New member here

[What?]

I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma in January.  I had a hearing test in December at our family physician's office, finally after ignoring all the symptoms for over a year.  I then went to an ENT in Toledo where they did another hearing test and ordered an MRI.  So after consulting with an ENT friend, he recommended I see Dr. Kartush at the Michigan Ear Institute in the Detroit area.  He is a seasoned veteran in the world of AN and co-invented a procedure where the facial nerves are monitored during surgery to decrease the risk of facial paralysis.  So, I am scheduled for surgery in May.  My business does not allow me to have the surgery any time before that although I know it's going to be a challenge emotionally to wait.  I have considered my options and with my ENT friends advice and doctor's advice have decided to have a sub-occipital surgery, sacrificing my hearing and balance nerves in order to decrease contact with the brain.  Something about touching the brain does not sit well with me.  My tumor is 1.7 CM and is touching the brain at this point.  When I was shown the MRI last week I was terrified to see the tumor pushing on the brain.  Although as you can see from my post name I am trying to keep my sense of humor about all this.  I am glad to find this site as I feel I really need an outlet for my thoughts and concerns. 

[Battyp]

HI What and welcome aboard!

What type of business are you in that won't allow your surgery until May?  That seems messed up to me.  Sounds like you're at peace with your  decision so now it's just getting through it.

Know we're here for you!

LisaK  shared an interesting article with me which I'll pass on to
youhttp://www.backgroundfacts.com/menieres/COGDIS.htm

I too had sub occipital due to brain stem involvement and was telling her I feel  like I've gotten stupid of a sudden...

[Boppie]

I was diagnosed with my An October 1 and did not have surgery until December 15, only because that is the time span the scheduling surgeon placed me in.  I waited about 11 weeks for the best treatment a person could have.  Be at peace.  Stay positive.  You have good doctors.  Plan two months to get most of your old self back. 

[Captain Deb]

What?  What?  What??

I say your name over and over again many times each day!
Especially when my significant other mumbles something insignificant.

Welcome aboard!

Captain Deb

[glory]

What? (like the name )

Did you lose hearing suddenly, gradually, or did it go away & come back?  I can't tell if my hearing is going or if it's my imagination because it does seem to come back.  (Yeah I know I should go see a doctor, but I'v already had a lifetimes fill of seeing doctors and hospitals)  Hope your surgery goes well.  Take care

[Sherry]

Good Morning.  I am also a new member.  My AN was diagnosed 3 weeks ago today.  Since then it seems like I have lived and breathed AN.  It's overwhelming.  I am leaning toward CK treatment at this time for my 2.1 cm AN.  After reading the info on this forum last night, I have more questions than I did 3 weeks ago.  Lots of info the docs don't necessarily give you and how do you know to ask?  I'd appreciate any ideas from those of you who have been through the process.  I can identify with What and I have also asked "Why?"

Thanks and best wishes to all who know......

Sherry

[ppearl214]

Hi What? (gawd, we are going to have too much fun with that screennic... shoot, maybe I should change mine to P.I.A or such! )

Welcome, welcome!  Know that we are ALL here for you and welcome you to the "family".  BTW, don't share a bedroom with batty-one, she snores! *looks around and ducks from flying hand!*

Like you, mine was discovered and have been in wait/hold mode. I will be having Cyberknife done in Boston the week of April 3.  Like you, business has interferred (in my thread about confused and crying, I note that my boss now wants a dr's note re: my treatment) and we are going into Fiscal year end as of March 31. I actually planned my treatment around it and after the fact so work sees that I am not going to interfere with processes and to work coverage (Beth Israel actually wanted to do my treatments the week of March 20 but, like you, had to think of work). 

Know that you are truly welcome here, there is a VAST array of info, experiences, etc here that I hope helps to bring you some peace of mind that you are certainly not alone, that we all truly do understand and I have to say.... if it were not for this site, my decision would have been a whole lot more difficult (was that proper grammar???)

Anyway, welcome!

Phyllis

[ppearl214]

Hi Sherry and welcome!  Geeze, seems more and more AN's are being discovered and know that you are not alone!

I was diagnosed last May, been in "wait/hold" mode until last Friday, when after ALL the research I did, I have now been scheduled for CK at Beth Israel in Boston.  There is a true vast array of inputs on this board.  If the docs feel you have a little time and options to weigh, please please... do any and all research you can.  Talk to as many physcians/specialists that you can.  I tried to make as well an informed decision as I could for me and my situation. Know that we are all here to help you in any way we can, even if it's a much-needed dirty joke (watch out for Capt'n Deb, matti and battyprincess on that one!)

