ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => Inquiries => Topic started by: mindyandy on March 06, 2012, 12:09:38 pm

Title: Retro at House
Post by: mindyandy on March 06, 2012, 12:09:38 pm
Anyone here have Retrosigmoid at House? Did they put a drain in your back? Schwatz says its what they do with Retro?

Thanks Mindy
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: Jim Scott on March 06, 2012, 03:21:15 pm
Mindy ~

Interesting.  I didn't have my surgery at HEI so my experience isn't relevant but I had Retro surgery and didn't have a drain installed nor was any mention made of needing one - and my neurosurgeon had decades of experience with AN removals.  However, each doctor/facility has their own protocol and apparently placing a lumbar drain in the AN surgery patient is what they do at House.  I'm sure it's based on their experience.

You're in our prayers and we look forward to seeing you on 'the other side'.  :). 

Jim
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: CHD63 on March 06, 2012, 04:50:33 pm
Hi Mindy .....

Dr. Schwartz did translab on me but I had a drain where they did the fat graft in my abdomen (I think left in until day 3, not sure).

When I had retrosigmoid at Duke 4 years ago, I had a drain in my back, but I think for only 24 hrs.  Don't remember about the retrosigmoid at UPMC 18 years ago .....

Not a big deal and definitely no pain with any of them.

Best wishes and many thoughts and prayers for tomorrow.

Clarice
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: LakeErie on March 06, 2012, 05:42:46 pm
I was not at House either, but some surgeons employing retro use a lumbar drain to dehydrate the brain which causes the cerebellum to retract naturally and avoids the need to move the brain
to obtain a field of vision for the tumor. Once the tumor is removed, the brain is then rehydrated with ringers solution. It is a common procedure with some doctors is my understanding.
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: mindyandy on March 06, 2012, 08:16:07 pm
Thanks guys. He said it gets put in while I'm asleep. I'm just afraid I'm going to feel it when I wake up. I also asked about breathing tube when I wake up. He said no but one of the RN admission nurses said yes but MOST of us don't remember  :o
Surgery is expected 4-5 hours. He is basically going to just remove what he can off the trigeminal nerve and try to get what he can without disturbing my facial or hearing nerve. Since I had CK 4 years ago...he said he really sees no growth but it is touching my trigeminal nerve. I'm basically getting MVD done with slight tumor removal. He doesn't expect it to grow. I will have MRI's done in the future.
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: trev0024 on March 07, 2012, 07:37:20 am
Good luck today! I hope all goes well.
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: leapyrtwins on March 07, 2012, 12:30:38 pm
Some docs insert lumbar drains during surgery just in case you develop a CSF leak.  It's one of the doc preferences things.

I didn't have my surgery @ HEI, but I had retro here in Illinois.

My doc is one who doesn't place a lumbar drain.

Jan
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: MDemisay on March 07, 2012, 12:53:16 pm
Good luck ,Mindy!

I'll be praying as well. I am sure you'll do fine! ;D

 Look on the bright side, you have a whole lot of friends that you made here, we're all pullin' for you! :D

Your Friend,

Mike
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: CHD63 on March 08, 2012, 05:20:45 pm
Just had an email from Mindy.  "In regular room all good. Could you post on Ana.  Mindy"

Sounds like all went well ..... so glad!

Clarice
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: lizzie1hoops on March 08, 2012, 05:28:59 pm
Thank you for posting, Clarice!  That's wonderful news that I've been waiting for anxiously!

Mindy - I hope by the time you read this you will be doing better and better.  We'll keep thinking about you!

Best wishes,
Liz
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: BeckyMax on March 08, 2012, 10:27:58 pm
Great to hear, I've been watching and waiting.........he he he
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: ppearl214 on March 09, 2012, 04:38:18 am
Just had an email from Mindy.  "In regular room all good. Could you post on Ana.  Mindy"

Sounds like all went well ..... so glad!

Clarice

Great news Clarice! Thanks for sharing! I checked her caringbridge... no update there yet but hope to hear from her soon as a double postie!

Phyl
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: windy on March 10, 2012, 05:01:56 pm
Clarice, thank you for posting that Mindy sent you a message. I have been wondering how everthing went and have been anxious to see a message from her. I am glad to hear she is in a regular room.

Wishing you the best Mindy!! I hope everything is going really well for you!!  :)

Windy
Title: Re: Retro at House
Post by: lrobie on March 10, 2012, 09:51:49 pm
Mindy also posted on Facebook 11 hours ago, so this morning.  She said...Might get released back to Seton hall today. Thanks for all the well wishes.

I'm so glad to hear something from her.  I, too, was getting very anxious and kept checking for something from her.

Well wishes sent your way, Mindy.

Lisa