Hi everyone,
I'm new here and currently trying to come to terms with, and understand, recent events.
Back in August following what we assumed was going to be a routine MRI scan, my husband was diagnosed with an 'incidental' left occipital meningioma. At our first appointment with the neurosurgeon, it was decided that due to the position of the meningioma, my husband's age (74), and other underlying health conditions, an operation is not a viable option. A single radiosurgery treatment was discussed as a possible alternative option, but after a follow up appointment with the neurosurgeon a few days ago, it now seems a single radiosurgery treatment is also not a viable option and radiotherapy given on consecutive days over a number of weeks is now under consideration and we are now waiting for an appointment with the . radiotherapy team to discuss this further. One main problem will be getting to the hospital on a daily basis as we live in a rural area, the hospital is a round trip of 45 miles, and there are no direct public transport links. My husband seems to be thinking along the lines of not having any treatment for his meningioma and I am trying to get him to wait until we meet with the radiotherapy team before making any further decisions.
Over the past year or so my husband has developed a tremour in both hands, has an unsteady gait, and his memory is getting worse, and as the neurosurgeon has said these symptoms are not caused by the meningioma, he is also on referral to another part of the neurological department to see if he possibly also has Parkinson's Disease - so with his other health issues, there is a lot going on and its a shame that the various hospital departments don't seem to work together.
Something else that is playing on my mind, is the fact that the neurosurgeon could trace my husband's meningioma back to 2008 and 2012 on previous MRI scans, but it had never been flagged up for further investigation until the latest scan. Even I could see it on the scans with my untrained eyes! Due to being able to race the development of the meningioma, it is slow growing now around 3cms in size, and hopefully benign. Not sure at the moment if I should be following up on this or not.
So briefly, this is where we are at just now and I have lots of reading to do and questions to ask. I would welcome any advice and suggestions that may be of help at this challenging time. Thank you 
I have had a meningioma for about 5 years ...or more...and apparently many people have them and don't know about them. They're very common and quite often never interfere with normal life or life expectancy. Mine happened to show up because I had an MRI scan for something unrelated. It's near my audial nerve and it has no effect on me and has not grown. I have had scans every 2 years to check the growth. I regard myself as lucky... a. because it hasn't grown but b. because I have regular scans. I have just had (relatively) early diagnosis of a brain tumour. The meningioma is now the least of my worries. It's also inoperable because of the potential for causing deafness if anything was to be operated on/treated. I'm dealing with everything on a day by day basis and trying not to worry. Of course it's not the same for all of us, but know that your husband is in good hands and try and weigh up the advice given when you have more knowledge. Knowledge is power. I'll know very soon how powerful that is. 
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HI
a warm welcome to the online community. Sorry to hear about all that is going on with your husband.
I supported my late husband through the three years of his stage 4 brain tumour journey so can empathise with all that's going on. When G was having his treatment we had a 60 mile round trip to the hospital so I get the distance challenges too,
Meningioma are not one I personally know a lot about but I took the liberty of looking up the main MacMillan site for more info - Meningioma in adults | Macmillan Cancer Support. if it was me I would be asking why this wasn't flagged to your husband on previous MRIs but I guess that's all academic at this point in time as your focus needs to be the current situation. If the neurosurgeon is confident that your husband's symptoms are unrelated to the meningioma then perhaps you need to get the root cause of those to help you both make a balanced decision about the way forward here.
In the meantime I would encourage you to write down all your questions, fears/concerns etc and take those notes to the next appointment. These early appointments can fee quite overwhelming so if you have the questions written down beforehand then those notes can act as a script and help ensure that you don't forget to ask about something that is important to you both.
This is a safe and supportive space so please reach out here anytime. There's always someone about to listen who gets it, someone to hold your hand and to offer a virtual hug when its needed. You're not alone. We've got you.
It’s always good to talk so please remember that you can also call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service provides lots of cancer information, emotional support, benefit and financial guidance or just a listening ear.
for now though I'm sending you a huge virtual hug and lots of strength
love n hugs
Wee Me xxx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
HI
G took it really hard when he was told at one of his early appointments that he could no longer drive. Its such an important thing to folk.
For what it's worth, denial was one of G's key coping mechanisms. It used to frustrate the life out of me then I realised if it made it easier for him to cope then as long as I knew what was going on it was easier to just let him deny things. His tumour/s caused more cognitive than physical issues and compromised his speech, language and understanding right from the start. That lack of understanding brings its own challenges and requires infinite patience.
Glad to hear you're going to call the helpline. Take all the support and help that you can from MacMillan and those around you. Something else to perhaps explore is whether your local hospice offers transport for hospital appointments. I know its a community volunteer service that some offer.
love n hugs
Wee Me xx
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
