Author Topic: My AN has returned  (Read 5068 times)

vicki1967

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My AN has returned
« on: May 24, 2014, 02:43:10 pm »
I had surgery for left side AN back in '08 and just found out yesterday (after an MRI) that I have a 'residual' AN now 2mx1m. Has anyone here had any recurrences of AN after surgery? I wasn't expecting these results and don't know if my body can handle another surgery. When I had it removed in '08, my whole body ached for two full years. I had flu-like symptoms about 5 days out of each week. I believe it was a form of Fibromyalgia as a result of the surgery. I've been quite depressed ever since I received the news. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hokiegal

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Re: My AN has returned
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2014, 05:44:20 pm »
Hi Vicki, when they say "residual", did they specify whether it's a new growth, or the remainder from your first surgery?
3.0cm AN diagnosed 08/11, age 47
surgery 09/11, Dr. Patel (MUSC), 95% removed
SSD with tinnitus, right side facial paralysis, vision and balance issues
facial movement much improved, and still returning after 3yrs
"We are better than we think, and not quite what we want to be."  Nikki Giovanni

arizonajack

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Re: My AN has returned
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2014, 06:53:11 pm »
Yes, I have read lots of posts from members who had residual ANs.

Fortunately, the smallness of yours probably makes you a good candidate for fractionated small dose radiation to kill it without another surgery.
3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

Kathleen_Mc

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Re: My AN has returned
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2014, 10:55:44 pm »
I found out about 8 years post op I had either residual tumor that was growing or happened to grow another AN in the same site. I remained watch and wait for a few years then elected to have it removed surgically. I could have had gamma knife but declined, I wanted to know it was GONE! You have choices with it being small, you don't necessarily have to have surgery for this, check out you options.
I must say though that I found surgery the second time around a breeze, first time I lost all that could be lost (facial nerve, hearing, balance etc.) so I didn't have that to adjust to, also the second time around it was a very Short surgery compared to the first.
take care, Kathleen
1st AN surgery @ age 23, 16 hours
Loss of 7-10th nerves
mulitple "plastic" repairs to compensate for effects of 7th nerve loss
tumor regrowth, monitored for a few years then surgically removed @ age 38 (of my choice, not medically necessary yet)