curve ball

I've debated over and over again whether to tell people or not. Those who I have told have been great support, and there are some that get that 'look' when I tell them. I've realized that maybe not telling can be better than getting that 'look'. But it is my curve ball, and I feel like sharing - so here is goes... I have a brain tumor. WHAT?!? Yeah, crazy huh? Of course I would, I get ALL the crazy weird stuff. And not only is it a brain tumor, it accounts for only 1% of all intercranial (brain) tumors. The good news? It's not cancer, it's not malignant- it's benign. Wheww.. good news right? Well yes. But do we still need to worry... well yeah. It's located in the center of my brain right at the Foramen of Monro. "huh?" . That means that at any point it could move and block off all cerebral spinal fluid and cause sudden death. Well good thing they found it!! The good news ~ it's not big enough right now to cause problems of that nature - the verdict? Annual MRI's until it gets to a size that it could cause those problems. Anywhere from a couple of years to 10-15. That's their guess. Unless for some reason I start to get a constant headache that doesn't go away for a few days, then I need to get to the doctor immediately. Good thing I know now though, because I am not one who would just go to the doctor for a headache. I have seen two different Neurosurgeons.. now I'm at the point where I need to decided which one will eventually have to go in and take it out. The first doctor said he would do it endoscopically (with a small scope) but only when it started causing hydrocephalus (pressure on the brain). The second doctor I know is an absolutely amazing surgeon (have many good sources). He said he would do a craniotomy (remove part of the skull) so he could use both eyes. He also said he will take it out when it gets to a certain size, "No matter what". Because then it could cause irreversable damage with very short notice. I am leaning towards the second Neurosurgeon because I know he would do a good job, and the fact that he is leaning towards the cautionary side. But the fact of having part of my skull removed and having to shave my head don't seem the most appealing to me. Why don't they take it out now? ~ Because it is causing no problems now, the risks outweigh the benefit. Makes sense, I mean it is brain surgery for crying out loud. I had my freak out moment a few weeks back before I had seen either of the Neurosurgeons. The stuff you read online about it can really scare ya. The official name for it is - Colloid Cyst of the Third Ventricle, if you care to google it. But my wonderful rock of a husband calmly held my hand and said, "There is no reason to freak out now, we don't know enough to do so right now. Lets just wait and see what they have to say." I am so grateful for him and all he does for me. As of now, all I get to do is wait until my next MRI to make sure it's not growing too quickly.
How am I? I'm okay. There are many others out there who are fighting much harder battles then this. I've finally gotten to a stage where I can start joking about it. "Whoops! Did I forget that? Well, must be my brain tumor!"

It's the white ball right in the middle of the MRI