Yesterday my dh had an MRI because of some numbness in his right leg and arm. Its been getting worse since the end of the year.
While we were at the Imaging Center they called our family dr from there and he sent us home to pack a bag and make a arrangements for the kids and then sent us to the ER at Riverside Hospital. They said that if we make an appointment it could be 6-8weeks before we could get in anywhere but if we went straight there then he would be seen right away.
At this point no one was really telling us anything. We sat in the ER until they finally admitted him into a room at 12am! 10 1/2 hrs waiting.
Good thing my FIL was there with a sense to ask questions I couldn't even think of. He has a 5cm "mass" on his brain, they aren't sure what it is right now. It could be a tumor, a fungal infection or leftover from a brain bleed. They are giving him steroids every 6hrs and then they are going to do a MRI today to see if there's any change and then we have a consult with the Neurologist this morning. I am sitting here at the hospital already waiting for her to do her rounds so she can tell us more of what is going on.
I guess we lucked out last night and Dr Bay was the dr on call. She is supposedly the best in the state.
The boys are staying at my in laws until we know more of what is going on. I went home last nite to get a few hours sleep but that didn't work so well. Our 17yr old cat was upset because all his babies weren't in their beds so about every hour he woke me up screaming to inform me that they weren't there. 
I just had to talk about it somewhere. I keep crying if I think about it too much.
Barb
sorry to hear about this ... hope all goes well for you and your family ..
I'm so sorry to hear what you all are going through. I hope you hear some news soon, in th meantime try to take it easy, I'm sure everything will work out fine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ((huggs)) As justducky said, please keep us informed.
I know you don't know me but we are all one big family and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Here's hoping you will all go home soon. 
Def. keep us posted. At the least it'll keep your mind occupied for a lil bit. I'm glad to hear yall snagged a good doc. I didn't know a fungal infection could possibly cause a brain mass either. I hope that your DH's problem is minor and can be easily fixed. In the medical profession, you need to ask questions. I can't stress that enough. Whatever his outcome is, get on-line and research everything you can on it. Make a list of questions & concerns, then address your issues w/ the doc & nurse. Don't rely on them to inform you about anything. Docs and nurses are understaffed and overworked. They are human, can make mistakes, or can fail to inform you of serious info. You have to step up to the plate. Don't be afraid to ask doc. or nurse anything. Believe me, they have heard it all. It would be refreshing to them to have someone show an interest in what they're doing. Sending hugs and prayers your way. Also sending some 'get well soon' vibes your DH's way!
Thank you to everyone.
The neurologist was in this morning and she said that right now they don't know exactly what kind of tumor it is. On Monday they are doing a FUNCTIONING MRI where they keep him lucid (he had terrible claustrophobia we just found out on Friday) and have him do different motor functions so they can "map" where the nerves are and when they do surgery on Tues or wed. they can avoid any major areas.
He should be in recovery 2-5days after that and then go home and have 2-4wks at that point.
Dr did not seem anxious to get it out right now, we can wait a few days and get everything done right. So for right now, things are looking up, but things could change on Tues when they actually get in there.
But for right now, he is sitting in a reclining bed watching cable tv and has his lap top and wii fii hookup and someone waiting for him to press a button and answer his every whim 
I did have to ask them to move him to another room when one comes open, his roomie is a snorer and Chris didn't get hardly any sleep. But they are super nice here so its good.
Barb
Do put your faith in a loving God who loves to heal. Prayers added to all the others that this will be a minor bump in the road of life.
I will be praying that God controls the hands of the dr during surgery and that His love will be shown thru all the drs and nurses that take care of Chris.
Oh I'll be praying for you all not to mention that the cat will pipe down a bit (just trying to make you smile). Hopefully all will be well soon. I totally feel your anxiety. Take it one step at a time. I hope it's just gonna be a real easy fix and he'll be back good as new soon.
When I get in spots like this I try to think of God having set the automatic pilot for me. He's taken the yoke so there's no mountain I can't safely fly over.
Keep us posted.
Love & Prayers,
Kate
This is what I know so far:
Dr. was able to remove 80% of the mass. It is Malignant Stage 3-4 we won't know that until further tests.
It is 3:30am and as of now Chris doesn't really know what's going on, he keeps asking but the dr said for us not to say anything she will be in earlier in the morning to talk to him. She said it's her job to tell him.
