It's Just Benign: Connecting Benign Brain Tumor Survivors Everywhere
Long Term Effects
This may or may not be of any interest, but my surgery was done in 1999, and the results have been, on the whole, fantastic.
Following initial onset of symptoms (numbness, tingling, electric shock sensations) it was determined the Trigeminal Schwannoma at Mickel's Cave was a relatively fast growing tumor, and needed to be removed ASAP. Diagnosis was done in November 1999, and surgery was done on December 31, 1999. Great way to spend Happy New Year, eh wot?
In the ensueing 12 years, I have noticed a very, very slow return of sensation to my face. I no longer have any localized pain, and have noticed a definate improvement in the sense of touch from my left eyebrow
to my lower jaw. I no longer feel as if my left eye was drooping, and I no longer bite my inner cheek and tongue, at least not as often, hehehe.
My only concern, at this stage, is whether this can/will possibly recur. Given that I am a 70 year old male,it's probably not too much of a worry. The inactivity involved with advanced age gives one much too much time to worry.
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Comment
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Comment by Mary Bedford on July 5, 2012 at 2:37pm -
Susan, hello and welcome to the group. The cleveland clinic part definitely caught my eye, as I had my surgery there in Oct. 2011, for a 3 cm. cavernoma in rt. cavernous sinus. I needed a skull base NS due to location and Dr. Lee is my neurosurgeon. He is one of best skull base NS anywhere. You have the opposite side, but the not being able to chew part, also familiar, as the temporalis muscle is cut. So, who is your neurosurgeon? will be skull base approach? I also had only ever been in hospital for my c-sections prior. will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Comment by James "Yogi" Baehr on July 5, 2012 at 12:34am -
I think you have done due diligance, and have chosen the most sucessful procedure. I shall keep you in my prayers. Please let me know how this turns out for you. You have the added benefit of a decade or better of progress in medical technology. I trust that you will have a fantastic outcome. God Bless, and take care, Yogi
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Comment by James "Yogi" Baehr on July 5, 2012 at 12:26am
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Comment by Susan Konick on July 4, 2012 at 9:52pm -
I am interested in your story. I am 60 years old and was diagnosed with trigeminal schwannoma in March. I had no symptoms other than very gradual hearing loss in my left ear. Unfortunately, this went undiagnosed for many years until I went to an ENT due to severe vertigo. He sent me for a cat scan and thus began my road to understanding my condition. I was referred to a head/neck surgeon who had never treated this. I finally took things into my own hands and after exhaustive research came up with 3 doctors and 3 options. My first choice was CyberKnife for the obvious reasons. The doctor there sent me for an MRI and it showed the trigeminal schwannoma of 5 cm, too big for CyberKnife. Next option was the endonasal endoscopic approach by a doctor in Pittsburgh. Traveled there with my husband and listened to his treatment plan for me and then went to Cleveland Clinic where the doctor there said the only way to get out all or most of the tumor was a conventional crainiotomy. After we came home and discussed all of the options I have decided to return to Cleveland Clinic and have the convention removal done. I am scheduled for September 14 and am petrified. I have never been in the hospital (other than childbirth) and obviously never had surgery. I know there will be side effects from the surgery. I have been told that I will not be able to chew on the left side and I may have some numbness on the left side of my face. Just feel connected to you and thought writing to you would help:)
© 2013 Created by Beth Rosenthal.
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