Author Topic: And the decision is Surgery  (Read 4853 times)

Rivergirl

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And the decision is Surgery
« on: April 14, 2011, 05:57:46 am »
Went to Mass General yesterday met with Dr Loeffler (loved him) to talk about radiation options and he was very up front and honest that I was not a good candidate for radiation due to the location of my tumor and the symptoms.  Then I was off to see Dr. Martusa (head of Neurosurgery at Mass General) and we discussed surgical approaches.  I felt comfortable with him and think he and Dr. McKenna will do a just fine by me.  Now that I have the final details I am calm and ok with the impending surgery, I will be so glad to have it behind me. My symptoms have truly worn out their welcome, the pressure and pain is intense and interferring with my life, can't believe I have waited this long, time to fix it.   It will be done end of May first of June.
Diagnosed 6/2008
Right AN 2cmx8x9
Sub-Occipital at Mass General with Martusa and McKenna on 5/31/11
Right SSD, very little taste
I think I will make it!

suboo73

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2011, 06:35:34 am »
Hi Rivergirl!

So glad to hear you have consulted with some wonderful docs and have a treatment decision - awesome!
I can't imagine AN symptoms being so bothersome like yours...for this, I am glad your doctor visits went well and you are ready to get on with the surgery.

Prayers all around to you and your family.
Prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery!   :)
Keep us posted.

Sincerely,
Sue
suboo73
Little sister to Bigsister!
9mm X 6mm X 5mm
Misdiagnosed 12+ years?
Diagnosed Sept. 2008/MRI 4/09/MRI 12/09/MRI 1/21/11
Continued W & W

CHD63

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2011, 11:23:21 am »
Cindy .....

So glad you have made a treatment decision.  Cannot imagine waiting and watching as long as you did ..... but I know others have waited longer.  Deciding on treatment and physicians has to be one of the most stressful parts of this whole process.

Be sure to let us know the exact date, when you know it, so we can send up those prayers.  In the meantime, prayer for calmness and less pain and pressure while you wait.

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

hendi51

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2011, 02:27:02 pm »
Good luck on your surgery Cindy. My hubby has his surgery March 15th and is doing very good. He still has a problem with double vision and everything tastes sweet but otherwise he's doing good.
My husband had translab 3/15/2011 for 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm left side AN at
Methodist University Hospital in
Memphis, Tn

Jim Scott

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2011, 02:38:44 pm »
Hi, Cindy ~

I'm pleased to learn that you've found a medical team that you're confident with and have made a decision on surgery.  After 3 years of 'watch-and-wait' (and increasingly troublesome symptoms) I can understand why you're anxious to get this over with.  You've selected a fine facility and have excellent doctors.  I know you're going to do well.  Of course you'll have our thoughts, prayers and support all the way.  Congratulations on taking this big step on your way back to normalcy. 

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.

Rivergirl

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2011, 03:18:48 pm »
Thanks for the well wishes I will post date when it comes through.....Hend, I hope my sweet tooth goes away with this surgery but then again if salad and vegetables taste sweet then that would be some diet, glad he is doing well.
Diagnosed 6/2008
Right AN 2cmx8x9
Sub-Occipital at Mass General with Martusa and McKenna on 5/31/11
Right SSD, very little taste
I think I will make it!

ppearl214

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2011, 03:53:23 pm »
Cindy
I've got a pre-surgery healing huggle all set for you for this Sunday!!!!!  Congrats on getting the decision-making-monkey off your back.... now, time to feast... and onward and upward to wellness!  :-*

CYA Sunday!

xo
Phyl
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

G_Man

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2011, 08:48:05 pm »
Cindy
Good luck with your surgery.  It sounds like you found good doctors.
Glen
Diag: 08/11/2009 Left side
AN: 0.6cm.  65% Hearing loss, tinnitus, fullness, minor motion issues.
hearing loss over 25+ years.  MRI in 2000 showed nothing.
Optical Atrophy from infantcy
Watch and Wait.
As of 2017 I am on a 2 year MRI frequency.

Mickey

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2011, 08:02:17 am »
Good luck with your surgery! Wishing you the best with a speedy recovery. Mickey

moe

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Re: And the decision is Surgery
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2011, 09:18:58 am »
Cindy,
Glad you have that date and will be thinking and praying for you and a successful surgery. Stay busy and it will be here before you know it!
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