ANA Discussion Forum

Watch and Wait => For those in the 'watch and wait' status => Topic started by: Sheryl on July 13, 2011, 08:10:04 pm

Title: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Sheryl on July 13, 2011, 08:10:04 pm: Just an update. Had my yearly MRI today at Brigham and Women's in Boston. Doc felt it was unchanged from last year and, in the face of any overt symptoms, "I'll see you in a year". I tried to convince him for a two-year followup, but he felt it was important to keep tabs just in case of a growth spurt. So, looking forward to 10-year anniversary in November.
Sheryl
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Derek on July 14, 2011, 02:57:50 am: Hi Sheryl...

Many congrats 'Queen of the Watch & Wait Brigade' on your superb good news....10 years!!...awesome. With your hubby's permission, please accept my biggest possible cyber hug ;D

Very Best Regards

Derek
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Mickey on July 14, 2011, 08:11:56 am: Congrats Sheryl! Wishing you continued success into the future. A special bond within the regular bond of ANers. Keeping the faith.... Mickey
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Jackie on July 14, 2011, 09:39:55 am: Hello Sheryl,

May I also extend my congrats. for your nearing the 10-year mark! Wow, hoping to follow in your footsteps along with Derek and all the other Watch N Waiters!
It takes a special amount of "grit" to be on this journey, and We do share a very special bond! May all of our Blessings continue!!!
Jackie (4.5 years W and W)
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Jim Scott on July 14, 2011, 12:26:47 pm: Sheryl ~

This is a wonderful update on your 'Watch-and-Wait' experience. May all your future MRI scans be 'stable'.

Jim
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: LisaP on July 17, 2011, 12:56:39 pm: Hi,

Wow and I mean Wow, I am into this trip for 3.5 years now, but 10. Best wishes.

LisaP ;D
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: skipg on July 17, 2011, 04:42:06 pm: Congrats Sheryl, I am just beginning my WW time. Hopefully I will be celebrating no growth anniversaries. One question.... did you change your diet/lifestyle after your diagnosis? I am very curious about our bodies sending healing nutrients to help control or reduce these tumors. Thanks and best wishes on your journey.
Skip
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Sheryl on July 17, 2011, 06:42:58 pm: Hi Skip - no, I always have "good intentions" but have never really changed any habits. I am finally committed (or maybe should be committed :o) to losing weight via Weight Watchers so that is a more healthy lifestyle.

Thanks to all who wrote via this board and PM. I've gotten to a point where I do not dwell on this on a daily basis, but I realize there are some who cannot tolerate W&W knowing that "something" that shouldn't be there is.

Sheryl
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Glenda on July 20, 2011, 06:11:08 pm: Hi Sheryl!

I have been in W&W for 3 1/2 years and mine has grown 3 1/2 mm in those 3 1/2 years, from 5 mm to 8.5 mm. I have just been advised by Dr Brackmann at HEI to stay in W&W. What is the size of yours? My local ENT advised me to get something done as mine is growing but Dr Brackmann disagreed. I think Dr Brackmann certainly has more experience ;) also are you having many symptoms? Wow 10 years W&W is awesome. Dr Brackmann said sometimes the AN will just stop growing....that would be awesome though it appears like yours is growing very slowly! Wonderful news! Congrats to you!

Glenda
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Sheryl on July 20, 2011, 08:14:28 pm: Hi Glenda - Glad to hear you can stay in W&W. My tumor was discovered incidentally after a bad headache. The headache was found to be due to high blood pressure but guess what - you have a brain tumor!! At the first MRI in November of 2001, it was measured at 9 mm, but after being reviewed by a neuroradiologist, he thought it may have been under-read but didn't give me a different size. At my last MRI a week ago, it was the same size as the previous year which was read as 14 mm. So, in 10 years we are talking about probably 5 mm of growth - some years there was no growth; others maybe 1 mm - still minimal for a ten-year period but, then again, still some growth. Maybe, as Dr. Brackmann says, it will stop growing - I'd love that.

Since my tumor is on the 9th cranial nerve it would affect my swallowing and gag reflex and those are fine. I thought I was dizzy and unbalanced with some sharp pains once in awhile in the right ear but the neurosurgeon pointed out on my MRI how my tumor was definitely on the 9th cranial nerve and not close to the 8th (acoustic).

Good luck -
Sheryl
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Silver Sonnet on July 21, 2011, 11:56:32 am: Yay--congratulations! I especially love stories like this because, although I've had one AN removed, I still have another (about 4-5 mm) on the other side. When Dr. Brachmann reviewed my MRI, he said he didn't think the small tumor would ever cause me any trouble. I'm hoping he's right and I'll be in W&W myself for a LONG time :)
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Gus on August 18, 2011, 02:08:45 pm: Good for you! Hang in there!
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: chrisransom on August 18, 2011, 02:17:54 pm: Good news! I hope to make the same post in 9 years!
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: Sheryl on August 20, 2011, 06:04:58 pm: Thanks again everyone. Celebrating our 44th wedding anniversary today - hopefully the next 44 years won't go as quickly!!
Title: Re: On my way to 10 years W&W
Post by: LisaM on August 21, 2011, 09:05:10 pm: Happy Anniversary Sheryl!

...I'm in month 4 of wait and wait... hoping the months turn into years and then into decades and I follow the footsteps of the Queen of Wait and Watch!