ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: lawmama on December 17, 2009, 07:03:03 am
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Hi everyone. I was released yesterday. WOOHOO!!! Dr. Antonelli said I'm a star patient. I cannot believe how well I have done. If someone had told me I would be this well just four days after brain surgery, I wouldn't have believed it. I'm still very uncomfortable, and I ache, but I'm moving around well and some of the spinning is settling a bit so I'm pretty steady on my feet. I really, truly believe the key was getting up and moving as soon as they would let me. That and taking some liquids and then solids as soon as offered to regain my strength. As soon as I felt nausea, I asked for medication and they were able to keep it at bay. That made it possible for me to put something on my stomach.
I am SSD. Unfortunately, I was one of the rare 10% or so that the tumor actually grew from the hearing nerve. My doctor said (if I am remembering correctly and this isn't the drugs talking) that the tumor was situated very deep in my IAC between the branches of the vestibular nerve, so as it grew it kept stretching those and that is why my dizziness and balance was so bad and never would regulate. He said he is amazed I could still hear so well with the tumor onn my hearing nerve. Either way, I'm thankful the tumor is gone. I figure, my hearing was really already gone. It was just a matter of time anyway. I'm looking at the positive.
My facial nerve is perfect. It wasn't touching, or even close, so I never had even any weakness.
Right now I'm just trying to heal and rest as much as possible. I look forward to a shower today in my own home (when I got home last night I was too tired to try). One neat thing about being SSD is that if you lay on the "good" ear, you can sleep through anything. I've always been a light sleeper, so that has been nice, particularly when I was in the noisy hospital. Still, it is a little strange to go from full hearing to complete deafness in that ear. It will take some getting used to.
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. For those going after me, you are goiing to feel awful for the first day or two, but just remember that every minute that passes is another minute you won't have to do again and it puts you that much closer to feeling better. I'm saying prayers for you. Thanks and I'm off to take a nap!
Lyn
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Oh, one other thing. I seem to have very little tinnitus. It is a little like white noise, maybe like static on a TV, but it doesn't seem too unpleasant or even very loud. Maybe because they took the hearing nerve too? Either way, I'm thankful. So blessed!!!
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Lyn~
SO glad that things are going well for you!! Remember that you still might have days that aren't so good - & that is OK...listen to your body and use that as your guide. You probably will get more tired, sooner, in the days and weeks to come - take a nap when you need to!
So glad your facial nerve was not affected! Hopefully, you will get used to the SSD and if not, there are option to help! I LOVE that I can lay on my good side - sure helped when the girlies were little!! ::)
K ;D
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So nice to hear from you. Congrats on being a postie & feeling so good. Nice to hear they did not touch your facial nerve & all is well. I to am really close to SSD & sleep on my good ear , it really shuts out all the noises I don't need to hear. Take care of yourself.
Thinking positive thoughts for you.
Lynn
Life Is Good
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Lyn -
wonderful to have you back; glad things are going so well!
We were just worrying about you yesterday, but I was confident you'd be posting soon - just didn't realize it would be this soon ;D
The SSD takes some time getting used to - and lots of people adapt to it just fine. Some of us never adapt and we opt for "assistance" like a BAHA or a TransEar - something to think about at a later date once you've had more time to heal.
Get plenty of rest; AN surgery is exhausting.
Best,
Jan
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Lawmama, that's wonderful. Congrats on having the hardest part behind you, and a great outcome!
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Lyn .....
There have been lots of mothers and fathers on this forum pacing, wondering how you were ..... So glad to hear that everything went so well! As Kay said, you could still have some not so good days and that is OK, just know that the good ones far outnumber the not so good.
Keep letting us know how things are progressing.
Welcome to postie land!
Clarice
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Lyn, We are always so glad to hear of the star patients and am so glad it is going well for you! Only other ANers could call it well! LOL!
Just don't push yourself as it really does get better in time with the tiredness and odd feelings! Cheryl R
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Lyn,
Thanks for sharing the wonderful news and welcome to the club! Take it easy and get lots of rest.
