What's wrong with me?!
Discussion
Right....
Firstly, quite an odd start. My pre-assessment was literally a pre-op. So I kind of worked out that it would be surgery before I was even told, which isn't very good in my opinion. Christ, they even gave me HiBiscrub anti-microbial wash and said use this for 3 days prior to surgery!! Anyway, I had a good and thorough examination (and I mean that, it was good).
So....onto the consultant appointment....
Still not 100% sure what we're looking at. Could be benign, could be malignant. I need a full spine MRI now to determine whether or not this has spread. Either way, it WILL be major surgery, and not a simple craniotomy. circa 2.5" hole in the back of my head. They need to go THROUGH the cerebellum to get to it. The tumour is too big for gamma knife. They can't determine what it is until it's been tested after removal. Depending on how aggressive it is, it mayhave grown into my brain stem (as opposed to just pressing on it) which means removal will be tricky. I remain hopeful (well, ish) that it's very benign and removal will be quite straightforward.
At the bare MINIMUM with worlds best case scenario and no complications and all goes well, it's a 4 hour operation. I will feel very ill after. Probably quite dizzy, quite sick and have some nasty headaches. They cannot promise my vomiting will go away, but said it SHOULD do. They said the tumour may likely come back, and I WILL need regular scans through the rest of my life.
Potential complications (15% chance, ish) are not nice. Going through cerebellum I may have permanent balance issues. I may never walk again. I may never be able to talk again.
Best case scenario, they remove it, it's very benign and I'll be OK in 6 weeks or so; it could be a lot worse.
The scan will be very soon, within a week or so, and surgery will commence very shortly after that. It sounds like it'll be before the end of the month. If I don't have surgery, it will keep growing and cause me serious issues.
There's a lot I've forgotten to write down I'm sure. Honestly, it's really hit home now just how serious this is.
Truth be told now, i'm really a little frightened now.
spikeyhead said:
Ross,
I wish there were some magic words I could type, but all I can say is that it does sound like you're in great hands and that you'll get the best treatment possible. I'll keep my fingers crossed and please keep us up to date.
Ross, you've been in my thoughts all day (even at 11am I wish there were some magic words I could type, but all I can say is that it does sound like you're in great hands and that you'll get the best treatment possible. I'll keep my fingers crossed and please keep us up to date.
) and I wish that you had had better news. That said, as spikeyhead says it sounds like you are in great hands & are getting the best treatment Keeping you in my prayers
Blimey, Ross. I suppose it is best to know your enemy, but it must all be quite scary too. I wish you all the best with your treatment.
I couldn't help but notice Southampton and Gamma knife in your post(s). Is that not the hospital and treatment Ashya King's parent had to run from to get a better treatment abroad? Is your condition similar? Would the proton beam treatment be applicable or better? Given the listed possible outcomes for surgery you should probably ask your consultant.
All the best
P
I couldn't help but notice Southampton and Gamma knife in your post(s). Is that not the hospital and treatment Ashya King's parent had to run from to get a better treatment abroad? Is your condition similar? Would the proton beam treatment be applicable or better? Given the listed possible outcomes for surgery you should probably ask your consultant.
All the best
P
You'll be fine. Proceed step by step and don't be scared, you have no choice in the matter so try not to waste any emotion on it. Attack the f
ker and kill it.
You're young and healthy and have the best possible chance of pulling through. The odds are massively in your favour. Incidentally the ability of the brain to repair itself and adapt (plasticity) to trauma is an ongoing field of research but all the studies suggest the brain is capable of adaptation to a far greater degree than previously thought.
This is a blip - a very serious one - but still only just something else in your life to be dealt with and moved beyond.
ker and kill it.You're young and healthy and have the best possible chance of pulling through. The odds are massively in your favour. Incidentally the ability of the brain to repair itself and adapt (plasticity) to trauma is an ongoing field of research but all the studies suggest the brain is capable of adaptation to a far greater degree than previously thought.
This is a blip - a very serious one - but still only just something else in your life to be dealt with and moved beyond.
Edited by goldblum on Wednesday 12th November 10:36
The odds sound good to me mate. You will be in the best possible hands and they will do their level best for you.
I had an issue with the brain 10 years ago which also involved surgery. Hopefully you will come to the stage I did - you know you need the operation and there is the potential risk but you really have no alternative. I was looking forward to the op by the time it came as I wanted the symptoms to go away. With the MRIs etc they already know what needs to happen - they can visualise everything before going in.
The guys at Hope hospital (in Salford, not sure where you are based) were absolutely amazing.
Take one step at a time. They always tell you the negatives as they have to but it isn't bad news until they tell you it 100% is and even then whilst you are still ticking there is a way forward. Keep your chin up and enjoy life.
I had an issue with the brain 10 years ago which also involved surgery. Hopefully you will come to the stage I did - you know you need the operation and there is the potential risk but you really have no alternative. I was looking forward to the op by the time it came as I wanted the symptoms to go away. With the MRIs etc they already know what needs to happen - they can visualise everything before going in.
The guys at Hope hospital (in Salford, not sure where you are based) were absolutely amazing.
Take one step at a time. They always tell you the negatives as they have to but it isn't bad news until they tell you it 100% is and even then whilst you are still ticking there is a way forward. Keep your chin up and enjoy life.
I agree about the NHS (in general - there's incompetence in all organisations), and that Ross would not get better treatment from the private sector. Serious conditions are better dealt with within NHS because there is where the knowledge and equipment lies.
I wish I could say something to ease your worries, Ross, but sadly I am unqualified to do so and would not wish to proffer empty assurances. I can only wish you the very best of luck and join everyone else in thinking of you.
I wish I could say something to ease your worries, Ross, but sadly I am unqualified to do so and would not wish to proffer empty assurances. I can only wish you the very best of luck and join everyone else in thinking of you.
OpulentBob said:
An internet man hug/fist bump/whatever's appropriate from a stranger for being more of a man about it that I think I could ever be.
Absolutely best of luck with it. Thoughts are with you.
This from me too - I remember when you were E38Ross over on the barge thread (I ended up with a LS400) - I wish you all the very best mate.Absolutely best of luck with it. Thoughts are with you.
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