ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: Itheus on July 20, 2011, 02:46:50 pm

Title: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Itheus on July 20, 2011, 02:46:50 pm
Hey all -

The date is finally arriving.  I have my surgery set with Dr. Gantz tomorrow at 7:15 at the University of Iowa Hospitals.  I'm a bit nervous, but also relieve that the date has finally come...it's been weighing on my mind for a long time now! 

See you on the other side.   :)
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Jim Scott on July 20, 2011, 02:52:04 pm
Itheus ~

I know you've been working up to this surgery for awhile and so I can understand the sense of relief you feel, along with the usual (and perfectly normal) anxiety.  As you well know, Dr. Gantz is an excellent doctor with a lot of AN removal experience, so you certainly have good reason to go into the OR with confidence.  I think you'll do just fine.  You'll be in the thoughts and prayers of many - me included - and yes, we'll 'see you on the other side.'  :)

Jim
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: ckoza1 on July 20, 2011, 03:17:25 pm
MY diagnosis came July 7, so I am really, really new at this. I agree this site and forum are wonderful, and I feel most gratful for them. My best wishes for your surgery tomorrow. Many thoughts and prayers are with you. Post when you can; I am just beginning the testing process.
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Kaybo on July 20, 2011, 03:44:19 pm
Prayers coming your way!!

K   ;D
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Nthtxmom on July 20, 2011, 04:41:09 pm
Prayers from out in the boondocks coming your way!
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Cheryl R on July 20, 2011, 05:09:47 pm
Lots of good thoughts coming your way tomorrow for you and your family.      Soon you will be one of our UIHC alumni!        Our motto is see my scar!         
                                      Wishing you well!                       Cheryl R
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: deheisel11 on July 20, 2011, 05:53:23 pm
Prayers for a great surgery outcome already sent.  As you said, see you on the other side.
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Silver Sonnet on July 20, 2011, 06:40:06 pm
You'll be on my prayer list, too.  A word of advice:  don't refuse the sleeping pill :)
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: JAndrews on July 20, 2011, 07:09:00 pm
Best wishes to you:)
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: sarahinPA on July 20, 2011, 08:13:43 pm
Good Luck! we will be thinking about you!!!! Keep us posted when you can!

Sarah
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Itheus on July 21, 2011, 03:15:31 am
Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers.

Headed to Iowa City.

I'll give an update as soon as I'm able.   :)

Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: CHD63 on July 21, 2011, 01:42:20 pm
Many thoughts and prayers today and tomorrow ...... and during the post-op recovery days!

Clarice
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Itheus on July 24, 2011, 06:24:16 pm
Hello!

I'm back home and in the care of my favorite nurse...my wife.   :)

Dr. Gantz was able to fully remove my tumor.  Unfortunately hearing was not saved on the right side, but I have nearly all of my taste, and no facial numbness.  It's been pretty smooth sailing.  The staff at UofI hospitals was simply fantastic.

Of course I'm dealing with balance issues and fatigue as to be expected, but am good spirits and happy to have this done.  I'm currently awaiting some lab results as well.  I guess it didn't look like a schwannoma (sp?), but whatever it is appears to be benign still.  Hopefully I'll get a call back tomorrow stating everything is good to go!

Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers. 
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Glenda on July 24, 2011, 07:20:13 pm
Glad you are back home and things went well!  Will continue to pray for fast healing!!  Please take it easy and take care of yourself and sounds like you have the BEST of care with your wonderful nurse!

Glenda
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: skipg on July 25, 2011, 06:55:06 am
Congrats on your surgey, now prayers for a speedy recovery and remember to be nice to your nurse.
Skip
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Cheryl R on July 25, 2011, 08:23:21 am
Itheus, I am glad to hear you are home and doing well!    Only ANers really understand "well"  for now.      I am sorry to hear of the hearing loss but you were at where there was the best chance to keep it.    All depends on what's going on with the nerves and blood supply.      We're here for any questions you have for those days when it is "Am I supposed to be feeling this way?"    Do you have the back door no if do have questions for IC and a dr?   I do if need it.   
                               Take it easy and wish you a good recovery!              Cheryl R
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Jim Scott on July 25, 2011, 03:26:41 pm
Itheus ~

Thanks for the update.  I'm pleased to learn that you're home - and doing so well.  I hope your smooth recovery continues.  I'm sure having such a good nurse is helping.   ;)

Jim
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: LisaP on July 25, 2011, 05:45:33 pm
Best wishes on a speedy recovery.


LisaP ;D
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: ckoza1 on July 31, 2011, 08:45:46 am
Best wishes on your recovery. I have been only recently diagnosed and have a far way to go before surgery, but I have followed your progress and am much relieved for you that all went well. Your experiences will help me and many others as we prepare for our own surgeries, so I thank you very much for your willingness to share. You are in my prayers. Chester
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Itheus on July 31, 2011, 07:14:24 pm
Best wishes on your recovery. I have been only recently diagnosed and have a far way to go before surgery, but I have followed your progress and am much relieved for you that all went well. Your experiences will help me and many others as we prepare for our own surgeries, so I thank you very much for your willingness to share. You are in my prayers. Chester

Thanks Chester, and best wishes to you too!

It seems no one can guarantee the outcome of these surgeries.  So like you, I followed a lot of different people on this forum and their experiences.  It proved to be very helpful and therapeutic.  I wanted to make sure to reciprocate others' kindness of sharing their experiences!
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: JAndrews on August 01, 2011, 06:19:10 pm
Glad to hear you are doing well! I didn't have any taste issues until a few months later..my mouth had the taste of a burned biscuit (only way I can describe it) it eventually went away. 1/2 of my face did go paralyzed about 3 weeks after the surgery..only lasted about 2 weeks. I'm just telling you this so you don't freak out if t happens...all is fine and normal! Just part of the surgery. My tumor was not an acoustic neuroma. It looked just like it, but it was a meningioma..also benign. Have you found out what your tumor actually was?? BTW, the fatigue lasts a while. I took alot of naps
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Dolwin on August 02, 2011, 08:50:50 am
Great to hear how well you're doing so far!  Hope your recovery continues to go as smoothly as possible.
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Itheus on August 02, 2011, 03:01:56 pm
Glad to hear you are doing well! I didn't have any taste issues until a few months later..my mouth had the taste of a burned biscuit (only way I can describe it) it eventually went away. 1/2 of my face did go paralyzed about 3 weeks after the surgery..only lasted about 2 weeks. I'm just telling you this so you don't freak out if t happens...all is fine and normal! Just part of the surgery. My tumor was not an acoustic neuroma. It looked just like it, but it was a meningioma..also benign. Have you found out what your tumor actually was?? BTW, the fatigue lasts a while. I took alot of naps

I kind of found out what it was.  It was some sort of fibrous material that was wreaking havoc on my nerve...they thought it seemed like scar tissue of some sort - maybe my bodies response to some sort of infection at some point.  Dr. Gantz has done a lot of these surgeries and has only seen this a few times.  It was growing, so it's important that it got out.  They also found all cells to be benign, which is the most important thing!

Again, thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: james e on August 03, 2011, 02:56:24 pm
Great news...very happy for you.

James
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: moe on August 04, 2011, 10:52:07 am
Well, that was quick. ;) And good to hear that it was benign fibrous stuff. Take it easy now with lots of resting in between the walking!
Maureen
Title: Re: Surgery tomorrow - 7/21
Post by: Rivergirl on August 04, 2011, 06:38:21 pm
Glad your surgery went well with no complications.....hearing is one of those things that the surgeons hope to preserve but seems like most of us loose that.  Hope your recovery continues to be positive.