Day 22: Thursday

It has been 22 days since I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor.

Moving to the essential items, I had a video meeting with my neurosurgeon, Dr. G, who went through my challenges. The tumor is 2.5cm and about a medium-sized one and is likely too large for non-surgical options. He shared the MRI scans with me on the screen, and it is a US quarter-sized tumor over my balancing and hearing nerve on the left side near the base of my brain. The surgery involves drilling an access, and the two surgeons will then deal with the tumor. Dr. G’s surgery will take four hours (!) to ensure the facial and other nerves (such as swallowing and speech) are not impacted by removing the tumor. A metal plate and other actions, best not described here, are done to ensure the spinal/brain fluid is not lost.

Besides all the obvious, the most significant risk is the loss or build-up of pressure from the fluid. Drains may be placed in my head and back to reduce all the fluid. The recovery will be two days in the hospital or even three. They would like someone to stay with me as most folks will be dizzy from the work on the balance nerves. Various complications could happen, but he believes they are less likely. He strongly suggested I lose weight as heavy people have higher brain fluid pressure. Something new to me. I had a salad for dinner.

We talked about the first two weeks of February as a target. From what I understand, it will be surgery of over six hours at St. V in Beaverton. I plan to spend three days at the hospital. I will need folks to stay with me at the house until the dizziness passes. Which may be in a few days.

That is what I know now, except for leaving out a few more gruesome details. The surgeon, Dr. G, will start the plan to get all the insurance, tests, sign-offs, and scheduling done, aiming for the first two weeks of February. I have yet to talk to the other surgeon, Dr. W.

According to Dr. G, the doctor has done many of these operations, and the chance of recovery is high. Once again, I have a boring tumor. It is also likely that I have had the tumor growing slowly for years, maybe my whole life.

Well, the rest of the day is somewhat anticlimactic. I rose at 9ish and started the blog for the previous day, Wednesday. It took me a while to assemble the description for the day, and I included a small sample of my attempt to write a Sherlock Holmes story. I even made a correction to better fit Watson’s writing/speaking cadence. I completely forgot breakfast and found another breakfast roll I made a few days ago for lunch. I showered and dressed for my 2PM video conference around noon.

I discovered I had no link for the video and thought they would send it by now. I called them. They close for lunch. I called at 1:05, and at 1:15, a human was happy to help me and resend me an email I did not receive. I do not remove email, even Spam, so I know they did not send it. It appears, and I can check everything. My blood pressure is higher now. Dr. G appeared eight minutes late on the video conference. Waiting did not improve my blood pressure, but I was still happy to see him.

I described the outcome, but Dr. G has a Midwest American accent with Indian features and an easy smile. His eyes show concern, and he has the usual friendly yet not too-friendly demeanor that I think they teach newer doctors. None of the jokes or personal notes I used to get from my now-retired doctors. I can see that I am a problem to be solved, and I also see a mixture of Dr. House and Dr. McCoy wrapped in smiles and perfect manners–that works for me. I can work with this man.

With the call ending, I am crushed. I do not want another challenge, and certainly not one of this size. F**K. Six hours of surgery, days in recovery, possible dizziness issues, and folks having to stay with me. The doctor asked if I had a support system here; I mentioned my wife’s passing so he could understand some of the pressures on me, and I answered yes. I have many friends, and I am sure we can get a rotation going of visitors, but still, there is so much to do.

I was cold now and tired. I rested, pulling up the covers. I talked to a few folks to let them know. Linda, my sister, had my favorite cookies delivered today: I love them dipped in coffee. I usually only see them on airplanes. Showing that most problems can be made better by cookies.

I also received a new load of bagels from NYC from Aunt Joyce. I had a few of those, too!

My new game, Wonderland Wars, was delivered today. After rising again after sleeping briefly, I punched and assembled the game. I see that I have to paint the figures. I will have to get back to organizing the house to have a space to paint and build models. It has been on the back burner but needs to move to the front. The space I planned to use in the office is too small.

Looking at the game and punching it got me back together. I also watched, again, the fourth special of Doctor Who. I read some Sherlock Holmes, the original, and made a few more changes in my version.

Yes, I have much to do, and I will overcome this challenge.

Thanks for reading.