It is never easy learning you have an AN.
Yours is quite small, so you do have time to learn more about it, and about treatment options. Besides surgery, there is also radiatioin to consider, and just watching and waiting.
The tumor is a benign growth on the VIII cranial nerve, which has branches for hearing and balance. Technically it is a skull base tumor, since it is not in the brain proper. Surgery usually involves both a neruosurgeon and a neurotologist, an ENT specializing in skull base surgery. So it is a cross between a brain thing and an ear thing.
I told my employer, and they are very supportive. I think in most cases patients can continue in their regular job, unless it is very physical, or they are unlucky enough to have some impairments that prevent it. I am a senior software developer, and so far no one seems to think it will affect my work. I would go ahead and spill the beans to those you feel comfortable telling, the support you will get is very helpful.
I know it is difficult to be patient, I have been diagnosed for 6 weeks now, and it seems much longer than that. But the outlook for the future is not bad, whether you watch and wait or get treatment. There are people on this site raising twins and doing all sorts of stuff after dealing with their AN. All is not lost.
Best wishes, Steve
