Author Topic: Highly Recommend My Docs!  (Read 5367 times)

IndySkye

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Highly Recommend My Docs!
« on: January 02, 2013, 02:39:52 am »
In April 2012 I was dizzy and falling down all the time. An MRI showed I had an AN on my 8th nerve and it was already pressing on my facial nerve. I interviewed five doctors in two states as well as their former patients. After doing my homework, I drove from Indianapolis to Nashville to meet Dr. George Wanna (microsurgeon) and Dr. Kyle Weaver (neurologist) at Vanderbilt Medical Center. I had SO much faith in these two doctors that I booked surgery after meeting them and interviewing their patients. 

On June 23, 2012, my retrosigmoid surgery lasted 9 hours. It could have gone faster but Dr. Wanna took his time to peel the "angry, bloody, sticky" tumor off the nerve. His patience paid off and I did NOT lose my hearing or sustain any facial paralysis! These two doctors and their entire team were absolutely wonderful.

However, if you choose to travel, as I did, I would strongly recommend that you have a local neurologist on call should you need help when you return. 30-days post-op I had meningitis and they cranked up the steroids. That was followed by CSF leak and two spinal taps...and more steroids. Unfortunately, the HIGH doses of steroids (to stop the swelling) allowed me to contract  Cushing's Syndrome....and I'm still making my way through that illness.

Best of luck to you who are still in the decision-making process. Do your homework and after you make your decision, be 100% confident that you are making the right choice. Our bodies can sense stress - my blood pressure was 90/70 as I headed into the OR - I KNEW these two men would do the very best they could do... so I was at peace and my outcome was great!

Oh - to some of you this will sound weird but, I "talked" to my tumor everyday before the surgery. I reminded it that it was just another part of my body. I thanked it for making me aware that there was a problem in my body and finally I asked it to, "Go gently with the surgeon's knife and leave my facial nerve and hearing intact."  Remember, our bodies are amazing and our cells "listen" to us. You have the ability to talk to your cells and instruct them as to what you want them to do - even shrink. But at the very least, you should learn to close your eyes, and "talk" to your tumor. It's not a foreign object in your body - it is in fact, part of YOU. Use your positive thoughts and feelings to ensure a positive outcome!

As the Bible says, it takes just the faith of a mustard seed to move a mountain. Talking to your mustard seed sized tumor and asking it to dissolve or go away easily with the surgeons knife can (and for me did) work!

Good Luck to you!

leapyrtwins

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2013, 07:04:48 pm »
I highly recommend mine too!

They are Dr. Robert Battista (neurotologist) and Dr. Robert Kazan (neurosurgeon); Chicago area.

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

ewchisek

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2013, 07:15:49 pm »
IndySkye~ what was the size of your AN, if you dont mind me asking?  Congratulations and I am taking your advice and going to talk to my tumor for the next month before surgery!  I have ALOT to say to it :)  Elizabeth

candy.beck

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2013, 02:53:13 pm »
I was diagnosed with an AN  11/12/2012, 9 mm.  I want it removed and am trying to decide between Dr. Spetzler, Barrow Neurological Institute neurosurgeon or Dr. Friedman and Dr. Schwartz, House Ear Clinic.  Has anyone had experience with  either of these drs?

mindyandy

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2013, 05:58:14 am »
Candy
I had Dr. Friedman/Schwartz and they are fabulous. If you do a search on this website you will find many of us have gone to House. I myself I'm greatful for such wonderful doctors. There are many other wonderful doctors also. Best of luck to you and your decision. 9mm gives you plenty of time to do your homework.

Mindy
14mm dx 9/07. CK done Seattle  1 year MRI showed some shrinkage. 4 year MRI 2mm growth nothing conclusive. Trigminal nerve involvment Retrosigmoid Friedmand/Schwartz HEI March 7,2012

v357139

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2013, 09:16:56 pm »
That was impressive how your doc peeled it off the facial nerve and you still kept facial function.  And kept hearing.  Does anyone know a doc like that up here in NYC?
Dx 2.6 cm Nov 2012, 35% hearing loss.  Grew to 3.5 cm Oct 2013.  Pre-op total hearing loss, left side tongue numb.  Translab Nov 2013 House Clinic.  Post-op no permanent facial or other issues.  Tongue much improved.  Great result!!

leapyrtwins

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2013, 09:03:11 pm »
v357139 -

ANs are always removed layer by layer - as in peeling.  They aren't just cut out of their location.

Most docs monitor the facial nerve during surgery so they don't get too close to it - so lots of us have no facial nerve damage. 

But remember that no doc can guarantee any patient anything, although finding a doctor with lots of experience in removing ANs is crucial. 

There are numerous wonderful AN docs in the NYC area, just search the Forum  :)

Good luck,

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

jenanly

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2013, 06:38:10 pm »
Hi
I got your message that you were researching Dr. Roland - I highly recommend him.  He, as a team with Dr. Golfinos, do many of these surgeries each week.  He is humanistic, caring and a very good surgeon.  He will take his time with you, as he does with all his patients. 
My neuroma was sitting on the facial nerve and luckily, there is very little residual weakness.  Immediately post surgery I had much more weakness on my left side of my face - the residual damage is that my left eye blinks well enough that I don't need lubricating drops but it doesn't close all the way unless I purposely think about it.  Dr. Roland also gave me a referral for physical therapy at NYU with someone who is a specialist in bringing back function after AN surgery.  It was very helpful!  I developed synkenesis and this therapy helped relax and strengthen my overworked muscles. 
Please feel free to let me know if you have any more questions

joonyour

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Re: Highly Recommend My Docs!
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2013, 02:43:29 pm »
I would recommend my Drs. As well. Dr. Post and Dr. Smouha from Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. They are both very good and very caring. Explain everything and level with you. I had my surgery retrosigmoid on 5/30 and was discharge on 6/1 without any pain and 100% of the tumor (3.3 cm) was out. No balance issue and especially no facial nerve damage. I was able to walk on the threadmill yesterday (3miles) and was able to break a sweat. GOD IS GREAT!