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Newly diagnosed with a meningioma

and63
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Hi All,

I've just been diagnosed with a brain tumour (meningioma) in my left forehead - I've had a couple of MRIs and a CT scan, and met with the neurosurgeon last week. He recommended operating, since although the tumour is slow growing it will need to be removed eventually, but he said I could also wait. I said I wanted to think about it - the operation sounds awful and risky, so I would rather wait, but on the other hand I'm going to have to have it done sooner or later... how have other people made that kind of decision? Also, has anyone been through it - how has life been afterwards?

I tuned out what most of the surgeon said after he gave me the diagnosis and recommended operating, but I do remember him saying the words 'facial reconstruction' (the tumour may be attached to the bone round my left eye).

Anyway, I've asked the surgeon's secretary if I can talk to him again, hopefully I can get some more information.

Andy

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    Hi Andy,

    Welcome to cancerchat. I am sorry to her about your recent diagnosis. Hearing that one has cancer of any part of the body is shocking.

    Trying to get your head around facts and details and make decisions is a really difficult time. Tuning out must be normal, there can be only so much one can take in at any time.

    Perhaps the thing to think about is how your general health is at the moment and how fit you think you can be for surgery.

    If the tumour is going to have an affect of your general health, albeit slowly you might be better having the surgery as soon as reasonably possibly.

    You are absolutely right to try and become well informed so that you can make this difficult decission.

    Good luck with it,

    Will be thinking of you.

    best wishes

    Annabel.

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    Hello and63,

    I just wanted to welcome you to the forum though I noticed you already received a warm welcome from Annabel. We do have some information in our patient information site about meningioma treatment. I hope it is useful and relevant to you. You can also ring our cancer nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

    I also noticed that there have been some threads on the forum about meningioma - for example this one from April so feel free to respond to that thread as it might be that these fellow meningioma sufferers may have since had the operation or at the very least they can talk to you about their own experience of living with a meningioma.

    Hope this helps!

    Best wishes and a big welcome to Cancer Chat,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    I do know how you feel. I have recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I am completely devastated. I am 60 and have never been ill. I now spend a lot of time crying and I am absolutely terrified. Apparently it is a normal reaction. I have to have an operation to remove the tumour on 19 November and My Consultant wants me to have an awake craniotomy. Operation is bad enough but to be awake as well petrifies me. But I must try and remain strong and learn how to face my fear. god only knows how I will do that but i really have little choice.good luck sweetheart you will be fine x
  • Offline in reply to jasmine78

    Dear Jasmine 

    I’m a new member to this site and was informed that I have a meningioma on the left side of my head a week ago. The course of treatment is still to be decided but in the meantime I am collecting as much information as possible. I am very moved by your case and first of all hope you have had a successful surgery. My question is why your surgeon decided to have an awake operation?  

    Wishing you every best. 

    Nick

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