Number one, this could be a shock to you and it could be a stressful time ahead for you.
The Doctor will tell you on which days he operates, he or his offices will suggest a date to you for the procedure.
Depending on where the tumor is located the Doctor will tell you how long the procedure will take.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make a list of all the questions you want to ask for your appointments. It is always advisable to take a loved one or a family member with for support.
Sometimes the Doctor’s offices will get authorization from your Medical Aid to do the procedure, or they might give you the ICD 10 codes and ask you to get authorization yourself.
It is always good to speak to your Medical Aid to see if there is anything that is not covered completely in hospital. Make sure you have all the necessary codes from the Doctor as you will need them when speaking to the Medical Aid. Confirm authorization codes with the Medical Aid, and ask them for a print out for the Hospital authorization and other authorization codes.
If you have extra Gap cover, make sure how it will work for this procedure.
Make sure about extra co-payments for the hospital where the procedure takes place, and check if there are any other co-payments. It all depends on the type of medical Aid plan you have.
You can do your pre-booking at the Hospital a few days before the procedure. The Doctor will also discuss with you how many days you will be in hospital for. This will take more stress of you for the upcoming surgery, and so that you are not completely rushed the day of the operation.
You will be asked these questions by your Anesthetist on the day of the operation so make notes of any previous procedures and operations from years before. For instance, if you had radiation or other brain surgery or any other procedures. Make note of any allergies and disabilities.
Get all your paper work in order for this procedure and for any other future plans.
If you have policies or other insurances, speak to your loved one or trusted friend about it so that they would know what to do in a case of emergency.
Make sure who you give authority to in case of an emergency, as people will act out of emotion.
Find out to which ICU you will be sent to after the surgery so you can inform your loved ones. From a personal level, it might help to know which ICU you will be going to. In some cases, you might be put into an induced coma for a few days, for the brain to swell down.
You might also be under strong medication that will make you hallucinate. This is quite normal for the type of medication you will be on. This medication is crucial in bringing down the swelling of the brain. The medication affects each person differently.
It is advisable to pack a toiletry bag that your loved one or family can keep till they move you to ICU and then for the normal ward which include:
- Sterilized hairbrush.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Wash cloth.
- Soap.
- Roll on for ladies.
- Sanitary pads in case you have your period.
- Body cream and face cream and a lip balm.
Very important, make sure you take all your chronic medication with you to ICU or the ward. Ask a loved one to take control over the bag. Instruct the loved one to also discuss it with the Doctor. Make sure the responsible person knows where they leave the medication.
Leading up to the surgery, you should go out and see family and friends. It will set your mind at ease, relax you, and bring down your anxiety for the upcoming surgery.
Ask the Doctor about the type of tumor they are suspecting you might have. Enquire where exactly it is located in the brain.
Ask questions about:
- How long the whole procedure will take.
- Where exactly will the incision be?
- What are the aftereffects of this operation?
- Can it affect your motor skills, speech, or personality for example, or can it leave any damage to specific areas to your brain.
- Will a loved one have to take care of me after or will I go to a step-down facility.
- Do I need to cut or shave my hair? (Usually, the Doctor or Nurse will shave your hair around the specific area where they need to operate.)
Ask as much detail as you can about the surgery. The more understanding you have about the surgery, the less you will fear the unknown.
GENESIS LIGHT FOUNDATION would like to dedicate this page to our friends, family, and everyone battling with injury or illness related to the brain.
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