Welcome, Hipmom123, to the ANA Forums!
While most of us on the forums are older, there are a number of young people in their 20's and 30's who post here. Often they are very fearful and anxious. But once they have their treatment, they learn that life does go on, and often they do not stay on the ANA forums for long. Those of us who are older tend to hang around longer. But if you search, you can find the posts of the young people. And check out the resources for the young adults as the Director posted.
In regards to the contrast dye, I understand your concern. My acoustic neuroma was very, very small when it was discovered, and the contrast dye helped my care staff to be able to see it better and that is why I elected to go with the contrast. I figured the negative effects of the contrast dye were not as bad as the specialists not having a good view of my tumor and making a wrong decision. But each person needs to make their own decision in regard to the contrast dye. And your son's acoustic neuroma is large enough that I do not know how much value the contrast dye would give the care team.
I also prefer natural treatments, but I have also learned that sometimes there is a need for surgery or radiation, the benefits of which are not always available through natural means or it may take too long to achieve success through natural means. (I used to be a hospital chaplain, and I saw cancer patients who wanted to try natural means, but when the natural ways they tried didn't work, it was too late to do surgery or radiation, and the patients died). Fortunately, acoustic neuromas are not malignant, and are typically slow-growing which gives us more time to seriously consider what treatments we think will be most effective for us.
I do not believe that just because your son is young that it is evident that he has any genetic disorder. Again, I am not a medical doctor, but it seems like the young people who post here are not suffering from any genetic disorder. So, I doubt that is the situation with your son.
When any of us receive the acoustic neuroma prognosis, it is very stressful, and we become quite anxious. But, as I said above, most of the young people are quite resilient and usually do well after their treatment. They learn that they can have a full, rich life.
I wish you both the very best on this acoustic neuroma journey!
Don
