I've had a lot of people ask me questions about this whole experience (and some people, I think, are afraid to ask), so I thought I'd put some of my most frequently asked questions out there. If you have any other pressing questions, of course feel free to ask. :)
What will the surgery be like?
I'll go in super early (5:15am-ish), get an MRI (to pinpoint the exact location), get an IV, and get knocked out. After I'm out, they'll shave off the hair they need (NOT all of it, whew) and do the other pre-surgery prep (tube in my throat, tap in my spine, etc.). They'll make a U-shaped incision in the back of my head, peel back my scalp, drill and saw out a piece of skull, and then do their business. After it's over, they'll screw my skull back on with titanium screws and staple my scalp back on. Fun stuff. That should end in the afternoon, and then I'll go into the recovery area for a little time before moving into the ICU (maybe 5pm-ish). That's when my family will get to see me again. But in the meantime, nurses will be updating them every couple of hours during the surgery.
How much hair will they take?
They're shaving the hair off the back of my head, shifted slightly to the right (as my tumor is along the center line, but to the right). I'm *guessing* it'll be about half my hair and I'm hoping that they won't take any in the front and sides. That would help me disguise the shaved part easier. But I'd been thinking about doing something different with my hair for a long time, so I'm actually not at all freaked out about losing my hair, as it's giving me a push to shake things up. I kind of like that. :)
What is the recovery time?
Assuming there aren't any complications, I'll be in the ICU for 1 night and then the regular non-ICU hospital for at least 1 more night, but probably 2 or 3 more (depending on how I feel). Apparently recovery is pretty quick, as it's only the incision that needs to heal. The brain itself doesn't need any healing time really. I should be back on my feet within a few days of surgery, but I'm expecting to be quite tired and have some incision pain. I'm taking 3 weeks off from work all together.
Can I visit you in the hospital?
I am hoping that I'll feel up to having visitors after I'm out of the ICU (so maybe late Tuesday/Wednesday/etc.) but I'm going to have to play it by ear. A friend from college just went through the same thing (brain tumor surgery a month or 2 ago at my same hospital with my same doctors), and she said that she was super tired in the hospital and not really feeling up to visitors. So we'll have to see. My cousin Steph will be updating my blog, so it should say if I'm wanting visitors or not. Regardless, I'll definitely want visitors when I'm at home! :)
Have you been talking to anyone (professionally) about this?
I've met with a psychologist (Dr. G) twice now, as my work's employee assistance program covers 4 free sessions. Dr. G specializes in medical situations and cancer, so she's given me some techniques to help deal with the stress and ideas to help make the day of surgery as smooth as possible. I'm not sure if I think it's really helping much beyond that, but I figure it can't hurt!!
Speaking of, is this cancer?
We won't know what exactly my tumor is until 1 week after surgery, but chances are it is NOT cancer. It's my understanding that brain tumors do not necessarily indicate cancer, like some tumors in other parts of the body do. Even if it isn't cancer, I may still need chemo or radiation after surgery. But we'll have to wait and see.
Is there a support group you can meet with?
I found a brain tumor support group at the University Hospital where I'm having my surgery, and I'm thinking I may want to go to that after surgery. However, I don't want to go ahead of time, in case it freaks me out. But I'll decide that all later.
How are you feeling?
Generally, I'm feeling positive, with some times of nervousness, anxiety, and fear in there too. But mostly I'm feeling good, happy to see friends and family, and looking forward to getting past surgery. I'm very independent and have decided that I'm not letting this stupid tumor determine any part of my life or make any decisions for me. I feel like this is just a speed bump in my life, and I'm excited to get to the other side of it. Maybe this is my big life challenge; I'm thankful to be getting past it so early in life.
What can I do to help?!?
Everyone has been really fantastic!! Your emails and calls and cards and gestures (and cookie bouquets, yum!) have really meant a lot to me. Keep reaching out and don't be afraid to say hello or ask questions. After surgery, I'll definitely want visitors when I'm home (and hopefully in the hospital) since I'll be cooped up in my apartment for a couple of weeks. Feel free to bring magazines or movies. ;) I've also set up a food delivery schedule site, which has a calendar of days and you can sign up to bring dinner over on a specific day. I'm hoping that people will sign up for that, which will both help me with dinner (since I suck at cooking for myself in general, let alone after surgery) and give me visitors! If you sign up, please bring enough for yourself too and plan to hang out and eat and chat. I'll be sending out the link sometime this week, so keep you eyes peeled for that, if you're interested.
Let me know if there are other questions I missed, and I'd be happy to answer them!
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