So for right now I am sitting here telling him I was too much of a basket case since 4:00pm (the time the surgery started) to hear much of anything so Dr will tell us both in morning.
She did say with chemo and radiation it should be ok.
We are probably in the hospital for 2-5 days more. But again, its all a hurry up and wait game. Now we wait for the dr to come in and tell us what to do next.
Finally about 10p I sent everyone else home last nite because I got sick of hearing them all say "Be strong" for chris, it will be ok, things happen for a reason.
I DON'T CARE!! I wanted my own little pity party if for nothing else then last nite. It's 3:30am and I'm feeling a little stronger, a little more hopeful. They won't let me sleep in his room. If I want to sleep I have to go to the hard plastic couches in the waiting area where 10 other people are snoring away. So I decided if I couldn't sleep and I was just listening to someone snore I might as well be in his room so I am here sitting on the lap top wasting time til the dr. comes in in the morning.
Barb
I'm so very sorry you and your family are having to go through this. I know you've probably heard it all, so I'll just leave you with that you are and will be at the top of my prayer list and I will pray fervently that Chris will make a full recovery through this. God bless you all.
Barb
It is good news really- atleast they caught it in time and removed a large chunk of it. The remaining should clear up with treatment. I know chemo and radiation is not the nicest thing in the world but trust me its ALOT better then finding out too late....God be with you and Chris.
Love and a BIG hug.
She did say with chemo and radiation it should be ok.
Hang on to that! They don't like to say that unless it is true. Chemo and radiation are really hard on the body so now it will be your turn to be HIS cheerleader to "be strong". I highly recommend reading Lance Armstrong's book about how he beat cancer. It was REALLY bad for him, malignant and had spread to at least 3 places. But he beat it and won the Tour de France again (and again?).
Regardless of what he or anyone else went through though, what a horrible ordeal for your husband, you and your family. Major (((hugs)))) to you.
I DON'T CARE!! I wanted my own little pity party if for nothing else then last nite. It's 3:30am and I'm feeling a little stronger, a little more hopeful.
Barb
"It's your (pity) party and you can cry if you want to!"
but seriously, my thoughts are with you.
Update:
Yesterday was officially the worst day of my life The dr told dh that the tumor was malignant. I had several hours already to deal with it he didn't learn about it until 15hrs later. I never want to go thru that again.
Now onto the good news!! He gets to come home tomorrow! She said he could come home today if he insisted but final pathology report on the tumor isn't done til tomorrow so Dr will be in to give us treatment options and all.
I can't believe he has brain surgery on Tuesday and he can go home on Thurs. But we decided one more night in the hospital he could have them clean it better and he can get a little stronger.
Things seem to be coming more in focus and we are more in control. Now if tomorrows news doesn't rip us apart again we'll be fine.
Thank you to everyone for your concern, well wishes and prayers. It's nice to know that you are all there when we need each other.
Barb
Oh Barbara, I'm so so sorry that you and your husband and family are going through this.
We are always here for you when you need us to lift your spirits.
I'll keep you all in my prayers and I hope it won't be long until your DH is feeling strong.
God Bless!
Deb
Oh Barbara, I am so sorry for you. I will say a prayer for him, and of course for you too. Please let us know what his prognosis is.
Oops, I was wrong.... Friday Jan 23 is NOW the worst day of my life.
The prognosis over all is not good. The tumor is a glioplastoma. Which is the worst kind. The best she can hope for is to keep him going year to year until there is a cure. But he has years to go!
There was no cure for Luekemia a few years, now there is so there is hope.
She is going to send his scans to the James Cancer Institute, Duke University and Cleveland Clinic. Right now, Duke is doing the most promising research with stem cell research and everything.
He has on his side: age - he is only 37 and the majority of men with this is over 50, an excellent immune system (she says his body has been fighting this for over a year now which is amazing in itself), and we are willing to fight with any kind of treatment we can find. And if he ever needs more surgery the "door" is already there.
The good thing is that right now is the worst he will get. Its not like a degenerating disease. The symptoms will never get worse if anything they will get better for a while and then when and if it ever gets worse it will be immediately.
Just thought I'd give you all an update.
He is home now. We need to make an appointment with the oncologist and radiologist and start planning those treatments.
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