The news

I'm keeping this short-ish for now, as today was completely draining and I have finally really hit my mental and emotional capacities.  Really.  I had my follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeons today.  I'll add more details later when I have the energy.

They got most of my tumor out during surgery but not quite all of it (as expected).  There are also some tumor cells left in the surrounding tissue around where my tumor was (also quite normal/expected).  My tumor is a grade 2 astrocytoma.  For now, I don't need additional treatment.  We will just wait and monitor it.  Once it grows, and someday it will, we'll need to treat it.  Likely with radiation, chemo, more surgery.  It was a well-behaved tumor in my head, but it could grow back more aggressively in the future.  We just have to wait and see.  But for now, this is good news.  Or at least as good as we could have hoped for.

The doctors also told me I had a tiny stroke during surgery, which they didn't know until it showed up on my post-op MRI.  We have no idea if it's impacting me and probably never will.

I got my stitches removed and am SO EXCITED to wash my disgusting greasy hair tomorrow for the first time.

I developed an allergic reaction yesterday to the anti-seizure meds I've been on (UPDATE: and the adhesive used on the monitors they stick to your body in the hospital), so my body is currently broken out in disgusting angry red hives.  We're talking entire neck, plus face, torso, sides.  It itches and looks disgusting.  So that's been a bit of a bummer, to say the least.

I haven't googled my tumor and don't plan to, and I really do not want to hear about the interesting facts or stats people find on these tumors.  I'm just putting that out there now.  Every tumor is different and there's no way to predict how mine will act, how long it'll stay quiet, how quickly it'll turn my life upside down again, etc.  I appreciate everyone's well wishes and will get back to everyone as I'm able.  Right now, I'm just trying to process.  And not itch my hives to death.

My sister and cousin were happy at the news today and wanted to celebrate, but I don't feel like celebrating.  I don't feel relieved.  I'm sure that will come in time, but for right now, I'm just completely drained and exhausted and not quite ready to have to face the fact that I will live with this brain tumor condition for my entire life, however long or short it may be.

Thank you to everyone for your support, and please understand when I don't reply immediately to messages.  I'm just trying to keep things together.  I am exhausted.