What are the chances of a successful surgery on a meningioma brain tumor?

My mom was diagnosed with a Meningioma brain tumor months ago. The doctors decided to wait a while and see what her symptoms were and if the tumor was growing. Eventually, she started getting bad headaches and her vision worsened. Shes now at the point that shes been laid off of work due to her unstability when walking. It's a really scary situation to deal with, she lives 9 hours from me with my brother and sister. Shes already put my name on everything she owns, including my siblings. I'm only 22 and am a broke college student who cant even afford my own rent. If anybody knows, can you please tell me of similar conditions and their outcomes? I've looked up some info but havent really gotten an everyday explanation that i can understand fully. Thank you.

I am SO sorry you are going through this.

I had a brain tumor removed in March of 2004. I was having really bad headaches, wild mood swings, and neck pain for about a year. I kept going to my doctor to try to get some relief. But all he would do is give me Motrin, and ignore me (stupid military docs). Motrin didnt help at all. The headaches got SO bad, that I was forcing myself to not go to sleep at night because I would always wake up with headaches that left me screaming in pain (literally). It was unbearable. So finally I went back to the doc, and told him that he either gave me a CAT scan, or I was reporting him for neglagence. Well, THAT got the ball rolling. He gave me a CAT scan, and an MRI, and thats how they discovered I had a brain tumor.

I had what was called a Nerve Sheath Tumor. Its not cancer, and they dont know how (or why) it got there. Its one of those tumors that has no rules, and grows for no reason. They said that I could have had it for a few years, and it was just starting to hurt because it was getting pretty big. It was located right where my brain stem met my brain. I had surgery at Walter Reed on March 30, 2003. It took 12 doctors 14 hours to remove it. I also had to spend a month in the hospital recovering. They literally had to saw my head open, and left a 5 inch long scar on my scalp. The side of my head is held together with Titanium (the original piece of skull is still there, but the Titanium holds it together. And I can no longer feel the left side of my face, including my eye, tongue, and lips. But I would do it all over again, just to get rid of those headaches.

I now enjoy a normal life, with minimal discomfort. I have to be careful to not lift anything heavy, and I can no longer play contact sports. But besides that, I am OK. Even the loss of feeling doesnt bother me anymore. Its actually a good thing when I go to the Dentist. Hehe!! Like I said, I would do it all over again to not have those headaches any more.

From the description you are giving, it sounds like your doctors are doing the right thing. You dont want to operate on someone unless you HAVE to. The most important thing you can do right now is be there for your mom (sounds like you are already), and be strong for her. No one can know for sure what the outcome will be. And believe me, I know thats the WORST part of the whole thing. If it does turn out that your mom needs surgery, then look at it this way: Its a chance for her to get better. It is not likely that something will go wrong with the surgery, or that it wont help her. Once that kind of tumor is gone, its gone forever. Then maybe she will have a chance at a normal life again.

PLEASE dont hesitate to email me with more questions. I'm almost the same age as you, and I understand what you are going through.

Hi, I'm so sorry your family is having to go through this. Obviously , your mom's symptoms are getting worse,but when you have surgery there is no way to know exactly what the surgeons will find. Every case is unique. I wish the best for you and your family.