Meningioma

Meningioma is a type of brain tumor that Rebecca was diagnosed with.
In the month of February 2005 I called my Mom to greet her and my dad a
Happy Wedding Anniversary. She didn't sound well on the phone and told me
that the doctors confirmed that she had a stroke. She did have slurred speech,
and that she needed help walking because of her unsteady gait.

For another six months she continued to be treated with the condition of
post stroke patient by her doctor.By August of 2005 she told my dad that
she needed to go to the hospital. The doctors ordered more tests like Cat Scan
and MRI and was able to see the brain tumor called meningioma.

It was hard for us three children to believe that my mom who was very healthy
and a hard-working woman could have this tumor. We had to face the fact that
anything can go wrong and we just had to be strong for her. My brother flew from
England to be with her in the hospital and getting everything settled with the
plan of care the doctors wanted.

The tumor made my Mom really weak, unable to swallow food and so she had a nasogastric
tube to feed her. She became irritable and restless and would always moan. The neuro-surgeon said that she had fluid in her brain and if that can be removed surgically first ,then some of
the symptoms would be lessened.

The following month, they did the surgery to remove the fluid in her brain as a
treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus. I did arrive in Manila to be with
her for the surgery while my brother left for England. The following days somewhat her
symptoms had lessened. She said her vision was better as she was having double vision
before. She continued to have her nasogastric tube but able to be less restless and
no moaning.

When I left Manila, my sister arrived with her family to take over the care. The doctors
let her rest for another month before planning to remove the tumor.

In October 2005 Rebecca had her surgery to removed the brain tumor. The surgeon told us
that he won't be able to take out all of the tumor because of where it was located at. It
was too delicate. Finally the surgery was over they transferred Mom in the intensive care
unit for continued monitoring. Mom was responding well in the post operative care. They
placed her on a ventillator.

I remembered so well on November 12,2005 I called the hospital. The nurses told me that
mom was doing well and ready to be transferred in Medical-Surgical Unit. The following day
my brother-in-law called me and told that mom died.

This was written on her death-certificate. Immediate cause of death Hypovolemic shock secondary to massive bleeding secondary to tracheo-innominate fistula tear. Antecedent cause nosocomial infection, obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to primary brain tumor (meningioma).

It was hard to believe from good news it turned out to be a bad news. To all of you
out there reading this blog, it is important to make wonderful memories with your loved
ones. Enjoy it and cherish it in your heart. My mom had left us wonderful memories of her
life and that is what I am treasuring everyday and passing it on to the people I love.

For more information about the brain tumor called meningioma, you can find it in the
website of Mayo Clinic.