Decision on recurrance

[Barbara H.]

Hi everyone,
I saw Dr. Peter Black at the Brigham today in Boston. I will have surgery either on Friday or Monday in a week. The MRI shows likely recurrance to the site of the craineotomny in May of 2004. There is a possiblity of radiation necrosis. Dr. Black thinks that necrosis is a possiblilty, but would like to take it out to be sure, because the lesion could contain some cancer cells. I'm adjusting to the situation. He will use MRI imaging while performing the surgery. The site is close to the surface in the frontal cortex, and he expects surgery to go well. I don't have to go on Decradon until the day of the surgery and he thinks I will be off it in a week. Considering the news I received last week, I feel much better about the situation now, and am just anxious to get it over with. If all goes well, he expects that I can be back in the classroom two weeks after the surgery.
I want to thank all of you that responded to my earlier post.
Barbara H.

[StephN]

So glad you are feeling better about that bad new you had. Once we have the full information and a plan of attack that makes sense to us, it is always some kind of relief and the anxiety level falls.
Seems like the surgeon is being cautious and wants to save you further anxiety with this suspicious spot.

We will all be sending our best thoughts and prayers if you let us know exactly when the surgery will happen.

[AlaskaAngel]

Barbara I find your posts helpful and thank you for posting as you go forward in your treatment so that we can learn from you and know how you are doing.

Best to you,

AlaskaAngel

[jojo]

Hello Barbara,

I also experienced a craniotomy, and according to my surgeon, it was relatively easy to proceed my surgery, mostly based on the location of the lesion, so the operation took only half the predicted timeframe. My lesion was also very close to the surface, but was situated in my lower left cerebellum.

The 2nd tumor that grew back in the same spot which was previously treated with gamma knife (for the 1st tumor, I mean). They said it could be necrosis, but because of the size increase in a short time (by studying my follow-up brain MRI's), this gave us the push for the craniotomy.

It turned to be an active tumor, after all, but the good news was that it was found to be half the size we had previously assumed. Plus, it didn't give my surgeon a hard time to take out the full of the tumor / necrosis. So, it was the tumor AND necrosis altogether. The necrosis was surrounding the outer side of the tumor.

Brain surgery may be quite a complex procedure, but based from my own experience, it was very quick & rather easy recovery for me. This surprised my family, including myself. I even wanted to leave the hospital the NEXT day!! All I had for any effect of post-surgery was just a stiff neck, nothing else. Unfortunately, as much as my surgeon wanted to discharge me at my request, I had to remain there for a few more days, so they could check if my drainage didn't have any problems at the disconnection. The drainage was actually poked through my spinal cord -- this is where surgical fluids drains go through from brain surgery.

Oh! Have you had radiation seeds implanted in your previous craniotomy or do you intend to have the seeds in your upcoming operation? I had mine implanted in my craniotomy.

Though, our situations differentiate on the fact that I had the craniotomy only once, and the result was from my gamma knife treatment, whereas your medical team want to re-check your crainotomy area. I am almost certain that you will fare well & quickly, Barbara -- I send you best of luck & wishes for good health.

And happy holidays! :-)

[TriciaK]

Barbara, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your strength and determination are an inspiration to all of us. Let us know the exact day so we can send a lot of love and blessings your way. Hugs, Tricia

[Barbara H.]

Again, thank you to everyone for your well wishes. Jo, Jo, to hear of your experience is very encouraging to me. My surgeon did not mention anything about planting seeds. I will let everyone know the exact date when I know, and will post my experience to help others who may need this intervention in the future.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[lu ann]

Dear Barbara, You and several others who have gone through this are such brave women. It just amazes me to see the strength some of us have to go through an unbearable situation. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Blessings, Lu Ann.

[pattyz]

Barbara,
It sounds (imho!!) that you are in EXCELLENT hands with a great plan ahead of you...

Keeping you in thoughts and prayers,
xoxopatty