Benign Brain Tumour

You have certainly had a lot deal with health wise in your life Perdita but I think a positive attitude has served you well. Good luck for the future

You were lucky in those circumstances Perditabut you have been very unlucky generally in your life. I wish you well in the future.

Hi NanSue
I had a benign brain tumor in 1988 when I was 33.
I had surgery to remove it and have been ok since.

The first symptom I had was a seizure - I can remember being unable to speak, then blacked out. I had several funny turns over the next few months, and was taking anti convulsant drugs. I eventually had a CT scan and the tumor was diagnosed. The surgeon said it was probably benign, which it proved to be. It was completely removed by surgery.

I remember it being a pretty horrible experience, I was in intensive care for several days and in hospital for 2 weeks. I often wonder what the treatment would be like now, perhaps lasers would be used. I have holes in my skull from the operation, but luckily they're mostly covered by hair (top of my skull). I had breast cancer 4 years ago and lost my hair, so it was very distressing to have the holes exposed.

I consider myself to be very lucky to have survived my brain tumor and had 100% successful treatment. I think I must have 9 lives - 3 weeks ago I had a heart attack and my life was saved by Devon Air Ambulance and Exeter hospital staff.

*Nelliemoser. I am sorry that your OH has had these problems. It must be equally as difficult, If not more so for you

Thank you. Nelliemoser.
Luckygirl it is an occipital tentorial menigioma.

The crux of the matter is where the tumour is, as nellie says. That dictates the potential problems it might cause. It sounds as though you are getting good advice and goodcare from your consultants - every person is different, so please do not read anything into the thread of the Eastenders story. I am very glad to hear that it is benign.

Nansue My OH was eventually diagnosed with a mengioma in the right temporal lobe when he was 61. this was in 2010. This was after about three years of increasing failures at work. The main symptoms then were sleeping a great deal and the only real sign of something wrong was about a year before he was diagnosed when he had a very bad headache one weekend (very unusual for him.) We had a visit to a/e which was inconclusive. The headaches did not happen again but he did appear to be having "absences" in concentration.

(As well as the above he has always shown all the signs of Aspergers) Some of his existing anxieties oddities of that seem rather worse since surgery.
It was removed but I think the effects of the tumour and the surgery did cause some damage. He became more impulsive before surgery he was buying things he did not need. His decision making seems affected, planning anything etc. The effects of any potential brain damage etc will obviously depend on the part of the brain is affected.

I hope all goes well for you. It must be very worrying for you!