ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: shabuck on November 24, 2009, 03:21:49 pm
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Hi everyone, as you can see from my subject i'm from England and just happened to find this board... its amazing that there are so many of us when the odds in the uk are 13 in a million...
My AN was diagnosed 4 weeks ago, 2cm on my left side... I never knew I could have so many emotions in turmoil all at once and like all of you devastation was the first, but gradually you accept and do lots of research.
It didn't take me long to make my decision I just couldn't live with this invader in my head so my surgery is on the 3rd Dec at St Georges hospital in London.
I cant wait for the date to come but at the same time I am scared beyone recognition.... positive thoughts I know will keep me strong.
I have just started reading all your posts and the support from you guys to each other is fantastic.
I'm pleased to be part of your family... fingers crossed for the 3rd.
Sharon
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Hi, Sharon, - and welcome ~
I'm sorry you're the recipient of an acoustic neuroma diagnosis but glad you found this website, decided to register and post. You're certainly among friends and definitely part of the family!
Your pre-op emotions are typical but your realization that thinking positive is helpful is wise and will help you through this situation, right along with our hopes and prayers for you on December 3rd.
I've taken the liberty of adding your surgery date to our AN Treatment Calendar http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d03/12/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d03/12/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B)
Please feel free to add anything pertinent.
Jim
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Hi Sharon
It's a little weird in this situation to say that I'm happy that you found us but under the circumstances I am happy that you found us. I hope that when you read about all of us post surgical patients that it will reassure you that your surgery will go great and that you will do well. My surgeon told me after I confessed that I was terrified of my surgery that he would be worried if I wasn't worried. It is so normal to be scared silly but there are many of us here who have gone thru what you are about to and have done just fine. I wish you the best of luck on December 3rd Sharon. Please let us know how you are doing when you are up to it.
Erin
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Good luck on the 3rd, Sharon.
I emailed a postie who lives in London and asked her to PM you for encouragement. I met her in Edinburgh in October, and if anybody can give you reassurance, she can.
I know she's really busy right now and hasn't been on the forum much lately from what I can tell, but she was an active regular for a good long time and very knowledgeable.
Nancy
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Hey Sharon,
Been there and know exactly how you feel. Best thoughts and wishes for you on December 3rd. Look forward to reading happy posts once you are a postie.
Good luck,
Neal
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Hi, Sharon. Welcome to the Forum ;D
You've come to a great place.
Good luck with your surgery.
Jan
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Hi Sharon,
Welcome the forum and the ANer's club.
We all know where you are at and wish you well for the upcoming surgery
Take Care.
Don
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery on your surgery. Mickey
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Thank you to everyone for their good wishes... today is 1 week and counting down..I cant imagine how i'm going to feel the day before the op, if anyone has any good ideas for remaining calm.. lets hear them..lol
Take care
Sharon x
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I cleaned the house like crazy, and I was very glad to have it to come home to post-op. Also, I got out and did many of the things I knew I wouldn't be able to do post-op. Enjoy yourself, most of all. Don't sit around and worry. Best of luck.
Nancy
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Sharon,
Another welcome to the Forum - but sorry you have to join this crazy club! ???
As you are finding out, the folks here are FANTASTIC!
Prayers all around for a uneventful and successful surgery.
In the meantime, go have some fun and enjoy the moment!
Sincerely,
Sue
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Hi Sharon,
Well wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.
Will keep you in thought and prayer on the 3rd. Are you cleaning like mad? ;) or shopping/wrapping like mad?
Maureen
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;) deff not cleaning.. i'm lucky enough to have a wonderful daughter who insisted on coming over yesterday to do it all for me.. bless her. And I just cant get any enthusium for xmas shopping so will do it on line after the op.
Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers.
Love
Sharon x
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welcome in . ask away any questions you may have. there are a bunch of folks who know every thing about An, nad then some of us newer folks that can tell you how it has been the last year or two for us.
welcome in
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Well 4 weeks after surgery.... cant say its been easy, quite a few complications but at least they got it all out. I was in hospital for 2 weeks.. great diet..lol
Any suggestions on eye problems and i'd love to hear them.
Any now the damn snow.... would love to get out in the fresh air.
