Hi JCM, and welcome.
First of all, no, you are not alone with this. Second of all, any and everybody is welcome to post on here that have concerns with this thing that we all have in common. And thirdly, almost everyone who post here have a million questions, are scared or confused, and don't know which way to turn. Mostly our major advice to you is to do your homework, find a really good doctor who knows what he/she is talking about, preferably one who is very experienced with AN's, and to find the treatment that best fits with what YOU (that would be your husband!) want, not necessarily what your doctor wants. For some people surgery is the only option or the one that they prefer. For most people with a smaller AN, you have the option of radio-surgery, which is what I had. Or your husband might be advised and feel comfortable with watching and waiting to see how fast the AN is growing. He would have another MRI in a year or so, and then go from there. Some people are on W/W for years. Know that many people have their treatment of choice and go on with their lives, some with little impact. They post here a few times, and then off they go. I can relate to the light headed feeling! You kinda feel like your in a fog. That's the vestibular nerve not being particularly happy with it's situation. Most of the time, that usually resolves itself and goes away. The nerve on the other side will compensate in the balance department and that takes a little time.
It is hard, I think, to try to take control of a medical situation which most people don't know anything about previous to their diagnosis. I know I'd never heard of it. Most who come on here don't. But, Acoustic Neuroma, although regarded as "rare", is one of the most studied of the "brain tumors". Technically it is a skull based tumor, because it does not grow "in the brain", but it is connected to all those nerves that travel to the brain...so it often is called a brain tumor. There is a lot of information out on the Internet about this condition/disease and lots of information right here on the ANA site. And there are a lot of good folks on here who will be more than happy to talk with you on this site, or privately, if you desire.
Don't despair. But I certainly know how you both are feeling. I sort of pictured those Roadrunner cartoons. You know when he looks both ways down that railroad track and nothing is coming for miles and miles and so he steps out to cross the track and BOOM, he gets hit with a speeding train. That's how I felt. Minding my own business, nothing coming that I could see and then BOOM!.
Sort of sets you back on your heels.
Take care and best of luck in your husband's treatment and eventual recovery,
Sue in Vancouver
