ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: msuscottie on January 10, 2006, 02:23:24 pm
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Well, only a few more weeks until my stage 2 surgery. The fear just started kicking in. I don't know if it helps or not that I already went through this once. In one respect, I know what to expect and that's good, but in the other respect I know what to expect and that's not so good. Here's to hoping this is the last time anyone is ever in my brain!
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Scott - Having read your story of what you went through, I can certainly sympathize, but one thing I know for certain is that you're a fighter. Anybody who went through what you did and bounced back as you did would be. BTW, I was really touched by your story and have been following your posts. You inspired me to write our story (though I'm not done with it yet  even though I'm a professional writer!! lol) Others who had 2 surgeries have said the second one was much less traumatic and recovery was faster, and I certainly hope and pray that's the case for you. Did you work out things with your employer? I hope they're not going to make things more difficult for you. Please keep us posted. Jennifer
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Thanks for the post Jennifer, I appreciate your kind words. I think I worked something out with my employer to return post-op in another position. Pays a little less, but will also be much less stressful and allow me to do most of my work via computer and phone instead of so many face to face meetings and presentations. Thanks again for the very kind words, it's really nice to hear that the story helped/motivated someone else.
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Scott: I found the second time around much easier, both with immediate and long term (it's been 4 months) recovery. Best of health. Kathleen
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Scott.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care and keep us posted.
Lynn
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Thanks Kathleen,
I'm now about a week away and a little fear has turned into flat out freaking out. Can someone explain the gold weight in the eye thing to me. Do they put that in while you're sedated? Is it a whole different surgery? a big deal? I don't like people near my eyes, so that coupled with someone picking around in my brain really isn't doing it for me =)
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Hey! I hope everything goes better than you expect! I think the second time around would be worse~you know too much. Get some massages, go out alot and have a whole lot of fun!
Can't help with the gold weight thingy... Did you schedule a tummy tuck or chin implant? I wanted my total body makeover! That's supposed to make you smile. :)
Seriously, best of luck to you and we are all here pulling for you.
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Scott-
I'm hoping you have really great results with this next surgery & that you'll let us know as soon as you're well enough how everything went. I'll be having my 2nd. surgery soon & I think that it's worse the 2nd time around when you start remembering what you went through the first time. I'm hoping for a miracle that I'll end up better after the 2nd surgery & I'm hoping that for you as well. It's always best to hope for something better because each surgery is different & we really never know what the outcome will be. I'll be thinking of you on the 1st.
Kathy
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Hi Scottie,
I am new to this website but not new to AN.
To make a long story short, I was diagnosed in 1990 at the age of 18. I went thru 18 hours of surgery, with facial paralysis and no hearing in the right side. I had the surgery again in 1994 because of the tumor re occuring. I had eye surgery in 1996 with a gold weight put in my right eye. Just to calm some nerves, you are sedated and really have no idea what they are doing with the eye stuff. It should be an in and out same day procedure. For a couple of eyes you will have a ton of swelling and it will look like a black eye for awhile.
I need to go right now but please if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Bye for now.
Kim
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Hey Scottie...
Good luck on the first man! I remember in-between my two surgeries - the first one
was a shunt installation with the second being the tumor resection - I was scared yet confident in my doctors.
One week to go? Time flys my friend. Before you know it you'll be 2 months post-op!!!
I remember in my my case, there'd be times I just sat and cried knowing what was in store for me. I'd be counting the days and hours as it approached. Here it is now 4 months post -op. Hard to believe!
We'll anxiously be waiting to hear from you when you get back!
Paul
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Hi Scottie, I havent been in to post for a little while. Guess I needed a short break. I wanted to tell you I had the gold weight put in on August 25th. A few weeks after my brain surgery. I was scared to death because I was still feeling traumatized from the first surgery. I am here to tell you though that I was afraid for no good reason. The implant surgery was a breeze. I was asleep for about 45 minutes and when I woke up the doctor was putting in the last couple of stitches. He must have used novacaine too because it didnt hurt at all. I agree 100% with Kim...you will have swelling that looks like a big ole black eye but that will go away fairly quick(a few days). I think that having the weight put in was the best thing I did for myself. The relief has been wonderful. I will probably have to do surgery again fairly soon to go to a lighter weight as my eye is beginning to work and the weight in there is making it hard to open my eye all the way. Hopefully I will be well enough to just have it out completely but if not..I am no longer afraid.
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I hope you dont mind if i reply to your message. are you haveing a 2 nd surgey . HOW BIG is you tumor? I also have a colesterol granuloma at least hope that is what it is! It was 9 mm is now 1.5 cm and growing filling up with fluid ..dont know anything about it..but I wish you all the best in the world, My prayers will be with you I see the surgeon the 6th of Febuary 06 for treatment options i had radiation and now it will be removed ,,,Linda
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You're in my thoughts & prayers! Keep us posted.
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Thanks for the good thoughts & prayers everyone, I'll take all I can get. I'm now down to T minus 18 hours until I'm on the table and I am certainly freaking out. I'm going to start packing for the hospital after I'm done here and I'm trying to think of what I want for the "the last supper." =) That last drink of water at 11:59 tonight will be a big one ... it seems like when someone says "don't eat or drink after midnight" that you're starving and thirsty at 12:01 ... Ironic. Ok, I should go get ready. I'll try to drop you all a quick message when I get back.
Thanks again!
