I am a 22 y/o female that was recently diagnosed with an benign epidermoid tumor in the brain. In the middle to the right side of my brain. It is 3.4 by 2.7 by 4.7 cm big, its located on the pons, brain stem, and cerebellum, its also pressing against the 4th ventricle and touching the basialr artery and due to some symptoms my Dr and I have assumed the Temperal lobe.
My symptoms include; headachs for the last 9 months, dizziness/loss of balance for the last 2 years, ringing in ears, tingling in fingers, dry mouth, fatigue, difficulty speaking reading and writing, difficulty swallowing own spit, memory problems, some double vision and pain behind right eye.
I am in the military and stationed in Hawaii. They are planning on doing the surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center here on island. I'm not sure how I feel about this but I'm not sure of my options. This hospital has done a total of 5 pressurizers. There is talk of two surgeries because of the size, there is also talk of it coming back later it life because it is on my brain stem and it would be impossible to remove it all.
Because of the risk involved, should I seek a more knowledgeable doctor, and can you refer me to a few that accept Tricare? Thank you. PFC Baker, Rhonda