ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Lorbis on May 30, 2011, 06:59:50 pm
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I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago with a 16 mm acoustic neuroma on my right side. I have some hearing loss, tinnitus ( seems like I've always had that ever since one REALLY loud Bruce Springsteen concert 15 years ago :) ), but no balance or facial problems. I'm really hoping to be a candidate for Gamma Knife ( I think). I have my first specialist visit on Thursday in New York ( Dr. Roland), and another one scheduled for July 7 in Philadelphia with Dr. Bigelow. Just wanted to introduce myself-I've been reading these boards religiously for the past two weeks and have found so much helpful information! Thank you!!
Laurie in NJ
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Hi Laurie and WELCOME!!
Feel free to make yourself at home and ask us any questions...that is what we are here for!!
K ;D
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Hi Laurie IN NJ - from Lori FROM NJ! ;D
I've heard good things about both doctors you mentioned. Hope your visits with them go well.
Just wanted to say welcome to the forum! Sorry you got such a lasting souvenir from The Boss! ;)
Lori
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Hi Laurie and welcome to this forum .....
Sounds like you are off to a good start getting medical opinions regarding treatment. If you have not already done so, be sure to send for the free information packet from the ANA. See: http://www.anausa.org/index.php?option=com_aicontactsafe&view=message&layout=message&pf=4&Itemid=195
These materials contain a wealth of information and much reassurance.
Best thoughts and let us know how we can help.
Clarice
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Hi from me too, Laurie.
You surely came to the right place for advice, help, and friendship. I'll definitely be watching for the outcome of your 2 visits.
Hugs,
♥ ´)
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(,.•´ (.♥ •´ *Suu
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v170/suujoy/group_hug.gif)
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Hi Laurie!! I am so glad you found this forum...as you've no doubt have already found that there's a wealth of information here. A lot of experiences have been documented here and it's helped a lot of people, myself included. It's funny you mentioned about that concert, I could have sworn that my tinnitus was caused by an unusually long dental procedure years ago. I'd much rather had it started by the boss than a dental hygenist...but oh well! :) Anyways, I hope your GK appointment goes well, let us know how it does go, ok? Take care and again, welcome!
Jay
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Welcome Laurie!
Glad you found this Forum - the folks here are FANTASTIC! :)
Sounds like you have some appointments lined up with great docs...best of luck with those!
My sister has seen Dr. Bigelow and speaks very highly of him.
Prayers all around that you find the answers you need.
Sincerely,
Sue
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Welcome to the Forum, Laurie!
Jan
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welcome Lauire to the forum.
JO
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Welcome Laurie!
I'm somewhat of a newbie myself, and have already found these boards IMMENSELY helpful.
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Hi, Laurie ~
As you can see, these forums are populated by a lot of affable folks eager to be of help to you, as a recently-diagnosed AN patient. Allow me to jump on the welcome wagon, too and wish you a good consult experience with doctors Roland & Bigelow. They come highly recommended. Looking forward to your updates as things progress.
Jim
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I have an AN about the same size as yours with about the same symptoms. I thought I should do surgery at first - front-load the risk and then be rid of it. On the other hand, a minimum 8-hour operation and certain loss of one ear is hard to decide for if it might be avoidable. After seeing 3 doctors at the same hospital, one surgeon, one radiation specialist, and one who does both, it was 2 to 1 (sort of - doctors don't tell you what to do any more) for GN. I have never been sure that this is the correct choice and indeed cannot be sure about any of it - it's all statistics and you don't know which one you'll be. I suppose I decided to gamble that the GN might work, even though I'm a natural pessimist about some things. GN is day after tomorrow. I wish you luck
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Dr. Roland was as highly recommended as Dr. Brackmann was to me:) Good luck to you.
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Hi Laurie,
Glad you found this wonderful forum. We are here to support you, answer questions, make you laugh, let you know that it's okay to cry, and listen:) :) :)
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Thank you all for your warm welcome! I am learning so much here. Latirus, good luck with your procedure. I'll
be interested to see how it all goes for you.
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Forgot to say in my earlier post that Dr. Roland is a name I've heard a lot and he's got a great reputation.
Good luck with your consultations!
Jan
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Dr. Roland spoke at our last AN support group meeting here in NYC. We were all very impressed with him, not just his expertise in the field, but his demeanor as a human caring about another human. He was warm and friendly and very patient answering all of our questions. He truly cares about his patients and their outcomes.
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Sounds like you are in good hands! Welcome to the forum.
James
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Hi Laurie,
Echoing what everyone else has said, Welcome to the group. I am a patient of Dr. Roland's and cannot say enough good things about him. He operates with Dr. Golfinos, also a top notch surgeon and caring human being. If you decide to go with them, you will be in excellent, caring hands. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about either of them. And, btw, I have also heard very good things about Bigelow!
Debbi
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Well I just got home from New York and Dr. Roland-I did like him very much! He is recommending translab surgery but also thinks I should wait 6 months to have another MRI to make sure it's actually growing. He didn't seem to be too much of a proponent of the gamma knife but sent me up to see Dr. Golfinos- he wasn't in so I will return to see him. I will also keep my July appt with Dr. Bigelow for another opinion.
I knew this was going to happen!! Decisions decisions!! Not really too wild about losing the rest of my hearing!!