6 months postop

[patbiedermann]

I had surgery on June 13 to remove my tumor. It was a large tumor that they got the most of, translabyrinth approach.  They couldn't get all of it because it was wrapped around my brain stem.  I was in the hospital for 10 days and then a rehab unit for 7 days.  I was in University Hospital in Syracuse, NY.  My neurosurgeon was Dr. Eric Deshaises and my ENT Dr. was Dr. Charles Woods.  They both have been excellent throughout the whole process.  I came home July 1, on my grandson's 4th birthday.  I really never thought I'd say this, but a hot dog tasted good!  It was a long summer going through OT and PT, but was released from them in October.  Last Thursday, January 25th, I underwent placement of a gold weight in my right eyelid.  My eye feels so much better!  On Wednesday I meet with my employer to get back to work next Monday, February 6.  It will be good to get back to work, although my work will be checked 100%.  My job is Coding Manager at a local hospital that entails a lot of thought processes and memory.  I am somewhat scared about all of that.  I have to try, though.  Does anyone have any suggestions about how long to give myself?  There have been a lot of ups and downs and there are some things I will never take for granted again!  My husband has been very supportive and it must have been a long and difficult road for him as well.  It feels good to have some normalcy return to our lives although somehow I think things will never be completely normal again.  Does anyone have any suggestions about what to expect going forward?  I know that I'll be having followup MRIs going forward.  Thank you for listening.

[micca82]

Hi, I'm about 10 months out. I actually do billing for my husband's physical therapy office. At first, I was working 2 hours day when I went back to work 3 months post-op. Now, I'm working about 7-9 hours a day, and surprisingly I can handle it. In November, our office switched to all electronic billing and I was able to manage the transition, train the new employees, and coordinate the whole project. So I think you should be okay. I hope you'll be okay. Going back to work, although at first it was hard with facial paralysis and all, but it got better and better each month.

[Rivergirl]

Getting back to work was the best thing for me.  I was depressed at home and keep feeling I would never be normal if I didn't get back to my work schedule.  I went back at 6 weeks 4 hours a day and then 8hours a day after 8 weeks.  I am a Nurse Coordinator so my job takes a lot of thinking, managing but I will say it worked, I got better and better and I did not have to say "i just had brain surgery cut me some slack".  I am still not 100% but work is good therapy. Good luck getting back in the groove.