ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: opp2 on September 11, 2009, 12:09:31 pm
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So I just finished booking Seton house. Surgery is Oct 23rd. And just like when I was previously booked here in Ontario for Sep4th, as soon as the date was booked I began to panic.
It's ok though, I've been working out like an animal trying to get all those good endorphins flowing.
I can't see spending the next 6 weeks on the edge of my seat and I'm hoping when I start telling people around me it will help.
Nikki
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Nikki ~
Congratulations on your surgery date and booking a spot at Seton House. Keeping busy is always good 'therapy' to deal with the pre-op jitters. The time will fly. Besides, I've entered your surgery date on the famed 'AN Treatment Calendar' http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d23/10/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d23/10/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B) so you have to go, now. :)
Jim
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Thank you Jim. I appreciate it. ;)
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I have been their, althought I even went to the or and was later send home. So I can relate. I was so nervous laying on the or table that the staff thought I was cold! I was also given another surgery date- October 19th. So with all this being said, I cann't wait to hear your story and hear all the good news you will have. Take care and I am sending lots of blessings your way. Debi
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I suppose I could have been a tad more forth coming and told you all that the surgery will be with Dr. F and Dr. Scwartz. My husband is coming along. October is a busy month, we'll be missing our best friends little girls birthday (always a big deal),my JKer's first field trip (granny will have to go) and Halloween.
Two beer later I've started to settle down. I suppose I'll have to start watching what I eat and drink, continue to work out, and sleep as much as possible.
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I can totally relate to your jitters! I too am booked and ready to go, although a bit sooner than you are- Sept. 23rd. I will be at the Univ. of Utah Medical Center.
Has anyone else out there been to Univ of Utah?
Laurie
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Hi Laurie,
Welcome to the forum. I happened to notice that Annisa, who had surgery at U. of Utah last April, was just on the forum today, having been absent for a month or so. Here is a link to her post just today:
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=10500.0
We also keep a calendar of AN surgeries, so we can remember to wish you well when your turn comes up. It is actually a separate web site:
http://my.calendars.net/AN_Treatments
I went ahead and added you, since you may have other things on your mind besides how to work an online calendar.
Please make yourself at home. ;)
Steve
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Steve,
Thanks for the welcome, calendar link (what a great idea!) and direct to Annisa. I plan to spend some serious time reading forum posts in the next week or so.
Laurie
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Laurie, Do not let yourself too get too over nervous over some posts as there are a good share of people who post while in recovery, get back to normal life with some adjustments and then leave. It can be easy to think that the many of us who are around due to more problems are the normal and it is not. Way back when I first found the AN,there was a different type of forum and no one ever posted that life could be back to usual. I was very scared. Post op I was back to work in 2 months as a nurse. In a couple years we found an AN on the other side which in time has caused more surgery plus another tumor on the first side also. I have NF2 which is not typical. Only 5% of ANers are NF2 and about half of those with NF2 are of a hereditary type found at a young age.
How one does with this all varies due to tumor size,location and how experienced the surgeon is. The time ahead of surgery can make one more nervous than after surgery. Ask any questions you have as that is normal too.
Cheryl R
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I'm more nervous about my Baha surgery than the actual AN surgery...My B/P was normal for a change including the morning of the surgery....Take one day at a time and make the most of it....Time will fly....After surgery, just remember that the first 3 days (f3d) dont count...As soonn as they allow you get up and walk...it really does help...
Make arrangements for a wheelchair at airport...if I'm not mistaken, Donnalynn was mistaken for a terrorist...J/K....but if memory serves me correct ( it has lots of holes in it now post op) And Donnalynn chime in here if I am wrong, but they you get harrassed at airport???
Also one good or should I say excellent item to bring is a travel pillow....I read about it on this forum and am so thankful to have had the pillow for the 1.5 hour drive home...
Best wishes for a speedy recovery....walk walk walk and more walks...
JO
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You are in good hands with Friedman and Schwartz. Seton is comfortable and you will be glad to have the extra days to recover without family and friends starring at you ;)
I agree that working out presurgery is an excellent idea...you will have many, many, many weeks of taking it easy.
