ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: Michelle K on January 20, 2010, 06:09:50 pm

Title: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Michelle K on January 20, 2010, 06:09:50 pm
So the date is set.  I will be joining the AN/VS surgical resection class of 2010 Alumni on Feb 2nd, less than 2 weeks away, at HEI with Dr. Brackmann and Schwartz (unless this cold I currently have sidelines me).  I'm not terribly excited about joining the club, but I have found a lot of comfort from so many of your posts.  Watching those just going in for treatment, and then going through recovery, and coming out ok, it gives me hope.  I am so glad I found this website, it's been a wonderful resource, and helpful to know that there's a whole AN/VS familly out there that understands this experience like no others.  I want to especially thank Jay and DHM, for taking the time to resond to my PM's.  Your insights were invaluable.  You've all "paid it forward" more than you know.

Michelle

Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Lilan on January 20, 2010, 07:02:41 pm
Michelle, congratulations on having a date.

It won't be the best week of your life, but it'll be a memory before you know it.

So many doctors pre-surgery were telling me I just needed to "get this behind me," and I thought they were out of their minds. What did they know, they aren't the ones on the table, and living with the consequences, right!!!?!  :D 

But now when I see patients on here stressing about decision-making, I wish on their behalf for the day when they will have this "behind them"! And now yours is near.

Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Chitownpete on January 20, 2010, 10:12:21 pm
Im scheduled on Feb 2nd as well..  Seems like alot of people going on this date. I wish us good luck.
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: sgerrard on January 20, 2010, 10:25:20 pm
If you peek out from the sheets after surgery, and you see your shadow, we will all have six more weeks of winter.  ::)

Steve
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Michelle K on January 21, 2010, 10:52:33 am
Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone.  Steve, you are too funny.  I'll let you know about the weather status shortly.  Chitownpete, 2/2/10 sounds like a lucky day to me.  Hope all goes well for you and keep me posted.  Lilan, thank you for that.  I do just want to get this all behind me.  The stress of constantly thinking about it is exhausting. 

Michelle
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: loose screws (tightened) on January 22, 2010, 12:49:25 am
Michelle, Your in very good hands, literally. These two guys (Brackmann/Schwartz) do a lot of these surgeries and are probably the most experienced surgeons anywhere in the world for removing ANs. I had the privilege of letting them cut my head open and remove my tumor back in Nov 09. I'm now back at work functioning at about 85% pre-surgery.

Good luck

Mike
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Jim Scott on January 22, 2010, 02:28:36 pm
Michelle ~

Congratulations on securing a surgery date with two very experienced AN doctors.  I'm confident that you'll do just fine. 

I've added your surgery date to our AN Treatment Calendar  http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d02/02/2010?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d02/02/2010?authenticate=&display=M&style=B)  Feel free to edit, if needed.

Jim
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: DR on January 25, 2010, 02:40:39 pm
Michelle,

Glad to hear you have made a decision, we know how difficult it is to make.  Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!  And hats off to Steve regarding his "shadow" comment, it had me LOL in my office  :D

- Dennis
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: jaylogs on January 25, 2010, 02:45:47 pm
Hey Michelle, that is awesome you got the date! It'll be over before you know it!!  Now you can just rest easy and let things happen because you're not in the driver seat anymore, at least not for a while!  As long as you feel good about your decision, then it is indeed the right one on who you are doing this with!  Keep it going with the updates on here, or if you just need to vent! Again, congrats!!
Jay
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: alicia on January 25, 2010, 02:58:34 pm
You gotta love not being in the driver's seat!  You are in great hands.  Try to relax, this is just the next thing to cross off your "To Do" List!  Best wishes and remember the first few days don't count!!!  Alicia
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: james e on January 27, 2010, 06:06:17 am
Good luck...break a leg! Can you say that? I have just talked to HEI on Tuesday and they have asked for a more high definition MRI of the auditory canal. How long did you have to wait, once you contacted them, did you get scheduled for surgery? I am trying to put my life in order before I do all of this, and just need some type of time table. Every time I talk to a doctor, I always walk away asking my self "why didn't I ask that?"
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: moe on January 27, 2010, 10:01:51 am
Michelle,
Surgery will be here before you know it, and you'll wake up "on the other side" and be happy about that!
I'll remember you on Groundhog day, prayers for successful surgery. :)
Maureen
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Michelle K on January 27, 2010, 07:29:08 pm
Thanks Everyone!  You are all so wonderful!  I can't believe it's less than a week away now.

James, I think HEI was only about a month or so out for scheduling my surgery.  Not too long.  There are some really great links to other people's blog's regarding questions to ask.  Here's my list.  Hope it helps and saves you a little bit of time.

