ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: JulieW4 on June 24, 2008, 04:29:06 pm
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Well, I have decided to have surgery after investigating my radiation options. I had my films sent to Dr. Sheehan in Virginia and he felt that surgery was best based on the different growth pattern of my tumor. It is also a possibility that I have a facial schwanoma and that if that was discovered during surgery then the area around the tumor would be decompressed and radiation would be an option to treat the tumor. I have spent many hours on these message boards reading and feel very fortunate that I am going into surgery knowing all the possibilities of complications. The last couple of days have been a roller coaster of emotions. From the beginning of the discovery of my AN every doctor that I spoke with always described my tumor as unique and my gut has been telling me that surgery was probably the best chose for treatment. I have complete faith in my surgeon and just pray that recovery will go smoothly. I will keep everyone informed of my recovery process and am again grateful for the incredible support that these forums give me.
Julie
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Julie -
best of luck with your surgery. We are all "unique" here, but it sounds like you are "extra unique" :)
Treatment decisions are always very hard decisions, but it sounds like you've made the best choice for you - which is what it's all about. Having complete faith in your surgeon IMO is key. I had complete faith in my two surgeons and it helped me immensely - both going into my surgery and during my recovery.
If you have time, please put your surgery date on the AN Calendar (there is a link at the bottom of sgerrard's profile) so we can all remember to wish you well on your "big" day.
Jan
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Welcome to the facial neuroma club. I've been feeling lonely here!
Anne Marie
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Good luck on Monday, Julie. Good for you for making a decision and getting your surgery scheduled. Will be watching for news of your recovery and hope all goes well.
Cindy
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Anne Marie, we hope for a good outcome for you someday as well as Julie as I am evidence that it it can be helped!
Cheryl R
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All the luck to you! I'm sure they will do a great job!
keep us posted
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Good luck and best wishes for a fast recovery, Julie!
Tumbleweed
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Good luck to you Julie! I hope all goes well and you are back home recovering in no time!
Now you facial tumor folks can have your own little clique!
Lori
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Julie:
Congratulations on having made that difficult but crucial decision on treatment and having a scheduled surgery.
Many thoughts and prayers will go with you next Friday. Mine included.
We'll support you and look forward to seeing you here as a 'postie' before very long.
Meanwhile, get some rest and definitely stay positive. You'll do just fine. :)
Jim
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Julie, positive thoughts to you on Monday, I'll be thinking about you. Prayers to your surgeons, nurses and other doctors handling your case so your outcome is a successful one.
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Julie -
I just noticed from your profile that you will be getting the BAHA surgery at the same time as your AN surgery.
Good luck - I love my BAHA; I think you will too ;D
Jan
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Lots of prayers coming your way, Julie. Try to stay calm over the weekend - Monday will be here before you know it.
Debbi
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Julie:
Good luck Monday. I'll be sending good vibes your way.
Linda
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Lots of prayers coming your way, Julie. Try to stay calm over the weekend - Monday will be here before you know it.
July will be here before we know it. Best wishes on the surgery, Julie.
Steve
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All your well wishes mean a whole lot. It helps so much to know that they're others out there who have gone through the same thing I am about to experience. I am obviously very nervous but it's good to know that I will have many people beside my immediate family and friends who will be praying and thinking about me.
Jan, yes I am very excited to be getting the BAHA. As you know it will be three months before I will get to experience the benefits of it, but I am looking forward to being able to locate my cell phone when it rings.
Thanks again everyone. I will keep you posted.
Julie
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Hi, Julie:
I just now noticed your signature says you have a 2.7mm by 3.7 mm AN. Is it really that small? Your symptoms are quite significant for a tumor that size. Did you really mean to write that it is 2.7 cm (centimeters) by 3.7 cm?
Tumbleweed
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No Tumbleweed, I have the dimensions correctly. At first the MRI report didn't have the size of the tumor so I requested that the radiologist determine the size. Plus, I felt left out because everyone else had the size of their tumor on their tagline. The size is why I investigated GK and CK but ended up deciding that surgery was best since every doctor consulted remarked that the growth pattern was very atypical, plus every doctor also felt that I could also possibly have a facial schwanoma. I really feel I am making the right decision for me. It is a small tumor, but it does seem to be a mighty one.
Julie
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Their suspicions about it being a facial schwannoma make sense. From what I've read and observed as a layperson, the facial nerve is usually more resilient with vestibular schwannomas and usually isn't affected until it's a much bigger size than yours. Your facial symptom probably makes it more likely the tumor originated on your facial nerve. Of course, I'm no expert. Your doctors know best.
Good luck with your surgery, Julie. I hope your recovery is speedy and complete.
Best wishes,
Tumbleweed
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Julie,
Will someone be updating us on your behalf?
I know it will be difficult, but do try and get some R&R over the weekend. I'm praying for surgeons with steady hands, and pray that your surgery will go well.
Keep us posted.
Syl
Recent newcomer to postieland
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Julie~
Good thoughts and many prayers for you, your family and your doctors on Monday. I hope you can relax a bit and have a peaceful weekend.
K
PS-I will be in SA in August & would love to get together if you are interested; however, I will be with my hubby's family and will not have a car...we will be staying at the Hyatt Hill Country.
