What They Found in my Head...

[Fr8monkey]

Been out of sorts lately. Started off being light headed and dizzy. Slowly and surely it got worse. Then the headaches started. Now I feel like if you stand up really quick and you are dizzy... well I feel like that all the time. I constantly feel drunk along with the headaches of being hung over at the same time. NOT FUN.

Anyway, I had an EEG 2 weeks ago and an MRI last Thursday. I just got the results of the MRI and here is the results:


1. A cerebellopontine angle mass on the right side

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/Joken63/2631b572-7095-49f7-be4b-ae952a767984.jpg


2. A CSF signal lesion on the cranial Fossa.

http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg635/Joken63/429554e5-c2d9-4fdb-9b35-015617ecabd7.jpg
Waiting to hear form Swedish Neurology in Seattle for a surgical consultation.

[Eichhörnchen]

I'd like to reach out and hold your hand, pal.

[Platapus]

For us dumb guys, what could this mean? It does not sound good.

[Wolferz]

Is there anything they can do for it?
Gamma knife or surgery?

Our prayers are with you, brother.

[Fr8monkey]

Basically what I can make out of the papers they sent me home with is The top picture is a cyst and the other is a legion... Cant make out the $10 words in the document.

My guess is I am trying to grow another brain... which is good 'cause I'm not getting much use out of this one!

[Platapus]

Best of luck to you.

[fireftr18]

Prayers for you. I hope they can take care it without any problems.

[u crank]

All the best. Hoping for a good outcome.

[Fr8monkey]

The paperwork says it is a "arachnoid cyst"... I just hope there are no spiders in there!

[vienna]

The "legion" is actually called a lesion and is an inflammation of the brain tissue due to cerebral injury or illness. It may be secondary to the cyst. Have you had a fairly recent injury or trauma to your head? Be sure your doctor(s) are aware of any situation affecting you your head and neck. Anything that may seem trivial to you may actually be a key to your treatment. And ask questions; don't be afraid to look foolish to your doctor(s) or let the brush aside your concerns or allow them to intimidate you into silence. In matters of health, there really such thing as a 'stupid' question. If you are not satisfied with an answer, keep pushing until you feel fully informed. Don't let the white coats and the 'MD' after the name make you shy to push. I recently had some tests done including a simultaneous endoscopy/colonoscopy. The doctor who did the procedure was very vague when he went over the results. I wasn't satisfied with his explanation since he seemed to give the impression the tests were either inconclusive or not worrisome. I asked another doctor in the practice to please give me a better explanation. That was when I found out the endoscopy had discovered a polyp highly prone to develop into cancer and of a type very rarely found in the duodenum. Fortunately, the polyp proved to be benign. It is incidents like this that make it necessary or any patient to demand answers if none are forthcoming. Make those MDs earn their titles and perks. Your life is far too important to be brushed aside...

I wish you the best in what may come and hope the outcome will be good...


<O>

EDIT:

Oh, and Google can be your best friend in deciphering the medical gobbledygook....


<O>

[Fr8monkey]

I meant lesion... Just can't focus much. On the bright side, I don't need a colonoscopy... I hope!

Yeah. Google didn't help me either.

[Jeff-Groves]

On the bright side, I don't need a colonoscopy... I hope!


They'll only do that if you seem to have your head up your arse.
:D

Sorry to hear this news Mate. You have my thoughts and prayers!
:salute:

[Fr8monkey]

They'll only do that if you seem to have your head up your arse.

Wouldn't be the first time.

Sorry to hear this news Mate. You have my thoughts and prayers!
:salute:
Thank you and everyone for the support! :yeah:

[Wolferz]

Basically what I can make out of the papers they sent me home with is The top picture is a cyst and the other is a legion... Cant make out the $10 words in the document.

My guess is I am trying to grow another brain... which is good 'cause I'm not getting much use out of this one!

