ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: denisecarey on August 28, 2009, 04:34:23 pm
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Hi everyone, My name is denise I am 36 and i was diagnosed with a an in may it is 3.8cm wide 3.11cm long, I find these forums so helpful with answering my thoughts of what to expect after the op.
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Denise,
So sorry your having to go through this AN stuff. wow almost 4cm is a biggie. You'll need to get that outa there asap. Best to you, I'm assuming they are doing translab approach due to size. Best to you. See you on the other side.
patti ut
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Hi Denise~
WELCOME! Do you have specific questions about after the surgery or have you already found the answers to your questions in other topics? Feel free to ask anything here - we are used to it all! ;) If you would like to talk to someone, I would be more than happy to call you - just PM your number. Where will you be having surgery?
K
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Hi Denise and Welcome to this group of caring, supportive people on the Forum!
I hope you will feel free to ask any specific questions you may have. When is your surgery scheduled?
As you have been reading, each of our AN journeys is a unique one but we are all supportive of each other so I am glad you felt comfortable enough to post.
Please keep us up to date with how things are with you.
Clarice
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Hi Denise!
Welcome to this distinguished group of ANers - not a group I sought out to join, but I'm awfully proud to be a member now! You sound like you're in good spirits - I'm sure you're a bundle of nerves. You've sure got a big one - mine was a good size too and it's great to have it out of my head! As everyone has said (and meant from the heart) - ask away, we're all behind you and supporting you, and sending prayers your way.
Kathy
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Hi, Denise and welcome to the forum.
I had surgery also - retrosigmoid a little over 2 years ago - and my AN was about 3 cm.
As others have said, 4cm is a good size AN. Are your surgeons going to debulk it and then do radiation? or just remove it surgically?
Jan
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Hi Denise and welcome.
I cannot help you with the surgery questions, since i am in W &W.
I have heard the one item you need to take with you when you do have surgery is chapstick- so put this on your shopping list!
My thoughts and prayers during this time.
Let us know your surgery date, so we can put it on the AN calendar - or you can post it there yourself.
Please keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Sue
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Hi Denise and please accept yet another sincere welcome from a fellow AN patient.
As my signature shows, I had a 4.5 cm AN partially removed (the remainder was radiated) over 3 years ago and did just fine, with minimal complications. I trust you'll have a similar experience.
I've added your surgery date to our 'AN Treatment Calendar' here: http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d03/09/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d03/09/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B). I only had the minimal information so please feel free to add more, if you wish.
Thanks for posting. Please post again if you have any questions you think we might collectively be able to answer. We'll certainly try! :)
Jim
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hi there every1 ty for all the lovely replies, yes i am having most of the an out then radiotherapy, surgeons r going in behind ear not sure what that is called he didnt say, it has been a very long 4 months since i was diagnosed I have been very good about it, I am very proud of how i took the news from consultant in may and how i have reacted since I carried on life as normal. I have found myself getting very emotional over the last few days but I know that an has 2 b removed (as soon as i was told I was saying gotta get this thing out) and am not ashamed of feeling scared as im sure every1 feels scared and emotional. When tumor is removed ent said I will b ssd. Ty 4 all ur support I will let u all know how i got on when i come out of hospital. Denise
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Hi Denise,
Welcome to the forum. This is a great place for info and support. Where are you having your surgery done? If you can, have someone keep us updated on how you are doing. Any questions, ask away. You will get answers to anything you ask. You have already come through one of the hardest parts. Deciding what, when and whom is going to do it. I'm sure you will do fine.
Lois
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Hi all
I will b having op in heath hospital in cardiff wales UK. Denise
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surgeons r going in behind ear not sure what that is called he didnt say,
That would be retrosigmoid.
Good luck on Thursday, Denise!
You'll be a postie soon ;D
Jan
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Jan~
If it is behind the ear, couldn't it be a translab too?
K
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Yea, now that you mention it, I guess it could be.
I always think of translab as going through the ear - but there is a scar behind the ear also (just like retrosigmoid).
Okay, Denise, so you are either having retrosigmoid or translab. Clears that up ;)
Jan
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Hello every1 im back had op with no probs on 3rd it was retro not translab, I am now ssd, have swallowing issues and cannot cry out of 1 eye (but that eye blinks????) was told op went welll and those seem to be only issues I have at the moment (well very unsteady on feet and get very dizzy).
to tired to say much else will keep u all upto date.
Denise
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Denise ~
Thanks so much for your surgery update. I hope the swallowing issues and 'dry eye' will resolve quickly. Unfortunately, the SSD won't - but one adjusts - and if you can't, there are a variety of hearing aids available. Your unsteadiness should diminish with time and some effort on your part to regain your equilibrium. Right now, just a week out of surgery, is the time to rest.
