by Danielle P.
Member since:
March 26, 2007

Mom's Meningioma

March 19, 2011 06:49 AM UTC
views: 0 | 9 people recommend this | comments: 28

This past Tues my mom had her meningioma removed.  The Dr agreed that he did not prepare us for the magnitude of the change to her personality.  To say it has been a very rocky, scary experience is putting it so mildly.

Day one: When she came out of surgery it seemed as if she had Tourette's Syndrome for the first 24 hours.  She was cursing and yelling and laughing and making fun of anyone who walked by her bedside.

Day two: She was very subdued and by the end of the day she did not know who we were or who she was.  They ordered an emergency CAT scan to make sure there was no bleeding or excessive swelling on the brain.  The scan was normal although we found out last night there is some bleeding, but it is minor and the brain will absorb that.

Day three:  She has been pretty much getting progressively worse.  She did not recognize my sister yesterday who stayed with her all day.  The bright side is that my daughter went to visit last night and Mom recognized her right away.

The Dr said swelling peaks from 3-5 days and her disorientation along with it.....He only explained it all to my sister after she called him very upset. 

He originally told my Mom and me at her last Dr visit that she would be back to work in 6 weeks.  I know it takes a lot fo time for the brain to heal but this is so disheartening.

She most likely will be going to a rehab center in the next few days.  Please send positive thoughts and prayers our way. 

 

 

 

Comments: 28

lena k. Mar 19, 2011, 6:54am UTC
that is si sad your family is in our prayers
Heather - child of God, C. Mar 19, 2011, 7:02am UTC
I pray she has a full recovery!
joseph k. Mar 19, 2011, 7:04am UTC
she is in our prayers
Debbie W. Mar 19, 2011, 7:21am UTC
I'm sure this is a very scary time for your family, but sounds as if the symptoms will fade away. The brain is a very adaptable organ! I'm sure the rehab facility will do wonders. Best wishes for your mother and your family are being sent your way!
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:25pm UTC
Thanks for your encouragement!!
DiAnA D. Mar 19, 2011, 7:46am UTC
hugs and prayers... i'm right beside you...
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:25pm UTC
You are a GREAT friend to have through the good and the bad!!
Michael Fishman Mar 19, 2011, 8:53am UTC
I'm sure this is very scary for you and everyone else. Positive thoughts for a speedy and full recovery.
RedBird. B. Mar 19, 2011, 9:23am UTC
Danielle, My Thought's and Prayers go up for your (Mom) and the whole Family.
This has got to be a very trying time for everyone!
Blessings are sent your way!
Sincerely,Redbird!
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:25pm UTC
Thank you so much!
RedBird. B. Mar 19, 2011, 8:31pm UTC
Danielle, Your very Welcome!
Blessings,Friend!
Nurse Nancy S. Mar 19, 2011, 11:17am UTC
Prayers and well wishes for your Mom.
So many times the doctors really do not prepare the families for what to expect. I, as a nurse, try to make sure that the family is as informed as I can make them. So sorry that someone did not make that time for you and your family.
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:26pm UTC
Thankyou. Today was MUCH better. She recognized the Dr and his assistant as soon as they came thru the door!! She carried on a conversation with them as plain as day and then turned to us when he left and didn't her daughters names. lol
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:27pm UTC
didn't know her daughters names!! I'm her eldest!! lol
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Mar 19, 2011, 3:29pm UTC
Keeping your Mother and family in my thoughts and prayers.
Kevin E. Mar 19, 2011, 5:45pm UTC
My thoughts and prayers go your way. My deepest sympathy my friend.
Lori A Mar 19, 2011, 6:31pm UTC
my thoughts and prayers sent your way . I have has a similar experience with my mom but this was when I was very young . My Mom was always a sweet person until she developed seizure disorder , now back in the 60s this was hard to fix because my mom was allergic to the current meds available so they had to try her on lots of different things and she had some surgery that caused her to totally change personality . she was never the same , she became very cruel and violent . I was about 5 at the time and I remember asking my dad why she was so mean to us . These experimental drug and surgeries could not be reversed and though she got a little better was never the same Mom . the surgeries were to remove scar tissue from her brain from a childhood illness . the doctors were able to make it a little better but she could never drive and she has seizures to this day . my father could not deal with the personality change and left when I was 13 . its really sad when our brains fail us or we develop a problem . Its always been one of my greatest fears --I pray you mom get better real soon- hugs
lor
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:28pm UTC
Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm so sorry about your mom and the loss of your family at such a tender age.
So far my Mom is improving with every day.
What a jolting experience Danielle. I'm glad the fuller explanation finally got passed around. The Dr is probably so used to it he forgot it was not know to you all.
I wonder what all your Mom will remember.
I have already prayed for you and your family. Let us know how it goes.
Danielle P. Mar 19, 2011, 8:29pm UTC
Thank you. She is getting better every day!! I just found out she got approved for a local Rehab center and that should help a lot they tell us!!
Yaaaaa. Yes, they are very helpful! We've used them a time or two on my Mom. But not a serious as yours. :)
Solskin Iam Mar 19, 2011, 7:51pm UTC
positive thoughts and prayers going your way.......
Linda T. Mar 20, 2011, 1:46am UTC
I will be thinking about you and praying for your mom and the rest of the family. The brain is amazing and once the swelling resides you will hopefully notice a rapid improvement. A few years ago my brother in law suffered a brain injury and after his surgery the road ahead looked rocky but the improvement was surprisingly quick once the swelling diminished.
Danielle P. Mar 20, 2011, 6:05am UTC
Thank you for the hope. The Dr said that the swelling peaks from day 3-5 and then there should be rapid improvement and yesterday was the start of the improvement!! Yayyyyyy. He said she might only be in a rehab facility for a week but it could be up to a month. We shall take it day by day. Thank you for your prayers and your kind words.
Linda T. Mar 20, 2011, 4:14pm UTC
I meant to mention that my brother in law also went from the hospital to a rehab facility. We were told he might be there a few months. He lives in Arizona and the rest of the family is on the East Coast. My husband and I flew out there believing we would have to make arrangements to move my brother in law back here. The first day we saw him was his 2nd day in the rehab center. We were horrified by the vacant look in his eyes and believed the worst. Within hours of our arrival he began improving. By day five he was ready to go home. Two weeks later he was recovered enough that I was able to go home. It was truly a miraculous recovery.
Danielle P. Mar 21, 2011, 6:02am UTC
AWESOME news for your brother in law. I hope Mom improves that rapidly. She goes today but we are not sure what time yet. She told my sister she is scared so her old self is shining through. She is having more and more moments of lucidity each day. That vacant look is so scary!!
Debbie W. Apr 17, 2011, 7:54pm UTC
I hope she has a speedy recovery (hugs)
Heather - child of God, C. May 23, 2011, 4:44am UTC
How is she doing now, Danielle? You might want to write another article on her. Did she return back to her "old" self over time, or is she still affected by the operation?

I was thinking of you today, so I headed over to see if there were any new articles you have written.

Well, I got to go to bed...before they all get up.. :)

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