Pete Galuska

I have used this excellent site to follow other peoples medical journeys, but never thought (or hoped) I would be writing my own.

As some of you may have noticed over the past 3-4 months ago I had developed a slow progressing limp in left leg.  I was slowly loosing mobility in and flexibility as time went on.  I also started to not only have left leg weakness but also it was slowly moving to left arm weakness.  I finally went into see a chiropractor and a week or 2 later the doctor.  The unusual thing about all of this is that there was no pain, that is one of the reasons it took me so long to go in.  I thought I was just getting old and not being active enough. 

The usually testing took place MRI of lower lumbar, everything looked good there, especially for an 52 year old guy.  Next an EMG of the left leg nerve was tested to make sure the nerve was good...everything looked good there.  After eliminating those items off the list it is usually related to the brain/silent stroke.  So they did an MRI of the brain, and found a good size growth on the top middle right side of my head. 

The tumor I am currently carrying around is called a meningioma, it grows just under the skull on the brain membrane (meninge).  The good news is if you are going to get a brain tumor...this is the one you want.  85% of them are benign (but will not officially know until it is tested after removal), good success of them not coming back after removal. Easy to get at since they are just under the skull.

With all that being said I had a consultation with a great doctor on Sept 13.  Dr. Baskaya does meningioma surgeries everyday (2 or 3 a day) he also teaches other surgeons how to do the surgeries.  He has a great team around him that communicates intensively with the patient. 

I am scheduled to be admitted to UW Hospital on Monday Sept 24th for an angiogram and navigational MRI to determine the best plan of action for the surgery on Tuesday Sept 25th.

The plan after that is ICU  for a night, and recovery 3-5 days at the hospital.  Approximately 7 days of recovery with people around.




This will be a  place where you can find updates on my medical journey ---which God willing will be short and boring.




Thanks to everyone who has/will have helped me out, and to all those that have offered.  It means a lot.  More importantly thanks for keeping me in your prayers and thoughts.

Thanks,

Pete