My Brother has a cyst in his brain

[Robyn66]

My 35 year old brother (married father of two young children Luke 4 and Christopher 1 1/2) found out a week ago that he has a 3cm cyst in the middle of his brain. THey don't think its cancerous at this point. He has been complaining for years and years of severe headaches and vision problems and no doctors office ever checked it out. It wasn't until he was rushed to the hospital with chest pains that he also complained about his head pain and they did a ct scan and found the cyst. Fortunately, he has an appointment at Brigham and Women's hospital on Monday, but right now he is a basket case because of course he doesn't know what is going to happen and not knowing is the worst.

I am beside myself because he is my baby brother and of course I am afraid too. They also made the big mistake of looking it up on the internet and trying to find out what kind of surgery he will have to have.

So anyway, thats my fun right now!

[csziggy]

1. Good luck to your brother

I know nothing about cysts in the brain but I hope they can take care of him and get him well very soon.

[Denninmi]

2. OMG, always so much sad news.

It seems that we are given more than we can handle at times, somehow we find the strength to get through it.

I will give you the same advice I gave someone else yesterday, just be there for him. Listen, hold his hand, whatever. And tell him, his significant other, and his kids that everything will be alright. There have been times in my life I just want to hear "it will be ok", those words would have made a tremendous difference. Try not to stress over hypotheticals, most of them will never come to pass. And get the best information you can about the situation, and if it's not urgent, get at least one second opinion about treatment options. B&W is a major institution, so they should have the best, but you never know, different facilities have different programs. I too know absolutely nothing about brain cysts, but maybe there would be alternatives to traditional surgery. Something they've been advertising here is a radiation treatment called cyberknife that apparently can focus a beam extremely precisely, and they can destroy masses really successfully that could never be surgically removed.

Best of luck to all of you, please keep us informed as things develop.

[Robyn66]

3. Thank you

I am glad he is going to BW, I had breast cancer in 2008 and had my mastectomy there and received chemo at dana farber. So I am thrilled that their insurace allows him to see the best. I am unemployed and have been for four months. I am desparately trying to find a job too. So things are pretty insane all the way around!

[Denninmi]

5. Sending all positive vibes out to you, then.

Not that I have a whole lot myself these days, but I'll share.

[Bertha Venation]

4. Robyn66

I'm sorry to hear of this. Your brother (and you) will be in my thoughts today.

[hedgehog]

6. Prayers headed your way!

[area51]

7. I'm sorry.

I'm hoping for the best.

[applegrove]

8. Vibes