Mid Fossa Scheduled 3/3 with Dr Friedman

[stephanie_megan]

I'm a First time poster :-)

My Husband Kevin is having Mid Fossa surgery at House with Dr. Friedman on Wednesday March 3.  We live in Chicago, so we have to travel.  Wondering if anyone has any advice for post-op living out there.  I think I'll stay at the Seton Guest Center, but his parents are coming too and I'm not sure they'll be able to get a room too. 

Any little bits of advice will be appreciated!

So far we're very impressed with Dr. Friedman.  Has been communicating with me via email and phone almost non stop for a few days now. 

Feel free to email me directly or post back here. 

Thanks!

[Jim Scott]

Hello and welcome, Stephanie!

I'm sorry your husband has to deal with an acoustic neuroma but I'm pleased that you've discovered the ANA website and the Discussion Forums, which I believe (ahem) are a valuable resource for AN patients. 

Although you didn't state it directly, I gathered from your post that your husband is having AN removal surgery at the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, California and that Dr. Rick Friedman will be his primary doctor.  From the accounts of our members that have opted for treatment at HEI, many with Dr. Friedman, I think it's safe to say that your husband is in good hands.

I didn't have my AN surgery at HEI, so I'm unable to offer the information you're seeking.  However, I have no doubt that many posters will be adding to this thread quite soon and supplying the information you asked for.  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the responses you'll receive in a fairly short period of time, because this is a very active message board with many members that are eager to help and advise.  I know you'll be glad you found us. 

Jim

[lawmama]

Hi Stephanie!

Welcome and I'm sorry to hear that you husband is dealing with an AN.  It seems that he is very lucky to have a supportive wife to see him through this.

I did not have my surgery with Dr. Friedman, but I have heard a lot about him on this board and he has an excellent reputation.  I wish your husband a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. 

Lyn

[JerseyGirl2]

Hi, Stephanie,

As the others have said, I'm also sorry that your husband has been diagnosed with an AN, but I think you'll find some good information on this forum.

I had AN surgery (translab procedure) at House in January 2008 and can't say enough good things about the entire experience. My husband and I stayed at Seton and found it to be quite comfortable. If you do a search on "Seton" and "House" on this forum you'll find a tremendous number of posts that will give you some good ideas of what to expect.

A couple of things I like to suggest to future House patients include (1) renting a car with a GPS (if you're unfamiliar with the area); we couldn't have managed without a car, but I'll certainly add that I know lots of patients who didn't bother with a car and they did just fine, too. The freeways weren't quite as intimidating as we had feared and we did lots of driving around both before and after my surgery. And (2) if you have some frequent flyer miles you might want to consider upgrading your return flight to first class -- the extra room, quieter atmosphere, and speedier passage through LAX security were very much appreciated after surgery.

Best wishes as your husband's surgery date approaches -- he'll be in wonderful hands at House and St. Vincent's!

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[cindyj]

Hi, Stephanie...glad you've found us, but as others have noted, sorry you had to.  Dr. Friedman and Schwartz did my translab.  Both my mother and my husband flew out to LA with me.  My husband stayed at Seton, but my mother stayed at a nearby hotel - Kyoto Gardens.  I think Seton, in general, will only give a family one room per patient.  The folks at House will provide you with a list of local hotels.  The hotel offered a daily voucher for a free taxi to and from St. Vincent's every day, so it was very easy for my mom to get around.  She would go over to my husband's room in Seton every once in awhile for a nap or internet access, but returned to her hotel room every night.   My husband actually ended up sleeping in my hospital room every night, but he used the Seton room for naps and showers.

I agree with Catherine (JerseyGirl2) about the GPS if you rent a car.  We got a car, but not the GPS and were immediately sorry we hadn't. 

You are in great hands out there - you will feel such a peace when you first arrive and see both House and St. Vincent's.  Please let us know any other questions you may have - as Jim said, there are many of us here who are happy to help as best we can.

Take care of you and Kevin

Cindy

[leapyrtwins]

Hi, Stephanie -

I'm glad to hear that Kevin has made his surgery decision after cancelling with Dr. Wiet.

I hope everything goes well for him.

Jan

[jaylogs]

Hello Stephanie, sorry you guys had to find this club, but very glad you did...I sent you a PM with some very detailed info about my experiences at House...There's a lot there, but it should help.  Let me know if you need any more info or some clarification on what I sent you!
Jay

[Amplified2000]

I got me a good woman here don't I?

[ppearl214]

I got me a good woman here don't I?

Is Steph your better half? You are VERY lucky if she is, as she's certainly looking out for you during this time. I know you have been tossing Chicago vs. HEI and sending wellness wishes with your upcoming procedure with Friedman.

Phyl

[stephanie_megan]

Thank you EVERYONE for your thoughts, prayers, advice and comments.  We're far better prepared with your information.  I'll keep y'all updated next week. 

[Jeff]

I wish you well. I have had 3 surgeries performed by Dr. F. He's a great guy. Please take care.
Jeff

[Amplified2000]

I got me a good woman here don't I?

Is Steph your better half? You are VERY lucky if she is, as she's certainly looking out for you during this time. I know you have been tossing Chicago vs. HEI and sending wellness wishes with your upcoming procedure with Friedman.

Phyl

My better half she is It's been a torturous process deciding between Dr. Wiet and CEI and Dr. Friedman and HEI but in the end we felt that Dr. Friedman's experience and attitude were going to serve me well as we try to preserve some hearing in that right ear. Since there is no tumor on the right side I'm not NF2, yet.. it is always a possibility given my history so we felt we needed to do everything we could to save hearing on the left. Dr. Friedman has been outstanding, he has spent countless hours e-mailing and talking to us even tho his office has not been paid a dime by myself or my insurance company.

Had we followed the original plan I would be in the NICU post-op after having trans-lab right now.

[Mei Mei]

Dear Stephanie,
I was in contact with Dr. Friedman and he spent much time emailing me and talking with me over the phone.   You've made a fine choice.   He also recommended Mid Fossa for me but I chose to stay closer to home at Johns Hopkins.

You might want to get on the Willing to Talk list for more people that have been to House.   I spoke to someone in my neighborhood in Maryland that went out to House and spoke to me at length about the facilities.   Give it a try and best of luck!
Mei Mei

[stephanie_megan]

I'm in the process of packing for the trip.  Any "must have" items we should bring?

[cindyj]

Much discussed topic around here   Here's one link to a discussion and there's a link within that link with even more info...Lip balm is the main theme in all of the threads I've ever seen on this topic!  Pack light, for sure!

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=9251.0

Let us know if any thing else comes to mind that you'd like to know...best to both of you next week!

Cindy