My Sister In Law had her operation last Thursday to remore her tumour. Pathology said it is Schwanonoa. A schwannoma (sh-won-oma) is a tumour of the tissue covering nerves, called the nerve sheath. These tumours develop from a type of cell called a Schwann cell, which gives them their name. Schwannomas are often not cancerous (benign).

Post-operatively things did not go well. Her head drooped forward and her bowel and bladder function weren't working properly. My brother called me late last night after the neurosurgeon called him. Apparently the head drop has been caused by the tumour damage. The surgeons were hoping they didn't need to stabilize the neck and thoracic spine but it looks like the tumour grew into the vertebra and they now need to implant rods so she can keep her head up and stop any more structural damage. There is a 1 in 500 chance she will end up as a quad.

They were going to try to get her in for her second surgery this am. I am praying things go well for them....