ADDF clinical research!!

[Amtram]

So, I fell down and bumped my head, and since it looked kind of awful from the outside, my doctor sent me for a CT scan. It showed that I hadn't suffered a concussion, but what it did find is that I have a very large intraosseous meningioma. I asked her where it was, and essentially, it's been pressing on my left frontal lobe. . .

This is a cancerous tumor, but it's not really all that big a deal. It's extraordinarily rare, which is no surprise, because I'm not going to go around getting just any old common tumor, not me! However, it's slow-growing, non-aggressive, and usually requires no treatment beyond surgery. And it's not in my brain, but in the bone.

I knew all this as soon as she told me the name, so when she told me where it was, I got all excited and asked, "Whaddaya think? Maybe if I get this thing taken out, some of my ADD will go away?" She laughed - I don't know if she's ever gotten that kind of a response to "you have a tumor."

I can't wait to see the films, and whatever neurosurgeon I see is probably going to want to treat me really quickly so he doesn't have to put up with all my questions. Heh. I really am interested in seeing if I notice any cognitive or emotional changes after surgery, and the only thing that I'm worried about is paying for it. Stoopid insurance company.

I probably won't be getting my first appointment right away, but I thought it would be interesting for people here to read occasional progress reports in case there really seems to be a cause and effect between this tumor and my executive function!

[ginniebean]

Holy crap, I thought the world would cave when I was told I had a pituitary adenoma.. I'd be freaking out.. so.. maybe you'll have amazing super brain after surgery. wow.

[CheekyMonkey]

That is crazy. Are you going to be okay?!

[Amtram]

Yeah. This is not life-threatening even though I have to get it removed by a neurosurgeon. It does put quite a crimp in my plans to go back to school, though. I'll just be learning something different.

[Rebelyell]

Well I wish you well,it seems toms river has had a big cancer cluster w kids and people from what Ive read.Its either the damn nuklear reactors orsome company dumped chemicals in the water supply/tainted wells. Thats sounds like something that Id say maybe My adhd would go away lol

[MentalNomad]

Good luck with the tumor issue, you said it is not in the brain, but on the bone and pressing on the frontal lobe, so it could be worse!

As for me, I used to fantasize about having a brain tumor when I was a teenager, I guess because subconsciously I thought one simple surgery would cure all of my ills. I even made my own brain tumor sock puppets, but that's an entirely separate story.

Anyway, best of luck!

[Rebelyell]

my parents always jokingly said I was due for a lobotomy any day now

[danelady]

Well,you don't sound too worried about it,but I hope that everything goes ok for you.

[Ms. Mango]

Wow! I hope you'll have a good outcome and your reports will be interesting and nothing more!

[anonymouslyadd]

[Fortune]

Best of wishes, Amtram. Glad it's fairly benign as such things go.

Also, I find your geekery in response to the diagnosis to be amusing...and easy to identify with.

[CheekyMonkey]

Originally Posted by Amtram

Yeah. This is not life-threatening even though I have to get it removed by a neurosurgeon. It does put quite a crimp in my plans to go back to school, though. I'll just be learning something different.

That's good that it is a fairly safe procedure and outcome.

How long is recovery?

[purpleToes]

What a strange thing to have happen to you. Best wishes for everything to go well, Amtram!

[Amtram]

Originally Posted by Rebelyell

Well I wish you well,it seems toms river has had a big cancer cluster w kids and people from what Ive read.Its either the damn nuklear reactors orsome company dumped chemicals in the water supply/tainted wells. Thats sounds like something that Id say maybe My adhd would go away lol

We had heard that, too, but as it turns out it was something we didn't have to worry about. Ciba-Geigy diverted benzene into the water table, and it got into the well water downstream. The cancers occurred in children whose mothers drank the well water nearly exclusively. Not a problem if you don't have well water or drink bottled, and the adult cancer rate is about equal for NJ as a whole. (We all know that living in NJ causes cancer. . .)

[Abi]

All the best Amtram