BTW, does reading or being on the computer make you dizzy at all? I found it wasn't too bad, even after only a few days. I did limit myself to about 10-15 minutes per session, but never really noticed it causing any issues.
- Dennis
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Congratulations, Stargirl! I am so pleased that you came through with flying colors. I remember the euphoria I felt after going through BRAIN SUGERY, by golly! As Kay said, let your body set the pace . There probably will be some days when you just need to stay in your pj"s, and that is okay. You sound like you are in great spirits, and I hope your Christmas is wonderful. :)\\Priscilla
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Congrats, Lyn - great to hear from you and hear such a positive report! Yes, the SSD is odd, but you'll get used to it pretty quickly, I'll bet. And, I think you're right about getting moving as soon as they let you - that seems to be the best thing to do for the vestibular system. So, keep moving, but DO take your naps also ;D
Cindy
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So glad to hear everything went great just remember you feel good but your body went through major brain surgery take it easy and do not overdo it be careful it is okay to put your feet up.
Regards,
Pat
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Congratulations on your sucessful surgery and welcome to the world of posties. Take your time and enjoy your recuperation, but like everyone else has already said 'naps' are really good for you and the healing process. So don't feel guilty about closing your eyes and snuggling with your pillow! Have an easy recovery.
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Yay, Lyn - great news!!! I, too, had my AN as far back in IAC and lost my hearing and have white static for tinnitus but, otherwise, I have had a very speedy recovery and it sounds like you are headed that way! Do rest these early weeks and don't overdo it...listen to your body...I didn't have great fatigue, but I did rest and listen to lots of soothing music early on to help heal the brain. Can't wait to hear your progress and glad you are home with your family!
Cheryl
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Hey, hey, there she is.
Great to hear you did okay, Lyn - or make that very well indeed! Glad you are feeling good.
Sleep tight and have a great holiday season.
Steve
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Lyn,
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!! SO glad to hear from you and SO glad things went GREAT!!!!!!!! I am grinning from ear to ear right now, while holding back the tears of relief!!!!!!!! ;D
Thank you for the update and for helping to put the rest of us "soon to be posties" at ease! You are now the poster girl for an uneventful, beautiful outcome!! I'm sorry to learn of the SSD, but I think, as you said, we all go into this knowing that is a possibility and if that is the only thing that comes to fruition then our story is a success!! Ahhhh, now you can take a few deep breaths, relax and enjoy the holidays with your little ones!! The strength of prayer and hope is abundant and unbreakable here! :D
<3 Bren~
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Glad to hear you are doing so well! Yea, just in time for the hectic but joyful holidays with kids.
Way to go Lyn!
Cyndi
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Awesome news Lynn. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
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Lyn,
Great to hear from you! Jan was about to send out the National Guard after you to make sure you were ok. :)
Glad things went well. I came out of surgery with less tinnitus also and really only notice it now if I think about it. That's great! As other have said, rest because AN surgery is exhausting to the body.. It needs to heal and will slam you back to the mat if you push too hard.
Welcome home, postie! Have a great holiday!
Regards,
Brian
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Welcome to the postie side. And rather quick too, 3 days after surgery. I didn't even want to look at a computer screen let alone type something for at least a week. Your ahead of the game. Sounds as if the surgery went well. It also sounds like you had a slim chance to none of preserving your hearing due to where the tumor was located. But it sounds as if they kept your facial nerve happy, that's very good. Lyn; Careful when taking a shower, when you close your eyes your gonna get dizzy especially with the water running down your body. Please don't forget to ALWAYS keep a hand on the wall or something to keep you steady. Or better yet have your husband spot you (hold you), or wash you. I really liked my sponge bath while I was in the hospital. I even got my wife to scrub me down the first shower.
Yes; Being SSD can have some advantages like the sleeping on your good side like you mentioned. It also gives you a great excuse to not hear certain things as you will find.
So glad to have you as one of us now. The worst part is behind you. Take advantage of doing nothing, or as a mom as little as possible for as long as you can. It maybe your last opportunity.
Congrats on a successful surgery.
Mike
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That's a first! I find your postie news and you're already on the second page?!!!! You got a lot of love going on here, kiddo.
