Hi, Cindy ~
I'm sorry you're the recipient of an AN diagnosis but glad that you found the ANA website, registered and decided to post.
Your AN is 'medium' sized and depending on the exact configuration, is likely treatable via radiation or, of course, surgery. Your consult with the specialist will be crucial but we generally advise newly diagnosed AN patients to obtain more than one medical opinion, if possible. Other posters will add much more, I'm sure, but for now I just wanted to welcome you and assure that this diagnosis is not the end of the world. These tumors are almost never malignant and always treatable. The majority of AN patients do quite well post-op or post-radiation. Frankly, the shock of the initial diagnosis, the fear of the unknown (and sometimes unknowable) and the seemingly overwhelming choices and decisions to be made, some possibly life-altering can certainly be daunting. That's why we're here.
The forums are primarily populated by AN patients that have been through surgery, radiation or, sometimes (as in my case) both. Others are relatives of AN patients and some of our members are diagnosed and in 'observation' mode (called 'watch-and-wait') or awaiting surgery or radiation treatment in the near future. We all have a story to tell and, most important, we understand your fears and anxieties. We're here to advise, suggest and, most of all, support you in whatever way is appropriate. We don't judge or second-guess your decisions and although we are optimistic, we don't sugarcoat the very real issues ANs often present.
I hope you'll consider these AN forums as a resource in the weeks to come and avail yourself of the collective knowledge of our members, all of whom are eager to welcome you and help in whatever way they can. I look forward to seeing your posts as you continue on this journey none of us ever really wanted to take.
Jim