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Julie,
Good luck on Monday. Wishing you a speedy recovery with no complications. Please let us know how you're doing when you are up to it.
Wendy
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Julie -
best wishes on tomorrow's surgery. I hope everything goes well for you.
We're all anxious to welcome you back here as a postie! ;D
Jan
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I probably won't get any sleep 2nite, but I know I have a lot of people who are sending me positive thoughts and prayers. My best friend Denise will be updating everyone on my progress until I can personally do it. She has been my co-researcher during this process.
Julie
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Julie:
Allow me to throw in very last-minute good thoughts for your incipient AN surgery.
I'll join many others in thinking of and praying for you today and as you recover.
We'll look forward to your friend Denise' postings on your behalf. :)
Jim
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Julie -
don't worry about the sleep. You'll get plenty tomorrow during your surgery and hopefully much more during your recovery :)
I'm glad that Denise will be updating us; a big thank you to her.
Jan
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I'll be thinking of you today, Julie!
Katie
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Hi,
This is Denise, I am posting for Julie, who wanted me to keep ya'll updated. She had the best of all possible outcomes. The surgery was just about 5 hours. They discovered it was an acoustic neuroma and not a facial schwanoma (i know i spelled that wrong). The tumor was around the facial nerve, but not part of it. So the nerve was left intact and healthy. The atypical part - was that the tumor had grown into the cochlea - perhaps because of her bone structure? They removed all of the tumor. She has some minimal facial drooping, which could increase a bit in the coming days BUT they expect a complete recovery as the nerve is in good shape. She was doing well tonight, sipping juice and complaining of pain at the site. She's had a lot of morphine but remains clear as a bell - thinking maybe she was hitting some drugs on the side and has a tolerance we didn't know about? ::) Just kidding! She was beginning to doze and rest a bit and although the pain was still there she seemed to be able to sleep in brief moments. I did tease her a bit, they kinda left some gel in her a la' something-about-mary style!!
she's wondering if ya'll have any advice about dealing with the pain at the site? i'll check here in the morning before i go to see her.
ya'll are great and julie talks about what a difference you've made at this difficult time. Thanks for being there for my best friend!
- denise
dlmoore83@yahoo.com
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Denise -
thank you SO much for updating us - and for updating us so fast! I was amazed to see a post this soon!
I'm glad to hear that Julie is doing so well ;D
You don't mention the BAHA implant; did she get one?
I don't have any advice about site pain - I didn't have any thankfully. I'm sure someone will offer some advice for this problem before the night is through.
Please give Julie our best :)
Jan
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Denise~
I'm sorry that I don't have any advice for the pain but I am so glad that everything went well! Who knows about that drug use?? ??? ;D
Give her a big hug for us!! Thanks for updating - what a good friend!
K
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Very good, thanks for the update, Denise. As for post-surgery symptoms, the first three days don't count. :)
Tell Julie we look forward to seeing her back on the forum soon. You're welcome to visit anytime too.
Steve
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Denise -
Thanks for the update. I've got a nice mental picture of Julie with the "gel" in her hair! :D
I didn't have any pain (that I can remember anyway) after surgery, but I would suggest - MORE drugs! No reason to be in pain if you don't have to be, so if the nurses and docs offer them - take them! In a few days, she hopefully won't even need them anymore.
Tell her to hang in there!
Lori
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Denise:
Thanks for the prompt update. Good news really does travel fast! ;)
I'm sorry Julie is in some pain but the medicinal drugs should help and it should subside, soon. Still, she is otherwise doing well and as Steve stated: "the first 3 days post-op don't count"...an astute observation for a guy that didn't have surgery...and well put. :)
I'm sure we'll be seeing Julie's posts here soon but until then, tell her we appreciate your updates. She has a real friend in you.
Jim
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as Steve stated: "the first 3 days post-op don't count"...an astute observation for a guy that didn't have surgery
You know, I noticed that too ::) ;D
Denise -
I hope Julie continues to feel better every day. And yes, please stress that she's only to take "medicinal" drugs. We don't want to be accused of not just saying NO! ;D PS - Lori, I'm shocked by your behavior! :o LOL
Jan
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I have just now read Julie's post. Denise, I am so glad she is doing well and her facial nerve is intact. I hope she continues to do well. I will say a prayer for her for a speedy recovery with no complications!
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Glad to hear her surgery went well and that she is on the road to recovery. Take it one day at a time Julie. I'm happy you have had a good outcome and I know the road may seem a long, slow one, I pray you heal fast!
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Hi Denise - and Julie (you postie, you!)
First of all, so glad Julie is doing well and that the surgeon's did such a good job! Best advice on pain is to let the nurses know, and be as specific as possible - they will be able to treat accordingly. I remember being in all sorts of pain the first few days, but then everythiing got better quickly. If she has a big gauze "bonnet" on, it is possible that it is causing some additional pain because it is a pressure dressing and is, therefore, really tight. Mine hurt both of my ears like the devil!
In addition to pain meds, she might also try slow deep breathing (think yoga). It may sound silly, but it really does help on pain management. It also has the added advantage of helping get some of the anesthesia out of her lungs, too. The key is to breath slowly and very, very deeply.
Hopefully by today, Julie's pain will be subsiding. Give her three cheers and lots of hugs!
Debbi in NJ