T11-T12 Benign tumor needs to come off ASAP

[cwallis2girls]

I highly recommend Dr. Jallo at Johns Hopkins. I live in Ohio and traveled there for my surgery. It was 100% worth it. They even had a nice facility (if there is a room available) on site my husband stayed in-it's a place for cancer patients and like a hotel room very nice and a decent price. Like C's Mom said. Dr. Jallo will read the MRI results and if you like schedule a consultation. I had 2 different neurosurgeons here in Ohio that had me scared to death that I would be paralyzed from the chest down (my tumor was C6-T2) but Dr. Jallo told me he monitors carefully and would back out if anything was closed to being touched. I would've refinanced my house if I had to to go to him. I will have issues to this day that I have questions about and email him and he will email back within that day (sometimes even 10 min later).

[saraschild]

hi,
i currently am in the hospital to be scheduled for surgery on tuesday. i am very scared. tumor is t10-11 and is about the size of a nickel. it has doubled in 6 yrs. now am having tingling, numbness and weakness in legs, along with pain in left side. dr's said really don't have a choice. my fear is the aftermath, how long, pain, recovery. i am not a spring chicken. have had previous surgeries all with complications. please tell me the truth as to what pain level is, are you ever better, normal functions? thanks for all the help.

[kansasmom]

Saraschild, is your surgeon doing nerve monitoring during surgery? Which hospital are you at?

My son had surgery for his lumbar tumor at age 15 yrs. His pain is less than it was before surgery - it gradually dropped from pre-surgery levels to where it is now. He lost some leg function below the knee before and during surgery and he has done a lot of physical therapy to get to where he is now. Outcomes seem to be rather individaul, though surgeons don't usually operate (and should not) unless they believe you will be worse without surgery.

Your surgeon should offer you meds to help with pre-surgery anxiety, if you want that. Also, I'd ask about dexamethasone to reduce inflammation. Many surgeons seem to start that before surgery.

Please keep us updated. I'll be thinking of you.

[bobh]

I had spinal surgery for my tumor in 1992 in Savannah, GA. Dr. Lindley and his associates. I highly recommend them. Not only skilled doctors, but they were very caring and compassionate during pre and post op visits. They always made me feel like I was their only concern, and never rushed through my questions trying to get to their next appointment.

Best of luck.

[bobh]

Saraschild - I was unaware of the existence of this forum until last week, when I met another spinal tumor patient. He'd just had surgery, and was experiencing a lot of discomfort and fear about his rehabilitation, and he directed me to this website. I've never participated in any other forum before (not even facebook), but because of my experience, feel compelled to allay some concerns, if I'm able.

I had two surgeries in 1992. Since that time I've fully recovered, and truly never experience any limitations as a result. I'm very active; I swim 8-10 miles weekly, and hike 6-8 miles in the mountains most Saturdays. It took a 18 months to work up to that point, but it's attainable.

I'm sure every doctor offers all the typical warnings and disclaimers; I was told I had 50/50 odds of losing the use of one of my legs. But these doctors are fantastic.

Best of luck

[Todd]

bobh, would you be willing to say what kind of tumor and where? was it inside the spinal cord or outside the spinal cord?

thanks

[aliclement]

I used Dr. William Friedman at University of Florida Shands Hospital. He has a terrible bedside manner, but is an excellent neurosurgeon.

[Jmickael]

Are there any updates here?

[robind]

Jul 14, 2012 15:31:20 GMT -6 Petu said:

Hi

First post. I was diagnosed with a t11-t12 intradural-extramedullary tumour on 20th June, with increasing pain & numbness had surgery a week ago on 6th July.

The procedure was a minimally invasive one & i'm almost back to full mobility & have even been back to work (my own business) the last two days! Pain free & sleeping comfortably.

I live in the UK so didnt have any worries bout cost, surgeons etc Sorry I cant help on that front. God bless the NHS.


hello, my tumor is in the exact same location and symptoms similar to yours.  Can you please be specific as to the name of the surgery that you had?  My direct email address is : [e-mail].     Thanks so much, Robin

[Chiikys]

Hi I was pushing a cart at my job and I felt a pull on my left side lower back it's almost a year from that accident and they found out that I have a tumor on my t11. But ever since that day my pain on my lower back has been really bad and the drs don't really now why I started feeling the pain they say it's not a job injury but now it looks like I'm probably going to need surgery.