ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Pooter on February 27, 2009, 02:48:43 pm
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Well, I've finally scheduled my first annual MRI follow-up to surgery. May 8th is my actual surgery anniversary, and the date I set this year is May 6th (at 3:00). I'll put on the calendar!
Luckily, scheduling it this far in advance I didn't have trouble scheduling it as I had pick of times.
Let's hope they find nothing except fat and air.. oh, and a brain would be nice. :)
Regards,
Brian
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There's an old story that after Yogi Berra suffered a concussion, the official hospital report read that "X-rays of Berra's head showed nothing."
Good luck with the MRI,
mac
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Brian:
Good luck and best wishes on your First Annual MRI scan.
Jim
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Brian, good luck to you on the MRI. I'll be about 3 months behind you for my 1st annual MRI. Probably sounds weird, but I'm actually looking forward to mine....guess I want proof that the nasty booger hasn't returned.
Patrick
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Thanks all!
Texsooner, I'm with you.. I want proof that they got it all. There's always the fear that a) they didn't get it all or b) they find another one on the other side.. I don't want to have to relive the last 10 months again.. Once was enough.
Regards,
Brian
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Did you have a 3 month MRI post surgery? I will have one in April some time - still need to schedule it. My stomach starts to bubble just thinking about it. Been down this road to many times. The "third" will NOT be a charm for me!!
Hope all goes well for you.
Jen
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Best of luck to you Brian! I can only imagine how you must be feeling knowing that you are so close to having your one year milestone. Can't wait to hear the good news that all is clear!!!!!
Kathy
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Jen, no..I did not have a 3 month MRI. My doctor only does annuals. Good luck in April! I hope they find nothing but a brain! ;)
Kathy, admittedly I get more nervous as it gets closer. I try to put it out of my head (no pun intended), but often come back to it.. I've even had a few dreams of having my 1 year MRI and being told that another was found. I'm sure it's fine and I'm getting all worked up over nothing, but I guess we all fear it to some degree. It's definitely the news we all don't want to get.. At least I'm not alone in that regard. :)
Regards,
Brian
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Luckily, scheduling it this far in advance I didn't have trouble scheduling it as I had pick of times.
My 6 month was schedule in December - May 21rst at 6:00AM - times even suck in Canada 5 months in advance - still better than 4am!
I counted the days today - about 82 days (challenging me if you want).
I hate the waiting!
Ann
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Brian: After my 1st year post op MRI, the radiologist said there was a 1.3cm x 1.7 regrowth (I had requested the results be mailed to my home).
Well, I freaked out ! ! But thanks to the folks on this site, I was told not to worry too soon, it could be fat packing, etc.
My neurosurgeon confirmed what those here told me. The radiologist misdiagnosed ! My 2nd year MRI was fine.
So, just a warning, don't worry if you hear that report from the radiologist, wait until your surgeons let you know.
& yes, I'm very nervous when each year rolls around (in fact, the 1st year, I put it off for 2 months).
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Hi Brian,
I'm happy to hear that you got to choose a date to close to your surgical anniversary. It seems fitting and I'm sure will give you a sense of closure, even though you'll be following this for a few years at least. I know it's probably even more than that to you because I feel the same way. It's like you'll have come full circle. I wish you the very best and hope it's a nice clean MRI with no surprises.
Wendy
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Happy thoughts to you. I do get a little paranoid with my symptoms. "OH no I have another acoustic neuroma." :o
They got the whole tumor (with some sacrificial cranial nerves). One year out there was no tumor. He said come back in 5 years.5 years?! Are you sure you don't want to see me next year????
This is at Madigan Army Med Ctr. in Tacoma, WA.
MOE
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Ya know Moe, I've been thinking of waiting on my next MRI at 5 years - it'll be June, 2011. Haven't decided yet - do the 3rd year or wait...
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Just my 2 cents...even though I did mine every year for 5 years like they told me to, every few (4-5), I kind of need to have another for my peace of mind! If you can go without or stop cold turkey after 5 years, I guess that is good, but for me, I would stick to it - it decreases that "what if" thing that creeps up when you least expect it!!
