ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: TaylorsMom on February 22, 2008, 11:28:56 am
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Hi all,
Just got home yesterday from another stay in the hospital, our home away from home. Not quite 2 weeks ago Taylor started having drainage under her earlobe again. Her surgeon checked it and drew some fluid out. It looked fine then, not infected. It kept draining the rest of the week as he said it would. Sunday morning I took the dressing off and it was obvious that it had gotten infected. Off to the ER we went. Unfortunatly, her surgeon was out of town and has been all week. Another surgeon took her to OR, reopened part of the incision by her earlobe about an inch long and suctioned as much infection as he could. They filled her full of heavy duty IV antibiotics until yesterday (Thursday) morning and sent us home. The transplanted muscle seems to be OK so far. Her surgeon will be back next week and we see him on Tuesday.
Wish us luck,
Kathy
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Kathy,
Really sorry to hear about that! Please give Taylor a huge hug for me! She sure doesn't need complications!!!! None of us do! Sending you both lots of happy thoughts to keep the infection buggies at bay. She's a fighter, she can do this!
Hugs!
Kathleen
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Hi, Kathy:
I was so sorry to read of Taylor's setback but it appears as if its under control, now.
I trust that Taylor is handling this in her usual stalwart manner and that the infection can be stopped and her young life get back to near-normal soon.
You and Taylor will be in our thoughts and prayers, as always.
Jim
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Oh boy, it's always something isn't it.... Sorry to hear about this, but thank God for antibiotics.
Will keep positive thoughts for you guys. Nancy
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Ugh - two steps forward and one step back it seems!
Hope this is the last backwards step and everything goes smoothly from this point on! I'll be thinking of you two! Hang in there!
Lori
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Kathy - I am so sorry to hear that Taylor is having to deal with yet another issue, but thankfully it sounds like it is under control. She is such a fighter and we have all drawn so much inspiration from her and of course from you too.
Hugs to you and Taylor
Cheryl
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Hi Kathy and Taylor,
I am really sorry to hear about the complication you've had to deal with. Thank goodness there was another surgeon to step in and take care of the situation. I'm so secure with Chelsea's doctors that when ever someone mentions that maybe we should find someone closer to us I go nuts. I hope you both get some good rest now that you're home and that the infection clears up fast. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. Michelle
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How long has it been since Taylor's initial surgery? It's been 2.5 years for me.
Paul
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Kathy please tell Taylor my Son and I are thinking of her and wish her well. I gave him her screen name for AIM and I know they have talked on line. I think they could be good for each other since they have both had brain surgeries and complications that sometimes follow. My son also has had so many setbacks that it can be overwhelming and I would be happy to talk to you one Mother to Another. Our children are the exact same age and have so much to deal with that no teen their age should have to go through. We are about 1-1.5 years further along in this journey and I am so greatful that my son has for the most part a pretty upbeat attitude about this. It has taken allot of late night discussions about life and some counseling also to get to this point. I do know that he is lonely and a little lost right now trying to figure out exactly what he is going to do for the rest of his life. Many kisses to your families foreheads. :-* Don't forget to take care of yourself. 16
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Paul as of February 3rd, it's been 2 years. She's come a long way. She was signing forms Sunday at the hospital and I noticed she was signing her name faster than she had been. She said some days are better than others as far as handwriting goes. I was very happy to notice any improvement.
Kathy
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That sounds very encouraging!
Has she mentioned anything about it herself? It must slowly come back over the years if we keep working it. I've been noticing some slight improvements as well.
Paul
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So sorry to hear about Taylor. I hope she is feeling better. She's had a tough row to hoe, as they say. Please convey my best wishes to her and tell her that I think of her often and know that one day all this junk will be just a memory. I know that she will have so many great things happen in her lifetime. It won't all be doctors and ER's and such.
Hugs,
Sue in Vancouver
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Sorry to hear about Taylor! She sure has been through a lot! I hope it is the last setback ever in her life.
Eve
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Kathy,
I am sending BIG huggggggggles to Taylor... and to you. wellness huggles to you....... she's come a LONG way and sending Beanie healing "toots" as well!
Phyl
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How is Taylor feeling as the days go by? I hope that each day she is doing better. :)
OK Phyl exactly what are "Beanie healing toots"? There has to be a story to go along with this. 16
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:-* :-* :-* :-*Big hugs to Taylor, She has been throught so much, I mean, enough already.. But like already mentioned, she has proven to be a fighter and she will get through it. Seems like back when she had her surgery we all kinda adopted her as the AN baby of the bunch. I have not had some of the complications Taylor has had to endure, but at 3.5 years out, I can tell you I notice suttle improvements all the time. It does continue to get better with time and effort.
All my best to you & Taylor. Sorry we wern't able to hook up when you came through Salt Lake City last year. :(
Patti UT
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More hugs and prayers for Taylor..............how is she doing now?
Hugs,
Brenda
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Hello Taylor and Kathy
I've been thinking about you and wondered how the recovery is progressing. Chelsea and I were talking about you and Chris last night and what a hugh life changing diagnosis this is for you all. I know that this is true for anyone that has an AN, but for you young ones it seems to be a lousy way to be starting out your young adult years. Chelsea keeps the mantra going of 'what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger'. I hope you are seeing positive results from your last surgery and you are healing well. Take care.
Michelle
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Michelle and Chelsea and Taylor and Kathy and Chris and Chrismom and all......
You know I've been following along since you all (and myself) appeared on this site... and you know I cheer you all on...... I follow all you endure.... just sending you all the best of wellness wishes. You all have had such a tough journey and please know that I send the infamous huggles and Beanie wellness "toots" to you all.
Phyl
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Has anyone else noticed that the teenagers seem to have a harder time with surgery? They also seem to have more complications. Just thinking out loud. What are does everyone think about this?
Taylor I hope you are doing well. 16
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It does seem that way ... but also teenages seem to have MONSTER tumors... which cause more issues!
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Has anyone else noticed that the teenagers seem to have a harder time with surgery? They also seem to have more complications. Just thinking out loud. What are does everyone think about this?
I've noticed the incidences of teens with AN's seemingly having more complications than slightly older folks (like me). I have absolutely no idea why this would be. Usually, youth equals a high resistance to physical maladies, so, you would assume that a young person (teens or early 20's) who is unfortunate enough to even have an acoustic neuroma would breeze through surgery or radiation and be well again within weeks. I'm sure this scenario occurs but it's obvious some that young AN patients sometimes have many AN complications. I've also noted that they often recover fairly rapidly and are able to resume their lives faster than many older AN patients.
I can't offer a rational explanation for the incidences of young AN patients developing post-op complications, other than - in some cases - inept handling of the surgery or aftercare, but I want to applaud the usually quick recuperation period and determination of the young AN patient to 'get back' as well as - specific to the folks who post here, anyway - their parent's unfailingly resolute support and encouragement at every step of the child's return to wellness. That, alone, is inspiring. :)
Jim
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Hello All!
I guess I was pretty young and had a pretty rough road, but I have a GREAT life now!! It is very true -- what doesn't kill you WILL make you stronger BUT what my personal motto and what got me through everything was that God will NEVER give us more than we can handle!!
Happy Thoughts,
K
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I think it was Mother Teresa who said "God never gives me more than I can handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much!".
Who knew she had a sense of humor? :D