What is my long-term prognosis?

[MAlegant]

This is a question I never asked and one that I've been worried about.  I know the odds of the tumor growing back but other than that, do I run a continued risk of stroke and other complications?  I will ask the doctor on Oct. 7, but wonder what you all have been told.  I'm not afraid, I just want to know.
Thanks,
Marci

[Kate B]

Marci,

I never heard of a correlation nor has any doctor said that to me and I have asked about long term outcomes.  My friend's mother-in-law had an acoustic removed over 25 years ago (Jan btw from the Chicago Ear group) and is fine and enjoying life in her upper seventies.

My best hope is that you'll find out there is a better prognosis of the American Express company calling your husband to verify out of town shopping charges <grins related to ANA in Chicago post>

Kate

[MAlegant]

 
Thanks Kate

[lori67]

I was told that this doesn't lower my life expectancy at all.

So, we will all be able to grow old (and not gray, since we've already determined most of us take care of that part) together.   

Maybe we can all move into the same nursing home!  A bunch of old, wobbly, deaf people.  Now that sounds like fun!

Lori

[Jim Scott]

Marci:

Interesting question and yet one I never thought to ask my doctor. 

I would assume that if one is in relatively good health before and after surgery/radiation, there should be no significant effect on one's longevity.   You have a benign tumor, it's surgically removed and/or radiated and you heal.  Once the healing process is complete (not counting longer-term side effects such as facial paralysis) your body should function normally for the foreseeable future. 

I'm not a doctor and maybe I'm being somewhat naive but I don't expect my AN experience to affect my lifespan, which I assume will be somewhere in the nineties.    Hey, I'm just being optimistic.  My dad lived until age 92. 

Jim

[leapyrtwins]

Marci -

although I'm no doctor, beyond the 1-2% chance of regrowth, I think your long-term prognosis is excellent. 

Lori -

can I get the room next to yours at the nursing home?  I'm going to need lots of laughs in my old age 

Good crack about American Express, Kate     Lori, K, and I might have to add you to our comedy routine 

Jan

[LADavid]

Jan,
You, Kate, Lori and Kay need to keep the humor flowing.  Someday I'm going to compile it all and write a book called The Humor of an Acoustic Neuroma.

Marci, in everything I've read, I never saw it mentioned that the recurrence of a tumor is probable or even a good chance.  I have noticed a few people on the Forum -- in their signature lines -- who have had various surgeries related to the AN surgery itself -- but I don't recall anyone who had a regrowth.

Interesting question though.

David

[Kaybo]

Marci~
I alsways said that I would be playing golf in the Bahamas when I was 80 - I don't plan on slowing down any...

K

[leapyrtwins]

Uh, David?  If you do write the book, can we expect royalties?

I don't know how to play golf, but I'd like to retire in the Bahamas 

Jan

[Kaybo]

Jan~
I don't even know if there IS a golf course there...if not, I'll just hit a few balls into the ocean!     I'll sit on the sand & drink umbrella drinks with you!!   

K

[lori67]

I'm not a golfer either, but I am good at sitting in the sand and drinking umbrella drinks.

Marci, you can plan on retiring to the Bahamas with us.   

And Kay, you can't hit golf balls into the ocean - don't you watch Seinfeld???

Lori

[MAlegant]

That sounds really, really good.  Do we have to wait until retirement?

[Kaybo]

I'm in ANYTIME...the sooner the better!!   

K

[mimoore]

Hi Marci,
I have a bit of tumour on my facial nerve and there is a chance it could grow. IF it does grow I am relieved to know that it will not kill me - I am being monitored for the rest of my life. It will never get to the life threatening size it was before. My only fear/concern is how will the treatment, that I choose, affect me. I have facial paralysis and that pretty much freaked me out (I did not expect it at all). Although I am getting a tiny bit of movement, once it returns I won't want to loose it again. Scary but it is my life. I have always said I would never grow old gracefully that I would fight it tooth and nail now I have a new battle and will appreciate having the opportunity to grow old. Funny how you can change your perspective. We have a life to live Marci now we have this second chance. I am mushy today.
Hugs to all of you - thanks again for letting me ramble and being there for me.
Michelle 

[MAlegant]

Hi Michelle,
Since surgery I have felt mushy just about every day.  Each one feels like a gift, even the bad days.  I hope that stays with me forever. 

I'm glad you're getting movement and I know how hard it is to wait, but you are doing an amazing job.  My numbness continues and it's difficult to say if it's improving.  It's such a SLOW process.

Marci (never been slow)