How worried should I be?

[steph9803]

I was having weakness in my hands and was sent to a nerve specialist. He tested me for some things that came out negative so he went on to order an MRI of my spine and brain. The one of my brain came back as follows

Impression: 2.0 x 1.2 x 2.0 cm nonenhancing mass in the suprasellar cistern which appears to be separate from the pituitary gland, optic chiasm and hypothalamus as well as the internal carotid artery. The differential includes craniopharyngioma and epidermoid cyst. Less likely is a cystic glioma or cystic astrocytoma. CT scan of the sella turcica would be of benefit in further characterizing this lesion as the presence of calcifications or fat within the lesion may distinguish it as being a craniopharyngioma or epidermoid cyst.

How worried should I be? Is that big for being in the brain?  Doctor is sending me to a neurosurgeon, but has no clue how long it will take to get in there. I would really appreciate ANY advice at all...since I totally lost at this point.

Thanks,
Stephanie

[rumpled]

Do take someone with you to the appointment. I know I got so overwhelmed that I could not remember everything - or maybe it was my dang tumor... but it was just a lot to take in!

[tiredbuthappy]

I have the person with me at the appoints write down everything the NS says. I actually also recorded all of our meetings, with their permission. I have never had to go back and review something, but I liked knowing it was an option.

[steph9803]

Same here with my mom :D I'll be at Vanderbilt with the baby from the 12th thru the 15th so my mom and DH are trying to arrange their schedules for the 11th too now. I'm hoping the kids can all stay home with dad that day so we can really pay close attention. I was on an epidermoidbraintumor site and they had an entire FAQ section to ask the NS...well now their site is down. I'm going to keep trying though.

[horselip]

Good luck with your appt on the 11th! Be sure to make a list of questions and bring someone else ,if you can. I usually take my mom with me to appts. Then we go out for lunch and recap the appt afterwards. She often picks up on things that I don't and vice versa.
Keep us posted.
Horselip

[steph9803]

I have an appt at UT medical center in Knoxville on the 11th...my insurance will cover it as out of network. His name is Michael Walsh. I'm about to start doing my homework on him. In the meantime I'll be making more calls.

[rumpled]

There are places that do - and I would look for a place that does with an excellent surgeon - like Horse said, that decision WILL impact the rest of your life...