someone who knows sort of what you will be facing, someone who you know…is easier.

My love to you all. 

Bonnie and Bob and Jennifer too!

Dearest Sharyn:   My prayers are with you as always.  John and Nic can talk you through this, they both have come through thhis procedure, and yes I know everyone is different, but sometimes having someone who knows sort of what you will be facing, someone who you know…is easier.

My love to you all. 

Bonnie and Bob and Jennifer too!

Sharyn,

I know this was not what you planned on. You have had such a positive attitude during this journey, I hate the thought that you are really rattled by this. Take those that have done so well with surgery as your guide post that you too can do this!!  I hope they can fit you in very quickly to alleviate the anxiety.

We are all pulling for you and your remarkable strength!

Linda

Sharyn,

I know this was not what you planned on. You have had such a positive attitude during this journey, I hate the thought that you are really rattled by this. Take those that have done so well with surgery as your guide post that you too can do this!!  I hope they can fit you in very quickly to alleviate the anxiety.

We are all pulling for you and your remarkable strength!

Linda

Hi Sharyn, Nic is currently recovering from surgery so I will give you a link to her recent advice to Katy about craniotomy surgery. (Nic just had her eighth operation, sounds great and is clamoring for food and coffee at the moment:) 

Good luck Sharyn, I hope you will find this procedure will be easier than it first sounds.

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/craniotomy-comin-down-pike-advice#comment-8536

Hi Sharyn, Nic is currently recovering from surgery so I will give you a link to her recent advice to Katy about craniotomy surgery. (Nic just had her eighth operation, sounds great and is clamoring for food and coffee at the moment:) 

Good luck Sharyn, I hope you will find this procedure will be easier than it first sounds.

http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/craniotomy-comin-down-pike-advice#comment-8536

HI sharyn,

I am so so sorry for what you are going through. I know how hard this is for you.  Hang in …Keep telling yourself  .  I CAN DO THIS..  EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK.   

I also had to have a craniotomy. I went in for Gamma Knife and my tumor had burst. Sharyn, I was devastated. I had so hoped to have Gamma Knife.  My doctors had wanted to do the surgery but I had said no in the begining.  For whatever reason,  GK was not in the cards for me.

I had the craniotomy the next day…. tumor was behind my left occipital lobe.  Sharyn, I have to say after the surgery was easy. In fact initially was to stay in the hospital 1 week and the next day my doctor asked if I was ready to go home..  My recovery at home went well except I did not like what the steroids did.  I ate like a horse and couldn't sleep but I was EXHAUSTED.  The only other issue I had was with the meds and which to take when. My daughter set her alarm to make sure I took the right ones. I was like a zombie because of the steroids. 

I know it's frightening..  Try to take a deep breath and know you are in good hands and you will be up the next day.  I had my srugery Jan 30th and was driving April 1st.  Just think about going to your special home that you love spending time with your friends and family.  When is your surgery? If I am free I will come up to be with you if you need me.   Sending you big hugs, strength and lots of love Lady.  You are amazing.

Love and Light

Carole

HI sharyn,

I am so so sorry for what you are going through. I know how hard this is for you.  Hang in …Keep telling yourself  .  I CAN DO THIS..  EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE OK.   

I also had to have a craniotomy. I went in for Gamma Knife and my tumor had burst. Sharyn, I was devastated. I had so hoped to have Gamma Knife.  My doctors had wanted to do the surgery but I had said no in the begining.  For whatever reason,  GK was not in the cards for me.

I had the craniotomy the next day…. tumor was behind my left occipital lobe.  Sharyn, I have to say after the surgery was easy. In fact initially was to stay in the hospital 1 week and the next day my doctor asked if I was ready to go home..  My recovery at home went well except I did not like what the steroids did.  I ate like a horse and couldn't sleep but I was EXHAUSTED.  The only other issue I had was with the meds and which to take when. My daughter set her alarm to make sure I took the right ones. I was like a zombie because of the steroids. 

I know it's frightening..  Try to take a deep breath and know you are in good hands and you will be up the next day.  I had my srugery Jan 30th and was driving April 1st.  Just think about going to your special home that you love spending time with your friends and family.  When is your surgery? If I am free I will come up to be with you if you need me.   Sending you big hugs, strength and lots of love Lady.  You are amazing.

