Welcome

Hello,

This past month and a half have been interesting, that's for sure. Though as you know, any time involving Charles is sure to be interesting! :) (And that's why we love him!)

Charles and I wanted to set up this blog so that friends and family could keep up to date on Charles' surgery and recovery. At this point I'm not sure what access I will have to a computer the week that he is in the hospital, but I will do my best! At the very least hopefully the hotel will have a computer in the lobby that I can use... If I'm ever at the hotel.

We want to thank the friends and family who have helped so much so far. We appreciate everything that has been done to help- driving Miss Daisy to work, helping locate a neurosurgeon, get well cards, prayers and well wishes to name a few.

Please keep Charles in your thoughts, minds, prayers and hearts through the coming weeks, we'll take all we can get! :)

Love,
Sue W.


CONTACT INFO

Feel free to text me anytime (Sue W.): 978-870-2280

Send any cards (definitely welcome!) to:
Charles Horn
3 Carroll Rd. Apt 3
North Grafton, MA 01536


THE SURGERY

Pre-Op: Wednesday September 16th

Surgery: Monday September 21st
Brigham & Womens Hospital, Boston MA
Peter M. Black, M.D., Ph.D.
The surgery is scheduled for 7:30am and we have to be there for 5:30am... EWWWW!! But at least Charles doesn't have to spend Sunday night in the hospital, so that's all that matters!

The surgery should take 4-5 hours and he is expected to be in the hospital for about 4 days. So we're hoping he'll be discharged by Friday morning if all goes well :)


THE TUMOR

Kirby is what Charles named his brain tumor when he was diagnosed in January '08


Kirby is a Meningioma (see Meningioma Facts below)


The tumor is located behind Charles' right eyebrow area on the lining of his brain. The largest risk (as stated by Dr. Black) would be losing his sense of smell as the olfactory nerve (smell nerve) is in the path the doctor needs to take to remove the tumor. In addition, there is a small risk of blindness in his right eye or stroke as the tumor is touching his right optic nerve and his carotid artery. His odds are better having the surgery than letting the tumor grow where it WILL cause a problem in time. Hopefully there won't be ANY of those problems! :) In addition, like any surgery there could be an infection, which we probably wouldn't get any sign of until he's been home for a while. Let's hope that doesn't happen either! But just don't send him any of your germs ok?? :)

Meningiomas are slow-growing tumors that often cause no problems but can cause problems because it puts pressure on the brain which can cause swelling and make the brain generally unhappy! In addition, in Charles' case the tumor is located in a sensitive area where it could potentially damage important nerves. Luckily for Charles his tumor was diagnosed soon enough that not many problems have occurred for him so far. While the tumor is touching his optic nerve and carotid artery, it is not involved with either- it's not wrapped around them or causing any big problems. The doctor should be able to peel the tumor away from those parts and remove them with little or no lasting damage.


MENINGIOMA FACTS

*Meningiomas are the most prevalent primary brain tumor in existence, but very little is known about them because they are mislabeled benign and research is underfunded.

*This is primarily a female disease. Of those diagnosed, 65% are women, but meningiomas are found in men and children as well.

*Even though 90% of meningiomas are classified as benign, they are not without their deficits. They can damage the brain, cause massive disability, life-long seizures and even death.

*The treatment for meningiomas depends on a number of factors, including your general health and the size and position of the tumor. At times, the position of a tumor makes it impossible or too risky to remove surgically. If surgery is not possible, radiation or chemotherapy maybe used to shrink the tumor and destroy cells.

*They have a recurrence rate of 15-20%, which means it is always on the back of a survivor's mind.

*The treatment of these "benign" tumors is the same as for malignant tumors--craniotomy, spinal surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.

*There is very little funding for research, emotional support and financial assistance for the victims because of the benign classification. Anyone can donate to meningioma research on-line.


The Brain Science Foundation / The Meningioma Project

Meningioma Mommas