Anyone had brain surgery before?

P

paul5186

Expert Member
Joined
May 21, 2007
Messages
1,726
Reaction score
1,304
So I got bad news yesterday. After a MRI I have a low grade glioma i.e tumor on the brain. I am of good health, I don't even have one filling and have never had surgery.

Has anyone had brain surgery before? Someone I could perhaps ask some questions and lean on for advise.

2020 can fark right off now.
 
I know someone who had a vasectomy - does that count? :P

But is seriousness, sorry to hear the news, good luck and I hope it gets sorted without issue and that someone here could be the shoulder to lean on.
 
How big is the tumor? I hope they picked it up early
My exes mom had one for over 10 years before they picked it up on an MRI scan, it was the size of a golf ball by then and that explained the constant migraines she had for so long. The doctor here said he had never seen one that size
 
I think a lot depends on your surgeon and where you having it done? Have you got medical aid?
 
paul5186 said:
So I got bad news yesterday. After a MRI I have a low grade glioma i.e tumor on the brain. I am of good health, I don't even have one filling and have never had surgery.

Has anyone had brain surgery before? Someone I could perhaps ask some questions and lean on for advise.

2020 can fark right off now.
Click to expand...

You planning on getting surgery here in SA?
 
Sorry to hear. A friend of mine had an 'inoperable' glioma on his brain stem. Nobody in SA would operate and he could only find one brilliant neurosurgeon who was confident enough to attempt surgery which was the first of it's kind.

Google Dr Sughrue in Oklahoma, USA if you want to another opinion on your MRI from one of the world's best neurosurgeons.
 
Yup going to have surgery in < 2 weeks at Constantiaberg in Cape Town. A Dr Melvill https://www.neurosurgery.co.za/

I have discovery and Gap cover so it should be covered. Probably a night or 2 in ICU and then up to 10 days in hospital and then a month or two at home.

I won't lie, for a first time surgery I really did pick a big one. I still need to find out if I will be awake during the surgery.

"Luckily" it is a low grade tumor, however it will only be tested for cancer once removed. Touch wood it is not, I have no history of cancer in the family.

Basically the only symptoms I have was for a few days every 3-4 weeks I would have some dizzy spells for 30-60 seconds, a metallic taste in my mouth and time would move a bit slow. Thought nothing of it and seizures did not even cross my mind. FML for googling and thinking I had vertigo.

Dr said that the tumor is in the second best position for surgery. However the thought of them removing my skin, peeling it back, cutting open my skull etc is hectic.

But hey, hopefully it all works out well. I am mainly just down thinking of my wife, new born and friends and family. It was quite a shock.
 
Sensorei said:
Sorry to hear. A friend of mine had an 'inoperable' glioma on his brain stem. Nobody in SA would operate and he could only find one brilliant neurosurgeon who was confident enough to attempt surgery which was the first of it's kind.

Google Dr Sughrue in Oklahoma, USA if you want to another opinion on your MRI from one of the world's best neurosurgeons.
Click to expand...
Shoo I think you and I had the same friend. What an epic human being he was.

But the OP is in a different situation with the tumor towards the outside of the brain along the lining of the brain and the cranium (I think I'm assuming correctly here, that is the most common type). This is way more common than glioblastoma multiforme and is generally must much much much less malignant and operation is most of the time very safe.
 
Take it easy Paul.

In about 3 weeks time you can come tell us all about it.

Do some things that calm you down and distract you and relax you. Easy over.
 
paul5186 said:
Yup going to have surgery in < 2 weeks at Constantiaberg in Cape Town. A Dr Melvill https://www.neurosurgery.co.za/

I have discovery and Gap cover so it should be covered. Probably a night or 2 in ICU and then up to 10 days in hospital and then a month or two at home.

I won't lie, for a first time surgery I really did pick a big one. I still need to find out if I will be awake during the surgery.

"Luckily" it is a low grade tumor, however it will only be tested for cancer once removed. Touch wood it is not, I have no history of cancer in the family.

Basically the only symptoms I have was for a few days every 3-4 weeks I would have some dizzy spells for 30-60 seconds, a metallic taste in my mouth and time would move a bit slow. Thought nothing of it and seizures did not even cross my mind. FML for googling and thinking I had vertigo.

Dr said that the tumor is in the second best position for surgery. However the thought of them removing my skin, peeling it back, cutting open my skull etc is hectic.

But hey, hopefully it all works out well. I am mainly just down thinking of my wife, new born and friends and family. It was quite a shock.
Click to expand...
Bra, you got this. You can do it. This diagnosis, as you are discovering, has a huge impact on your live and even how you view the world. But even in that regard I'm 100% sure you will get through it ok.

