ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: neetze1 on January 11, 2013, 10:27:19 pm
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Hello everyone. Another problem on my mind--like I don't have enough to deal with right now......
A few weeks before I started having tinnitus, which lead to my diagnosis of an AN, I booked a dream 10day land/sea cruise to Alaska in September of 2013. I am just in the very early stages of this process. Had a consultation with Dr Luxford from HEI and he said I need Translab because if the size of the AN. I also have an appt with Dr. Andrews from Jefferson on Monday, I am still waiting for Univ of Pennsylvania to even return my call.
Do you think I have any chance of being well enough to take this trip in September considering I don't even have surgery scheduled yet?
I know this a minor problem but I have other people involved with this trip. With all I am reading about dizziness I am not sure I will be able to stand the motion of a ship. I did buy trip insurance so I should be able to cancel. Should I wait and hope, or just give it up? ???
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Hi, Anita ~
Post-op balance issues can be problematic but of course, how much so varies from patient to patient and cannot be predicted with any real accuracy. That being the case, and the fact that the trip is scheduled for 9 months from now, I would suggest that you 'wait and hope', assuming surgery will performed in the next few months, giving you enough time to cancel the trip with no financial penalty. In fact, knowing your cruise awaits could end up being a strong motivation to recover your balance functions to the extent that you can take and enjoy the cruise in September. Other AN patients have taken cruises following surgery and were fine. I trust that you'll have a similar experience.
Jim
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Anita, Being dizzy and being off balance is 2 different things also. I've never been dizzy with any of my surgeries. Off balance feel was more light headed weird feel that affected my walking mostly in the outside or at places with big open areas. Walking in the dark and on certain types of shiny tile or wet areas. I have never been on a cruise but did go across Lake Michigan once on a large ferry with no difficulty. It is hard to say how you will be post op and also if your brian has done some compensating for it already too. I would leave the trip on and wait till as long as possible before canceling if do end up wanting to. Each person varies with this and is hard to find the right answer for ones self.
Cheryl R
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You don't know what's going to happen till it happens.
Since you do have trip insurance, I'd suggest waiting.
Even if you have balance issues after surgery you'll have quite a few months to work on vestibular therapy.
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I'm dealing with a similar choice myself. I was diagnosed just before Christmas and just a week after we put our deposit on our dream trip to Italy in October 2013. We have purchased trip insurance and will wait until the very last minute to decide if we can go. Although I will likely have gamma knife on my AN, one of my meningiomas needs to be removed (opposite side from the AN) and the thought of brain surgery scares me to death but thinking about looking at the stunning Mediterranean Sea again is my motivation to move forward, get past this and move on! Personally, I would get the trip insurance and keep the vision of your dream vacation :)
Good luck!
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Thank you all for the replies. I think I will wait a little longer and see how this pans out. I agree that it will give me a goal to work towards. I hope Nannybee gets to go to Italy too! Thanks again! Anita
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Hi Anita,
I'm a newbie here too only I had my surgery in 1991. My tumor was the size of a tennis ball. I had tinnitus before surgery. Afterwards I had deafness, facial paralysis in AN side and balance issues. I was in the hospital for 5 days and then did an in-house physical therapy for 5 days as well. Two weeks after surgery I was driving. I really suggest therapy for balance. Heck I even wear heels and love dancing. I was taught so many things including never locking your joints so if you lose your balance you can easily recoup. Now to the point that I was going to make is that I have gone on two cruises and I did better at sea than my non-NA friends. With my learned skills on balance I was able to roll with the punches. Actually one rough day at sea the ship was like a ghost town, I had no problem getting around because I was use to being dizzy. You have insurance so what until the time nears then see how you feel. Well wishes to you in the upcoming days. Stay strong!
Sue
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Hi Anita:
Although everyones recovery is different I just wanted to let you know that my husband flew to the Bahamas 3 weeks after his surgery and was fine with his balance. It is your choice to make but I think it will give you something to look forward to.
Karen
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neetz
I had translab In july 2011 and went on a cruise in November. then on another me the following year and have yet another scheduled for this September. I just had my doctor prescribe me the notation sickness stickers that go behind your ear. I did use it for 3 days this past trip because I wasn't feeling great and it worked great I think I may have been sick from a bit too much to drink! regardless it made me feel better ! just talk to the doctors about your concerns they may even postpone your surgery until after depending on your situation good luck with it all but don't cancel your trip!!
also I did some light kayaking about 2 months after getting out of the hospital and my biggest problem was being tired I felt pretty great !!
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Thank you all for your advice! >ginsue, glad you did better than your shipmates! Who knew there would be an upside to being dizzy!
Thanks for the tip about motion sickness stickers sarahinPA. I hope I will be in good enough shape to go when the time comes.
I haven't had much time to think about it lately with all of the research I have been doing and Dr visits trying to figure out how best to handle this little problem in my head! I hope to be planning shore excursions soon instead of treatment plans!
Thanks again!
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Anita always look for the upside no matter what live deals you. Remember that it could always be worse, so be thankful for what you have. I wish you the best my friend. :)
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Hi Anita,
I recently went on an Alaskan cruise this past September. I can tell you that the seas really didn't get that rough. Do you have a room inside or a balcony. I highly suggest a balcony room as you will get the see whales and other stuff from the comfort of your own room. I hope you get to go on it cause like you said it is a trip of a lifetime and we had the best time. Best of luck!!
Kathy
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Kathy-we have a balcony booked. I really want to go!
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What are your ports and what cruise line??? We started out in Seattle headed to Juneau, Skagway, Kitchekan and B.C.
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Princess 10 day land/sea. Fairbanks, Denali, Mt McKinley then cruise from Whittier to Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park,
Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Inside Passage and end in Vancouver.
I thought I was healthy when I booked this. Now I am tired just reading it!
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Anita,
I just returned with my family from our second cruise since my translab procedure in Sept. 2011. The first cruise was within 6 months of my surgery. The apprehension you share was certainly an emotion I felt. Dizziness is not really my issue but balance an unsteadiness as some have described is. I found the challenges I have on land to be much the same on board a ship...spiral staircases and walking in the dark are not my friends. However, the motion of the ship was not a problem for me. In fact, I had to chuckle at some staggering onboard...I fit right in and in somecases adapted better than the "norm".
You need to do what makes you comfortable with this decision, but I would agree with comments others have already made...wait and see. Keep this opportunity on the table for now. It may be just the relaxing getaway you need to reward yourself.
Oh, and I did get your message regarding the HEI pictures. I'll be glad to email them to you. I have a bunch. Just PM me your email and I'll send you some Kodak moments. I have a variety of photos from Seton Hall and HEI.
All the best ~ schmidtkat (Kathy)
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Anita,
What size is your AN? Since you have trip insurance, why not wait and see what happens.
Bonnie
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Thanks Kathy, I am looking forward to your pictures. I did pm you. I hope you got it. I have made my decision and I am planning on going go HEI. I have a date in March. Waiting to see if insurance is approved. Then I will begin looking for airfare, car rental etc.
Having place to stay takes away so much stress! I am sure it will be just fine!
Anita
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Bonnie, it is 2.4 x 3.4 cc luckly I did buy insurance ;)
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To All:
From what I have heard about the recent scuttling in Italy and the recent fire that the cruise industry has downplayed in the news I would rethink any arrangements that I have made. I also should disclose that I have made 4 cruises. ( All uneventful ) So I am a fan of cruising. I'll take the train next time!
However, spending all that time with no power is too much for anyone to bear especially with no flushing toilets!
Mike
Floating cities they are, but they should have an alternate generator. Just my considered opinion.