ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: Sobes on December 23, 2009, 12:07:26 pm
-
Hello everyone,
I am writing on behalf of my wife Brenda who had her surgery yesterday. Please bear with me as I try to do my best to update everyone until she is able to herself.
First of all, I would like to thank everyone for this wonderful site. It is and remains a tremendous place of support, information and sense of community for my wife and I.
Brenda had a Mid Fossa approach to remove a 8mm AN. Surgery took approximately 5 1/2 hours and everything went extremely well. They were able to remove the entire tumor while preserving the facial and hearing nerves. The doctors believe she will have normal facial function but unsure yet at this point how much hearing loss she will have. This is really her first day in recovery and like most others on here, it has been rough. She had a temp resulting in her being extremely warm all night. Her biggest concerns have been migraines and nausea that contributed to her vomiting twice last night. She has been getting meds to help with this, but they were conservative last night and much of the morning until they could obtain a post surgery MRI. We were told the first 48 hours would be the roughest for her. As of 11am today, she seems to be resting better and I hoping she can continue on that path through this difficult stretch. Through all of this, I am totally amazed at Brenda's courage and strength - she is my hero!
That is all for now. I know if she could, she would be excited to announce that she is now an official postie!
We thank everyone for their continued support and prayers.
Bret
-
Bret,
Please tell Brenda my thoughts and prayers are with you both this Holiday Season.
Lynn
-
Hi Bret,
It sounds like Bren is doing very well. That's great news ;D
I was in your shoes nine months ago, so I know how you are feeling. The day after surgery Scarlett was still loaded with meds. and mostly out of it. However, the third day was like someone flipped a switch, she was eating, and up and around a little. I trust Brenda will improve just as fast.
It's easy to forget about yourself right now. So, remember to take care of yourself, eat and get your rest. We care about you too ;)
Thank you very much for the update.
Thinking of you both,
Rich & Scarlett
-
Give her my best!
We're all pulling for her to have a quick recovery.
-
Bret,
Thanks for the update! We all really appreciate hearing news when someone has surgery or other treatments..
Whoever told you that the first 48 hours were the roughest was spot on.. We like to say around here that the first 3 days after surgery don't count.. So, you're just confirming that for us.. After the first 3 days, things will slowly but surely get better.
I'm glad they were able to get the entire thing and that the facial and hearing nerves were spared in the process. It sounds like she's well on her way..
Congratulations to you both! Welcome Bren to Postieland for us!
Thanks,
Brian
-
My prayers are with you both the caregiver plays a very important role in the healing process and it sounds like you will be her rock. I am hoping that she will have minimal side effects, so far great news about the facial nerve and hopefully her hearing will come back.
Again my prayers,
Pat
-
Bret ~
Thanks so much for making the effort to update a large group of people that were praying for and thinking of Brenda as she underwent her AN surgery. It's a big relief to learn that she is through the surgery and appears to be doing well, with no real complications. This is great news! I'm sorry to read that your wife had a rough first (post-op) night but this is quite common with AN surgery. I hope today is a better day for Bren. She is a valued member and contributor to the ANA discussion forums and we're all rooting for her as she begins her recovery. You may have to 'pick up the slack' for awhile, but I'm sure that Brenda will be back to her old self in no time. Please let her know that me and a whiole bunch of folks are thinking of her right now. We're looking forward to seeing her first 'postie' message! :)
By the way, get some rest yourself and stay strong for Brenda. We're a very supportive group but I'll bet she appreciates your support, the most. ;)
Jim
-
Thank you so much for the update!!! I have been thinking about Bren and it is so nice to hear that she is doing well. Please send her all of my love and prayers for her fast recovery. I'm not surprised, after getting to know her some, that she is going through this like the tough lady she is. Also, I'm praying for her hearing!!!
Lyn
-
Bret~
Thank you so much for providing us with an update - give Brenda our love and sending healing thoughts her way! Take care of YOU so you can take care of HER!! ;)
K ;D
-
Thanks for the update. I hope the next 24 hours are much better for her and am so grateful that her outcome seems so positive. What wonderful news! Merry Christmas to you both!
Tam
-
What a great holiday present for both of you - a successful surgery! She should be feeling much better in a day or two. Please let her know that I am thrilled that she did so well and wishing her a speedy and uneventful recovery!
Cheryl
-
Bret -
thanks for updating us on Brenda; sounds like things are pretty typical for this soon in her recovery.