At least you're in good spirits.:D

From what I can gather from Wiki on the subject, Any cyst or tumor will press on all the wrong places and can cause a number of problems from loss of eyesight in one eye, loss of hearing in one ear or facial paralysis.
I pray that it's treatable with radiotherapy because the excision route is very dangerous due to the location.

[Fr8monkey]

No sense crying and moping about it. Nothing I can do and it is no different from yesterday to today, except I know what is going on. Kicking the dog and punching the wall just gets me an angry mutt and a hurt hand!

I do have hearing loss in my right ear, blurry vision and numbness on the right side of my face and tongue... Like being at the dentist and the Novocaine is wearing off and your face is tingly and cold... like that.

[Tango589]

Good luck mate, I'm thinking of you.

[Red October1984]

Hoping for the best! :up:

[em2nought]

Well that certainly trumps April 15th as a sucky day for the month. I've been following this cute little guy and his struggles https://www.facebook.com/CamilosStory I'm not super fond of kids, but this kid is actually as cute as puppies. It's amazing some of the things doctors can do. Good luck to you!

[Nippelspanner]

That must be very scary, however, arachnoid cysts can be treated quite well if I remember correctly.
But I'm no doc.

Not religious, so no prayers from me, but be sure that I wish you the very best regarding this sucker in your head!

Keep us posted.

[Fr8monkey]

Well that certainly trumps April 15th as a sucky day for the month. I've been following this cute little guy and his struggles https://www.facebook.com/CamilosStory I'm not super fond of kids, but this kid is actually as cute as puppies. It's amazing some of the things doctors can do. Good luck to you!

Feel sorry for kids like that, but I have better hope for them than an old fart like me...


I'm not religious either, but I appreciate the thoughts.

I'm glad 'arachnoid cysts' don't involve spiders... :doh:


PS. Fixed the OP pics to protest the "innocent".

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Well, time to report into hospital or atleast visit doctor(s).

I'm not very religious either so best wishes from me.

[Dowly]

Best of luck!

Show that motherlover who's the boss of your brain! :rock:

[Jimbuna]

Wishing you all the best and every chance of a speedy recovery.

[Gargamel]

Good luck Fr8!

[Fr8monkey]

*BUMP*



OK. I was wrong earlier... it is a tumor.



Went to the doctors yesterday. Basically, I am going in to surgery to have the growth removed on May 12... two weeks from today.
In simple terms, the hole in the skull that has the auditory and facial nerves going out, is being blocked by the tumor. The expanding growth is pushing against the cerebellum into the area that controls my breathing. 6 months of waiting and I could have a stroke or lass control of my breathing.


They are going to open a 'C' shaped hole behind my right ear and take out a piece of the skull about 3" (7.5 cm) and try and get as much as they can. A piece about a grain of rice is expected to stay to save the nerves. I may then need chemo or a 'gamma knife if it is cancerous... But that is only a 2% chance of that. I then get some hexagon shaped plates put in to hold the piece they take out.


I have a good chance to loose 75 - 100% of my hearing and a small chance of permanent loss of feeling in my face and tongue on the right side.


I am checking in to Swedish Hospital at 5:30 on the 12th and surgery starts at 7:30. It will take about 6 hours or so. 1 - 2 days in ICU and 3-5 days in the hospital.
Below is a video of the basic surgery... DO NOT WATCH IF SQUEAMISH!!! You have been warned.


I'm not kidding...This is gross! :Kaleun_Sick:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEROVO5cYdU

[Harvs]

Good luck with your op mate :up:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Sheesh Fr8, my thoughts are with you

[pinner2010]

:Kaleun_Sick:My heart goes out to you my friend. You have my thoughts and my prayers.

[Catfish]

At least they found it, main thing now is they get it out in time. Fr8monkey, i wish you the best, may be there no restrictions, and hopefully a quick recovery.

Greetings and best wishes,
Catfish

[Eichhörnchen]

It sounds like you'll be getting all the help you need to get through this; I'll be thinking of you on the 12th. :up:

[u crank]

Wishing you the best Fr8monkey. Hope all goes well.

