# So I've Got This Brain Tumor, Y'see... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 14, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658 "2008-11-14T03:33:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/41 "2008-11-14T23:00:26Z")
Prayers for you, caveman. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/42 "2008-11-14T23:33:21Z")
> [@jharvey963](#): > > They actually removed a half-dollar size piece of my skull, which is still missing today. What, don’t they replace the little skull fragment to knit back in? ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/43 "2008-11-15T08:27:26Z")
OK, doper #2, chiming in with an actual ‘yes, I’ve had brain matter removed’ story. Very similar story, Caveman. Back in '96, they removed about 20cc of ganglioglioma from behind my right eye. My crainiotomy was more like the size of a gold dollar, and they put it back with bone clips. Most of my scar runs under the hairline, fortunately. Recovery is fast for these types of surgeries. Six weeks after mine, I rode my bike 7 miles to the hospital for a follow up visit. It didn’t stop the seizure disorder, unfortunately, but I’ve been seizure free for years on meds. Good luck with it, C **aveman** ---
**Author:** ![Mumio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@Mumio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumio)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/44 "2008-11-15T16:00:26Z")
Best wishes caveman. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/45 "2008-11-17T17:04:23Z")
Well, just got back from my appointment, and we’ve penciled the procedure in for December 19. Next I’ll be having another MRI and an appointment to meet the other doctor who will be assisting in the making-sure-they-don’t-poke-anything-important department. Friends of mine who don’t read my blog have come out of the woodwork when I changed my FaceSpace status to “Getting another hole in my head on December 19.” I’m going to be doing a lot of retelling my story in the next few days, I imagine. ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/46 "2008-11-17T17:26:42Z")
I wish you all the luck in the world. Surgery is a scary thing, but a lot of times I find the thought of the surgery is worse than the surgery itself. I will keep you in my thoughts. I’m sure you will come through with flying colors! ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/47 "2008-11-17T22:57:44Z")
Good luck dude!!! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/48 "2008-11-17T23:17:01Z")
> [@Qwisp](#): > > I’m sure you will come through with flying colors! I **second** that emotion! **Caveman** , this goes without saying, I am sure, but all your Doper friends are with you and are wishing you the best! Gute und schnelle Besserung! Bill ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/49 "2008-11-17T23:47:11Z")
> [@Khampelf](#): > > OK, doper #2, chiming in with an actual ‘yes, I’ve had brain matter removed’ story. > > Very similar story, Caveman. Back in '96, they removed about 20cc of ganglioglioma from behind my right eye. My crainiotomy was more like the size of a gold dollar, and they put it back with bone clips. Most of my scar runs under the hairline, fortunately. > > Recovery is fast for these types of surgeries. Six weeks after mine, I rode my bike 7 miles to the hospital for a follow up visit. > > It didn’t stop the seizure disorder, unfortunately, but I’ve been seizure free for years on meds. > > Good luck with it, C **aveman** My surgeon is very optimistic about the procedure, but says to plan for a six month convalescence. As for the seizures, I’m hopeful this will curb them, but I’m fine taking my pills indefinitely. What I’m really curious about is to see is if my brain “rebounds” into the space the tumor now occupies, and if that has an effect on the seizures. ---
**Author:** ![Mumio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@Mumio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumio)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/50 "2008-11-18T05:13:45Z")
Caveman- Sending wishes for successful surgery and a speedy recovery. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/51 "2008-12-15T19:14:29Z")
The big day nigh! I’m scheduled for 9:00 tomorrow morning. I had my pre-operative interview and tests last Thursday, which went well as I have almost no medical history of any consequence. I did however pick up a sniffle from the nurse who drew my blood, which has me worried that it might wreck the carefully-choreographed schedule. I’m doing better now that I was Saturday, but still with a nose running at a slow but steady pace. I’m wrapping stuff up here at work, had a chat with my boss about the possibility of some VPN work if it fits in with the rehab plan. We bought some dignified pajamas and a robe for me last night, and will be getting the last few things in order tonight. And away we go! ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/52 "2008-12-15T19:17:04Z")
We’ll be thinking about you tomorrow. Wishing you the verybest. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/53 "2008-12-15T19:18:55Z")
I will be up ALL night playing WoW, and if you want to IM, chat or ANYTHING, please get in touch. I’m right here with you, and I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow. I don’t pray but I do care about you. Just let me know if I can do ANYHTHING at all! Bill ETA: I see BarnOwl’s here as well, so you’ve got the Dynamic Duo, pullibng for ya, **Caveman**! ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/54 "2008-12-15T19:24:13Z")
I’m right handed too - so that means if you need anything, you must let me know! We righties need to stick together on this leftist board. _(whispery stuff being said)_ Oh. _(more whispery stuff)_ I see. The leftist comments weren’t about prevalent hand use. _(again with the whispers)_ Oh. Politics. Is this why Bricker declined my friendship request? (Only kidding!) Please send me an IM if there’s anything you might need. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/55 "2008-12-15T19:32:22Z")
Best of luck, **caveman**! Take a book or something to the hospital to keep yourself occupied - you’ll probably be waiting around for a while after 9. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/56 "2008-12-15T19:40:54Z")
From one cave-creature to another: good luck **caveman**! It will work out fine. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/57 "2008-12-15T19:50:41Z")
Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/58 "2008-12-15T20:23:07Z")
Wishing you all the best! And while they are in there, perhaps they could insert a flash drive and do a back up of what you have learned over the years? Have heard of several people over the years who have had similar surgeries, and they all said it was far scarier to think about in advance than it really was to have done. Come back and write about your experiences as soon as you can! ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/59 "2008-12-15T21:52:59Z")
I’ll be checking boards tomorrow (and the next day, if need be) at work to see how it went. Best of luck! ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-ive-got-this-brain-tumor-ysee/472658/60 "2008-12-15T22:29:46Z")
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