ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: sarahinPA on July 28, 2011, 06:24:22 am
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Tomorrow is my surgery, trans-lab with dr Paul Gardner at upmc in Pittsburgh.
On Monday, I met with a girl I met on here 2 years ago, she is the same age as mr and had 3 surgeries from dr Gardner. We had dinner and discussed so many things that helped me stay calm this week.
I met with dr Gardner on Tuesday and he told me "find peace with this and let us do the work" these words were very supportive to me and this is what I am trying to do.
I feel ok about the surgery, it will be what it will be and all I can do now is find the peace. I am worried about the deafness, and wonder how this will effect ne, I'm trying to take in every sound today because tomorrow I won't be able too.
Please keep me in ur thoughts and prayers for surgery tomorrow and a healthy recovery.
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Sarah~
What great words form your Dr. I know that you will do great. I have been SSD for 15 years now - it hasn't been too bad - I can still her my girls scream, the dogs bark and my hubs tell me he loves me - what more can a girl ask for? I know that you will do great...I'm praying for a good outcome, but more for you to have a PEACEFUL heart in the coming hours, days and weeks. I will be out of touch for a while but you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
K ;D
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((((((sarahinPA))))))
Your doctor sounds like a wise and caring man. Some of the best advice I got (well, I think I found it on the internet in one of those "how to" articles) was to spend time every day visualizing the surgery going perfectly. I visualized the doctors doing their jobs with skill and my body responding exactly as it should. Strangely, it worked for me even though I don't really know what a surgery like that would look like.
Please don't worry too much now about the deafness: you'll still have hearing on one side, and while it is an adjustment, you will still have hearing in one ear. The important thing now is that your doctors get rid of that tumor and that you get well and get on with your life.
You'll be in my prayers.
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Hi Sarah,
Once you have made the decision to have surgery and picked your doctor, the rest is up to him (your doctor) and God. Keep the faith that he (God) will watch over you and guide your doctors hands to a successful surgery and out come. I'm sure the thought of SSD is weighing heavy on your mind, but when God closes a door, he always opens a window. You will get through this and manage to cope with your new situation. Hang in there and know that we are here for you. Along with all the others, I will keep you in prayer also. Sincerely, Ann
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Hi Sarah .....
I sure will be thinking about you and praying for you tomorrow. It is an unsettling time, for sure, but the more at peace you are the better everything will go. The doctor knows his job so you can leave that part up to him.
As for not hearing. You may not notice any huge difference when you wake up because you will have a large bandage over your AN ear and surgical site. Things will sound differently to you anyway. I do not like being SSD (so looking forward to my Ponto hookup next week!) but for ordinary around home sounds, it is not hugely different.
Many thoughts and prayers!
Clarice
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Sarah,
Tomorrow all you will want to do is rest, rest, rest. It will be OK. You will be OK.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Syl
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Good advice from all, and praying for a successful surgery with peacefulness too. Sounds like a very wise and competent doctor :)
Maureen
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Sarah ~
When I entered the hospital for my AN surgery I did so with total confidence in my doctors and the additional comfort of knowing that many people were praying for me, including my church's leaders who visited me an hour before my operation. Frankly, I was so confident going into surgery that had I awakened from the operation with facial paralysis or any other complication, it would have been a bit of a shock. As it was, the surgery went perfectly, no complications ensued and I was back home within 5 days and on my way to an excellent recovery. On hindsight, I had found peace with the surgery and trusted my doctors to do their job. During my first post-surgery doctor visit, I was showering my neurosurgeon with compliments for his fine work when he held up his hand to stop me and replied, with a smile: "God gave the success, I just held the scalpel". I thought it prudent not to argue. Time passes, the doctor is now semi-retired, I'm doing fine- and I remain thankful to this very day and glad that, intuitively, I had found peace with the surgery and let God take over. I wish you a similar peace - and a great outcome.
Jim
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thank you to everyone!
My family should all be here soon to spend the evening with me, and try to relax. I know there are so many people praying for me and I do feel a sense of calmness and peace withing, which I know is coming from all of the support and prayers that are being offred.
Thank you all again for all of the supprt and encouraging words, I will post again when I am able to keep everyone updated on my recovery.
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Good luck! It'll work out ok. I was in your spot just two weeks ago :)
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Dear Sarah,
I have you in my thoughts and prayers, stay strong my dear !!
God Bless.
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I'm here praying for you. The doctor on your team is so comforting and you have certainly found a good person. Keep in mind the peace and all will be well for you.
