ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Huber920 on June 10, 2010, 09:28:51 am
-
Hi my name is Angie and I am updating all of you on Nate's surgery. His craniotomy started at 11:19 yesterday and the surgery was 6 hours long because after they removed the acoustic neuroma the surgeon discovered his cholosteatomas he had approximately 5 years ago had grown back and were eroding his superior bone of the inner ear putting risk to growing into the sheath of the brain. Sooo...he was in surgery longer to remove the cholosteatoma as well which was from an incision behind the ear. They were unable to save his hearing because of this and the surgeon closed off his inner ear using some of his muscle and the open bone closed by the brain basically. Also good news is the fascial nerve is intact. All went well with both procedures and he just got transferred from the SICU to a step down room. His vestibular problems that occurred after the first surgery are so much better than last time. He is able to focus, he helped me log onto the site today, and stood twice already today. His pain has been variable at his surgery site but they have been doing good keeping the meds coming as needed. According to the ICU nurse he got a descent amount of sleep last night and he has been resting well. According to the surgeon he will be in the hospital 4 days to watch over him due to a risk of cerebrospinal fluid leaking into his repaired inner ear from the cholosteotoma damage. Please continue keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for your support, I know this has meant alot to him preparing for his second craniotomy.
Angie
-
Thank you for posting and its great to hear they could kill 2 birds with one stone :)
One step at a time and make sure to keep us posted on his continued healing.
Take care,
Liz
-
Angie -
thanks for updating us on Nate's surgery.
Glad to hear things went well. Please give him our best and tell him we're anxiously awaiting his return to the Forum.
BTW, did the docs/nurses let him take that beautiful photo into the OR with him?
Jan
-
Hi, Angie ~
I know we all appreciate your post-surgery update for Nate - especially since he seems to be doing so well! Tell Nate we're pleased for his surgery outcome and to not push himself too hard- and have a great recovery.
Jim
-
Nate did get to bring in his picture of Grace! Thank you for the replies!
-
So glad things are going well. Angie, thanks for posting the report on Nate.
Thoughts and prayers continue.
Clarice
-
So glad it went well and thank you for taking the time to let us know.
I'd say he's doing well if he's already giving computer instructions! :D
I hope each day gets better and better!
Lori
-
From Nate: I'm back on my feet now and able to get around pretty well. My wonderful wife has been such a blessing and my little girl gives me smiles throughout the day. I was bummed to hear about the extra problems found during surgery but am happy that the removal went well. My surgeon is really experienced and all the doctors and nurses were wonderful. I had my surgery done at Ohio State University Hospital.
It's funny though, you don't think about all the other recovery problems you will have after a major surgery like this. Such as being unable to sleep, back pain, and the ol' factory isn't working either yet. Basically I haven't had a bowel movement in 6 days! Sorry that's kind of gross. I had a good dose of fiber this morning though so hopefully things will get moving shortly. Otherwise I feel really blessed to feel as good as I do though, considering what I just went through. I wish everyone's recovery was as easy as this one.
-
Nate,
Great post op report, and I totally understand about the BM thing! You'll feel much better after that is taken care of. Maybe a little MOM therapy will help do the trick (not the motherly kind) and then there is the good ole stool softener twice a day. Warm prune juice and prunes (can you tell I'm experienced in this matter? :D) Oh yea, how about some strong hot coffee? OK enough...
Your beautiful daughter Grace definitely helped you along. Enjoy your slow recovery and I hope things work out for you ;)
Thanks for the updates, Angie :)
Maureen
-
the ol' factory isn't working either yet.
Hi Nate,
We're really glad your surgery went well, all things considered, and hope you have a quick recovery.
As for the "factory" issue, you might want to give Senokot-S (tablets) a try ;)
Hope you feel better every day,
Rich & Scarlett
-
Senecot was my saving grace, give it a try...and so happy to hear your doing well.
Take care and keep healing :)
Liz
-
Wow Nate, it sounds like you recovered great! How are things now for you? I agree with everyone about the whole BM thing. That was the worst thing for me. MOM did the trick for me and softners.
I just saw the picture of Grace, she's beautiful. My three girls helped me get through my surgery as well. I hope your recovery continues to go well. I too lost my hearing on the AN side. I'm starting to get used to it though.
Keep us updated.
Susan
-
I am so blessed to be doing as well as I am. It hasn't been that long and I feel pretty much like normal again. I have had a little ear pain here and there, but the bleeding has stopped. The doctor had to close off my ear with a piece of muscle so that no more cholosteatoma's would grow back. So the stitches in there were bleeding for a bit. But thanks to Neosporin it has stopped. I answered my phone questionare about the care I received at the hospital. Gave props to the doc and all the wonderful nurses who took such good care of me. For all you nurses out there, thank you for putting up with all the BS you have to put up with. Your kindness and patience is much appreciated.
My wife Angie, being a PT, had me doing lots of vestibular exercises early on in the recovery process and it helped me to recover much faster. I can't stress enough to anyone who has to go through this how important the vestibular exercises are.
As for the hearing, I have a friend who has lost hearing in her left ear so I told her we need to team up. With my good left ear and her good right ear, we can have normal conversations with people. Haha! I will just have to sit through her conversations about teaching and purses and stuff, and she will have to sit through my conversations of hunting and other man activities. Ha!
-
Nate .....
Good to read the continuing good recovery report. Yes, I can attest to the tremendous value of vestibular therapy. However, your wonderful attitude and great sense of humor have carried you a long way on your very difficult journey.
Thanks for sharing and keep it up ..... it helps others out there.
Best thoughts.
Clarice
-
Nate,
So glad to see you posting and I love your positive attitude.
The fact that you feel pretty much like normal (whatever that is :o) is amazing and enviable too.
Glad your wife is there to crack the whip on your vestibs. Keep it up, keep walking and exercising.
Maureen
-
Nate,
Best wishes on your speedy recovery, keep us posted.
LisaP ;D