;D
K
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K: Do you remember if right from the start you had MRI's every 5 years ? Nancy
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Nancy~
I actually think I had MRI's & check-up every 3 months the first year and then ONCE/year after that for the first 5 years. He told me that after 5 years I wouldn't ever have to have another, but like I said, I get one about every 5 years as the doubt ccreeps in. I try to be positive and trust the Lord, but I think that after going thru all this and then it always seems I start having headaches about then for some reason or another (new baby, all 3 girlies starting school) at that 5 year mark! It just helps my peace of mind and then I am good to go for awhile longer!
Did you sleep any better last night?
K
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Brian -
good luck with the MRI.
I'm rather confident that you still do have a brain. I mean, if I still do, it only stands to reason that you do too :D
I'll probably be getting my annual MRI a few weeks after yours. My surgery was on May 31st, but last year, since it was my first post op, I moved it up and had it in April. This year I'm not as anxious about the possible outcome so I'm planning to go back to the end of May.
Jan
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K: Thanks for the info. Guess it's another MRI come August. & yes, I slept better, thanks !
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Ann, Nancy, Wendy, Moe, and Jan, thanks for the kind words! I'm just nervous leading up to it.. In many ways, I'm more nervous this time around because before I was blissfully unaware how my life would change. Now, I'm keenly aware and nervous about it..
Jan, yes, it does stand to reason that if they found your brain, they'd find one for me too.. Why does "Wizard of Oz" come to mind? "If I only had a brain.." ;)
Regards,
Brian
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Hey Brian,
If you remember, the scarecrow really had a brain all along. He just didn't know it. See, when you get your MRI done, it will confirm that fact! I'm keeping you and yours in prayer that all will go well and that a healthy brain is all that shows up. And boy, it sure makes a difference going into it blissfull in your ignorance, doesn't it? It's hard not to see boogeymen lurking in every corner when you have met one with your name in hand. :D Boogeymen, we banish you once and for all!
Priscilla
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In many ways, I'm more nervous this time around because before I was blissfully unaware how my life would change. Now, I'm keenly aware and nervous about it..
You said this quite well, Pooter. I didn't really know why I was so freaked out last year for my first annual MRI, but now I recall how blissfully ignorant I was when I went for my diagnostic one. I never gave the results a second thought until my ENT called with them. When I got the phone call I kind of went "oh, yeah, that MRI" until he mentioned there was "something" in my IAC. YIKES!!! I don't know what I figured the test would show, but I guess I naively thought it would be nothing.
Priscilla - good comparison with the scarecrow. It's nice to know that Pooter and I had brains all along!
Jan
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Jan, at least you have documented proof.. I still have to get mine. ;) I know what you mean about being taken off guard with the results.. I was given the "news" inadvertantly by a nurse on the phone while driving in traffic.. Not a good time to hear "tumors THAT large...".. Ugh.. She's redeemed herself as she's been very helpful at times when I needed her the most.
Brian
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Best wishes on your followup MRI. And finding out while driving in traffic, thats terrible! I bet she felt so bad!
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Hi Brian! Best wishes for the next MRI! I am sure yours will be wonderfully clear of the little booger and show lots of brains!
Sue
PS Jan - i had already read my MRI because the doctor didn't call and didn't call, so i got a copy of the report. Then got the call from the doctor while driving, too. He asked me if i wanted him to call back - i said, omgosh, NO! Please tell me the story so i can get on with my life.
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Best wishes on your followup MRI. And finding out while driving in traffic, thats terrible! I bet she felt so bad!
Quite honestly, she said it in passing and I don't even think she realized she let it slip. At that point, all I knew that they found "something" and I was going to see another doctor that she was supposed to set up the referral for me. When she let it slip, I was stunned. But, at least I knew somewhat what the doctor was gonna say when I saw him the following week. Of course, I thought I was gonna die based on what she said. Luckily, the doctor (and the people here) calmed that fear rather quickly for me. An AN is not lethal (VERY rarely) unless left untreated, thank God!
As far as finding out while driving in traffic, at least I was going slow.. ;)
Regards,
Brian