Aa
spinal tumor
How does one know if one must have surgery asap or if one can wait for a few months?
I was Dx'd with a 2cm spinal tumor in Feb.
I found two surgeons I really like.
I can have surgery in the next month at a very high price or I can wait 4 months and have it
by another surgeon also at a high price but not as high. The difference in price is substantial for me,
hence my consideration to wait a few months.
I want to know if I am putting myself at too great a risk by delaying the surgery.
Other than pain in the leg (on some but not all days), I have no other symptoms.
I am 49 years old.
I was Dx'd with a 2cm spinal tumor in Feb.
I found two surgeons I really like.
I can have surgery in the next month at a very high price or I can wait 4 months and have it
by another surgeon also at a high price but not as high. The difference in price is substantial for me,
hence my consideration to wait a few months.
I want to know if I am putting myself at too great a risk by delaying the surgery.
Other than pain in the leg (on some but not all days), I have no other symptoms.
I am 49 years old.
I have gone to different hospitals in different states previously. Right now I am limited by insurance. Having not worked in a while and on LTD, things are different and funds are more limiting.
I used to travel and still travel to my endo as I cannot give him up, but I cannot afford to do it for more doctors.
I try to see one well-rounded specialist, and I do know I have to change soon if my existing one does not come around.
I used to travel and still travel to my endo as I cannot give him up, but I cannot afford to do it for more doctors.
I try to see one well-rounded specialist, and I do know I have to change soon if my existing one does not come around.
Given the longevity of your neurological symptoms, may I ask if you have swapped neurologists or hospitals? Or are you seeing the same guys you saw in the past.
I ask because a GREAT neuro would be able to Dx your facial nerve issues and recommend a therapy, which may or may not be to your liking but at least suggest something credible.
Also when it comes to disparate neuro problems eg spine and brain, do you see two different and highly experienced folk or do you see one "well rounded" specialist?
I ask because a GREAT neuro would be able to Dx your facial nerve issues and recommend a therapy, which may or may not be to your liking but at least suggest something credible.
Also when it comes to disparate neuro problems eg spine and brain, do you see two different and highly experienced folk or do you see one "well rounded" specialist?
They are doing an eval for MS... joy! I have some weird nerve issue and they cannot agree on what it is but I can be assured that it will take years to figure out. All I know is that my face is having weird nerve issues that is not bells palsy and I lost my reflexes on one side of my body... one doc suggested anxiety but I said if that is the case then why am I not on anti-anxiety meds or even an anti-depressant? Yeah, um.... no. I have no idea what it is. Spinal x-ray came back with degradation and spurs and stuff like that. I need to see an orthopedist but now no one close takes my plan... so I will call just putting it off.
Yes, experience is always the way to go.
Glad you are doing better and Happy New Year! Thanks for the update!
Glad you are doing better and Happy New Year! Thanks for the update!
Here is an update:
For quite a while the tumour led to pain (on most but not all days) in the right leg, especially at night.
Several physicians suggested what tumour type it could be, although
there was no universality in their views.
All said it should be removed "soon" as it will grow and that monitoring is a waste of time. Any delay in surgery "could result in bladder and bowel dysfunction". This is something I was going to avoid at all costs.
Anyway, I had the surgery at the end of Oct, was in great pain for 2 weeks and now, two months after the event I feel great. The tumour was removed in its entirety and I am fully mobile with no pain and no restrictions on my movement.
It wasn't cheap, but like many people, the thought of a cheaper doctor's relative inexperience could lead to paralysis (or similar) motivated me to secure the service of an outstanding clinical team, which is what I did.
Given my comprehensive recovery, in addition to the great clinical team I am no doubt very lucky.
For quite a while the tumour led to pain (on most but not all days) in the right leg, especially at night.
Several physicians suggested what tumour type it could be, although
there was no universality in their views.
All said it should be removed "soon" as it will grow and that monitoring is a waste of time. Any delay in surgery "could result in bladder and bowel dysfunction". This is something I was going to avoid at all costs.
Anyway, I had the surgery at the end of Oct, was in great pain for 2 weeks and now, two months after the event I feel great. The tumour was removed in its entirety and I am fully mobile with no pain and no restrictions on my movement.
It wasn't cheap, but like many people, the thought of a cheaper doctor's relative inexperience could lead to paralysis (or similar) motivated me to secure the service of an outstanding clinical team, which is what I did.
Given my comprehensive recovery, in addition to the great clinical team I am no doubt very lucky.
Thanks for the feedback.
Putting to one side the cost, I emailed both surgeons asking how soon are they available for surgery. Let's see what they say.
Putting to one side the cost, I emailed both surgeons asking how soon are they available for surgery. Let's see what they say.
Can you call? Discuss your situation and the reservation on the time vs money.
There is always caution... but going in the hole bites.
No fun on a rare tumor!!!
There is always caution... but going in the hole bites.
No fun on a rare tumor!!!
Thanks for the feedback. My PCP likes the attitude of the expensive surgeon. Local neurosurgeons suggest surgery sooner rather than later but will not give me a time line.
As the tumor is rare, apparently one seventh as rare as brain tumors, my PCP is like most doctors wants to err on the cautious side and hence is guided by the expensive surgeon who prefers sooner rather than later, but when I met him I did not ask how urgent it is.
As the tumor is rare, apparently one seventh as rare as brain tumors, my PCP is like most doctors wants to err on the cautious side and hence is guided by the expensive surgeon who prefers sooner rather than later, but when I met him I did not ask how urgent it is.
I would talk to an impartial third party - like your PCP - if you have a good one that is helpful who is up on all parts of your health history.
It can depend on location and the growth rates... money is a huge factor though!
So, I would really find a health provider that you trust to weigh in and let you know if the wait is okay for you.
Hopefully since the other surgeon quoted a date further out, that means you can wait.
It can depend on location and the growth rates... money is a huge factor though!
So, I would really find a health provider that you trust to weigh in and let you know if the wait is okay for you.
Hopefully since the other surgeon quoted a date further out, that means you can wait.
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