Now, keep your incision dry so you don't get any nasty infections. My docs told me that the reason for tinnitus is because your hearing is diminished due to damage to the nerve. Your brain turns up the volume on that side to try to find sounds. (That's my translation of his techy speak.) My tinnitus increased post-op. I had "no" hearing on my AN side when I went in, but I found out that no hearing is way more profound than no usable hearing. Be aware of your surroundings. I used to have some sense that a person or noise-producing object of another kind was on my AN side, but now I have no sense whatsoever. I've had some close calls and embarrassing moments. There seems to be very little one can do to train oneself to "hear" on that side, so I'm hoping for some sort of device to collect the sounds from over there and transfer them to the working side.
Good luck!
Hope you got that I SURVIVED euphoria.
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Lyn,
Thanks for sharing the wonderful news and welcome to the club! Take it easy and get lots of rest.
BTW, does reading or being on the computer make you dizzy at all? I found it wasn't too bad, even after only a few days. I did limit myself to about 10-15 minutes per session, but never really noticed it causing any issues.
- Dennis
Exactly. Short bursts on the computer don't seem to bother me. I haven't tried to read yet. Honestly, I was SOOOO dizzy before. Horriby, miserably dizzy. I think I've adapted to living that way so it isn't a huge shock or change. I feel maybe a bit dizzier now, but not much worse than before surgery. Just trying not to overdo it.
Thanks to everyone else!!!
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Hey, Lyn!
Congratulations on attaining 'star patient' status. I'm so pleased to learn of your excellent surgery outcome and ongoing recovery that seems to be racing right along.
Your experience is very similar to mine and I trust that your recovery will be rapid and complete. Thanks for the fabulous news. I'm sure that lots of folks are grinning as they read your positive update. I know that I am. :D
Jim
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Lyn, congrats girl! Feels great to be on the postie side of things, eh? I too am feeling very blessed with how well things have gone for me. Take care and listen to the docs, don't be doing TOO MUCH!
Jay
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Congratulations and welcome to the other side, Superstar! ;D
See, we all told you you'd do great!
Get your rest, enjoy your family and the holidays (and your noiseless sleep!). I'm sure you'll be back to your old self in no time!
Lori
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Congrats. Glad you're doing so well, so quickly. Like others have mentioned, don't be surprised if you have some ups and downs before everything levels off.
Good for you!
Adrienne
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Congrats to you!Welcome to postie land!
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This is wonderful news that you did so well!! Congratulations!
After each one of my daughter's surgeries, I thought we would not be going home for at least a week! Her surgeries were always on a Monday and we were always on our way home by Wednesday! Totally amazing.
Good luck!!
Cindy
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I am SO glad to hear you are doing so well this fast. Of course my situation is different due to additional spinal/neck issues.
BUT, one thing both doctors said that sometimes brings on the delayed facial paralysis like myself and others got is doing TOO much right away. PLEASE literally just rest, and keep the head up as much as possible to keep the swelling down, and NO bending!
I had also found that llittle earplugs helped if any noise gets a bit crazy in my bad ear. I can still hear, but at a softer rate.
God Bless you!! And best wishes!!
Denise S.
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Congratulations and may you have one very Merry Christmas!
Dr. Antonelli and Lewis are the best and their skills speak volumes. I'm glad your outcome was a remarkable one!
Blessings to you and your family this New Year.
Karen
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Some ups and downs the past two days. I'm still really sore and I felt I was relying on my medication too much so I called my doc and they ok'd me to take ibuprofin. That released the neck muscles which seemed to stop the migraines. Much better!!!
Thanks to all of you for your support. I posted some hospital "postie" pics on my caringbridge if any pre-ops want to see what you might expect. I think I looked a little scary, but all things considered I guess that was to be expected. I'm just resting and taking a lot of naps. I'm sick of the house already, but I don't have the energy or stamina to leave anyway, so it makes it easy to "take it easy." :D
www.caringbridge.org/visit/lynettepudlo (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lynettepudlo)
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Not scary at all. :) Actually you look good, and the smile in pic #2 looks very encouraging. I also like your daughter's pirate hat.
