Ladies,
My dearest, best friend that I've known for 25 years recently found out that she has a 2 cm brain tumor in her frontal lobe that must be removed. Apparently, it is in one of the most difficult places throughout the body to remove due to it’s placement, so they are unable to utilize any of the modern technology and so must perform a Full Craniotomy. At this point, they do not know if it is benign or malignant and won't know until they open up her head. She is petrified, depressed, not sleeping, beyond frightened and that is on top of the migraines, nausea and vomiting.
Has anyone known someone that has had this operation and can you give me any insights to support her? I am at a loss how to help her/console her; everything sounds so flat. I'm truly scared for my friend. Her operation is April 2. Any prayers for her would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
She has two boys, 7 and 12 and is married. 5 years ago she was walking her toddler in his stroller and was hit by a woman in her car traveling 40 mph. Since then, her life has been turned upside down and she has had several major back surgeries and has been in and out of the hospital. 5 years ago when they did the MRI on her brain, one of the doctors looking at the MRI thought he saw a tiny dot on her brain, but it was so filled w/ blood from the car accident, that it was noted only by one person and not followed up on. Now they know that this was the very beginning of the tumor. It explains a lot of what has been going on over the last 5 years, which has been hell for her. She is such a good person, I just think how much more can one person handle??
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Ladies, thank you for the prayers. Her name is Amy.
If she hasn't told her doctor how she's feeling scared, can't sleep, etc. she should give him a call. He can prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that will help her deal better.
My counsin had melanoma and his doctor offered Ativan.
Wow, LeeLee. I don't have an answer, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am and send you both hugs. Prayers for her too.
:(
Dawn
Will definitely pray for your friend.
Sorry.
:(
Praying for your dear friend, so sorry...
The Pastor at my parents church dropped(past out during the service) over the Christmas season. Turned out he had a tumor. That took many surgeries to remove. He will have to have surgery now for the rest of his life. because the tumor will never go away.
IT was a journey they shared with the church via facebook. It was the most inspiring thing to watch play out. It makes you have great perspective on what is important in life.
I am terrified for your friend. I think that is an ok emotion for her and everyone to have right now. You will have to go through your own type of process with this news.
Educate. She needs to know what to expect so that when the time comes, there are no lingering questions.
If you can start planning people to make meals for the family. If she has children make sure they have what they need. Kids can keep normal.
I am so sorry she has to go through this.
You might want to help organize meals for her family or some kind of communication system, like a facebook page or a caring bridge.com page to keep people informed about how she is doing, what the family needs for and what to pray for. There are several yprograms for organizing meals, i just can't think of any at this time. Brain surgery is scary- try to be there to help calm her a little- watch funny movies or something to get her mind off the impending surgery for a little while. Prayers for you and your friend and her family.
Try to find an online support group.
http://www.mdjunction.com/support-groups
They could also know groups at her doctor or surgeon's office.
I don't have any answers....
but hugs and prayers for your friend.
She's lucky to have you as her friend.
Will be praying, Lee Lee. Please keep us posted.
Prayers and hugs to you all. Please keep us posted. I think she needs to sit down with the neurosurgeon with a list of questions. Someone needs to go with her, because she will not hear the answers. My heart goes out to her. Is she having the surgery at a big med center in California?
I know you cannot compare, but my friends little boy had two brain surgeries in a week. Second one was on a Monday and he was home Thursday night. The entire back of skull was removed. I could not believe it.
My father went through three neurosurgeries for tumours. Just remember, that there are no bad brain surgeons!
Actually, brain surgery may seem daunting and scary, but it's no worse than any other surgery. Quite often a person who has had the surgery is sitting up the next morning eating breakfast. She will obviously be in intensive care for the first couple of days after surgery, but it is no worse than other surgery. In fact, it can sometimes have less pain in recovery (she'll have a headache!).
I wish her all the best.
Any surgery is scary but this kind is very much so to the person having it done but I hope you can help calm Amy. I will pray for her and her family and that it's not malignant. Sometimes they are easier to treat though than the benign ones. She's in God's hands.
I'm so very sorry. Will pray for her entire family. Great suggestions below. Her children are old enough to know what's going on, so anything to help them cope and maintain a "normal" routine without being terrified is what came to mind. Do they have grandparents or aunts/uncles close by? Best wishes and many hugs for the coming months. :(
