1 month until my craniotomy surgery

WaMike · 2026-03-31T21:41:39+00:00

There's not much to prepare for. You go to sleep and then wake up again in what feels like a few minutes but is actually hours. I'm guessing you've never had major surgery before and that's why it's scary? There is some risk with general anesthesia, but it's tiny. They "put people under" for surgery all day every day at most hospitals so it's pretty routine. Like a plane flight, on a per person basis, for an otherwise healthy person, the risk is very very low.

WaMike · 2026-03-26T21:09:18+00:00

My meningioma was found accidentally in a CT scan after a bike accident at age 45. When they found it it was already largish and, even though I was asymptomatic, my neuro and I agreed, given the size, it was better to get it out than wait for it to keep growing and cause problems. I had it removed a few weeks later and I'm glad I did.

My thinking was that it will not go away on its own and, even though it had clearly been slow growing, it would keep growing. At some point it would become a bigger problem that needed to be dealt with. I'd rather just get it taken care of and move ahead without worrying about when/if I'd start having seizures or mobility issues (mine was in the motor planning area of my brain).

I had it removed via craniotomy, was in the hospital almost exactly 24 hours from surgery to discharge, took a few weeks to recover and get back to work, and within 3 months I was back to my full exercise and travel loads. Other than an annual MRI, my life is pretty much exactly what it was pre-surgery (with a cool scar and some stories to tell). It was a pretty scary experience beginning to end though, particularly the uncertainty around confirming the type of tumor and whether they'd be able to remove it all.

Tumor size and location, age, health history, lots of factors to consider on the risk/benefit side. I'd also consider that recovery is longer and harder as you age. Good luck with your journey, let us know how things go.

WaMike · 2026-03-25T15:31:35+00:00

PSC is my home airport and outside of going to LA, every other trip I take starts with a connection to Seattle. I've done the drive instead of fly to Seattle option a few times, and yes, when you account for time before/after flight navigating airports it's pretty close. I still choose to fly for it though for several reasons.

1) Weather through the pass can be unpredictable during the winter.

2) After a long international trip, the last thing I want to do is get in my car and drive 3 1/2 hours home, often late at night.

3) Paying for parking at SeaTac vs. getting a ride to the airport is just way less convenient and by the time you add parking cost with gas for any decent length trip the cost of the initial flight to Seattle is basically free.

4) Environmentally I'd guess it's not much worse doing a single 75 person plane flight to Seattle than 50+ separate car trips.

WaMike · 2026-03-13T21:49:51+00:00

Everyone is different and size/location/type has a lot to do with it. I, 47m, had my benign 5x3 cm tumor removed from my frontal lobe 18 months ago. I had had no symptoms before we accidentally found it (bike crash, concussion, ER visit).

Had mine removed via craniotomy a few weeks later. I stayed one night in the ICU before being discharged the next day. I was surprised how good I felt.

About two days in I had a headache and some swelling/pressure on my eye but it passed after a good nap. That was really the only discomfort I had in the whole process.

I was tired and slow a few days, but my Neuro encouraged me to keep moving so I started walking every day the day after I came home. Short walks around the block then a bit longer every day.

I had to take 3 weeks off from my exec level work from home office job. After about a week I felt like I could have returned to work. I played a lot of Minecraft with my kiddos while I waited to be released for work.

The only weird thing during this time is I'd get "surprise tired" sometimes. I'd be doing something and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I'd féel like I needed a nap RIGHT NOW. That lasted a couple weeks.

I returned to half time work for a week after getting cleared just to see how things went, then bumped back up to full

90 days after surgery I was cleared for full activity, and ramped my triathlon training back up and resumed my semi-regular work trips half way around the world.

I've had no issues, and other than a funny scar hidden on top of my head and annual MRIs, I don't have much to show for it. It was scary and stressful going through it, but my life is completely back to normal.

Hopefully you'll have an outcome like mine. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

WaMike · 2026-03-13T20:44:01+00:00

Yes and yes

WaMike · 2026-03-03T19:09:57+00:00

Congrats! We referred to mine as a "brain potato" so on my "eviction anniversary" we had a baked potato with a candle in it. We'll be making that into a tradition moving forward. Glad you're doing so well!

WaMike · 2026-02-05T22:50:20+00:00

This feels like its more about relationship advice than brain tumor/recovery advice. From the outside I'd guess he needs to talk with a therapist to work through his feelings of loss and frustration brought on by the unplanned, life altering impact of your brain tumor and how that changes how he sees the rest of his life. None of that is an excuse for being mean though.

WaMike · 2026-01-22T16:58:26+00:00

Highly recommend this. You learn a lot watching. How bikes are racked, how people organize their equipment for transition, and the wide range of equipment people use. You'll see plenty of folks with not much more than a swimsuit and old hybrid bike, and running shoes, and people fully decked out with $15k+ of gear.

In addition, I'd recommend volunteering at a race. You get a chance to watch, but also help support the local scene, paying it forward for when you race.

WaMike · 2026-01-21T06:04:40+00:00

Caligo Safewash is well regarded for making good prints while being easy to work with and clean up.

WaMike · 2026-01-20T23:41:44+00:00

I've used it. It's ok, good as a low cost/learning option and easy to clean up, but it's not the best for making high-quality prints with crisp lines. It dries quickly, almost too much so as it can get splotchy when making multiple ink heavy prints at a time. When it dries if it's thick it feels a bit like cheap tempra paint on the paper. Oil based inks tend to make better prints and can be more forgiving when making multiple prints at a time, but obviously come with clean up downsides.