Please give her my best. Don't forget to take care of yourself during her recovery, as family members often find the whole AN experience just as stressful as the patient.
Merry Christmas,
Jan
-
Bret
Thank you for the wonderful news that Brenda is doing well and had a successful surgery. I was checking around the forum earlier to see if there was any news yet about how she was doing. Her first night sounds alot like mine and as others have said it will get better. This will be a Christmas that you both will remember for a long time! Give my best to Brenda and a hearty congrats on officially being a "postie"!
Erin
-
best wishes to a speedy recovery.
-
:) Yeah Bret I'm so glad to find this posting from you! Bren had been posting on my blog since my surgery 11/9, then we've been private messaging, turned to e-mail, then facebooked ;D
SOOOOOOOOO Happy she made it through surgery o.k. Please give her a great big hug from Denise in Michigan and wish her Merry Christmas from me. Tell her sorry we never got to talk on the phone like we planned. I wan't feeling great and she was working a lot. Be sure she gets her rest!
Take care and keep us posted!! I was so nervous based on some of her latest posts, so sounds as if things went better than planned. Good thing!
Don't forgot my big HUG!!
Denise Sanford..............from across the lake ;)
-
Hi Bret,
Thanks so much for the update. Thank God, the surgery was successful!! You go Bren, you rocked i!! My prayers have been answered. Rest up, and stay strong.
Bret, please give Bren my regards and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Hope she is home soon. Best wishes to you both for a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year!!!
Bren, I'm allset for my surgery on Monday, the 28th in Boston. I'm following in your footsteps and will wear the "magic scarf" in support for all of us!!! I am upbeat, and strong and can't wait to be on the "postie" side too.
Merry Christmas to all my fellow forum friends, and a Happy, Healthy New Year!!
May God Bless us all,
Gingerbread 6
Marie
-
Sounds great, hearing preserved and no facial issues. It doesn't get better then that. Congratulations.
Mike
-
Yayyy, sounds like she did very well! Thanks for the update!!!! Tell her welcome to the "December Postie" club! :)
Jay
-
Terrific news, thanks for updating us!
Tell Brenda to take it slow, rest and heal that is her job now!
Michelle ;D
-
Hi Everyone,
I hope you will be a ble to read this. My vision is very bad and typing is so difficult. Thank you all for your kind words and it feels great to be a postie! I know there are many more following in postie land and wish you all well. I haven't been on to much as I sure haven't felt good. So much pressure in my head and ear, etc. Most of this is probably normal, but still strange to me. Cannot wait to wash my hair! lol;) The docs said that the tumor was bigger than they had thought and when they removed the final bones the tumor "expanded" right away and was also much deeper in the canal than they thought. Have to go now, but hope to get back here again soon. I cannot see anymore. hugs
Bren~
-
Hooray, Bren!!!
Great to hear from you, but I am sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well just yet. I'll give you the advice that the wise people on this board keep giving me, "be patient because it does get better!" I think I expected an immediate recovery, but that isn't realistic. I am feeling a lot better though, and I know you will soon too!
I'm so happy that you are a postie. The worst is behind us and it is all looking better ahead!!! Rest and feel better.
Lyn
-
So glad to see that at least you are able to be on the computer that is a good sign, you just have to be patient and just take one step at a time do not overdo it !! Hope you have a speedy recovery and a Happy New Year.
Regards,
Pat
-
Bren
I think that Lyn put it best! It just takes time and things do get better. All of these nerves and your poor brain need time to heal but it does happen. Just keep telling yourself that. Happy New Year as a postie!
ERin
-
Bren,
Congratulations on a successful surgery, and so nice to see you posting!
Now go rest and get off the computer!
Really, just rest, sleep, walk, drink plenty of fluids, and don't do a lot of bending over. Got one of those grabbie things? I love em. Have on in the pantry for the shelves.
Baby yourself, you have been through a lot.
Happy New Year!
Maureen
-
Bren -
great to see you back ;D The things you are currently experiencing are usually due to being in early recovery; they should improve in time.
Thanks for checking in - and thank your husband for keeping us updated.
Get some rest.
Jan
-
Hi Brenda,
Sorry that you are still not feeling very well, but it is good to see you posting again.
Scarlett had trouble in the beginning looking at the computer also.
