Health stuff

[norwich36]

So it's been kind of a weird month. In April I might have had a TIA (transient ischemic attack), or perhaps it was a panic attack, or the neurosurgeon today said it could have been a complex migraine (brief weakness on the right side of my body) that sent me to the ER, where a head CT revealed I have 4 meningiomas (benign brain tumors), so I was hospitalized overnight for a bunch of tests, including an MRI, and was referred to a UCSF neurosurgeon.

I had the meeting with him today (over zoom) and the good news is that I probably don't need brain surgery? Which is good, because I made the mistake of googling, and...the potential side effects are not good even if it's successful. My brother the ER nurse says afterwards people almost always develop seizure disorders. The neurosurgeon asked a lot of questions about potential symptoms that could be caused by the location of the specific tumors, and I don't have any, so mostly it's watch and wait and get another MRI in 6 months and then annually to see if they're growing. Which is good because the location of one makes it mainly inoperable. But that one is also wrapped around my carotid artery, which is the most concerning thing, and I need another CT angiogram to see how concerning. So.

Anyway, I haven't really posted about this on namespace social media and I'm not sure I want to, but I wanted to tell someone, so I'm telling you all. It's kind of a lot. I guess better news than it could be, but still a lot.

Comments

[squirrelhaven]

Yikes, I'm sorry! This all sounds really scary. I send hugs and healing thoughts.

[musesfool]

that sounds really scary and I'm sorry you're going through it. *hugs*

[norwich36]

Thanks so much!

[norwich36]

Thanks! I appreciate the hugs.

[serrico]

That is definitely a lot! I'm sorry you're having to deal with it. Sending good thoughts. *hugs*

[norwich36]

Thanks--I definitely appreciate the good wishes!

[armiphlage]

eeeek!
*hugs*

[norwich36]

Thanks!

[talitha78]

Oh. That is entirely too much for you to be going through. 😞 I'm so sorry!!

*gentle hugs* Let me know if there's anything you need. In the meantime, I'm sending good vibes from Chicago.

[norwich36]

Yeah, it's really not fun. But no brain surgery is good? Anyway, thanks! Since I do not have to schedule time for brain surgery this summer, I may actually come to Chicago at some point, since I haven't seen my parents in 18 months--I'll let you know.

[talitha78]

Yes, please let me know. I would love to see you.

[ride_4ever]

Hugs and good-health thoughts.

[norwich36]

Thanks so much!