Surgery Questions:

1.   How many VM’s have you removed this year?  How many do you typically do in a week?
2.   What surgical approach do you recommend for my tumor size, location, age, health, and level of hearing?  Do I have enough hearing to even try to preserve?
3.   What are your success rates for preserving the facial nerve in cases such as mine?  What is the likelihood I will sustain facial nerve damage?  Temporary, how long?  Permanent?
4.   Do you anticipate total tumor removal?
5.   Can you tell if my tumor is coming off the vestibular nerve?  How much outside the IAC?  Location?
6.   How do you measure the size of my tumor, ie: what measurement comes first, the largest?
7.   Who monitors the facial nerve during surgery?
8.   What is the rate of surgical complications given my particular situation?  Headache, bleeding, CSF leak, and infection?
9.   Who will be on my surgical team?  What are each of their jobs?  Do you do the entire surgery, or do you switch back and forth with the neuro?
10.   Who will be present in the OR?  Any students?  Who will be operating on me?
11.   With the TransLab, do you fill the void with anything besides fat?  Titanium mesh also, or not?
12.   When you take the fat from my stomach, where from?  How big of a scar?  Do you put a draining tube in or stitches?
13.   How many times will you come to visit my family, or send updates to my family during the surgery?
14.   How long do you anticipate the surgery to take given my particular tumor size?
15.   What should I expect when I wake up from surgery?
16.   Which Dr’s will be doing the follow up in the hospital?
17.   How discomfort should I expect from pain after this surgery?  Dizziness?
18.   What medications will I be getting?  Steroids?  Side effects?
19.   How long can I expect to be ICU?  In recovery at the hospital?  When will I get the stitches removed?  How long do I need to stay in the area?  Ok to fly home?
20.   Will I have an MRI after surgery?  How often should I get them thereafter?
21.   Can my son come to see me at the hospital after surgery?  How long after surgery do you typically recommend?
22.   Will I be sharing a room?  With how many people?
23.   Can I tour the hospital area where I will be?
24.   What will be done for the pre-op?  Can I get copies of all of my pre-op bloodwork, chest x-rays, EKG.  And the surgery report?
25.            If you had an acoustic neuroma, who would you trust to perform surgery on you?  Who do you recommend for a second opinion?
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: leapyrtwins on January 27, 2010, 07:49:42 pm
If you peek out from the sheets after surgery, and you see your shadow, we will all have six more weeks of winter.  ::)

Steve -

that quote is just plain hilarious!!  :D

Jan
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: NL on February 02, 2010, 12:54:27 am
During her busy pre-op day, Michelle was able to take some time out to meet with the LA ANer's. (We're so glad it worked out!)

Hello All,

Well, I'm headed to surgery tomorrow.  Just want to give a special Thank You to what I affectiionately call the HEI posse.  I was fortunate enough to meet Nancy, Lainie, and David today for a brief but wonderful lunch.  To take the time out of your day to spend with me was just, well, beyond kind.  Thank you, and I hope to pass on a similar kindness to others myself once I get this surgery and recovery behind me.

Michelle

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4323965673_430b751e47.jpg)
Nancy, Lainie, Michelle, and David, 2-1-10

Michelle - it was such a pleasure to meet you and personally wish you well on your way to postie-land! :)
Know that LOTS of good vibes will be headed your way tomorrow morning!
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: lalehjg on February 02, 2010, 08:52:09 am
Michelle.

I am thinking of you now.  You are probably in your gown possibly now, and headed for surgery.  I will be sending you prayers and love and lots of positive and healing vibes.

Laleh
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: pjb on February 02, 2010, 08:58:20 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you today.

Best Wishes,

Pat
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: pjb on February 02, 2010, 09:02:12 am
Thanks Everyone!  You are all so wonderful!  I can't believe it's less than a week away now.

James, I think HEI was only about a month or so out for scheduling my surgery.  Not too long.  There are some really great links to other people's blog's regarding questions to ask.  Here's my list.  Hope it helps and saves you a little bit of time.

Surgery Questions:

