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Friday, February 13, 2009

Diagnosis: Brain Cloud

Well not exactly, but not exactly not either.

A few steps back for clarification? OK - About last August I began having some hearing problems in one ear. I get in to see the doctor in mid-August. They do some tests, can't see any reasons and at the end of September refer me to an ENT guy. I can't see the ENT (ear, nose & throat) physician for more than 6 months, but I can see the physican's assistant (PA) in December. Apparently ENT people are very busy. Wait until December to see the PA. He thinks I have an acoustic neuroma, which is essentially a non-cancerous tumor growing (very slowly) around the acoustic nerve in my head. Only way to get rid of it is surgery, but mostly the treatment is wait and see what happens. Mostly people don't have surgery.

Brain tumor. Not what I wanted to hear, but at least we have a course of action. I get an MRI in January. Results? No tumor! Great news! But... (I hate when they say but...) they found a shadow on the brain that required an additional MRI. My doctor says he can't comment on the findings. But he'll schedule the MRI and see that the neurologist calls to schedule an appointment.

A week later, get second MRI. Wait for neurologist to call. Finally get appointment ANOTHER week later.

Meanwhile, my sister is having her own annual medical tests. While I wait to find out what the shadow on my brain means, she finds out that she has breast cancer. She gets in to see a surgeon right away and the surgeon feels very positive that it is small and that it probably has not spread. She will have a lumpectomy next month and then radiation for 6 weeks after she recovers from the surgery. She had a stressful couple of days, but is in very good spirits about this. It isn't even going to impact her 10 day trip to Costa Rica (this weekend) or her trip to Hawaii with us at the end of March!

I finally get to see the neurologist. Very odd appointment. We look at the MRI (kind of cool - pictures of my brain!) and I see that yes, there is definitely some kind of shadow or something on the brain. He says "So what do you think it is?" and I wonder if I were supposed to have gone to medical school prior to the appointment. Eventually get to this - he doesn't think it is cancer, but he doesn't think it is nothing. Could be nothing to worry about, could be MS. He's not too worried right now (of course, it isn't his brain or his brain cloud) and I should have another MRI in 6 months. One thing that is definite - this is not related to my hearing problem so I still need to see another ENT doc. At the end of April.

So there you have it. Not exactly not a brain cloud, but not exactly a brain cloud either.

I think we could use a break.

Zentmrs Pin It

2 comments:

  1. don't you hate the run around you get with some doctors...glad it's not cancer, hope they find the problem and it's easily fixed soon...sorry your sister does have cancer, praying for a speedy surgery and recovery

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  2. Oh my goodness, girl! Sounds like you are going through a bit! I'm sorry to hear about your sister and what you are going through. I will keep you both in my prayers and good to hear you both seem to be in good spirits! God bless!!!!

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