Love and Light

Carole

Best of luck, I'm sure you'll be fine !    If it's Friday afternoon, I'll be getting 2 of my 13 and counting brain lesions "burned' Out.  So, let's be thinking of each other!   I really think you'll be okay.  

Goodnight, Grady &Family.

Best of luck, I'm sure you'll be fine !    If it's Friday afternoon, I'll be getting 2 of my 13 and counting brain lesions "burned' Out.  So, let's be thinking of each other!   I really think you'll be okay.  

Goodnight, Grady &Family.

Sharyn,

I'm sorry that you are going through this.  My first brain surgery, I felt like I was planning my own plane crash, very freaked out.   have faith that your body will heal and that you will think just as clearly as before if not more so.(I don't know, I just feel like I have to be extra careful to not make mistakes so that people don't start second guessing me)   Most importantly be sure that you have a good neurosurgeon.

Good luck and God Bless.

John

Sharyn,

I'm sorry that you are going through this.  My first brain surgery, I felt like I was planning my own plane crash, very freaked out.   have faith that your body will heal and that you will think just as clearly as before if not more so.(I don't know, I just feel like I have to be extra careful to not make mistakes so that people don't start second guessing me)   Most importantly be sure that you have a good neurosurgeon.

Good luck and God Bless.

John

Sharon,

Please don't feel scared!  I had craniotomy on Tuesday – I came home Thursday – today's only Friday!  Every surgery is different; I think I am definitely on the leading edge of how easy it can be – BUT it is definitely not as scary as I thought.  All I did, the entire time I was in the hospital, was think, "boy, this is a lot easier than IL-2!"  Frankly, it is easier than my WLE and my LND way back in 2001.  And on top of it, some of my doctors believe that surgical removal is superior in outcome to SRS.  You're likely to do just fine – more than fine.  Email any time – you can find my contact info on my profile.

Big hugs,

KatyWI

Sharon,

Please don't feel scared!  I had craniotomy on Tuesday – I came home Thursday – today's only Friday!  Every surgery is different; I think I am definitely on the leading edge of how easy it can be – BUT it is definitely not as scary as I thought.  All I did, the entire time I was in the hospital, was think, "boy, this is a lot easier than IL-2!"  Frankly, it is easier than my WLE and my LND way back in 2001.  And on top of it, some of my doctors believe that surgical removal is superior in outcome to SRS.  You're likely to do just fine – more than fine.  Email any time – you can find my contact info on my profile.

Big hugs,

KatyWI

Good Luck Sharyn!  Thinkin of you and sending healing prayers.

Suzan AB

Stage IV with lung F*&kin nodes

Good Luck Sharyn!  Thinkin of you and sending healing prayers.

Suzan AB

Stage IV with lung F*&kin nodes

My dear Newfie !!   I ,along with all your family here, am so sad you are facing another hurdle. I scrolled down to see who had responded and was so pleased to see that Carole had. I have met Carole 2ice and after what she went through with her brain mets and how she is today is remarkable. And she had her surgery 10 years ago, so many advancenments have been made since then. You remind me of Carole and I expect your results will be too. This disease is not fair, and certainly you have had your share of setbacks. You have been fortunate to have had continuous care and monitoring which gives you a leg up when there have been changes..you are unique in the Canadian Melanoma scene…My love to you and Jim…thanks for thinking of us and posting..and we are all here for you……BIG HUGS back to you Joan

My dear Newfie !!   I ,along with all your family here, am so sad you are facing another hurdle. I scrolled down to see who had responded and was so pleased to see that Carole had. I have met Carole 2ice and after what she went through with her brain mets and how she is today is remarkable. And she had her surgery 10 years ago, so many advancenments have been made since then. You remind me of Carole and I expect your results will be too. This disease is not fair, and certainly you have had your share of setbacks. You have been fortunate to have had continuous care and monitoring which gives you a leg up when there have been changes..you are unique in the Canadian Melanoma scene…My love to you and Jim…thanks for thinking of us and posting..and we are all here for you……BIG HUGS back to you Joan

I'm sorry no advice but man thoughs and prayers that the surgery goes well.

I'm sorry no advice but man thoughs and prayers that the surgery goes well.