Monique - Operated in Paris
Very affected by the testimonies published on the Amavea site and in brochures, thinking that the story of
these moving experiences and the advice delivered during these pages would have been very useful when I was
made of a voluminous meningioma in the year 2000, I decide to tell my personal story; Although
each case is special, my post-operative recovery journey may, perhaps, help or
encourage some or some, confronted with this trauma.
One day in March 2000, I found myself emergency to the hospital of Pitié Salpêtrière on the
express request of my attending physician, worried about the worsening of my state of health that I considered "
influenza". He asked for a brain scanner to me, probably alerted by some of my
inappropriate but recent behaviors. The cerebral scanner revealed a
large meningioma which occupied a large part of the left lobe; This result launched a hasty transport at Ste Anne hospital, which was, that
day, big guard. In 8 days, I became aphasic and partially amnesiac.
After a week of corticosteroid treatment, the medical team decided to try the excision; The severity and
danger of this operation were explained to my nearby family who lived in shock since my
hospitalization
. I myself perceived little, plunged into a semi-comotal state, except that I was 53 years old and that my life was in great danger.
Everything was only perception.
On March 28, a brilliant neurourgian team successfully carried out this surgical procedure which lasted more than
10 hours.
Then started a long convalescence.
It was necessary to fight an anemia and endure a large number of physical and psychological consequences.
Back home after a month of hospitalization, I felt very weakened, I did not recognize myself in a
mirror, found myself "other"; I noticed every morning, hair loss, a wick will resist! I felt
a sagging on my scalp, hollow and bump remain and do not bother me; I had to relearn
language, to read, to write; Memories returned by Pans; Finding the sense of orientation, fighting against
insomnia and nightmares, all of this represented a large energy expenditure.
The anti-epileptic caused me important side effects.
But, gradually, the " reconstruction " was done with attentive help of a speech therapist, with
the accompaniment of an osteopath, advised by a friend, and the support of my husband and our 3 children who
gave me flawless support.
Wanting to save them, feeling the cause of the life change that followed this health accident since
our whole life was modified, I felt the need to consult a psychiatrist; The work done during these visits has
greatly relieved psychological suffering.
I was more and more confident to the brain control MRI.
Thus, when, 2 years later, the neurosurgeon taught me that there were 3 meningiomas in surveillance to which he
had not been able to touch, I received the news with a certain serenity, my quality of life being satisfactory.
Currently, 22 years after the operation,
5 meningiomas, giving me any notorious disorder, are under control.
I kept the taste for permanent learning, the pleasure of the moment and I savor the joys shared with our 6
grandchildren, the elder being born in the year 2000!
Why do I relate my personal story as part of the AMAVEA association?
One day, by chance, by chance, the ANSM site, I was able to read there that a survey was open for
patients who were treated in Lotényl.
That she was not my surprise!
I immediately made the relationship with my meningiomatosis; The
Lotény L had been prescribed by my gynecologist and I took it for 15 years before the operation; The treatment was stopped the same day of hospitalization.
Seeking further, I discovered the address of the Amavea association site and reading it, I found an
echo in the experience I had lived. It appeared to me that wearing information was essential.
I want to emphasize that in front of a new one as worrying as a diagnosis of
meningioma presence, feeling anxiety is normal but you should not be alone. In an association, there is
listening, understanding, support.
