All I can say is, please look into a BAHA when you're healed enough to give it some thought. They are amazing!
Thanks, Jan, I will start reseach on it shortly. Didn't won't to do it ahead of time, always that hope that some hearing would remain.
Yes, I am absolutely amazed by my recovery so far. Obviously the steroids are playing a big role with feeling as "up" right now. Went into surgery 9:30 am Tuesday, overnight in the ICU, Wednesday afternoon to regular room with very pleasant roomie, discharged from the hospital at 2 pm Thursday, slice of pizza on the way home on the Turnpike. In the ICU could just stand, but then walked the next morning on the unit, first on my sweetie's arm for one round, then by myself. Nice and slow, no sudden movements, voila. No dizziness, no funny head feeling. Didn't have to take any more Tylenol so far, feels like just incisional pain. Dr. Heilman did a suboccipital craniotomy, hoping he could save some hearing this way, but the incision is a little longer this way than I had hoped, goes a couple inches behind the ear down my neck, but the swelling is almost gone and I can move my head from side to side (sloowly) without much pain. Sleeping is going well, too, just a couple pillows and the recliner, although, days are easier than nights, but slept much better and in longer intervals last night. Took a nice walk around the yard yesterday enjoying the flowers. My stay at Tufts was excellent (maybe also because it was so short), the nursing staff super friendly and helpful, always smiling, couldn't have had a better experience from pre-op to discharge, everyting was very organized. Hey, what else do you expect frome the "Paul Pierce center for minimally invasive surgery", if he can bring the Celtics back, he can do anything! Dr. Heilman was phantastic about keeping my husband updated via phone and in person several times, from the OR and recovery room, I know this is not the place, maybe I'll write a blurb about him under "physcians", he is definitely worth considering if you are in the Boston area. By the way, Phyl, Gamma Knife with Dr. Wu was a brief consideration.
Of course, I expect a couple changes and set-backs, especially once off the steroids, but I think I'll do ok. If any newbies (haha, sounds funny, was one not long ago) or others are contemplating a decision, feel free to email me with questions. Of course, everyone and every tumor/recovery is different, but it definitely helped me to read as many different stories as possible for comparision.
Thanks to all of you for your support, no one else knows quite what it's like. You all made a huge difference in my life!
- and summetrically!
Helga
