ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: GailN on May 28, 2009, 02:24:23 pm

Title: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: GailN on May 28, 2009, 02:24:23 pm
Hello,

I have just learned of this site and forum through a "House club member", aka patient who just had her AN surgery and her family, while staying at Seton Guest Center, St Vincent Hospital, Los Angeles. Seems like an awesome resource and I hope to visit often. I had my AN translab surgery on 5/13 and was discharged on 5/22 after a slightly prolonged stay due to CSF leak and lumbar drain. I was doing well but then developed left leg swelling and pain, went to ER and was diagnosed with DVT in my left groin. So was allowed to treat with self-administered Lovenox injections and Coumadin as outpatient while staying here at Seton near the hospital, hoping and praying that I would not have any further complications and be stable to travel home to Atlanta. Well, I just got the call from the MD office letting me know my labwork showed I am "therapeutic" as far as anticoagulation is concerned and he gave me the thumbs up to travel home tomorrow. I am so relieved and looking forward to beginning this next chapter in the healing process. God bless all of you who support each other going through AN diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Gail
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: CHD63 on May 28, 2009, 02:34:40 pm
Gail .....

Welcome to our exclusive group of ANers!  (Well, actually we have some others that we welcome, as well!!)  Sorry you had to have an AN, but so glad you found out about the site.  You will find a loving, caring, and most of all sympathetic group of people here ..... willing to talk about any questions, etc. you may have.

It sounds like you've had quite a ride so far.  Take it easy on your way home tomorrow and then plan to rest, rest, rest when you get home.

Keep posting as you can and let us know how you are doing.

Clarice
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: Kaybo on May 28, 2009, 03:39:53 pm
Hi Gail!
Glad you found us - feel free to jump right in and visit or ask questions!  We have all either been there or had someone close to us go thru this so no question is off-limits!  Glad you are doing better and able to go home now.

K
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: Jim Scott on May 28, 2009, 04:21:13 pm
Hi, Gail - and welcome!  :)

Sorry you had an acoustic neuroma but glad you're recovering, now, after the post-op complications. Thanks for posting! 

Jim
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: cjtender on May 28, 2009, 04:29:50 pm
sorry you had complications but glad you are on your way to the brighter side....I had my surgery on 4/28 and then ended up back in hospital with lunbar drain also....i wish you a quick recovery
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: Lilan on May 28, 2009, 05:27:51 pm
Greetings, Gail!

Was your friend at Seton the lovely Alicia, by any chance?  :)

Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: nancyann on May 28, 2009, 05:54:31 pm
Gail: have a safe & wonderful trip home.
As the saying goes,  "there's no place like home"
Always good thoughts,  Nancy
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: leapyrtwins on May 28, 2009, 09:06:39 pm
Gail -

I hope you visit often, too.

Welcome to the forum  ;D

Jan
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: suboo73 on May 29, 2009, 05:13:40 am
Hi Gail!  Sorry you had to join this club, but so glad you found the Forum! 
I am here with my sister - yes, we both have an AN!

Hope you have a good trip home.
Best wishes for continued healing.

Welcome, welcome!

Sincerely,
Sue
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: nancyann on June 02, 2009, 04:22:08 pm
Hi Gail - just checking up,

Hope all is well ..... 
Always good thoughts,  Nancy
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: cindyj on June 02, 2009, 05:22:12 pm
Hi, Gail and Welcome!  Glad you've found out about us, wish you had known about us sooner as I live here in Atlanta (Cumming) and am also a recent House alumni.  But, we can catch up now and perhaps meet at some point.  We just had an Atlanta Support Group meeting last weekend!

I'm going to send you a PM with my contact info and some further info about the area support group.

Cindy
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: catlover on June 04, 2009, 05:06:03 pm
Hello Gail,
Welcome to the forum!  :)  Glad to hear you're feeling better now and that you're going home. Nothing's like home! I'm 15 days post-op today and I'm feeling quite alright, but I didn't have to deal with the issues post-op that you had to. I hope everything will go on just fine now and that you'll heal quickly. Please, post and let us know how you're doing, but don't remember to rest and take it easy when you're home.

All the best to you from Helene in Sweden
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: GailN on June 06, 2009, 04:02:47 pm
Hey, thanks everyone for the greetings and encouragement! Just getting around to checking in on this site, so was thrilled to get all the replies to my initial post. Have now been home a week and am doing well with exception of daily headaches and recently diagnosed liver enzyme elevation on labwork done at my post hospital followup with my local PCP. Turns out I have been taking several meds/herbals all processed by liver with potential interactions/toxicity issues...Tylenol-based pain meds, Ambien, Liipitor and black cohosh (herbal Menopause Support product). Wow, it just goes to show you that less really is more when it comes to meds and not to discount potential of herbal supplements. So now I am trying to get by on one Extra-Strength Tylenol 2x/day and a Darvocet at night for these dull occipital headaches...hopeful the labs will show improvement next week. I am trying to rest but it is really hard! Thanks for the reminders of the importance of REST after AN surgery:)

Blessings to all,
Gail
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: Kaybo on June 06, 2009, 04:07:58 pm
Gail~
The most important thing is to "Listen to your Body!!" - rest when it says to!!  ;D

K
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: CHD63 on June 06, 2009, 08:10:15 pm
Gail ......

I can empathize with the elevated liver enzymes.  Finally figured out that apparently my body is very sensitive to Tylenol.  If I take even 2 extra strength Tylenol a day, along with the Voltaren XR I take for arthritis, my enzymes shoot way up.  Since the enzymes come back down when I do not take it, my gastroenterologist is not concerned.  He has told me to reserve taking the Tylenol unless I really need it.  Hopefully that is your situation, as well.  Just keep track of it.  Soon the headaches should lessen and therefore you will be able to reduce what you have to take for relief.

Clarice
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: GailN on June 07, 2009, 05:53:42 am
Thanks for encouraging words on liver enzymes, Tylenol and headaches, Clarice. I am also hopeful that time will lessen the headaches :)
Title: Re: Newbie to forum...Greetings
Post by: moe on June 07, 2009, 11:11:04 am
Welcome home, Gail and sorry to hear about your post op problems.
Hope you are feeling better every day (baby steps). Sounds like things are great, except for the headaches.
I love aromatherapy  especially light eye pillows. That seems to help calm me down.
Take it easy. :)
Maureen