Author Topic: Heard from House today  (Read 8440 times)

Tod

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Re: Heard from House today
« Reply #15 on: January 13, 2010, 08:25:17 am »
Dr. Schwarz mentioned that they might have to leave some of mass behind to protect the nerves associated with the vocal cords and swallowing. He was much more optimistic about the facial nerve being able to cleared.

Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

moe

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Re: Heard from House today
« Reply #16 on: January 13, 2010, 09:45:08 am »
Tod,
First,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Secondly, I'm glad the doctor talked about leaving some of the tumor behind, i.e. debulking.
I'm sure Jim will chime in soon. This is common for large tumors.
Enjoy your day, hopefully you can put the AN on hold today ;)
Maureen
06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

Jim Scott

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Re: Heard from House today
« Reply #17 on: January 13, 2010, 02:46:28 pm »
Tod ~

I underwent debulking surgery (retrosigmoid) for a large (4.5 cm) AN in 2006 and it worked out very well.  The neurosurgeon basically carved out the center of the tumor and it collapsed on itself.  By doing this he also cut off it's blood supply.  The goal was to avoid disturbing the facial and other nerves.  This was accomplished and I had almost no post-op complications.  MY pre-op symptoms disappeared within 24 hours after the surgery.  90 days later, I underwent 26 carefully 'mapped' FSR treatments intended to destroy the DNA in the remains of the tumor.  That appears to have worked out, too.  Three years later, I'm fine and no signs of re-growth.  My individual experience isn't a guarantee that every AN patient that has the same plan of treatment will have identical results - but it is encouraging...which is why I'm posting it to you.

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.

Tod

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Re: Heard from House today
« Reply #18 on: January 13, 2010, 03:28:57 pm »
Jim, that is basically what the neurosurgeon described. Only there was no mention of follow-up with radiation. Like I said though, I'll ask about that tomorrow. I appreciate your comments...and I am looking for no guarantees.

Most everything I have found on this site has been encouraging. And helpful.

Best and thanks to all,

Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

Tod

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Re: Heard from House today
« Reply #19 on: January 15, 2010, 07:05:51 pm »
Good meeting with the neurotologist yesterday. Meet with the neurosurgeon first thing Tuesday morning. Probably will be comfortable with staying in town with MCV. Things are on the right track...despite this golf ball in my head.

-Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Heard from House today
« Reply #20 on: January 15, 2010, 09:50:15 pm »
Tod -

glad you had a good meeting with the neurotologist; hope the one with the neurosurgeon next week is equally as good.

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