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LaMar:
Hello everyone, so my name is LaMar, I am a 22 y/o female and I live in Columbia, SC.  In August 2005 I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma on the rigth side that was 3.5 cm.  I have since then had brain surgery (Dec 2005).  They completly removed my hearing and equilibrium nerves and damaged my facial nerve.  I ended up having to get tear duct implants from the faical nerve damage, but other than that I am fine.  When I went back and had my six months MRI follow-up the results were inconclusive, due to the fatty tissue that they placed where they drilled through my mastoid bone.  I was scheduled to have another MRI in January, however, I just found out that I am two months pregnant.  This is a dream come true for me and my husband becasue when I was 20 I had cervical cancer and had to go through alot of treatments and then with the steroid use from the brain surgery I was told my chances of getting pregnant were slim to none.  What are the risks of being pregnant and having a brain tumor?  Can I still get my MRI?  I would think that I cant.  If I dont and they didnt get all the tumor - am I putting my baby at a greater risk.  I am so scared that I am doing something to endanger my baby because I got pregnant so soon.  It was planned and I just worry that I wont have a healthy baby.  I dont usually complain to others and it is really hard to do with my friends and family because all they say - is , "You survived brain surgery - what are you worried about?"  They dont understand that everyday I feel the scar on the back of my head and every day I wonder what if....I know that what ifs arent healthy but I also know what I had to go thru last year.  My best friend is pregnant with me too and she is having a hard time as well.  She had a LEEP done in August and now the doctors are telling her she is high rick because her cervix may still be too weak....I hate to talk to her about my doubts with my pregnancy when hers are so close to the surface...mine are just maybes and hers our real...I dont know I have always been the strong one and I just dont know how to deal with being the unsure one....any advice will help....thanks!

Jeanlea:
Lamar,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!  What good news for you.  I know of several people that have been on this board talking about their ANs and the gone on to have healthy babies.  If you search under pregnancy on here I'm sure you will find their stories.  Perhaps some of these other women will reply to your post also.
Motherhood is filled with joy!

Jean

Tinu:
Congrats on your pregnancy! I would bring up any concerns you have with your OBGYN and your AN doctor. The best of luck to you and your family (especially the wee one)

Battyp:
LaMar congrats!
If you search on here you'll read some similar preganacy concerns...and I'm happy to report that we all became honorary aunts and uncles as mommy and baby were fine!  Focus on the word FINE! 

Just make sure you explain your situation and concerns to your ob/gyn.  I'm thinking you're biggest challenge will be after that little one gets here and starts walking as most little ones walk better than I do these days  ;D

My gf had a week cervix and had hers stitched up.  Is that an option for your gf?

Keep us posted on how you progress!!!

krbonner:
First of all, congratulations!

Second of all, I don't think you'll find anyone who would claim that the tumor itself is harmful to a pregnancy.  Personally, I went through two pregnancies with the tumor in my head (I was diagnosed right after my second child was born), and have two healthy, happy boys. 

These tumors are so slow growing that even waiting another 9 months (given that you've already had surgery to remove most, if not all, of the AN) should not pose a risk.  The big question is whether or not to have an MRI while pregnant.  The MRI itself poses no risk, in my understanding - it's the contrast agent (usually gadolinium) that's questionable.  And an MRI for an AN is useless without the contrast.  If you google "pregnancy" and "gadolinium" you'll find lots of articles.  It looks like MRIs with contrast during pregnancy are accepted in Europe, but the FDA hasn't approved it in the States.  Personally, I never had an MRI while pregnant (again, I wasn't diagnosed until after) but I did while breastfeeding after my son's pediatrician looked up the drug interactions for me and said it was okay.

What would I do?  Talk to the OB about the safety of an MRI with contrast, and talk with your surgeon about delaying the next MRI and what that could mean.  And walk carefully - that big old belly at the end can throw anyone off kilter, let alone someone missing a vestibular nerve!   ;)

Best of luck to you and your family!  As others have said, there are lots of stories here about AN patients and their healthy babies.  Finding some of them may help reassure you.  And soon you'll be able to add your story to theirs!

Katie

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