Hi Rick,
We might get to cross paths. My surgery scheduled for 4:30 AM on 9/2 at the HEI, the pre-op stuff is on 9/1 beginning at 8:30, and we were told to arrive the day before to make sure we are there. So we will arrive on Tuesday, Aug. 30th. Do you have family staying at Seton Hall?
My packet arrived on Friday. Wow, that's a lengthy document. I worked on mine Saturday and again today. It was challenging to answer the questions regarding when the symptoms began. Mine seemed to have been quite subtle, or at least I had what seemed to be reasonable excuses for them for a period of time.
I feel like the date for my surgery is an eternity away. Now that I know what the thing is and that surgery is the only option, I want it out...yesterday. Although, it is taking some time to plan flights, lodging and make preparations for things at home and work. So I need to have patience.
It's so good to know you feel ready. I have been fortunate to find 2 people relatively close to me here in Iowa who have each shared their AN stories. One of which had your pair of Drs. and their teams. She cannot say enough good about them and would go back to them in a heartbeat. I highly value her opinion and know that she thoroughly did her research to arrive at her decision to not only have the surgery (hers was small enough she could have done the radiation), but to have Friedman & Schwartz. While she is thoroughly pleased with her outcome, the other individual I have come to know would say just the same of her team at the University of Iowa with Dr. Gantz. So I think it's like many have indicated on this forum, there are many experts to choose from and you have to go where you feel most comfortable. For me, most comfortable is gauged by their experience and prognosis for a successful outcome.
I read that you "have already come to grips with losing the hearing on the left side, but like everyone else would like to keep the facial nerve function and hope for as little balance problems as possible." Wow, I would echo that!
Prayers go out to you for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!
Kathy