Thank you. My doctors seem to think the size increase is more than swelling. I have another MRI in 6 months. The tumor is touching the brainand brain stem now.

Thank you, v357139! I'll look again at the list, I didn't think they were separated by professionals. When I met w/Dr. Barker he said I could go either surgery or radiation therapy. From our discussion, it sounded like radiotherapy would be best for me so I started asking about what type/what would that mean, etc. and he told me I'd have to talk to a radiation oncologist about options. (Honestly, I found him pretty cold and unhelpful.) He did refer me to Dr. Shih at MGH, but I can't get in to see her until June. I'm hoping to talk to some more specialists so that I feel more educated by the time I get to her.

Hi Berta.  The ANA site does have a list of medical professionals.  See if you can find it.  Let me know if not, and I'll try to locate it for you.  Good idea for you to ask on this site.  Hopefully someone from up there will give you some local names.  I can tell you that Dr Kondziolka in NYC is well known for Gamma Knife.  He's at NYU.  Some doctors will let you send them your MRI and do a phone consult.  Did Dr Barker say he would do the radiosurgery, or did he give you a name?  For second or third opinions (I got like eight , you don't generally go through the first one you spoke to.

Again, let me know if you can't find the list on ANA and I'll try to locate it for you.  Let me know how it goes.  All the best.

Stress can cause lots of problems.  I also agree the more sleep you can get, the better.  After my surgery I slept quite alot.  I think it helped.

Thanks for sharing a great story Angela.  Glad to hear the progress you've made.  I applaud you continuing to work on balance exercises.  I did them religiously for a year after surgery, and I think it really helped.  It can seem quite dark in the tunnel at times.  But there is a light at the other end, and we do make it through.  Thanks again.