Mei Mei
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Good luck Sarah, everything will be OK.
We will be thinking about you and waiting for your news once you feel up to it.
Marianna
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Best of luck, soon you will be a postie and that feels real good. Will be thinking about you and sending you strength and good wishes.
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Best wishes to you and prayers being sent your way:). The SSD does take getting used too. Things may sound different to you for a little while. Be patient and kind to yourself. Give yourself plenty of time to recover, take things slow, don't get discouraged. You are going to be ok, this will be behind you. It did take me a while to overcome the whole brain tumor thing.....but I am there..I have moved on...I don't think about it constantly anymore. It took about a year until I really felt like myself again. Now I feel like I could swim with sharks, bungee jump, skydive....:) just kidding..still scared of all those things.
Have everyone talk on your good hearing side, it will be less frustrating.
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Well it's Wednesday, my surgery was Friday and I'm still in the hospital. Surgery was a little over 12 hours, they removed 97% of the tumor and did not damage the facial nerve. Doctors said my balance was already compensated, having some dizziness and pain in my legs from being in surgery so long. I had a horrible reaction to anestesia and shook for 24 hours straight.now I'm having trouble swallowing. My an side of my throat is basically paralyzed, not allowing me to swallow. They are discussing another surgery to isert a peg tube into my belly. I'm very scared because of the anestethia reaction. My neurosurgeon said this type of anestesithia is much different, so not to be worried. But of course I am.
My head hurts when I sit up but is not as bad when I lay or stand. So my recovery is coming along slowly bit surely I guess
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Hi, Sarah ~
Welcome to 'Postieland'! I'm so pleased to learn that the surgery went well but sorry you're experiencing so much trouble from the anesthesia. I hope these issues are quickly resolved. For now, rest and do whatever you have to do to get well enough to leave the hospital and begin your recovery in fighting form. Thanks for posting. Keep us updated as you can but don't worry if you can't. We'll understand.
Jim
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Congrats on the positive outcome with your surgery, Sarah (no facial paralysis, 97% removed). You are in my thoughts and prayers as your recovery progresses - I hope you quickly overcome the after-effects of the anasthesia and can get closer to your old self that much sooner!
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I'm so sorry you are having these problems. I was always told the first three days in postie land are the worse. Make sure you leave the hospital with a script for balance therapy. It really helps. I am over a year and a half post op and still have issues with balance. I'm so glad to hear your facial nerve wasn't compromised. They were wise to leave some so that you didn't have damage there. Did they say what they are going to do with the remainder? Dr. Kondziolka there is a world expert in the radiation option so I know you are in good hands. Remember to take baby steps in the year to come.
Hugs,
Mei Mei
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So sorry to hear about the problems with the swallowing. Hopefully it is resolving itself, but you must get that nourishment so if the tube is necessary, it won't be permanent. Hang in there, it is definitely a journey. There have been a number of members who needed the feeding tube temporarily but then had it taken out (can't remember names).
Peaceful wishes,
Maureen
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My father had a feeding tube put in because of a swallow problem. He went to Adventist Rehab Hospital and had Vital Stim. It;s a new kind of therapy in which they put electrodes on your neck where your larynx is and turn up the electricity. You do this 3 times a week as an out patient and when the speech therapist thinks it's time, you go for a repeat barium swallow test. It's tremendous. After a month or so of this the larynx is much stronger. I've watched it on the monitor and what a difference this Vital Stim therapy makes.
Go for it so you can get the tube out.
Mei Mei
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No worries about the peg tube therapy, that is a piece of cake should not take long at all. Sorry about your throat, that must be so disappointing, hopefully you will regain the swallowing soon. Best of luck, I know it is hard right now but it will get better.
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Just in case anyone has missed my other posts. I am home, came home yesterday which made 6 days in the hospital. I was sent home with the feeding tube in my nose :( but it's ok. Just sad that I can't enjoy my moms cooking while she's here! Tinnitus is a lot louder than it used to be, but even with it I can hear some things from that ear! Can't hold a phone up to it but I can hear directional sound and people on my
Right side!
My an ear feels very numb and full. Is that from the trauma and will that go away? The incisions isn't too soar, I got to wash my hair today which was amazing!