Scott
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I'll be thinking about you Wednesday, Scott. Wrote your sugery on my calendar. Hope & pray everything goes well. Jennifer
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I was wondering what you mean by stage 2 is it because you had the surgery before and they didnt get it all. I go Monday a week from yesterday and have another Mri and see the surgeon, I had radiation in febuary last year and have had 8 tia's sence then.. the neuro thinks the tumor is do it. but the neurlogy DR.. says no ... will just have to see.you can email me if you want lmurray69@hotmail.com
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The night before-brings back memories. Extra thoughts and prayers coming your way from Georgia.
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Sending good thoughts your way! Best of luck tomorrow!
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Thinking of you tonight and praying for your great outcome tomorrow Scottie. :-*
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My thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope to hear a good report soon.
Take care,
Lynn
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Sending you healing prayers, and wishing you speedy and complete recovery.
Kathleen
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I'm home, thanks for the prayers everyone.
Scott
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Good to hear from you, Scott! Been thinking about you since last week. Write more when you feel able. :) Jennifer
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Welcome home Scott and sending wishes for a speedy recovery. The worst part (the waiting) is over.
Take care,
matti
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Hello Scott... sending wishes for a VERY speedy recovery! :)
Phyl
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Welcome home, Scott!!
I wish you a speedy recovery and am sending positive fibes your way!
Denise
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Welcome Home Scott and welcome to the other side of surgery! I hope everything is going well for you.
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How are you feeling? What did they do for you this time? Is your left side doing any better?
Good to see you back!!!
Take care, Paul
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Had stage 2 surgery last Wednesday. Just got my bandages off, stitches out next week. I'm doing well compared to my first surgery. That one I was in the hospital for 30 days, this one I was out on day 4. No balance issues this time, just facial weakness. Dr's think it should come back in 12 weeks. Luckily I still have enough eye closure to avoid gold weights. That's about it, just trying to catch up on the zero sleep I've had in the last week.
Thanks again everyone.
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Scott,
Thats terrific news. How is your balance and dizziness?
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Great news Scott!! :) Hang tough!
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Balance & Dizziness are fine, I think most of that went after stage 1 surgery
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Yeah Scottie......I am so happy its over for you. Sounds like you are doing so much better this time. I hope you know how very much I admire you. I'm not sure how I would deal with having to go through surgery again. Great to hear from you and will watch for anything further that you feel willing to share with us. Big Hugz 2 U, Sherry
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I am doing much better than last time and thanks.
I guess this is the gist of my second experience.
Wed 2/1 5:30am: Arrive at Providence Hospital, Go to Pre-Op, Freak out a bit, change into the nice tight stockings, cry out of the one eye that still produces tears ... talk to family until about 7 when two nurses wheel my bed into the O.R. I remember commenting to the nurses that "I don't remember being in the O.R. last time" and they laughed and I was unconscious within seconds.
Wed 2/1 3pm? I mildly remember hearing my Dr's, my wife and my Mom asking me to smile, wrinkle my nose, blah, blah, blah and telling me that things went well.
Wed 2/1 8pm? I came to a little bit in ICU ... I was begging for water or ice and everytime they came me a spec of either, I felt like throwing up. I never did, but the bucket was certainly by my head. I also remember them standing me up and getting me in a chair for a few minutes and I had a tube sticking out my stomach from the fat graft.
Thurs 2/2 6am? A little more with it. Dr's visiting tell me that the facial function was good right after surgery but that the swelling would cause temporary weakness so we'd have to wait and see what happened. Gold weight possible which I did not want. It was becoming harder to close my eye tight. They left a spec of tumor in to preserve the facial nerve which I told them to do. They don't think it will ever cause a problem, but if it does, Gamma, not surgery, would knock it out.
Thurs 2/2 Noon? Out of ICU to the regular floor, sharing rooms with a few annoying roommates. The second of which had 17 family members in the room at one time. 9 kids. I got no rest at all and was extrememly uncomfortable. Getting IV's out and starting to eat now.
Fri 2/3 After working with PT I'm up and walking the halls 10-15 time knowing that that's what Dr's look for before letting you out. I'm also making sure I'm going to the bathroom as much as possible cause I know how they watch that. That night I go sit in the waiting room with my family to get out of the zoo that is my room.
Sat 2/4 After some AM visits from about 10 Dr's & Nurses, they determine that I can go home today if I want. I clean up, eat, get the last of my IV's out and rip off the tight leg socks while waiting for my family to arrive around 11. I go home and crash for about 48 hours after having not slept in days. The car ride home was rough, I hade quite a headache when I got home.
Bandages came off on 2/8, stitches will come out 2/15
If you have any specific questions, ask away, the internet is all of have to help kill time now a days.
Thanks,
Scott
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Scott, I'm glad your surgery and immediate recovery went so well. I'm amazed at how fast you were up and around. How is your facial function now? Get your rest! I'm so happy that things are much better than last time.
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Scott,
Great to hear that things seem to go well. We'll keep our fingers crossed that you make a 100% recovery
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Sure glad to hear that things went better with your surgery this time, Scott. :D Hope you'll make a quick recovery and be back to normal very soon. Jennifer
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Scott: Glad to hear things went so well, take good care of yourself. Here's to a great recovery! Kathleen
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scott so glad that it all went so well . wish you the best !!!hang in there..
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Scott,
I am so glad things are going good and I pray for a speedy recovery.
Keep us posted,
Lynn
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Scott:
Sounds like you're off towards a good recovery! Keep positive!!
luv2teachsped