Hope the pressure subsides soon, and that your able to enjoy the "Happy New Year",
Rich & Scarlett
-
Brenda ~
I hope you can accommodate yet another 'welcome home' - from me. :)
You're only 9 days post-op and it was major surgery, which always has residual effect in terms of fatigue and healing of the affected nerves. Give yourself a little more time. Your vision will improve and you can post messages then. For now, relax and just 'chill out'. We'll all be here and looking forward to reading about your progress.
Jim
-
Brenda~
Good to hear from YOU! Listen to your body - it will lead you in its needs! It WILL all get better...
K ;D
-
Hey Bren,
Good to hear from you, I don't want to sound rude, but using your eyes too quickly may also delay the healing of them. Maybe try to get Bret to post for you for a bit until you can at least cover your bad eye and see perfect out your good eye. Take care and hope you get good rest!!
Happy New Year to you and Bret!!!
Denise
-
Hi Bren:
Great to read that you are through surgery and recovering!
I agree with Denise - let others post for you for a while. Give yourself lots of rest and let your body heal.
Wishing you and everyone on this forum a Happy New Year!
Cecile
-
Hi Bren,
How are you.. I hear you about everything. I have all the same issues too. just take it slow and easy. one day at a time. Hey, we got thru major brain surgery and are still here to talk about it. let Bret and your family take care of you. thinking of you each day as we recoup together... hand in there. my alarm just went off for my next dose of steriods, gotta keep those meds coming...
It's hard on the computer, I hear you. I just do what I can. Hey, it's snowing here, and so pretty... Enjoy you day.
Let friends pamper you too. I got a yummy veggie lasagna yesterday, and an edible arrangement fruit basket..
Happy, Healthy New Year in 2010.
Gingerbread 6
Marie
-
Hi Marie,
This is Brenda's hubby Bret. She wanted me to let you know that you have been in her prayers and she is so thankful you are doing well on the road to recovery. Congratulations Postie!
Bren finished her last of steroid two days ago and is hoping to now get some now much needed rest. she still has visual issues but things seem to be getting better each day. her post op appt is on monday. She is looking forward talking with you once you are both feeling better.
Hi everyone,
Bren wants to say thanks for all the congrats and support from everyone on here :)
Bret (Bren's hubby)
-
Hey Bret,
Thanks for tyoping for Bren. As you can see, my eyes are out of focus too. I have one weak eye on right too. gotta use fake tears. doctor said that will come back. Yeah, it's a slow healing progrss but we all hve to hang in there. Good luck with her post op. I'm calling for my appt tomorrow. gotta wash my hair!!!! Tell her I feel like hop along Cassidy, using a walking stick with my hip out ot joint... and as wobbly as hell..... the steriods stink..... My last day on them will be Frday. hurrah. appetite is coming back though..
Tell Bren I love and miss her....
Take care, rest up and be strong... 2010 wil be the best year for us all..
Marie
-
I don't want to sound rude, but using your eyes too quickly may also delay the healing of them.
Denise -
I've never heard of this. Any medical data behind it?
While you don't want to overdo anything post op, I always heard that using your eyes, walking (to help your balance), etc. were all good things to do post op and will help patients get back "on track" sooner.
Jan
-
I have to say that I was wondering about the eye thing too...while you obviously don't want to do anything big to hinder your healing (lifting 100 lbs!), my Dr. always said that the more I did, the better I would feel and it would sped up my overall healing. It all boils down to listening to your body and avoiding doing things to the point of exhaustion...
K ;D
-
I forgot my surgeon said if you don't use it you will lose it........of course within reason
-
Hi :) I'm new to this but I just wanted to let Bret & Brenda know that I'm praying for them and to hang in there, it gets better! I had acoustic neuroma removed (translab) Nov. 13th and I'm already feeling pretty much back to normal and I swam laps for the first time since surgery yesterday! Those first few weeks were tough but every day I felt a little bit stronger and did a little bit more. Make sure, both of you, to REST when your body says to. :) I'll be back--~michelle~
-
Well, sounds like Donnalynn got to most of it before me (thanks for great info.) Maybe my warnings were also more due to additional brain swelling??
BUT, the way my doctor put it was that the eyes are controlled with nerves and muscles too, just like all the other stuff, you NEED to exercise them, but also rest them and don't over do it. It will put strain on them. Hopefully that makes sense.
Take care Bren..
-
Oops, forgot, don't forget with most computers you can go t the View at the top and make the text size and zoom larger. Best thing to do when starting back on computer!! ;)