ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: Helga on July 16, 2009, 03:50:59 pm
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Just got back from Tufts after the successful removal of my critter on Tuesday. Unfortunately, lost all the hearing in my left ear, too entwined with the tumor to save the nerve, but everything else works so far. No facial issues, can walk on my own since this morning, didn't expect that and pretty darn happy about that. Obviously, tire easily, but that's what the cushy recliner and my wonderful sweetie are for. Pain managed with a couple Tylenol a day so far, thank you steroids!!! Surgery lasted about 3 1/2 to 4 hours all in all. Just wanted to check in, won't look again until tommorow or so, but hip hip hurray and have a great day/night. :)
Helga
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Way to go! Welcome to the Postie Land side ... Life does go on at this side too.
Sounds like you are making a good recovery ... glad to hear the facial nerve was not affected.
DHM
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Hi Helga,
I am glad to hear you are on the the other side and on your way to recovery. All the best.
Vivian
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Helga .....
WOW, that is a quick discharge from the hospital ...... unless I missed something somewhere on your treatment type. That is terrific that you are doing so well! Keep up the good work.
Clarice
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Awesome Helga! I love to read about experiences that go so well. It's always encouraging for the 'pre-posties'. Hope your recovery goes smoothly.
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Woo hoo! Home in less than 48 hours, you may have to compare notes with Ernie to see who got home quickest. Great news!
Now enjoy your rest and naps, and take it easy for a while.
Steve
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Helga, my bad! I thought you were having Gammaknife at Tufts... but.....
CONGRATS, CONGRATS, YOU POSTIE!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Please take it easy, get some rest and wellness wishes coming right atcha!
congrats!!!!!
Phyl
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Helga, you sound terrific! I'm so glad you are doing well. At the rate you are going, you are definitely going to give Ernie a run for his money on the recovery stories! I suppose next you will be challenging Joebloggs and Stoneax to a surfing contest... :D
Priscilla
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Great to hear such wonderful news! Congratulations!!
Grace
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Helga-
Wonderful news!! Rest and heal and let yourself be pampered, if possible. Keep us posted.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Unfortunately, lost all the hearing in my left ear, too entwined with the tumor to save the nerve
Helga -
this was my experience, also. All I can say is, please look into a BAHA when you're healed enough to give it some thought. They are amazing!
Good to see you again as a postie!
Best,
Jan
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All I can say is, please look into a BAHA when you're healed enough to give it some thought. They are amazing!
Thanks, Jan, I will start reseach on it shortly. Didn't won't to do it ahead of time, always that hope that some hearing would remain.
Yes, I am absolutely amazed by my recovery so far. Obviously the steroids are playing a big role with feeling as "up" right now. Went into surgery 9:30 am Tuesday, overnight in the ICU, Wednesday afternoon to regular room with very pleasant roomie, discharged from the hospital at 2 pm Thursday, slice of pizza on the way home on the Turnpike. In the ICU could just stand, but then walked the next morning on the unit, first on my sweetie's arm for one round, then by myself. Nice and slow, no sudden movements, voila. No dizziness, no funny head feeling. Didn't have to take any more Tylenol so far, feels like just incisional pain. Dr. Heilman did a suboccipital craniotomy, hoping he could save some hearing this way, but the incision is a little longer this way than I had hoped, goes a couple inches behind the ear down my neck, but the swelling is almost gone and I can move my head from side to side (sloowly) without much pain. Sleeping is going well, too, just a couple pillows and the recliner, although, days are easier than nights, but slept much better and in longer intervals last night. Took a nice walk around the yard yesterday enjoying the flowers. My stay at Tufts was excellent (maybe also because it was so short), the nursing staff super friendly and helpful, always smiling, couldn't have had a better experience from pre-op to discharge, everyting was very organized. Hey, what else do you expect frome the "Paul Pierce center for minimally invasive surgery", if he can bring the Celtics back, he can do anything! Dr. Heilman was phantastic about keeping my husband updated via phone and in person several times, from the OR and recovery room, I know this is not the place, maybe I'll write a blurb about him under "physcians", he is definitely worth considering if you are in the Boston area. By the way, Phyl, Gamma Knife with Dr. Wu was a brief consideration.
Of course, I expect a couple changes and set-backs, especially once off the steroids, but I think I'll do ok. If any newbies (haha, sounds funny, was one not long ago) or others are contemplating a decision, feel free to email me with questions. Of course, everyone and every tumor/recovery is different, but it definitely helped me to read as many different stories as possible for comparision.
Thanks to all of you for your support, no one else knows quite what it's like. You all made a huge difference in my life! :) :) :) - and summetrically!
Helga
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Great news, congratulations!
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Helga, you "sound" great! Keep up the good work!
(Didn't know you could get pizza on the Pike! I'll have to check that out! ::) )
Elaine
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Helga
Sounds great! Glad to hear everything is going so well. Get out and enjoy that pleasant(cool) summer weather in New England. I was supposed to have gone up there in early June to visit family and friends and catch a red sox/yankees game(had already bought plane and game tickets), but the good lord had other plans for me (AN surgery June 4) :-\.
Joe B
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Good for you, Helga! I'm glad things are going well. Still, don't forget to rest and take care of yourself too!
Joe, sorry about the game... what a disappointment!
Keri
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Hi Helga "Postie",
I can't believe you were discharged after 2 days. Yikes! I am truly impressed that you were well enough to eat pizza on the way home from the hospital.
I am so happy that your surgery went well. Your recuperation/recovery is getting off to a good start too.
Take care.
Theresa (tsl)
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Helga ~
I apologize for being so very late (a week!) to congratulate you on your successful surgery at Tufts in Boston. The brevity of your surgery and your quick discharge as well as your remarkable recovery are all very encouraging. I can only applaud you on your so-far successful AN experience and offer my hope that your recovery continues unimpeded. Thanks for the kind words about the folks posting here, too. :)
Jim
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Congrats Helga on your amazing recovery!
Take care of yourself and take you naps!
Good luck!
Helene in Sweden :)
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...and offer my hope that your recovery continues unimpeded. <Jim>
Thanks, Jim, that's exactly how I feel, almost a little too good, spooky. I take no good day for granted and am still amazed.
Helga
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HELGA!!!!!
How did I miss your surgery???? I have been sleeping most of my days, that's how!! I'm so sorry to have missed it! It sounds as though you have been making super recovery. Mine is long, but generally no serious bumps in the road.
How did you do when you went off steroids? I started having ups and downs once that wore off. I'm so glad things worked out well for you and you got this taken care of.
Let me know how youare.
Miss Molly