Surgery
Surgery can feel daunting, but being well-informed can help you feel more in control. Here you will find information about what to expect before, during, and after a brain tumour operation, along with guidance on questions to ask your team and how to prepare.
Brain tumour surgery (neurosurgery)
When you are diagnosed with a brain tumour, one of the treatment options may be neurosurgery. On this page you will find the information you need to help you feel as prepared and in control as possible.
Practical help
You need to know what the best course of action is. Here you’ll find a one stop shop for brain tumour support.
Taking control
If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumour, or someone close to you has, you’ve entered a new world. Suddenly you’re a ‘patient’ or a ‘caregiver’ – neither are roles which you’ve chosen, or for which you are trained. You’ve been flung into uncertainty so that making good decisions about what next becomes instantly more difficult. The world has become a different, unfamiliar and scary place and you can feel totally out of control.
Know Hows
When living with a brain tumour diagnosis, lots of things can suddenly feel like they are out of our control and it can be difficult to know where to turn and what to focus on. These Know Hows cover a range of topics designed to help you take control of what is happening at the moment and develop strategies to help you to find a way forward.
Money worries
When you are diagnosed with a brain tumour, you may find yourself worrying about finances. You may be worrying about losing your job, about being on reduced pay, about running your own business and being unable to work. Or perhaps you are a caregiver, and you are not sure how you are going to manage being a caregiver and also keep working. You can suddenly find yourself in financial difficulties for any number of reasons.
This Know How provides you with a framework so that you can deal with money worries.
Finances and benefits
No longer being able to work, new and expensive mobility requirements, having to travel long distances to get to hospital – whatever the reasons for you, having a brain tumour can be a huge financial strain.
The latest Brain tumour Know How covers finances and benefits that could support you and your family when one of you has a brain tumour.
Reliable websites
Access to the internet at the tips of our fingers has made getting hold of information quicker and easier than ever, but how can you know what sources to trust? Misinformation spreads fast online, and is sometimes shared by people with a large following.
This Know How will help you to understand what reliable websites look like, establish fact from fiction online and stop feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information available.
Driving
We know that you have lots of questions about the impact your diagnosis will have on your ability to drive. If you need to give up your driving license, this has a massive impact on your independence and well-being.
This latest Brain tumour Know How covers everything from telling your insurance provider, how long it might be until you can drive again to ways to manage the loss of your license.
How to get a second opinion
We are often asked about second or even third opinions. Seeking more opinions has both advantages and disadvantages. This Know How has been designed to help you understand the pros and cons of a second opinion, bring some clarity as to what the options are and inform you how to go about seeking another opinion.
How to prepare for hospital discharge
There is a lot to think about when you or your loved one is being discharged from hospital. This can leave you feeling quite anxious, and it can be hard to know where to start. This Know How covers some ideas about how to ease this worry and help you feel more confident about the transition.
Know how to talk with your neurosurgeon about tissue collection
When you are having surgery for a brain tumour, it is important that you talk with your neurosurgeon about what
will happen to the tumour tissue that is removed. This Know How will help you to understand the options available and the things you need to think about.
How to have a voice as a caregiver
Being a caregiver is a daunting role – you need compassion, fortitude and fierce resilience. And more often than not, you are living these values on behalf of your close person, but never for yourself.
This Know How will help you find your voice as a caregiver of someone with a brain tumour.
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Hypnotherapy
When you are living with a brain tumour, or are caring for someone living with a brain tumour, you may find hypnotherapy useful in improving wellbeing in the following areas:
- Anxiety and stress
- Diet and lifestyle
- Resilience, self esteem and confidence
- Pre and post-operative care
- Pain management
- Reduction of side effects from treatment such as nausea, fatigue
On top of things, not overwhelmed. Regain control.
Just been diagnosed with a brain tumour? Want to find out more about brain tumours? Maybe you would like to offer support, or find out the latest brain cancer news. Whatever the reason, we’d love to hear from you.