2020 continues to suck

[Monica Geller]

Possible TW...
Monday night around 11pm my husband suffered a major seizure. I had to call the squad. He came around and they took him to the hospital. They obviously ran a lot of tests and scans. Yesterday they told us he has a brain tumor. 😭

The neurologist and neurosurgeon are optimistic that it can be removed. It’s a slow growing one that has probably been there for years, until Monday when it triggered a seizure. He’s been released home and is on anti-seizure meds.

We’re getting a second opinion. Hopefully at Ohio State or Riverside. But I’m open to all possibilities.

How do I do this?! I’m so scared. How do we do this?

I’m open to any advice anyone has who’s been through something like this.

I’m so so scared.

[devonpow]

Oh my goodness I’m so sorry and that’s so scary. I have no personal experience but my good friends daughter has numerous brain tumors (she has NF2) and has had brain surgery to remove them several times. Obviously a totally different situation but it is INCREDIBLE what they can do these days. Her last surgery she was playing Legos the next morning and was back in school the next week. After brain surgery! I know it’s not the same, but good to know the incredible advancements they have made with things like this.

[Monica Geller]

Nov 11, 2020 19:07:14 GMT -5 devonpow said:

Oh my goodness I’m so sorry and that’s so scary. I have no personal experience but my good friends daughter has numerous brain tumors (she has NF2) and has had brain surgery to remove them several times. Obviously a totally different situation but it is INCREDIBLE what they can do these days. Her last surgery she was playing Legos the next morning and was back in school the next week. After brain surgery! I know it’s not the same, but good to know the incredible advancements they have made with things like this.

Thank you. Of course I can only think of the bad things. I need to hear these stories too.

[namasteak]

First, I am so sorry you have to go through this. I’m not in a good place for advice but wanted to give you hugs and encourage you to find a therapist if you don’t already.

Second, your TW was really thoughtful ❤️

[sunshineluv]

I am so sorry. I can’t imagine the fears right now. Each of the three people close to me who have had brain tumors, have had full recoveries. It is amazing what science and medicine can do now.

[dove]

Monica Geller This is exactly how my brain tumor was found - a seizure out of no where. I had brain surgery and complete resection back in 2014. Also a slow growing, but large (about golf ball sized) tumor. I’ve made a full recovery. I’m 100% back to normal now.

Feel free to DM me.

[Monica Geller]

Nov 11, 2020 19:16:36 GMT -5 dove said:

Monica Geller This is exactly how my brain tumor was found - a seizure out of no where. I had brain surgery and complete resection back in 2014. Also a slow growing, but large (about golf ball sized) tumor. I’ve made a full recovery. I’m 100% back to normal now.

Feel free to DM me.

Thank you! His is small; the neurosurgeon said about the tip of your pinkie. I will probably reach out to ask questions. I’m still in the overwhelmed and shocked state.

[Monica Geller]

Nov 11, 2020 19:13:45 GMT -5 namasteak said:

First, I am so sorry you have to go through this. I’m not in a good place for advice but wanted to give you hugs and encourage you to find a therapist if you don’t already.

Second, your TW was really thoughtful ❤️

I’m sorry. I know you’re struggling too. ((Hugs))

I DO have a therapist. I’ve been working with her to process my PTSD from my complicated pregnancy/delivery from earlier this year. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to know I’ve had another traumatic medical event 🥺🥴😞

[dove]

Nov 11, 2020 19:19:19 GMT -5 Monica Geller said:

Nov 11, 2020 19:16:36 GMT -5 dove said:

Monica Geller This is exactly how my brain tumor was found - a seizure out of no where. I had brain surgery and complete resection back in 2014. Also a slow growing, but large (about golf ball sized) tumor. I’ve made a full recovery. I’m 100% back to normal now.

Feel free to DM me.

Thank you! His is small; the neurosurgeon said about the tip of your pinkie. I will probably reach out to ask questions. I’m still in the overwhelmed and shocked state.

Perfectly normal and expected. Those days are behind me but I remember lots of Ativan during those days. 

Whenever you’re ready, I’m here. 

[katfco]

I'm so sorry. What can I do to help? OSU and Riverside are awesome.

[tacokick]

I’m very sorry! I have known people with benign brain tumors who had them removed and were perfectly fine. One was a friend of mine as a teenager and now she’s almost 40 and has no health issues at all.

You can do it. One day at a time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

[wanderingback]

Ugh I'm sorry, what a difficult situation.
Glad he's doing ok for now and wishing a speedy recovery as you all navigate this process.

[Monica Geller]

Nov 11, 2020 19:29:17 GMT -5 katfco said:

I'm so sorry. What can I do to help? OSU and Riverside are awesome.

Thank you for the offer! Just extra prayers right now. Our family work & my family have gone above and beyond the last few days. We’ve got recommendations for a couple docs at both hospitals.

[joy]

Ohmygosh! I am so sorry.

A few years ago, my husband had two grand mal seizures in the middle of the night. Paramedics took him to the ER and he was admitted for a few days for tests. They diagnosed him with epilepsy so that is where our stories diverge but I remember being in your shoes.

::hugs::

[suzubell]

Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. I will pray for your both.

[goldengirlz]

I have no advice but I’m so sorry and wishing you and your H all the best.

[Leeham Rimes]

I’m so sorry your family is going through this right now. Sending you a lot of hugs.

[bcv513]

I’m so sorry to hear this. You’ve already been through so much medically.

