Brain tumor surgery support

7.18.2023 Update

Tristan had an online visit with his neurosurgeon this morning and we learned more details about the actual procedures as well as potential risks and post-operative care.

• Tristan will need to be in PDX the day prior to surgery to have his anesthesia visit, labs, and pre-op MRI and CT scan.

• Surgery will take a full day. He will spend the night in ICU.

• He will then be transferred to a general surgery floor for 3-5 days.

• If all goes well, he will be discharged and need to spend two weeks in PDX for close monitoring.

• A biopsy of the tumor will be taken and depending on the results an aftercare plan will be determined. This may well radiation and/or targeted chemo to reduce the chance of reoccurrence. *This type of tumor has a high reoccurrence rate. Tristan will need to be monitored over his lifetime.

• Risk: very rarely pituitary surgery might result in damage to the large arteries, brain tissue, or nerves near the pituitary, or destroy the pituitary gland completely. This could result in complications such as brain damage, a stroke, nerve damage causing loss of use of legs, or long-term vision problems. Other risks are loss of smell and CFS leak.

• Because of the variety and severity of potential post-op complications, Tristan will need to stay closer to OHSU than Eugene, so he will be in PDX for up to 1-2 weeks.

• Once Tristan returns home, he will be on lifting restrictions (10 lbs) and will need six weeks to recover to the point he can be cleared to return to work.

The surgeon will be speaking to her scheduler right away. Because of the size of Tristan’s tumor and adjoining cyst, She considers this an “urgent” surgery and wants to get everything scheduled.

We will keep everyone posted to the best of our abilities. Your support is invaluable during these trying times.

Hi, my name is Shelley Williams, and my 24-year-old son, Tristan, was recently diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma with an adjacent cyst. This is a brain tumor that forms above the pituitary gland and puts pressure on the optic nerve and starts taking up space the brain needs.

Tristan lost his job as a school bus driver wee was diagnosed And not able to return to the workplace for approximately 6 months after surgery. Tristan is able to live in a 5th wheel on our property, but he is quickly depleting his savings with medical and transportation.

Tristan is enrolled in Medicaid, which will eventually cover the bulk of his medical costs, he will have multiple trips to OSHU overnight stays.

We know funds are tight for a lot of folks, but for those who might be able to give a bit, it would help our wonderful son worry less when he has so much on his plate.

Matt and I thank everyone for their consideration.

We will be creating a FB page for those who would like to follow Tristan’s journey.