Okay, so I did it! Five months after having a craniotomy, I finally went to get my hair done. I explained to the girl who always use to do my hair what happened, with a shocked looked, she said "don't worry, we'll take care of you" and then she had someone wash my hair and comb through my hair and color it. As creepy as it felt at times, I survived!
The funny thing is God has a
way of telling you there is always someone much worse
than you. Seated next to me in the hair dryer machine, was a lady who
was blind and had just been in a car accident recently and could not see
or walk properly. She asked me for help in getting up and then I
realized... Am I lucky! And here I am, before during and after!
Here is a great site for those of you that have survived a meningioma. You can purchase t-shirts for meningioma awareness, as well as new bracelets!
Check it out:
http://www.meningiomamommas.org/mommas-merchandise
So it has been two months since my craniotomy and I can honestly say I have come a long way both physically and emotionally! I am about to celebrate my birthday at the end of this month and I am eternally gratefully to G-d, the Universe, whoever is in charge! Even though I am not currently working, I am happy in having the time and health to have taken up my "mom duties" again! Somehow, I had lapsed in this department. Not only was I working full-time, an hour away, somehow, I had grown apathetic and aloof. I don't know if I can blame it on my brain tumor but having survived one, I can definitely say, changed my life's perspective.
It is okay if I have to be in long car lines two times a day times two kids and it is okay if I have to go to the grocery store three times a week or pick up every shoe thrown around the house. I can appreciate those priceless moments, when my son tells me "Mommy, you are the best mom ever," when I know I am not. I recognized that we don't have "forever." I mean, I knew this as I experienced the death of my mom, many years ago but somehow, when you go through a life-altering experience, it hits home in a way that nothing else does.
I am also grateful to have found a group online of women (and some men) https://www.facebook.com/groups/56743583446/ to ask questions when in doubt. Things I wonder like, how long is my head going to feel numb? And what others reactions were to steroids. P.S. I can honestly say that coming off of steroids was one of the worst experiences!
All in all, I realized that I was extremely lucky in having had a Grade 1 tumor (benign.) I remember standing in front of the mirror and seeing my head open (as my incision re-opened during a setback) and crying, not because of my scar, but because I imagined the heartache my mom and so many others went through having the knowledge that they would die. As a mother now, I understand the absolute grief of the thought of leaving your family behind. There are thousands of people each day who are faced with death, whether it be cancer or a tumor etc.. and I, well, I am the lucky one. And so are you, if you are reading this. You have another day in your life to make a difference, to fight, to be a warrior. Take it!
I believe I have delved enough into the logistics of what I went through physically and hopefully I can help someone out there who may be in the diagnosis research stage of meningiomas as well. I believe it is time for me to move on with some more venting, analyzing fun and photos!
When I think about what I went through and my crazy lack of rest, I think I must really be nuts! Two days after brain surgery I was with my family taking our 11-year old on a Friday night to a trampoline bouncing themed-amusement place! Luckily, it was not mobbed. The next day, I was "shooting hoops" with my 6-year old outside, a few days later, we were at our city's holiday parade standing in the streets waiting for our daughter to go by with her marching band! Really?
I guess, this is why this week, I sit quietly at home typing away and trying to rest. Sooner or later it all catches up with you. I am figuring it is the fear of not being around anymore that makes one want to live every moment with fierceness. Gotta remember that feeling!
What is a meningioma?
A meningioma is a type of tumor that develops from
the meninges, the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
There are three layers of meninges, called the dura mater, arachnoid and
pia mater. Most meningiomas (90%) are categorized as benign tumors,
with the remaining 10% being atypical or malignant. However, the word
"benign" can be misleading in this case, as when benign tumors grow and
constrict and affect the brain, they can cause disability and even be
life threatening.
In many cases, benign meningiomas grow slowly. This means that
depending upon where it is located, a meningioma may reach a relatively
large size before it causes symptoms. Other meningiomas grow more
rapidly, or have sudden growth spurts. There is no way to predict the
rate of growth for a meningioma, or to know for certain how long a
specific tumor was growing before diagnosis.
Most people with a meningioma will only have a tumor at only one
site, but it is also possible to have several tumors growing
simultaneously in different parts of the brain and spinal cord. When
multiple meningiomas occur, more than one type of treatment may have to
be used.
Meningiomas vary in their symptoms and appropriate treatment options depending on where they are located.
A primary brain tumor originates in the central nervous system, while
metastatic brain tumors spread to the brain from other parts of the
body. Meningiomas account for about 27% of primary brain tumors, making
them the most common of that type.
SYMPTOMS:
Symptoms
Because meningiomas commonly are slow-growing tumors, they often do not
cause noticeable symptoms until they are quite large. Some meningiomas
may remain asymptomatic for a patient's lifetime or be detected
unexpectedly when a patient has a brain scan for unrelated symptoms.
Presenting signs and symptoms depend on the size and location of the
tumor. Symptoms of meningiomas may include any of the following:
(ref. Brigham and Women's Hospital and http://www.aans.org )
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