[Rhodes]

Hope that goes well! :up:

[Nippelspanner]

Damn man, a tumor now!?
Well at least there is a plan and even if it sounds all very scary - it's still better than "sorry, we can't do it." right?
Keep your spirits up, I hope you get at least some hot nurses for your time in hospital! :03:

[Jimbuna]

Best of luck matey :sunny:

[daft]

Haven't posted in a while, but this is worth surfacing for. Best of luck to you, and I'm hoping for a speedy recovery!

[Gargamel]

Good luck fr8!

[HW3]

Wishing you the best Fr8monkey, hope all goes well.

[Chad]

Best of luck, stay strong!

[AVGWarhawk]

I hope the procedure goes as planned and the result favorable.

[Onkel Neal]

Hey Fr8monkey, bad news and good news, eh? I'm sure you will have a successful operation and recover. We're pulling for you, let us know how you are doing? Do you have anyone who can post updates for you?

[fireftr18]

Prayers for you Fr8monkey. I hope all goes well, and you're back with us afterwards.

[Schroeder]

I hope everything will turn out all right for you. In Germany we're "pressing thumbs" for someone when we wish him luck. I'll do that for you.:salute:

[THEBERBSTER]

Hi Fr8monkey

Here's wishing you a safe and speedy recovery.

Peter

[mapuc]

I hope the best for you.

Markus

[Platapus]

Best of luck to you.

And NEVER NEVER look at pictures of an operation you are about to have!!!

[swamprat69er]

Good luck with the OP and pat the nurses on the behind for me. Even the ugly old ones.

[Jeff-Groves]

I'm pulling for you Mate!
(Um... You did tell them your NOT there for the Sex Change operation, right?)
:D

[Fr8monkey]

I forgot to check that page... :wah:

[em2nought]

Wish you the best of luck Fr8monkey! :up:

[Buddahaid]

Do have a speedy recovery.

[Lionclaw]

Surfacing from lurking mode.


Good luck with the surgery, and I hope all goes well afterwards! :)


I'm not all that active on the forums, but this struck a chord in me. :(

[vienna]

Best wishes for the success of your surgery. The best thing going for you is the low (2%) chance the tumor is malignant. Be sure to follow all your doctor(s) advice and treatment plan and, if in doubt, ask questions. You are a subsim member and I understand they are a hearty lot...


<O>

[Fr8monkey]

Hey. Just a note to tell everyone I am going to the hospital tomorrow (Monday) and am staying in "The Inn", accommodation rooms in the hospital.

I am going to be sooooo busy tomorrow and will check this post in the morning but may not post. After that it may be 2 - 3 weeks before I can come back.

Thinking negatively, which I usually don't, But with the chance of fun things like Meningitis, severe nerve damage and Epileptic damage , can't help but think of what may happen (which it won't)... Here is to all the friends on the internet... I love you all. :salute:

Talk to you in a few weeks!

[Eichhörnchen]

Have been thinking about you over the weekend, that's a fact. You'll be fine, buddy; we'll all be together again soon.

[Catfish]

"The Inn" sounds pretty comfortable :)
Wish you all the best.

[Harvs]

Good luck and see you soon :up:

[HunterICX]

Get well soon!
Well, you better because who else is going to terrorize those Nurses :D

[Jimbuna]

All the best and speak soon :sunny:

[AngusJS]

Good luck!

[HW3]

Wishing you the best, and a speedy recovery!!!

[u crank]

Best of luck and a speedy recovery.:up:

[AVGWarhawk]

Good luck, sir! Talk to you later!

[swamprat69er]

Good luck! Speedy recovery.

[Nippelspanner]

All the best for what lies ahead, fellow Subsimmer! :)

[Eichhörnchen]

Well the worst part could well be over by now and I hope it all went well; he must've felt so lonely yesterday, even with family nearby...

[Eichhörnchen]

I wonder how he's doing?

[Highbury]

Here's hoping the surgery went well m8! :salute:

I just had a golf ball sized pituitary tumor removed last September, I know that fear when the doctor calls to say something was not right with the scans.