Had an amazing birthday thanks to all the nursing staff and my amazing family
Me thinks this is going to be a slow road to recovery.
Thanks for all your support
Sharon xx
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Sharon -
glad to see you're back among us. We've been wondering how things went.
Sounds like you've had some issues, but are well on the road to recovery - I certainly hope so :)
I don't have any advice on eye issues, but the forum is full of posts about gels, eye weights, etc., so there's lots of info here if you search. Also, I'm sure others who had these types of issues will be happy to help you with their experience and advice - like Donnalynn just did.
Happy Belated Birthday. Please keep us updated on your progress,
Jan
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Hi Sharon,
We have been thinking of you, and hoping everything was okay.
It is good to read that you're finally home, but we are sorry that you have had such a rough time.
Our thoughts will be with you, hoping that your recovery goes better than the last four weeks.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday, at least the surgery is behind you,
Rich & Scarlett
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Sharon,
Welcome back! I'm also sorry to hear that you're having such a tough time. Recovery from AN surgery can feel like one step forward two steps back so it is important to listen to your body and get the rest you need whether you want to or not. As I learned myself, recovery is a lesson in patience. I was lucky (?) enough to have my surgery in the summer and was able to get out and go for walks within a couple of days of being home. Maybe if someone goes with you and you use a walker or cane you can get outside for at least a short walk once in a while just to offset the cabin fever you must be feeling. Hang in there, it takes time, but things do get better.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Hi Sharon,
Also sorry to hear about your long hospital stay and eye problems. Also wondering if your facial nerve was stretched or cut.
Let us know what your specific issues are. We love to chime in with what works for us!
Very important to keep that eye lubricated if it is not closing on its own.
There's Gels, drops, don't know what you have there in the UK.
I have to tape my eye shut every night with a think strip of paper tape, and then a nice soft eye pillow. I'm addicted to my eye pillows.
I like the lavendar scented ones, and it does not seem to irritate my eye.
Remember to take it real slow= no need to rush. You have the rest of your life for that!
Maureen
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Sharon ~
I'm one of many that are dismayed to learn about your post-operative difficulties and I'll keep you in my prayers as you continue your recovery. Things do get better!
Jim
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Dear Sharon,
My name is Susan and I want to thank you for sharing your ordeal. I pray that you are doing well. Why were you in the hospital so long? What kind of surgery did you have? What were the complications?
I just found out last month that I have a 3.2 cm NA and they want to operate ASAP. I am so fortunate to have found this site it has really helped. I am 56 years old and in great health. thank God. How old are you? I am finding that I am older than most and my tumor is larger that most. It is so scary.
Let us know whats going on as soon as you can. God Bless you. Susan
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Susan,
There are plenty of us around in your age range, I am 56 (55 at the time of my surgery) and there are many more of us in the forum around this age. I agree the AN diagnosis is pretty scary but you've come to the right place for undersatnding and information. Each persons journey is usually pretty different due to size, location and whether or not the AN in question is sticky and therefore stuck ot other nerves (unfortunately if it is it's usually the facial nerve). Soem people have complications butmany, like me, end up pretty lucky to have no complications or nothing too difficult to deal with. I had a minor problem with my eye that cleared up in about a month, a slight balance problem and being SSD (single sided deaf). My balance has improved, but is not 100% but still improving and BAHA (a bone anchored hearing aid) has helped my problem with being SSD. There is life after AN and it is good.
Sharon - Sorry for the hijack - I hope you're feeling better.
Wendy
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Hi Susan... re- my lng stay in hospital i think it was because the tumour had to bed scraped from my cerrabulum which meant recovery was slower and i also had a bad reaction to the aneasthic... great diet...lol I lost a lot of weifht, its called the VOMIT diet ha ha
Please forgive the typo's my eye is extremly painful so not using the pc too mufh
Good luck
Sharon xx
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So glad you are on the road to recovery and a good sense of humor with the weight loss. Hopefully the worst is behind you and now focus on the healing just take it nice and slow it will get better.
Best Wishes,
Pat
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hi sharon,im also a member of the uk an team so welcome to you.glad to hear u ok of sorts but it will take time.all the best steve :)