I thought maybe drinking would have to cease prior to going in for the big day, but was reassured by many that red wine makes the heart stronger...which is most excellent before surgery ;D
Hang in there and try to relax. It is what it is and you just have to go through the motions to get to the other side! Alicia
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Hi Nikki,
Its good that you have the date set! Now just focus on yourself and being ready after surgery, etc. I kept myself busy and made sure of everything possible being done around my home, house and pet sitters,etc. and the time really flew by. Many of the things that I worried about were of no consequence, and things went very smooth at seton/st vincent. I had the same docs and I'm 3+ weeks post surgery. I was concerned that I'd be emotional on pre-op day and surgery, but was not as I was focused on listening and a calm came over me as I let the experts take control. The setup there and people there really gave me confidence and comfort .
The surprising thing was I was trying to be all healthy with my diet, and the docs didn't seem to think that it mattered much prior to surgery, afterwards I was told by Dr. Stefan to limit the wine, which really makes since with balance issues! I really watched what I ate/drank for the 3 days prior, no meat - I had no problems at all.
I also made a page on patientstatus.com, for friends and relatives to check - this was really nice and comforting.
best, melinda
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Thanks Melinda. There is a tiny snag in the plans now. I'll lilkely be postponing and I'll post more later, but I have a few phone calls to make.
I'm very pleased for YOU! Great recovery.
Nik
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I have postponed my surgery in LA indefinitely while I seek the opinion of a surgeon in BC. I was very disappointed to have to do it because I was already mentally preparing for Oct 23rd. And I didn't want to disappoint the surgeons in LA. I will post updates as I get them. If I am comfortable with the surgeon in BC and he will do the surgery, OHIP will pay for it, thus I couldn't not go.
Sooooo having booked 2 surgeries now and canceling one postponing the other.... I'm feeling like....oh I don't know how to describe it.
Disappointed.....
*** slightly excited to see Vancouver since I've never been ***
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I agree - You are on an emotional roller coaster. Look at it this way...now you get to enjoy the birthday party, field trip, and Halloween with your kids! Let the system do it's thing - it will work out eventually. Don't stress about things you do not have control of. Each day is another step closer ;)
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Nikki,
Disappointed? That's a nice word! Excited to see Vancouver-that's great! See you are already looking on the bright side of things!
How frustrating for you, but like Alicia said hopefully you can enjoy those October things (I LOVED that month when my kids were younger!).
I got the run around with my surgery date and location, though I was strangely calm, because I knew it would all would work out in the end, and it was a slow growing benign tumor anyway. I was too busy to really worry all the time. Sounds like you are too. (busy that is)
Mine's a long story so won't bore you, but know that things do happen for a reason.
Let us know what the date ends up being and we're here for you all the way :)
And Laurie, you too- let us know how things go preop!
Maureen
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Nikki,
who are you consulting with in Vancouver? Adrienne from the forum, as well as other ANers in BC have had excellent results with Dr. Akagami. I don't think you can go wrong with him. And, does OHIP cover an out of province surgery? Do they need justification for out of province treatment that is also offered in Ontario?
Marianna
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Nikki,
who are you consulting with in Vancouver? Adrienne from the forum, as well as other ANers in BC have had excellent results with Dr. Akagami. I don't think you can go wrong with him. And, does OHIP cover an out of province surgery? Do they need justification for out of province treatment that is also offered in Ontario?
Marianna
Yes, Marianna, I am seeing Dr. Akagami. I've been told that OHIP will pay for it given the reasons I gave him that I wanted to see him. I'm just in the preliminary stages right now. I don't even have a consult date. We are members of club intrawest so we are hoping to use our membership to stay at a cool hotel a few minutes from the hospital for the consult. That will be a highlight. I feel like a real jet setter, but truthfully between intrawest points and Avion points we should be able to feel like jet setters without the high cost of Jetting! .
Emotional roller coaster is the most appropriate description I can think of... well said Alicia!
**edited to compensate for the afternoon shift cocktails at a retirement party I went too. I had a great time, and hope to be able to see my retirement after 33 years with my service.
What a crazy life we live. Challenges we face. Triumphs, trials, tribulations!