[mapuc]

It's not some small operation. No brain operation even the small one, is something you walk out from 1 hour later.

He need recovery

Markus

[limkol]

I hope that the op was a sucess and that you are recovering slowly but surely. All the best of luck to you and my best wishes to those around you.

[Fr8monkey]

I'm back... kinda.

I was in the hospital until the 16th and had to be readmitted for meningitis. A week later, they let me out again. On the 28th (3 days later), I had to go back in again because My stitches loosened and I had a spinal fluid leek and was in for another week!

I have been back at the in-laws for 1 1\2 weeks (Cleaner than where I was living), on massive antibiotics and close watch.

I am very, very tired and still light headed to the point of confusion... probably the pressure in my head is lower than I have been used to and am not used to it. I feel like my head is full of water all the time.

Will try and keep posted.

[Aktungbby]

I'm back... kinda.

I was in the hospital until the 16th and had to be readmitted for meningitis. A week later, they let me out again. On the 28th (3 days later), I had to go back in again because My stitches loosened and I had a spinal fluid leek and was in for another week!

I have been back at the in-laws for 1 1\2 weeks (Cleaner than where I was living), on massive antibiotics and close watch.

I am very, very tired and still light headed to the point of confusion... probably the pressure in my head is lower than I have been used to and am not used to it. I feel like my head is full of water all the time.

Will try and keep posted.Between you and Eisenwurst reporting in after serious stuff, this is great good news all around. As you can see: lots of concern from many. Thanks for the update and keep em comin'! :salute:

[Sailor Steve]

It's good to see you well enough to post. Keep working on your recovery. Everything else is secondary.

[Harvs]

Good to see you back fr8 and hope everything goes well from now on :salute:

[fireftr18]

Good hearing from you. Glad you're doing better. Keep taking care of yourself and prayers continue.

[Eichhörnchen]

So good to hear from you again! Get well soon.

[pinner2010]

:Kaleun_Party: Best news we have had for a while. Welcome home. Best thoughts & prayers are with you, buddy.

[u crank]

Good to hear from you Fr8monkey. Hope you have a speedy recovery.:salute:

[Jimbuna]

It's good to see you well enough to post. Keep working on your recovery. Everything else is secondary.

Most definitely :yep:

Welcome back matey :sunny:

[Tango589]

Good to see you're back with us Fr8monkey!:rock:

Now stop swinging the lead, grab an oar and get rowing!:arrgh!:

[vienna]

Welcome back! Just hearing from you is good news and seeing in your post you are able to string together a cogent message is great news. Take your time in recovering and listen to the medicos. Best of luck on your further recovery...


<O>

[HW3]

Get well soon Fr8monkey!

[em2nought]

Wish you a speedy recovery the rest of the way.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Welcome back to the surface Fr8, keep up the recovery.

[Catfish]

Good to hear from you! My current net access is a bit limited (holidays at Mallorca), but I'm really glad to see you back. Seems you remember, and the operation went well. Don't worry about empty places or vacuum, you know most people live with that all their life :woot: Nah seriously, I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery! :cool:

[ikalugin]

Even though I missed this topic due to my absence, I wish you the best of health.

[Fr8monkey]

Getting better and better... just slowly. Still dizzy and feels like I have my head filled with water some times.

Just found out yesterday when I had my second surgery, the 2 inch diameter piece of bone they took out because it wasn't healing right. Yes... that means I have a hole in my head... literally!

It may never heal properly.

[Nippelspanner]

That's some scary stuff man, but it seems you're handling it just fine so keep it up, one step at a time! :up:

[Buddahaid]

Good news and take it slow.

[HW3]

Good to hear you are doing well.:yep: Continued prayers for a complete recovery.

[u crank]

Getting better and better... just slowly.

That is great news mate. All the best and keep us posted. :salute:

[Jimbuna]

Small steps, one at a time, all positive :sunny:

[limkol]

Wow! You have really been through a lot. Have a speedy recovery. Best wishes to you and your family.