Sherry, we're all here for you and welcome to the "extended" family!

Phyllis

Good Morning.  I am also a new member.  My AN was diagnosed 3 weeks ago today.  Since then it seems like I have lived and breathed AN.  It's overwhelming.  I am leaning toward CK treatment at this time for my 2.1 cm AN.  After reading the info on this forum last night, I have more questions than I did 3 weeks ago.  Lots of info the docs don't necessarily give you and how do you know to ask?  I'd appreciate any ideas from those of you who have been through the process.  I can identify with What and I have also asked "Why?"

Thanks and best wishes to all who know......

Sherry

[What?]

Thanks all for welcoming me and for your kind words.  This is our big sales push this time of the year when we book most of our business for next year.  I own the company and am our top sales rep, a combination I would not wish on any one.   So until May 19th I plan to get ready and get myself into some kind of better physical and mental/emotional state.  I wonder if spending too much time on the board researching and questioning my choice of surgery is my cup of tea?  I think I prefer hearing about surgeries that have gone well and focus on that.  March madness has been a good distraction for me this week.  OK, anyone here have a favorite team in the tourney?  I am an Iowa grad. Go Hawks!  See, I didnt think about my AN for two sentences.  It works!

[ppearl214]

Hi what?

Going nuts here with sales as well (sell computer chips for a major, int'l company) and fiscal year end is March 31. Can't push the shipments out the door fast enough.  BI wanted to do my Cyberknife next week and, like you, had to stall it by 2 weeks (will have the treatments done the week of April 3) all because of work. I figured (for me), 2 weeks was not going to make a difference.

Researching is truly a worth of time.  I can appreciate that you own your company and you are top sales there, but your brain is of utmost concern.  Don't let anyone sway you one way or another. Hell, I just took 3 months researching ALL of my options (and I have all of them available to me based on my AN situation), but it was so worth it. I don't question any decision now and ready to move forward.  Researching all positive outcomes as well as the realities of the not-so-good have to be recognized in any decision you have made.  Arm yourself with the full knowledge all potential outcomes (good or bad). It's your head, it's your brain, do what you have to in order to arm yourself with full knowledge.

BTW, college hoops... don't miss my ex-spouse.. was always forced to watch the Madness with him. I think I'm going shoe shopping instead.

Best wishes,
Phyl

[HeadCase2]

What?,
   Great screen name, thanks for the laugh.
   AN's usually grow very slowly, so I wouldn't worry too much about the wait.  Work can help keep your mind off impending treatment.  My An was discovered 11/17/05, and treatment wasn't until 2/9/06-- scheduling 3 Surgeons for the same day can take some time.  This actually gave me time to do AN research, and get in better shape...  And get used to the whole idea of having a brain tumor.
  Welcome to this site, it's very helpful.
  Sorry to see that Iowa is in Duke's bracket-- Go Blue Devils!
Regards,
 Rob
 
 

[ppearl214]

what?  (I can't get use to typing that! LOL!)

Agree with Rob... very slow growing (or if consistant growth, not by much). Have been in wait/hold since my diagonsis May 2005. Found at 5mm x 7mm as of last May. Now at 1cm x 7mm x 4mm... so, slow but steady growth for me. I was told by all the medical professionals (surgical and radio-surgery teams) that as long as I am symptomatic (which I am), then it's time to proceed with treatment. Just wanted to share that... as we know, "individual results may vary".

BTW, still going shoe shopping during March Madness... anyone else care to join me?

Phyl

[Battyp]

Shoe shopping?  Does anyone truly want to go shoe shopping with someone who can't handle the correct grammar in her posts?  lol (I know I've had a few typos.brain works faster than fingers sometimes  )
if it were not for this site, my

[td][/td]decision would have been a whole lot more difficult (was that proper grammar???)

Proper Grammar for those of you who care  lol

decision would have been a lot more difficult
decision would have been more difficult

get the picture phyl? 

What & Sherry...I'm thinking you best be watching out for Phyl..she's the crazy one..matti and I are as sane as the next person 

[ppearl214]

What & Sherry...I'm thinking you best be watching out for Phyl..she's the crazy one..matti and I are as sane as the next person 

I am not, you wench! ;) 

[Battyp]

are so...(notice my great use of grammar  )