Hey, WT. I'm praying for your sister-in-law and your entire family. I know all too well how devasting and scary the diagnosis of a brain tumor can be. I was in the exact same situation as your sister-in-law nine months ago. In August 2001, I was diagnosed with what appeared to be (and was later confirmed by pathology to be) a slow growing BT (also presumably there for years and years) and four days later had surgery. Please visit my web site detailing my BT journey for my story and all sorts of useful information.
Another site I highly recommend is Virtual Trials, a site specifically dealing with the treatments of BTs. At this site, be sure to check out the "Survivor Stories" and the "Noteworthy Treatments Section" pages. National level groups you should contact are the following: The National Brain Tumor Foundation, The Brain Tumor Society, and The American Brain Tumor Association.
I also highly recommend at some point you get a consultation from a leading brain tumor center. The research I've done (primarily by participating on the BrainTmr Mailing List) indicates the three best centers in the USA for treating brain tumors are: The Brain Tumor Center at Duke in North Carolina, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, and The Brain Tumor Research Center at UCSF in San Francisco. As you see after reading my site, I decided to visit Duke due to their location and the reputation of their top neuro-oncologist, Dr. Henry Friedman (who was recently featured on 60 Minutes).
Finally, let your sister-in-law know she may feel free to contact me at any time (check your freepmail). Nobody knows what the BT survivor goes through better than another BT survivor. My latest MRI was last Monday, nine months post-diagnosis/surgery. Thankfully, it was another good report (no sign of progression from residual tumor).
WT, thank you for the update and the awesome news about the surgeon being available. Freepers will be praying through surgery tomorrow...for the surgical team, as well.
MrConfettiMan, prayer bump for your continued health and for your generous help for a Freep neighbor in need. (^:
Wyatt's Torch, I will continue to keep your sister in law and her family in my prayers. The Lord hears our prayers and heals us. Your sister in law has begun a long journey. But not to fear as the Lord has her by the hand and is walking with her all the way.