Hi, Bethany:
Nice to have you back.
I tried the 'pretend-it-isn't-there treatment method' by ignoring my symptoms as long as possible - but that didn't work for me, either. I had to have an MRI and the AN showed up quite visibly so my denial phase was abruptly ended at that point. I think your current approach - observation - is perfectly logical, considering the size of the AN.
Any neurosurgeon with 4 AN surgeries per month on his resume is not only busy but well-experienced. I would repeat my earlier caveat that asking about his
outcomes is equally important. I also believe that you should definitely consult with at least 3 surgeons, just to have a better field to pick from, if and when that time comes, as it well might. You could wait until you have the results of your next MRI but do some research and at least have a few names in hand that you may want to talk to, down the road, as it were.
I wish you all the best as you deal with this issue in the months to come.
Jim (
wishing I was 46 again).