Jim
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Hi Denise
I'm happy to hear you are doing well. As Jim, said right now it's time to get plenty of rest. You will start to adapt to the SSD and hopefully any other issues will begin to improve...that will just take time. But for now your "job" is to rest and take good care of yourself. Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing!
Erin
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Glad to hear you are a postie now, Denise. Take care and take lots of naps. ;)
Steve
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Hi again
Been shopping 2day 4 some nice soft food mmmmm lovely. Good news is this morning i weighed and have lost nearly a stone woo hoo mayb this soft food is a good thing. I am finding it very difficult 2 watch tv or look at pc screen any1 else experience this, everything is not in focus if u know what i mean.
Had a very good nights sleep last night without all the bleeping in hopsital, also a lovely few hrs this afternoon.
c u all again 2morrow
Denise
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Hi Denise,
I am glad you are doing o.k. and I am sorry I didn't catch your posts before your surgery. I wish you welll on your recovery.
Vivian
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Hi every1
Have had a bad few days with headaches, if I was not in agony with headache was asleep.
Having staples removed 2morrow at 2 15 pm, will let u know how that goes.
ttfn
Denise
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Denise ~
Congratulations on your near-1 stone (14 U.S. pounds) weight loss. Soft food apparently does have it's advantages. :) However, I'm sorry to learn of your post-op headaches and inability to focus. I had that focusing problem too, but it resolved over the 5 days I was in hospital. I truly hope you're feeling better and that the staple removal is uneventful. Be sure to inform your physician of any issues you may have. He may consider them 'routine' but he may also be able to prescribe some medication to help. It's certainly worth mentioning. We'll be looking for your update on Monday (9/14).
Jim
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Hti Denise
I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble with headaches. I had the same issue post op. Be sure to talk to your Dr about them. They should be able to get you started on some medication to help. It seems that no one thing helps those of us with headaches but I was lucky and found some medication that helped mine pretty quickly. I hope that you have the same expirence. Keep us posted on how you are doing Denise and continue to get tons of rest-it seems like you have that covered though ;D.
Erin
PS Jim thank you for the stone to lbs conversion....I was wondering about that!
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hi everyone
I haven been to docs today because of a leaky wound and have been put on antibiotics because of infection. Should stop leaking once antiibiotics kick in.
I am still very tired and getting alot of sleep and headaches are still a major problem. I have been eating food that isnt baby consistency, it takes a while and hurts my throat a little but am getting there.
ttfn
Denise
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Denise ~
I was sorry to read about your incision infection. Unfortunately, they are relatively common. I trust the antibiotics will remedy that and your leak will subside, quickly. Rest as necessary and eat what you can, when you can. You'll improve and be able to do more as time goes on. Thanks again for keeping your AN friends informed. It's appreciated. :)
Jim
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hi all
I am feeling great 2day infection cleared up quickly.
Wound looks alot better was very red and angry, now it is amazing (Brian took photos day staples where removed and yesterday if u r wondering how i know).
Hope every1 is ok.
Denise
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Denise
My apologies for being late, but wanted to send the wellness wishes your way. Sorry to hear about the infection but sounds like you are now on the right road to wellness.
Hang in there.... speedy wellness wishes/hugglez to you!
Phyl
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Denise ~
Thanks again for the positive news! So pleased to learn that you're coming right along with your healing and recovery. Keep up the good work! :)
Jim
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Denise .....
I have been away from the Forum for a couple of weeks. Glad to learn your surgery is behind you. Sorry you had the complications with headaches and wound infection. Hopefully, both are better by now. Be sure to take enough naps to allow your body to heal.
Keep us posted.
Clarice
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hi all, been a while since last post, I am doing well. I got my haircut on monday, you can hardlly even notice that 6 weeks ago I had brain surgery my hair has grown back so well.
How are you all doing?
I go for my 3 month check on 2 dec 09, I dont know if i get an mri on that day I cant really remember what i was told on discharge but we shall see on the day.
Denise
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Denise!
I'm happy to hear that you are continuing to do well. Can't believe you are six weeks post op already. I remember my first hair cut and how I had to prepare my hairdresser for the scars-she handled it all really well and was very gentle on my AN side. I had my 1st post op MRI at 3 months post op but I think everyone is different. Again, happ y to hear you are doing well.
Erin
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hi I cant believe its 6 weeks either, yes my hairdresser was very gentle 2.
I have just realised i am posting in wrong thread will have 2 remember 2 post in post op next time.
Denise