When I read your post , I couldn't help but think about my own circumstances &
frustrations with the many different things I have going on with me. I too
have the depression, anger, memory problems ...... all which are being
diagnosed as 'depression' related. Yet , I have tried every anti-depressant ,
combination of anti-depressants, as well as Attention Deficit medications
without relief from my symptoms. If the medications don't work - maybe it's
not a 'chemical' thing ????????

I'm thinking how you mentioned the years that you were experiencing these
symptoms prior to your discovery of your M and think to myself - is this what is
happening to me ?????? Although my M is small, perhaps it is 'enough' to
aggravate & bring on these problems in my life.

I go back next month for another MRI to see if there have been any changes ....
I have yet to meet with a Nuero Surgeon due to it's small size , and much of
what I have read in regards to the Medical community discrediting the symptoms
or problems we are experiencing , and insisting they are not related to the
Meningioma.....

I'm starting to rethink my passive approach on this and finding a surgeon that
will listen & be open minded to my history of problems. Perhaps actually
consider they are related. Am I pipe dreaming ?????? I can't stand the
thought of going through life on the "wait & watch" and not performing to the
level that I once was able to function at ... That in itself is depressing
!!!!!!!!






----- Original Message -----
From: L. A. Lo Cicero
To: meningioma@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 8:45 PM
Subject: Re: [meningioma] Re: New member


Hi JJ:
I too had a very large tumor in the same location as yours. The only
indication something was wrong was my great vision changing back to what it was
before the RK surgery. I never suspected a tumor until an optomologist told me
my optic nerve at the back of my eyeball didn't look healthly. I thank God he
saw that and follow on eye specialist insisted I get the MRI.
After the 11 hour surgery I was a new person. My personality returned to the
funny, kind person Vs the constantly angry, tense, unpleasant individual I had
turned into. Even my shrinks didn't suspect a brain tumor when they were
treating me for anger issues and depression!
I looked back at failed relationships, behavior issues, etc. and wonder if it
all was caused by the M. Since it was so large, I can only suspect the answer is
yes since it took many years to get so large.
My NS told me it was a "rare" condition found in persons of my age with no
defined cause. Well, news flash... it is not so "rare". Here I thought I was
special. LOL
Some of my side affects: poor depth perception, color blindness, aphsia, near
sightedness, more emotional (or maybe it is normal as I was a pretty cold person
with the tumor), difficulty focusing/concentrating, poor short term
memory/forgetfullness. I am fortunate that these are the only symptoms... at
this time. I can find ways to compensate for the deficiencies. Unfortunately, I
have no idea of the long term affects, dimentia, alhezhymers (sp), will these
symptoms worsen, no telling. I am thankful that I came out of this as well as I
have and it seems you have also.
God bless and keep you strong and healthy.
L. A.

JJ <jjoregonreduces@...> wrote:
Hello! I had meningioma surgery in Sept. 2006, & it was discovered due to
vision changes that were happening suddenly in July. It affected my peripheral
vision and depth perception, and I was becoming concerned about driving. I am so
thankful to report that my vision came back not too long after surgery! I was so
relieved, as there was no guarantee.

My tumor was on the frontal lobe, and was "the largest tumor" that the
surgeons had seen of this kind. How awful.

There are many other affects that the tumor had, mostly on my personality but
including physical changes that I had no idea were being caused by this
intruder, of course. Due to the size of the tumor, I've apparently had this
growing for about 20 yrs. or more! Now I look back on my life & problems &
realize what a "robber" this has been.

According to my surgeon, the swelling can take about 9 months to go down as
far as the skull/brain is concerned. As far as personal appearance, no one can
tell what has happened to me due to appearance since the scar is behind my
hairline. This seems fortunate, but then people don't understand some of the
mistakes I make cognitively due to the brain changes. This is not easy to
experience for any of us patients (and our families), though we are grateful
usually to still be alive.

I highly recommend that all these questions be directed to the surgeon for
clarification. My surgeon was very accessible afterwards to answer my questions
by phone. He/she will be able to give you some of the best info about various
aspects of recovery. Some of it they cannot predict (such as my vision
returning), but some is "typical" to surgery recovery, and this is major
surgery! If you have permission to speak to the surgeon on behalf of your
mother, then you could ask your questions directly. Depending on how the surgery
affected her mentally (memory stuff), she may need you to do this.

Since it is so soon after your mother's surgery, give it time. I sincerely
hope the changes for the better will continue, in spite of the changes in
appearance. Certainly the changes for the better for me keep happening! It's
been an amazing journey already, & it's been just 3, almost 4 months! Be
patient, and watch your personal expectations. Probably no one can predict how
your mother will end up, and however she is both now and in the future, you can
be grateful for the miracle of this surgery. I certainly am, and so is my
family!

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