Lilli Pietromonaco

This is Brianne writing. Many of you have asked about our mom's surgery, so we wanted to give you an update of what's going on. We'll update this site as much as possible with information following surgery so we can keep you all in the loop.
Earlier this year, Mom went in for a scan and the doctors found a meningioma (brain tumor) growing in her right frontal lobe. She will have surgery this Friday, September 16, at Swedish Cherry Hill to remove it. Her doctor, Dr. Chong Lee, has a great reputation and we all feel like she's in the best hands possible. We won't know the time of her surgery until Thursday, and will try to update everyone once we find out. The surgery (craniotomy) will take 2-4 hours and then Mom will spend the next 24 hours in the ICU. Assuming all goes well, which we all are, she will spend the following 24-48 hours on the neurosurgery floor - floor 2. While she is there, she'll work with speech, physical and respiratory therapists to make sure everything is working the way it should.
The doctors will biopsy her tumor after it's removed, and we should get the report after a week. Since every case is a bit different, we won't know after surgery instructions until they're done. We do know that Mom will look pretty beat up, since she'll have about 45 staples in her skull. Doctors have said to expect a very swollen face and black eyes, and she'll be really tired. We've been told that she'll be on anti-seizure meds and pain pills, but will be able to walk using walking sticks. That phase should last about three weeks.
We all, especially our mom, have felt so much love and support from all of you, and for that we can't thank you enough. Mom knows that the love and prayers will help her get through whatever happens and she is extremely grateful for that.
Please feel free to share this site with friends and family. Mom has asked that it not be posted to Facebook.