ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: patbiedermann on January 30, 2012, 01:01:46 pm
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I had surgery on June 13 to remove my tumor. It was a large tumor that they got the most of, translabyrinth approach. They couldn't get all of it because it was wrapped around my brain stem. I was in the hospital for 10 days and then a rehab unit for 7 days. I was in University Hospital in Syracuse, NY. My neurosurgeon was Dr. Eric Deshaises and my ENT Dr. was Dr. Charles Woods. They both have been excellent throughout the whole process. I came home July 1, on my grandson's 4th birthday. I really never thought I'd say this, but a hot dog tasted good! It was a long summer going through OT and PT, but was released from them in October. Last Thursday, January 25th, I underwent placement of a gold weight in my right eyelid. My eye feels so much better! On Wednesday I meet with my employer to get back to work next Monday, February 6. It will be good to get back to work, although my work will be checked 100%. My job is Coding Manager at a local hospital that entails a lot of thought processes and memory. I am somewhat scared about all of that. I have to try, though. Does anyone have any suggestions about how long to give myself? There have been a lot of ups and downs and there are some things I will never take for granted again! My husband has been very supportive and it must have been a long and difficult road for him as well. It feels good to have some normalcy return to our lives although somehow I think things will never be completely normal again. Does anyone have any suggestions about what to expect going forward? I know that I'll be having followup MRIs going forward. Thank you for listening.
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Hi, I'm about 10 months out. I actually do billing for my husband's physical therapy office. At first, I was working 2 hours day when I went back to work 3 months post-op. Now, I'm working about 7-9 hours a day, and surprisingly I can handle it. In November, our office switched to all electronic billing and I was able to manage the transition, train the new employees, and coordinate the whole project. So I think you should be okay. I hope you'll be okay. Going back to work, although at first it was hard with facial paralysis and all, but it got better and better each month.
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Getting back to work was the best thing for me. I was depressed at home and keep feeling I would never be normal if I didn't get back to my work schedule. I went back at 6 weeks 4 hours a day and then 8hours a day after 8 weeks. I am a Nurse Coordinator so my job takes a lot of thinking, managing but I will say it worked, I got better and better and I did not have to say "i just had brain surgery cut me some slack". I am still not 100% but work is good therapy. Good luck getting back in the groove.