T & P Please

BabyRN2006

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! I hope everything goes well at your next appointment and they figure out a plan to get rid of it as soon as possible for you. Feel free to talk about it all you need. I will keep praying for you!

aggiebug

wow @katienichols08 that is a lot to take in I can't blame you for being overwhelmed and scared.   It is a brain tumor! 

Here's hoping your visit with the neuologist will answer many of your questions and give you a plan of action that will bring you some peace of mind.  Many thoughts and prayers for you.  

RevJen

If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.  Even if it's coming up with a list of questions to ask in case you forget something.

SnShne322

Oh Katie, I'm so sorry.  I'll be thinking of you.  Please keep us in the loop!

katienichols08

@booneybear--

what sort of questions should I ask???  Good lord...I have no idea what I'm doing.

RevJen

katienichols08 said:

@booneybear--

what sort of questions should I ask???  Good lord...I have no idea what I'm doing.

How long is the recovery time from something like this?

What are the side effects that could arise from the surgery?

What are the chances that this could come back?

katienichols08

I'm sorry @revjen I tagged the wrong person.  

And ok I wrote those down.  Ugh.  This sucks so hard.  I am trying realllly hard not to cry.

AshleyT121

HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGSHUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS HUGS

RevJen

katienichols08 said:

I'm sorry @revjen I tagged the wrong person.  

And ok I wrote those down.  Ugh.  This sucks so hard.  I am trying realllly hard not to cry.

I thought that's what it was.  No worries.  If I think of anything else, I'll post it here.  If you want, I'll PM you my cell so we can talk.  Up to you but the offer is there.

julie37619

Giant hugs for you Katie!  I'm right down the road if you need anything at all!

Lauren620

So many hugs @katienichols08! I am so sorry.

Young_Love

xoxo

sfgiantsjo

BIG HUGE HUGS! My coworker had an acoustic neuroma. She ended up taking some sort of medication (not radiation), and it shrunk and virtually disappeared. Her symptoms are all but gone.  I'll pray you have similar success with whatever path you end up on. 

Also, it's ok to be scared, and please don't feel guilty because it could be worse. This is your current (and hopefully short-lived) reality - be angry, be scared, be sad. We are here if you need to vent or talk things out. 

MrsC7

(((@katienichols08))) GIANT HUGS

GreenBride624

sfgiantsjo said:

Also, it's ok to be scared, and please don't feel guilty because it could be worse. This is your current (and hopefully short-lived) reality - be angry, be scared, be sad. We are here if you need to vent or talk things out. 

This!  Don't disregard your feelings.  This is your situation, you can feel however YOU want to feel!

I'm thinking of you!  I hope you get some good answers soon!

booneybear

MrsJenE

I'm so sorry!  Sending you big hugs!

84Lauren

I'm so sorry, Katie!  Thinking of you! xoxo

WillyH19

I'm so sorry you are going through. I'm keeping you in my prayers.

katienichols08

Thank you guys.  keep the questions coming.  I meet with the neurologist on Friday.  One that my cousin told me is to get them to recommend the surgeon, even if it's someone out of state because he would rather someone who has done several similar surgeries than a doctor who has only done a few.  

I should have never googled it.  I've been going on reputable sites though, like UCLA and Mayo Clinic.  

lab7979

I'm sorry your going through this.  So scary!  Do you know if you're having surgery for sure or is radiation still a possibility?  Your doctor will almost certainly recommend a surgeon if surgery is the decided form of treatment.  That's the way it works where I work anyways (General Surgery.)  Most specialist require a referral if you want to see them simply because most insurance companies require it.  I'd start looking at your insurance now to know what your policy covers (i.e. will it cover you going out of state or out of network?  Are they willing to make exceptions?  What kind of documentation would you need to submit for an exception?) 

Make sure you are comfortable with their course of treatment.  Your doctor will probably know how he wants to treat it before you even walk into your appointment Friday.  You need to feel comfortable with it though.  Ask your doctor what questions you should be asking.  He's probaby heard them all and will come up with a few you didn't think to ask.  Ask questions about each type of treatment, pros/cons and why he recommends one over the other.  What are the risks or possible side effects?  What is the recuperation time?  How much time will you need to take off work?  How long will you be in the hospital?  If you get to decide between treatments, how much time can you take to think about it?  Can you expect a full recovery of eyesight and hearing after treatment?  Are minimally invasive techniques available?

Google is your worst enemy!  Don't do it!

katienichols08

lab7979 said:

I'm sorry your going through this.  So scary!  Do you know if you're having surgery for sure or is radiation still a possibility?  Your doctor will almost certainly recommend a surgeon if surgery is the decided form of treatment.  That's the way it works where I work anyways (General Surgery.)  Most specialist require a referral if you want to see them simply because most insurance companies require it.  I'd start looking at your insurance now to know what your policy covers (i.e. will it cover you going out of state or out of network?  Are they willing to make exceptions?  What kind of documentation would you need to submit for an exception?) 

Make sure you are comfortable with their course of treatment.  Your doctor will probably know how he wants to treat it before you even walk into your appointment Friday.  You need to feel comfortable with it though.  Ask your doctor what questions you should be asking.  He's probaby heard them all and will come up with a few you didn't think to ask.  Ask questions about each type of treatment, pros/cons and why he recommends one over the other.  What are the risks or possible side effects?  What is the recuperation time?  How much time will you need to take off work?  How long will you be in the hospital?  If you get to decide between treatments, how much time can you take to think about it?  Can you expect a full recovery of eyesight and hearing after treatment?  Are minimally invasive techniques available?

Google is your worst enemy!  Don't do it!

ok, so I didn't think about the insurance thing--I wrote that down too.  These are awesome questions.  I want to be prepared...I am not going to be a lab rat...I want to know my options and how to ask for them. 

RevJen

Ask you insurance company how long pre-authorization takes if you require surgery.