1.   How many VM’s have you removed this year?  How many do you typically do in a week?
2.   What surgical approach do you recommend for my tumor size, location, age, health, and level of hearing?  Do I have enough hearing to even try to preserve?
3.   What are your success rates for preserving the facial nerve in cases such as mine?  What is the likelihood I will sustain facial nerve damage?  Temporary, how long?  Permanent?
4.   Do you anticipate total tumor removal?
5.   Can you tell if my tumor is coming off the vestibular nerve?  How much outside the IAC?  Location?
6.   How do you measure the size of my tumor, ie: what measurement comes first, the largest?
7.   Who monitors the facial nerve during surgery?
8.   What is the rate of surgical complications given my particular situation?  Headache, bleeding, CSF leak, and infection?
9.   Who will be on my surgical team?  What are each of their jobs?  Do you do the entire surgery, or do you switch back and forth with the neuro?
10.   Who will be present in the OR?  Any students?  Who will be operating on me?
11.   With the TransLab, do you fill the void with anything besides fat?  Titanium mesh also, or not?
12.   When you take the fat from my stomach, where from?  How big of a scar?  Do you put a draining tube in or stitches?
13.   How many times will you come to visit my family, or send updates to my family during the surgery?
14.   How long do you anticipate the surgery to take given my particular tumor size?
15.   What should I expect when I wake up from surgery?
16.   Which Dr’s will be doing the follow up in the hospital?
17.   How discomfort should I expect from pain after this surgery?  Dizziness?
18.   What medications will I be getting?  Steroids?  Side effects?
19.   How long can I expect to be ICU?  In recovery at the hospital?  When will I get the stitches removed?  How long do I need to stay in the area?  Ok to fly home?
20.   Will I have an MRI after surgery?  How often should I get them thereafter?
21.   Can my son come to see me at the hospital after surgery?  How long after surgery do you typically recommend?
22.   Will I be sharing a room?  With how many people?
23.   Can I tour the hospital area where I will be?
24.   What will be done for the pre-op?  Can I get copies of all of my pre-op bloodwork, chest x-rays, EKG.  And the surgery report?
25.            If you had an acoustic neuroma, who would you trust to perform surgery on you?  Who do you recommend for a second opinion?



This is great just wondering is this posted on the pre-op site I would have loved to had this prior to my surgery as I am sure others will benefit from this list of questions...
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: sgerrard on February 02, 2010, 09:46:10 am

Nancy, Lainie, Michelle, and David, 2-1-10


Nice to see the LA committee again. You are looking good. Best wishes, Michelle.

Steve
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: ppearl214 on February 02, 2010, 10:06:55 am

Nancy, Lainie, Michelle, and David, 2-1-10


Nice to see the LA committee again. You are looking good. Best wishes, Michelle.

Steve

Agreed! Everyone looks fab! :) thanks for sharing the pic!

Michelle.... sending Piratitude vibes your way for a speedy recovery.... and your entry to "Postiehood".  Thinking of you!
Phyl
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: DR on February 02, 2010, 10:32:20 am
The pic of the LA Gang brought a smile to my face.  Just a day short of three months since I had the pleasure of meeting them!

Best wishes Michelle for a successful surgery, speedy recovery and, if you are really lucky, a St. Vincents room with a view  ;)

- Dennis
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: leapyrtwins on February 02, 2010, 11:14:42 am
The LA Gang does look good and I'm so glad they got to meet with Michelle.

Selfishly as I sit here in cold, snowy Illinois I was glad to see a scarf and a few jackets in the picture  ;)

Can't wait to hear from Michelle as a postie!

Jan

 
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: jaylogs on February 02, 2010, 11:24:21 am
DR, I can echo your sentiments, it's  been TWO months since I saw the LA Posse...everyone looks great and I can personally relate I bet Michelle felt a lot more at ease after her visit with them!  My thoughts and prayers are with her and her loved ones today as she'll become an official postie!!
Jay
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: JerseyGirl2 on February 02, 2010, 11:58:50 am
It was so good to see this picture -- hadn't seen the "welcoming committee" in action in a while, and it brought a smile to my face. All of you look wonderful! Best wishes to you, too, Michelle. Hope your surgery and recovery period will both go very smoothly.

Even though my surgery at House pre-dated the existence of this group, I know what a blessing you've been to all those you've met!

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: NL on February 06, 2010, 02:02:54 am
I got an email update from postie Michelle tonight. Sounds like she is doing great at 3 days post-op!  I have a feeling she'll be back to posting herself before we know it.  :)

Congrats, Michelle - welcome to the other side!

Nancy

(P.S. - Dennis and Jay - glad to see you're both doing well! :) )
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Michelle K on February 06, 2010, 03:14:52 am
Hey Chitownpete,

We had surgery the same dry.   Now that I'm starting to feel a little betterINg wanted to check in and see how you are.  Hope you are doing well. 

Hang in there,

Michelle
Title: Re: 2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI
Post by: Chitownpete on February 14, 2010, 10:37:45 pm
Michele,

Great to hear from you, I am so glad you are feeling better and survived (I take nothing for granted). I was sent home on day 4 after 10.5 hours on the table. I am doing better than I expected. I ate after about 5 days and am walking on my own. I even went out to dinner with friends last Friday and Family today. Ive got little things I can complain about but refuse as I consider myself very lucky to be alive and recovering. I was smiling (both sides) when I woke up from anesthesia. Life is good.  Are we the only 2 that went on Feb 2nd? Let me know how you are and PM is fine if you prefer.