Steve
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Hi Lyn,
Thank you for the update and the pics! You look great! Glad to hear you are still doing well. I've been thinking of you and hope for you to feel better each day :D
Bren~
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I'm with Steve - pictures not scary at all :)
Jan
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Hey Lyn,
I'm so happy that you are doing so well. It must be great to be home with your kids. Now you can all enjoy Christmas together.
My countdown is on. One week from tomorrow is my big day. To top it off, Jay is sending me the "magic scarf". I'm psyched! I will wear it in support of all of us.
Keep us updating on your progress. Rest up and enjoy your holidays.
Here's to a Happy, Healthy 2010!!
Gingerbread 6
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It's so great to hear that things went so well. Another success story! :) I too have a little constant tinnitus (less than before surgery), but I just tune it out. I have noticed that it does get louder if I'm in a noisy environment, but generally I'm not aware of it unless I think about it. Have a restful time and a blessed Christmas!
Denise D.
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Not scary at all. :) Actually you look good, and the smile in pic #2 looks very encouraging. I also like your daughter's pirate hat.
Steve
Leave it up to Steve to notice the hat! ;)
I like the pics, very tasteful and encouraging.
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Hi Lyn,
How are you doing? I hope you are feeling better and stronger each day.
My surgery is six days from today. I'm packing my bag today. My six year old is lending me her favorite penguin pillow to bring!! She told me to pack my baby blanket too!! It's amazing that's it's still in one piece after all of these years!!
I am ready to roll and be on the postie side with the rest of you guys.
I am waiting in anticipation for the "magic scarf" to arrive. It is making its way to the east coat after spending time at HEI in CA. I will wear it proudly for all of us!!
Take care, and enjoy you Christmas with your family and friends. Here's to a Happy, Healthy 2010!!!
Gingerbread 6
Marie
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Lyn,
Glad to hear you are doing so well. Enjoy the holidays with the kids. I don't think your pictures are scary at all!!! You look great. Love the smile!
Happy Holidays,
Lynn
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And by the way, I am SO, SOOOOOO bored. I'm normally so busy I don't have time to spare, and this is such a drastic change. I'm sick of TV. I can only read a few pages of a book at a time, so I can't study ahead. I'm not quite well enough to care for my own kids, so they've been going to daycare part of the day until someone s here to help me. I can handle the computer for 20-30 min at a time now, but that doesn't kill much time. ARG! I'm such an impatient patient. :D
However.... I'm so lucky to be well enough to be bored.
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Great attitude, Lyn! Even though you are bored, cherish these days...pretty soon you will be back to running, running, running and you'll wish you could just sit down for a sec! ;D
K ;D
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I think with the Middle Fossa you are more limited with vision (TV and reading, etc.). But I noticed how much I loved the computer because you can change the VIEW by enlarging the Text size and the Zoom and make thing MUCH easier to read.
But man, he one thing I read before this AN surgery was people commenting about was their patience level...............WOW.....I can't stand that one ;)
Glad You're going Good!!
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For the first week or two I joked that my favorite thing to do was stare at the back of my eyelids. I liked to just close my eyes (not sleep) a lot -- too much stimulation even having eyes open! In a weird way I wasn't bored because I felt like I had a lot to mentally process anyway.
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Yeah Lyn!
glad to hear you are doing so well - rest as much as you can - healing is your job right now!
Tell your little one to cuddle up and read to you! Well talk about the pictures anyway!
Michelle ;D
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Hi Lyn,
How are you doing these days. Hope you are feeling better each day. It's a sliow and steady progress, I'm finding. So far my biggest concerns are the incision and neck pain, extreme fatigue, and the wobbles. I'm taking it slow and not overdoing. My hubby and daughter have been great, as well as wonderful, supportive friends.
I'm up for my sterioid dose gonna try to hit the recliner now. Happy, Healthy New Year to us all. God knows we deserve it.
It'a a beautiiul snowy day in NE today, think I'll just watch the snow come down.... God is good....
Take care,
Gingerbread 6
Marie