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Sarah... I will soon be having surgery and have so appreciated everyone on this forum's support and encouragement. Just seems like everyone has their own story to tell... but in the end all is well! I am trying to stay positive and some days it is not so easy but one thing I do know is that God is with you and your faith in Him and the prayers from your family/friends will carry you throughout this journey. I obviously can't tell you that I know what your experiencing but I will pray for your continued recovery. Blessings, Victoria
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Thank you Victoria and good lick with ur surgery. This first week has been a journey, although I have had minimal complications there have been a few and I pray that neither you or anyone in the future goes through these too. I also had days of worry, but like my doctor told ne. You must find peace with it and let the rest up to them and god. Having this attitude really helped me going into the surgery. I believe trying my best to keep this attitude helped me get string quick. The doctors were shocked by the complications I've had. According to them throat problems are rare as well as bad abasethia reactions. I know u will do great, just continue to stay positive and keep faith!!! Keep us updated on all of your progress!!
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Hi Sarah, I am glad to hear you are home. I have been following your thread since I am having surgery in Sept. Thanks for posting your progress - it is much appreciated. Hang in there! Best wishes.
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New girl, good luck! I'd be happy to chat on the phone as soon as this feeding tube is out! I'm going to figure out how to get on the willing to talk list too
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Hi Sarah,
I have been following your thread. Sorry you have had a bumpy road, but on the bright side your facial nerve is intact and it seems that you don't have serious balance problems. Keep in mind that nerves heal, they just need time. I was also warned that swallowing problems were possible - but from what I have seen here, they tend to resolve sooner or later. Swallowing problems can also be improved with appropriate therapy. This is how it is with these surgeries, you never know what challenge you will face. Patience is the key. Give yourself plenty of time to heal.
It took me almost 3 months for my trigeminal nerve and neck pain to improve, but I can tell you that now at 3 months post-op I feel overall much better. You have a positive attitude and this is great. Keep us updated.
Marianna
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Hello to all my an friends...
It's been a bad week on my end , Monday morning I awoke with s cough and chest pains. Came back to the hospital in an ambulance and was admitted with a blood clot and pneumonia in my lungs. Thought to be from a long surgery (12 hours) and having such a hard time walking after surgery due to positioning. So, I'm still in the hospital, waiting for my blood thinner medications to be at good levels in my body. Docs think I could be here till Monday at the latest. Good news is that they took out my feeding tube today!!! I got to eat my first meal since before surgery almost 2 weeks ago!
I'm hanging in there, my spirits were down today, I miss my home and can't wait to get home!!
I'll keep u all updated!!
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What a story. I hope next week goes better for you. Keep hanging. Home is on the horizon. I hope the meal was delicious. I remember my first meal after three days. Yours was a long stretch. Keep ordering those hospital meals and hope you are well enough to go home by Monday.
Hugs,
Mei Mei 8)
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Hi, Sarah ~
I'm sorry to learn about the blood clot and related hospitalization but glad it was quickly addressed and in the process, they removed the dreaded feeding tube so you could eat a normal meal! I hope you'll be released soon and, of course, you'll remain in my prayers.
Jim
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Sarah - You are a strong person to go through all of this with such a great attitude. Hang in there! :)
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Have been reading your posts. My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. Best wishes, Mickey
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Keep on keeping up the healing. We are all thinking of you. Sincerely yours,
Mei Mei
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Thank you again everyone! Still in the hospital waiting on these medications to level out. Getting so bored in the hospital and really wanting to go home. Surgeon won't send me home until everything is level out. He worries about bleeding so wants me to stay here just in case. Worst part is being so bored. I'm catching up on my reading and daytime tv!
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Being bored is a sign that you are on your way home. Your doctor is right in caring for your and making sure you are OK. Just keep on being bored and keep the reading light for a while. Have you ever tried Janet Evanovich? I read her books in order from book 1 to book 9. They are quick reads and make you laugh.
Sending you good healing vibes... ;)
Mei Mei
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I got discharged yesterday!!! Being home is the most amazing feeling ever!!! Now it's recovery and gaining back my engery!!!
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Yay! :)
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Let the healing begin!! :D so happy for you!
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Recovoery is a big piece of the puzzle. Take baby steps and don't get frustrated.
Hugs,
Mei Mei
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For those of us awaiting procedure... it is good to know that we can be praying for those who have had their procedure and recovering. Keeping you in my thoughts and continued prayer for your recovery! :D
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Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
LisaP ;D
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Welcome home. ;D ;D Take a big breath and make a big smile.
Hugs,
Mei Mei
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Sarah ~
(Belated) congratulations on being released from the hospital! Relax as best that you can and don't try to do too much, too soon - but do enjoy being home!
Jim
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Hi have been away for sometime so have only read your thread now. Glad you are doing good and best wishes for full recovery'
Annx