Very glad to hear about the positioning. That is good news at least.

I can relate to what you are going through. My wife was diagnosed in 2019 with glioblastoma which was inoperable. She passed away about 2 months ago.

EDIT: that is why I'm confident that you don't have to go down that path. The odds are very much in your favour. I'm 100% rooting for you. I'm not gonna tell you not to worry, only to try and contain your worry to a level that is appropriate.
 
AlmightyBender said:
I can relate to what you are going through. My wife was diagnosed in 2019 with glioblastoma which was inoperable. She passed away about 2 months ago.

EDIT: that is why I'm confident that you don't have to go down that path. The odds are very much in your favour. I'm 100% rooting for you. I'm not gonna tell you not to worry, only to try and contain your worry to a level that is appropriate.
Click to expand...

Thanks man, sorry to hear that. Strength to you and your family.
 
Peon said:
Take it easy Paul.

In about 3 weeks time you can come tell us all about it.

Do some things that calm you down and distract you and relax you. Easy over.
Click to expand...

Yup had some whiskey last night, however I got a script for some sleeping tablets which I will try out.
 
So sorry to hear this man. Wishing you all the best for it.

In 2014 I started having seizures and also had CT scans and MRI's done. Turned out I have a Cavernoma on my left temporal lobe which is a non cancerous tumor which also doesn't grow, although I do have to have checkups for it. The seizures are actually a side effect of the Cavernoma as it causes the brain to short circuit, which is what then causes the seizure.

I was put on Epilem and have to take 2x tablets in the morning and 2x tablets in the eve. The Professor and Doctors decided it was the safer bet to medically manage it rather than to go in for surgery.

So yea, I get the stress and worry that you must be under. My sister in-law had brain surgery and got through it. It will be tough but before you know it, you will have a good story to tell at the braai ;) Best of luck mate.
 
Eric said:
Wow... some interesting symptoms there. Please do keep this thread going with info and feedback if you don't mind. It sounds like your prognosis is pretty good so definitely don't let stress rule your world right now.
Click to expand...

Will do so. Yup symptoms were "minor". Not like a seizure on a TV show. Hence why I was not worried. When I saw the neurologist yesterday he started by saying he was glad I brought my wife with me.... wonderful... here it goes.

But yes, will post some updates when I can. I go for an eye test on Friday as the tumor is near my eyes optic nerves so they want a baseline for afterwards.

Then before surgery I have to get a covid test and self isolate, joy oh joy.
 
AlmightyBender said:
Bra, you got this. You can do it. This diagnosis, as you are discovering, has a huge impact on your live and even how you view the world. But even in that regard I'm 100% sure you will get through it ok.

Very glad to hear about the positioning. That is good news at least.

I can relate to what you are going through. My wife was diagnosed in 2019 with glioblastoma which was inoperable. She passed away about 2 months ago.

EDIT: that is why I'm confident that you don't have to go down that path. The odds are very much in your favour. I'm 100% rooting for you. I'm not gonna tell you not to worry, only to try and contain your worry to a level that is appropriate.
Click to expand...
Condolences dude. Wishing you all the best and hope you grow from strength to strength from here on out
 
paul5186 said:
Yup going to have surgery in < 2 weeks at Constantiaberg in Cape Town. A Dr Melvill https://www.neurosurgery.co.za/

I have discovery and Gap cover so it should be covered. Probably a night or 2 in ICU and then up to 10 days in hospital and then a month or two at home.

I won't lie, for a first time surgery I really did pick a big one. I still need to find out if I will be awake during the surgery.

"Luckily" it is a low grade tumor, however it will only be tested for cancer once removed. Touch wood it is not, I have no history of cancer in the family.

Basically the only symptoms I have was for a few days every 3-4 weeks I would have some dizzy spells for 30-60 seconds, a metallic taste in my mouth and time would move a bit slow. Thought nothing of it and seizures did not even cross my mind. FML for googling and thinking I had vertigo.

Dr said that the tumor is in the second best position for surgery. However the thought of them removing my skin, peeling it back, cutting open my skull etc is hectic.

But hey, hopefully it all works out well. I am mainly just down thinking of my wife, new born and friends and family. It was quite a shock.
Click to expand...
Dr Melvill is very good. All the best, man. Hope the surgery turns out to be successful.
 
I'm seeing a neurosurgeon tomorrow....so this thread is now suddenly making it very very real.

Good luck man. I hope all goes well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X