Possible Brain Surgery

[wbassett]

If I am not very active, it is because my wife recently developed very bad headaches and during testing the MRI found what they believe is a small cyst or tumor in her brain. They are doing more testing and she was sent to a specialist to determine if surgery is needed or not.

This year has started off pretty hectic that's for sure. The fact that they don't have her admitted seems like a good sign that this isn't life threatening, but the idea of someone possibly drilling holes and poking around in her brain has her pretty worried and stressed out... me too...

[Sonnie]

Sorry to learn of this situation with your wife Bill. I will pray for her and you as well as the family.

[wbassett]

Thanks Sonnie... this is one thing that really makes this site a very unique place... it's not just anonymous members that have internet alter egos, there are real people and personalities here.

Thanks again for your thoughts as well as this nice touch to the forum.

[Tiddler]

Hi Bill,

A few years ago my dad was finally diagnosed with brain cancer. I say finally because my mom knew there was something wrong and had taken him back to the doctor a few times over a period of several months. My dad was 64 and about to retire. The doctor kept saying he was just getting old and may be showing some signs of Alzheimer’s. Finally an MRI was done when my mom would not take no for an answer. Sure enough it was a large brain tumor. At least your doctor is not taking chances with your wife’s life.

A couple of months back my wife was called back after a mammogram. It was a week or so waiting and then some tests at the hospital. Then it was a week or so waiting to get the results. It prompted me to refinance our home and clean up all our debts in preparation for her possible battle and not being able to work. These situations quickly put things into perspective, don’t they? In the end, the tests were negative, but we sure had a bad few weeks.

You, your wife, and family will be in my thoughts at this time.

[Prof.]

Bill...My prayers are with you both..I pray that your wife can be cured without an operation needed..
Have faith and trust in God, that He can put things right..

[JCD]

It goes without saying that all my thoughts and prayers for your wife, you and your family. I'm sure we all agree that we wish the best for her.

JCD

[terry j]

All the best, at least it was found whilst it is still small which can only help with the outcome, and coupled with the approach which seems to suggest that it is not 'super serious' is all good news if you understand what I mean. When it comes to the actual surgery, well those boys are the pick of the crop.

Give her a cuddle for me and let her know we are all thinking of the both of you.

[drf]

I also understand what it means when your wife (or significant other) is under threat of something serious, please know that there is always hope and support outhere regardless of what happens. I will be praying for your whole family.

cheers
Dr F

[Tiddler]

Bill, how is your wife doing?

[wbassett]

First thanks everyone for all the prayers, thoughts, and kind words. They really do mean something.

Lisa is still having very bad headaches on a daily basis. The neuro surgeon is taking things slow to make sure they don't have any alternatives before they perform any type of surgery. That's good news in the sense it's not life threatening, but bad news in the respect that she can't stand the headaches and I am starting to become a little concerned that she could become addicted to pain killers... if not then I worry about her liver. She takes 1000mg at a shot and I keep telling her to back it off because that's not good for you to do that for extended periods of time, especially when a person is petite like she is (barely 5' and only 105lbs).

We just dropped off a new set of MRI and CTSCANs and are hoping the neuro surgeon can figure out a course of action from these that isn't invasive like brain surgery would be.

Bill

[Sonnie]

Have they verified that there is definitely a cyst or tumor on her brain?

The reason I ask this is that in February 1994 I got one of the most painful headaches I'd ever experienced and had to go to the emergency room. Of course by the time I was able to see the doctor, the headache was gone. The next night about the same time, I get another headache. They came on me every day at the same time, and although seriously painful, they only lasted about 30-45 minutes each and the pain was focused only on one side of my head, more like an ice pick behind my eye. I had all kinds of test run, but nothing out of the ordinary. Later on I was diagnosed with cluster headaches. There is treatment for them via trial and error. While not good, it would be better than a tumor or cyst and brain surgery. These type of headaches just all of the sudden come on people unexpectedly and it causes all kinds of scares initially due to the severity of the pain.

[wbassett]

Yeah they did find a cyst and the second set of scans confirmed it. Our first thoughts and concern was of course "oh no, a brain tumor" and the doctor said it's not a tumor, just a cyst at the base of her brain where the fluid normally drains. He said it's not huge, but can/does hinder the normal flow of fluids, and described it like a slow draining sink. Depending on her movements, it can sometimes trigger pressure which causes headaches. They are deciding if surgery is needed, and in a way I am glad they are being cautious and not just jumping on surgery at this point. It still is an option they haven't excluded.

The constant pain is causing her to be rather moody and cranky at times, which is understandable.

[Sonnie]

Well fortunately it is a cyst and not a tumor. I'm sure the pain can be endlessly aggravating. I imagine any of us would be moody and cranky...

We'll keep praying for her...

[wbassett]

Thanks Sonnie, and thanks to everyone as well !

[nano_machine]

Bill,
I know how frightening this can be. I am 31 years old and was diagnosed with a brain tumor last September and underwent surgery. My wife and I were very nervous about the operation and the recovery period as most of the doctors explanations were very clinical and the internet is full of peoples very painful experiences. Now, at almost 9 months later, I am cancer/tumor free and fell like I am about 80% of the way back to feeling normal and am mostly living the same life I had before the operation. Pleas do not hesitate to PM me if you have any questions.

Andy

[Sonnie]

Hi Andy and welcome to the Shack!

That is an encouraging story... thanks for sharing...

[drf]

I am also glad to hear it is not a tumor, I will still be praying for everyone invovled but specifically for a healthy recovery regardless of what course of action the specialists take.

Cheers

DrF

[wbassett]

nano_machine wrote:

Bill,
I know how frightening this can be. I am 31 years old and was diagnosed with a brain tumor last September and underwent surgery. My wife and I were very nervous about the operation and the recovery period as most of the doctors explanations were very clinical and the internet is full of peoples very painful experiences. Now, at almost 9 months later, I am cancer/tumor free and fell like I am about 80% of the way back to feeling normal and am mostly living the same life I had before the operation. Pleas do not hesitate to PM me if you have any questions.

Andy

Thanks Andy and I just may if the decide they have to operate. My wife is terrified of that and I know she will have a ton of questions and concerns.