Author Topic: Dennis (DR) Update  (Read 9819 times)

NL

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Dennis (DR) Update
« on: November 04, 2009, 09:56:01 pm »
Hi All,

A couple of updates have been posted on the "Dennis vs. the Tumor" blog. Here's the latest from his wife Julie:

"We just received word that the surgery is over. Everything went smoothly. The tumor is out, the facial nerve is intact and the hearing is most likely preserved (that however is actually to be determined).....I can't wait to see him. They tell me he is in recovery and resting well. "

If you'd like to check for more updates, here's the link to his blog:

http://denvstumor.blogspot.com/

Here are also a couple of pics from yesterday, when Dennis received the Magic Scarf:


Dennis with his wife Julie, 11-3-09


Dennis with his LA AN buddies - Lainie, Nancy, & David, 11-3-09

I'm sure Dennis will be back to wearing the scarf "warrior style" as soon as his bandage comes off!

Congrats, Dennis - and welcome to the postie side!  ;D

Nancy

1.6 cm left AN diagnosed Oct. '07
1.9 cm on 2nd MRI, May '08
Retrosigmoid surgery at House Clinic/St. Vincent's on 8/6/08
(no post-op dizziness, nausea, facial or balance issues)
Thankful for a fantastic team of doctors - Dr. Rick Friedman, Dr. Marc Schwartz, & Dr. Michael Stefan

Dan

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2009, 01:13:52 am »
Sounds like great news, hope to see more pictures of Dennis with the warrior scarf and smiling soon.

Dan in Germany
US Army Retired, age 51,  residing and working in Germany.
Retrosigmoid 21 Sept 07 left side 1.76cm AN, Prof. Mann, Uniklinik Mainz Germany

cindyj

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2009, 06:31:50 am »
Thanks so much, Nancy!  Great to know Dennis is done with the hard part and doing well.  Was so glad to know he was going to be able to meet the LA Gang.  Always good to see you guys too!

Cindy
rt side 1.5 cm - Translab on 11/07/08 Dr. Friedman & Dr. Schwartz of House Ear Institute,
feeling great!

"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold."  Josh Billings

tenai98

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2009, 06:38:56 am »
Great news and Welccome Dennis to postie land. And as always geat pics with the LA gang.
JO
14mmX11mmX11mm left ear
TRANSLAB 04/07/09 2cms at time of surgery
Dr. Benoit and Schramm, Ottawa Civic Campus
SSD ,some facial numbness
Baha surgery sept 22/09
residual tumor 13mmX7mmX8mm
2016 new growth.  25mmX21mmX22mm
cyberknife on June 7

lawmama

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2009, 07:40:26 am »
Dennis,

Congrats on your new postie status!  Wear that magic headscarf warrior-style with pride. We are all praying for you and cheering you on through your recovery.

Lyn
9mm X 7mm tumor (left side), diagnosed 10-15-09
Retrosigmoid on 12-14-09 by Drs. Antonelli and Lewis (my heroes!)
Shands in Gainesville, FL
SSD, but no facial issues.  Mild tinnitus.

Kaybo

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2009, 08:00:46 am »
Nancy~
Once again, thank you (& Lainie & David) for the time that you all take out to meet with all of these AN warriors - what a great thing you do!  Glad to hear the good update - onward & upward from here, Dennis!

;D
Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

another NY postie

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2009, 08:28:36 am »
Woohoo!  Dennis, it sounds like you might have gotten the hat trick: no tumor, no facial problems, and hearing to boot!  I was thinking about you all yesterday afternoon and I was on your blog checking and can't wait to hear about your recovery.  Remember first 3 days don't count!
Cheryl
5 mm lateral IAC (impacted?) diagnosed 6-09-09
middle fosa 9/23 HEI - Brackmann/Schwartz
all tumor gone, facial perfect, no ringing
SSD on right side - Rockin' and Rollin'

Debbi

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2009, 02:33:42 pm »
Congrats, Dennis, on officially being a Postie!  And, may I say that you look magnificent in Leopard print!  Of course, right about now, you are probably feeling pretty far from "magnificent" - in fact, you are probably feeling like road kill.  However, chin up - you'll be feeling better soon! 

Sending lots of speedy recovery vibes your way.

Debbi
Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Jim Scott

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2009, 02:47:23 pm »
Nancy ~

Allow me to add my thanks for the update on Dennis and the photos, as well.  I'm pleased to learn that Dennis' surgery went well and he is likely to have a splendid recovery.  Way to go!, Dennis  :)

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2009, 05:15:29 pm »
Nancy -

thanks for the update on Dennis.  Glad he got to meet the LA Crowd prior to his surgery; you guys are always so helpful.

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

NL

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2009, 12:05:09 pm »
Here's an excerpt from Julie's update on Dennis this morning:

"One last thing, just to show how intact his sense of humor has been, I need to tell a quick story. This morning (less than 15 hours out of surgery and still in ICU) the doctor came in to check on him and asked him "Do you know where you are?". Although groggy and a little out of it, Dennis quickly replied "Either I am at St. Vincent's Hospital or I just had a really bad night in Tijuana." Typical Dennis. I was happy to hear that the man I love was still the same even after major surgery!"

Sounds like his recovery is off to a great start.  ;D
1.6 cm left AN diagnosed Oct. '07
1.9 cm on 2nd MRI, May '08
Retrosigmoid surgery at House Clinic/St. Vincent's on 8/6/08
(no post-op dizziness, nausea, facial or balance issues)
Thankful for a fantastic team of doctors - Dr. Rick Friedman, Dr. Marc Schwartz, & Dr. Michael Stefan

cin605

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2009, 12:11:30 pm »
LOL ;D!Congrats!
2cm removed retrosig 6/26/08
DartmouthHitchcock medical center lebanon,N.H.
43yrs old

Debbi

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2009, 01:33:38 pm »
That's funny!  Wish I had been that clever that soon after surgery.   :)

Debbi
Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

DR

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2009, 09:04:34 pm »
Thanks everyone for your well wishes.

I am alive and doing pretty well here at St. Vincents this evening.  We are struggling with my blood sugar levels (I am a Type 1 diabetic) and I have had serious pain in my hamstrings.  The leg pain is like a severe cramping that does not subside very easily.  Apparently it is caused by blood leaking into the spinal fluid and settling towards the bottom.  Not fun!  But at least some of my hearing is preserved and, best of all, I don't seem to be having any facial nerve issues so far, so I believe I am one incredibly lucky postie.

My face is swollen and my jaw still hurts, but things are really improving every day.  I can now verify the saying that "the first three days don't count" is VERY true!

I have a picture taken just after they removed the dressing, but I will probably wait to upload it tomorrow.

- Dennis
AN right side 12mm x 9mm x 9mm
Middle fossa surgery 11/4/09 at House (Dr. Brackmann/Dr. Schwartz)
Tumor removed, no facial issues, hearing intact!
http://denvstumor.blogspot.com/

"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist."

sgerrard

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Re: Dennis (DR) Update
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2009, 10:15:14 pm »
Dennis,

It is great to see you back so soon. It is still Saturday, day 3, so today doesn't count either. I think you have done well. I trust that the blood sugar and hamstring things will be cleared up shortly.

Welcome back!

Steve
8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.