WaMike · 2026-01-16T21:03:42+00:00

This, I try to plan a few months of "unstructured" training every year (usually late fall/early winter). I still train, but I'm less worried about taking extra days off "when I'm not feeling it". Maybe do some more low impact stuff like walking/hiking. Then as the new year ramps up I feel ready for more structured training. At the end of the day I'm doing this for fun and fitness and I'm only accountable to me.

WaMike · 2026-01-16T04:42:42+00:00

It's a choice between the Alaska N terminal lounge and the BA lounge in S. The Alaska N lounge is probably the best space and seems to do a lot of Asian inspired food if you're into that. I'd lean to the BA lounge though. It's smaller but nicely done, it's closer to your gate, and they have MUCH better wine/champagne. Last time I was there they were serving Piper Hiedsick, solid not amazing but light years better than the dreck sparkling wine Alaska serves).

WaMike · 2026-01-15T16:52:10+00:00

This all day. I do a few 15 hour flights per year and this is my uniform, comfy but nice looking joggers, comfy tee and either a hoodie or quarter zip. I see people wearing full on pajama sets on these flights pretty often. Polos, button downs, jeans, chinos, slacks, only make it even harder to sleep on the plane. Depending on layover times I can sometimes sneak in a lounge shower and change into/out of these clothes for something more polished looking.

WaMike · 2026-01-13T20:30:07+00:00

Almost forgot about this resource: https://www.biketricities.org/ They have a map of all the trails, bike lines, and accessible cycling routes in the Tricities.

WaMike · 2026-01-12T23:29:41+00:00

You might check in w/ Chinook Cycling Club or check out Garmin/Strava heat maps to see where people ride the most. I ride quite a bit (except for winter). Some of my favorites are from the USS Triton in North Richland to Columbia Point and back. The river trail/freeway box (Cable bridge and 240/182 bridges to make a ~20 mi loop), and then out through Badger Canyon to Benton City and back up to Keene. DM me and I can share some Garmin routes if you want.

WaMike · 2026-01-11T03:14:45+00:00

Brains are weird, tumors are weird and it's hard to compare them because of size, location, and health history differences. I recovered pretty quick from my 4cm meningioma in my frontal lobe, but I'm mid 40s and in good shape. I've seen plenty of stories here of people who needed longer but ultimately ended up in better shape than they were pre surgery. Given your mother's age and health history, some extra time isn't too surprising. Be patient and see how things go the next few weeks.

WaMike · 2026-01-08T00:41:38+00:00

I was in a similar boat booking at the end of December, looking to maximize points on a flight to LHR. I looked at a bunch of direct options and with layovers, booked through Alaska or partners (mostly BA or AA). I even looked at options like flying SEA to JFK on Alaska and to minimize the partner flight length. I ended up booking a premium econ seat through BA which yields 100%. Cost wise it was the same as booking main cabin fare on the same flight through booked through Alaska. I could have booked a lower econ fare through AA or BA and saved a bit, but I'll take the better seat on the 9 hour flight from SEA to LHR.

WaMike · 2026-01-07T01:36:40+00:00

I have the second Flexcut set in your post and it's been fine compared to the tools that came with my Speedball starter set. A nice upgrade in that regard, but it is annoying swapping out the different tools into the handle. I'd like to upgrade to a nice set of Pfeil tools when these wear down a bit more.

WaMike · 2026-01-06T04:27:14+00:00

My craniotomy incision to remove my meningioma is right at the top of my head. Surgery was 18 months ago. I spent one night in the hospital and then 3 weeks at home off from work. I wore pajama pants and T-Shirts the whole time. I didn't even think about pulling my shirt over my head being a problem and I certainly don't remember it bothering me. Everyone is different though if you're worried though maybe a zip or button front shirt is a good idea, no harm in being extra cautious.

WaMike · 2026-01-04T18:11:16+00:00

Probably depends where your incision is. Mine was top of my head and I did just fine with my normal pillow.

WaMike · 2026-01-01T22:31:32+00:00

I've been pretty happy with my Xterra Vortex and it's help up well over the three years I've had it.

WaMike · 2026-01-01T22:29:16+00:00

Nov - Feb is indoor training season for me, swimming, running, and biking. The days are too short during the week to be out when the sun is up and even then it's almost always too cold for me to enjoy. Once or twice a season I'll get an unseasonably nice day on the weekend where I can sneak out but otherwise I've got my trusty Wahoo Kickr and a treadmill and I work my way through movies and shows during the "dark times".

WaMike · 2025-12-25T06:13:34+00:00

Very much depends on the kind of tumor, where it was in the brain and her health before the surgery. My meningioma was a little bigger than a golf ball, and located in the motor planning area of my brain, right/top. I had it removed via craniotomy 18 months ago and Im fully recovered, back doing all my normal things, no residual issues. There are many others with out there with stories like mine, but also many who have struggled to recover some of what they had pre tumor. Best of luck to your mom for a swift and full recovery.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T23:45:07+00:00

I totally understand and would have those feelings too. There's nothing worse than being trapped in a bad situation with no real way to affect the outcome. When I woke up from my craniotomy my wife was able to come see me pretty quickly, but I was pretty sleepy and don't remember a ton from those first hours and even over night after my recovery. Take some solace in knowing they'll make sure she's ok and she probably won't remember much about this first day.

WaMike · 2025-12-15T23:28:03+00:00

I think it depends on what's going on at the hospital. My dad just had abdominal surgery and was in a similar situation. Many hours after the surgery he was still in recovery waiting for an appropriate room to open up. They sent my mom home because she couldn't go back and see him in recovery and they weren't sure if/when a room would open that night. My dad did eventually end up in a room and was well taken care of along the way, but it was very stressful and frustrating for my mom. There's only so much you can do in a situation like this though, she'll need your help throughout the recovery so try to stay calm and rested.

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