I have a cousin and an aunt that have been diagnosed with a brain tumor (separate sides of the family so not related to each other). My aunt had the tumor removed. They weren’t able to get all of it and warned it could grow back. It did about ten years later but they removed it again and she has been fine ever since. It’s been about twenty years since her diagnosis.

My cousin’s was malignant, so a little different. He was given a low chance of recovery. He had the surgery and followed up with chemo. He has also been fine ever since and it has been over ten years.

[definitelyO]

I am so sorry. I don't have any experience with this. but with other intense medical situations my practical advice is to get a notebook and document EVERYTHING- appt dates/times/ who you saw, what they said, including phone calls - who did you speak with date/time, summary of conversation, etc... this may come in handy later as when you're in these appointments everything can get blurry b/c you're emotionally invested and good to reference as you see new providers when they ask who you've seen, what meds has he taken, etc...

[sugarbear]

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. Sending strength and positive vibes.

[macmars45]

I'm so sorry Monica Geller . I'm glad you already have a therapist.
I hope the anti-seizure meds work well for your H while next steps are sorted out. If you have any questions about anti-seizure meds I've been on 3-4 different ones (not all at once) for more than half my life.

[momof2]

My daughter had her first brain tumor removed at 23 months. It grew back so she had another removal at 2.5 years. She then did 16 months of chemo because it had come back so quickly. Honestly, I learned that many brain surgeries just aren’t that big of a deal. Her first one, she was in the hospital for 8 days because she lost all gross motor skills and they would not send her home until she could sit up. Her second surgery, she went in on the 22nd and left on the night of the 25th. A lot depends on where the tumor is and what the pathology is. But there are tons of good outcomes after brain tumors. She is now more than 5 years post chemo and is perfectly fine. There are some long term effects, mostly because she was so young. But no one would notice them but her close family. She became left handed and won’t ever be great at stuff that requires great balance. She also might have been more of an academic super star, but she is just fine.

I actually have really good memories of the entire experience, which is kind of bizarre. Like, Christmas Day at a children’s hospital is actually pretty awesome. She loves the hospital so much — because you do art therapy, they give you gifts and the staff gives you so much love. She was so sad when we didn’t go every week anymore. I mean I wish it never happened, but I don’t associate it with anything really terrible either. I did do therapy both on my own and with my husband. It was a little more complicated because our older kid had already been diagnosed with a genetic disorder that causes profound delays.

ETA — she was also able to live her life pretty normally during chemo. She would do chemo all day and go straight to swim lessons. She went to preschool the whole time except for a few weeks where her white blood cell count went really low.

[thatgirl2478]

I'm sorry that you guys are going through this right now. I'm a cardiac nurse, so I have limited brain surgery knowledge, but if their techniques have advanced as ours have, you'll be surprised at how 'easy' they make it. It's not the same thing, but we have elderly people who leave the hospital just days after having valves replaced or bypass surgery! You will get through it, it will be hard for a while, but you will get through. Talk to your therapist, utilize whatever home services the hospital suggests if you even have the slightest thought you might need them. It's so scary to go through a health scare/problem - as both the patient and the spouse - remember to care for yourself as well as your husband. Prayers and well wishes for the both of you.

[Monica Geller]

Nov 11, 2020 20:08:37 GMT -5 momof2 said:

My daughter had her first brain tumor removed at 23 months. It grew back so she had another removal at 2.5 years. She then did 16 months of chemo because it had come back so quickly. Honestly, I learned that many brain surgeries just aren’t that big of a deal. Her first one, she was in the hospital for 8 days because she lost all gross motor skills and they would not send her home until she could sit up. Her second surgery, she went in on the 22nd and left on the night of the 25th. A lot depends on where the tumor is and what the pathology is. But there are tons of good outcomes after brain tumors. She is now more than 5 years post chemo and is perfectly fine. There are some long term effects, mostly because she was so young. But no one would notice them but her close family. She became left handed and won’t ever be great at stuff that requires great balance. She also might have been more of an academic super star, but she is just fine.

I actually have really good memories of the entire experience, which is kind of bizarre. Like, Christmas Day at a children’s hospital is actually pretty awesome. She loves the hospital so much — because you do art therapy, they give you gifts and the staff gives you so much love. She was so sad when we didn’t go every week anymore. I mean I wish it never happened, but I don’t associate it with anything really terrible either. I did do therapy both on my own and with my husband. It was a little more complicated because our older kid had already been diagnosed with a genetic disorder that causes profound delays.

ETA — she was also able to live her life pretty normally during chemo. She would do chemo all day and go straight to swim lessons. She went to preschool the whole time except for a few weeks where her white blood cell count went really low.

I’m sorry you had to go through that but I’m glad it was a good outcome. Thank you for sharing. I need to hear the good. Thank you.

[notoriousmeg]

No advice, but I’m so sorry you are going through this. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[circa1978]

My husband was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. Don't hesitate to PM me if you need an ear. One thing that is hard is that you support him, your kids, his family; take time to find people who are there just to hear you and your fears, to be your cheerleader.

[skidunks]

Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry you’re going through this. You and your family will be in my thoughts!

[Jalapeñomel]

I’m so sorry.

[jlt19]

I'm so sorry. I wish you strength and peace.

[sproctopus]

I'm so sorry. I know the trauma of repeat medical traumas and I wouldn't wish that mental load on anyone.

I do hope that you have a great team in place for your husband and it sounds like they are. Thinking nothing but positive thoughts for you and your family.