Author Topic: Surgery Date  (Read 4176 times)

ColleenS

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 145
  • I have learned to watch birds and smell the roses.
Surgery Date
« on: March 29, 2017, 01:56:35 pm »
Well, I finally have my surgery date - May 2 @ Vanderbilt with Drs. Haynes and Chambless. It is amazing how much mental energy you spend waiting for this appointment, and then the next. And then waiting for the "date." Now I finally feel like I can mentally and physically plan and prepare. Whew! Has anyone else feel/felt like that?
5/2/17 @ Vanderbilt Translab approach with Drs. Haynes & Chambless
Readmitted on 5/7/17 for CFL, lumbar drain; CFL repair surgery
10/18 5 Radiation treatments for tumor regrowth
3/19 Pain, swelling, facial paralysis
5/19 Facial paralysis, numbness
10/21 Mild facial paralysis still

alabamajane

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 635
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2017, 06:26:07 pm »
Congrats Colleen on making a decision and getting a date. You are in good hands I'm sure at Vanderbilt.

And yes, I would imagine most of us have or do feel as you are. The initial diagnosis and following decisions to treat or watch are very emotionally, physically, and mentally draining. But you should now feel good about being through that part. On to relaxing and preparing.

Thanks for the update and Happy Spring!!  ;D

Jane
translab Oct 27, 2011
facial nerve graft Oct 31,2011, eyelid weight removed Oct 2013, eye closes well

BAHA surgery Oct. 2014, activated Dec. 26

ColleenS

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 145
  • I have learned to watch birds and smell the roses.
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2017, 08:00:49 pm »
Thanks Jane!
5/2/17 @ Vanderbilt Translab approach with Drs. Haynes & Chambless
Readmitted on 5/7/17 for CFL, lumbar drain; CFL repair surgery
10/18 5 Radiation treatments for tumor regrowth
3/19 Pain, swelling, facial paralysis
5/19 Facial paralysis, numbness
10/21 Mild facial paralysis still

mac84

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 114
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2017, 11:34:26 am »
Good luck Colleen.  I am on the W/W but see Dr. Rivas at Vanderbilt.  Really a first class place.

Cary
Diagnosed 10/13/14 with 1.4cm AN L side
1st Consult with Vanderbilt 11//14
W/W.  Next MRI in April 2015 at Vanderbilt.
April 2015 MRI no growth -
April 2016 MRI no growth - still 1.46cm.
4/17: No growth!
4/18: No growth! MRI 2 yrs
4/20: No growth! Symptoms stable- MRI 2 yrs

Enri

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 32
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2017, 02:51:57 pm »
I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and please keep us updated.  I had my surgery Nov 2nd.  I found the time period before making the decision to be very stressful.  Once I decided for surgery and got a date,  there was still quite a bit of mental energy involved.  I found it helped me to treat it as a project and identify various preparation tasks that could distract me a bit.  I had to have my surgery postponed, from the original date of august 10 to Nov 2.  the august  to november period was a bit easier.  I guess that I felt more comfortable as to how the insurance and various administrative details would work out. 

Good luck and hang in there. 
----
Diagnosed Oct. 2015 - mild tinnitus, partial hearing loss - Right ear
1.5 cm x 0.8cm
Retrosigmoid Nov 2016 - Houston Methodist - Drs. Vrabec and Britz

ColleenS

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 145
  • I have learned to watch birds and smell the roses.
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #5 on: April 03, 2017, 09:23:55 pm »
Thanks, everyone! I actually never really had much decision really with my size and the fact that it was pressing on the brain stem. I am really just ready to get the "beast" out  ;)
5/2/17 @ Vanderbilt Translab approach with Drs. Haynes & Chambless
Readmitted on 5/7/17 for CFL, lumbar drain; CFL repair surgery
10/18 5 Radiation treatments for tumor regrowth
3/19 Pain, swelling, facial paralysis
5/19 Facial paralysis, numbness
10/21 Mild facial paralysis still

ColleenS

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 145
  • I have learned to watch birds and smell the roses.
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2017, 01:29:14 pm »
So next week at this time I will most likely be in the recovery room about to wake up. It is getting real up in my head :)
All of the posts have really helped me - the good, the bad and the ugly. Knowledge is power to me. Thanks everyone for posting all of the details. I will do the same for those coming after me as well.
5/2/17 @ Vanderbilt Translab approach with Drs. Haynes & Chambless
Readmitted on 5/7/17 for CFL, lumbar drain; CFL repair surgery
10/18 5 Radiation treatments for tumor regrowth
3/19 Pain, swelling, facial paralysis
5/19 Facial paralysis, numbness
10/21 Mild facial paralysis still

mac84

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 114
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2017, 01:43:04 pm »
Good luck Colleen. Tell Dr. Haynes to get you some tacos at Taco Mamacita when you're in recovery! 

You're in good hands there! 

Cary
Diagnosed 10/13/14 with 1.4cm AN L side
1st Consult with Vanderbilt 11//14
W/W.  Next MRI in April 2015 at Vanderbilt.
April 2015 MRI no growth -
April 2016 MRI no growth - still 1.46cm.
4/17: No growth!
4/18: No growth! MRI 2 yrs
4/20: No growth! Symptoms stable- MRI 2 yrs

alabamajane

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 635
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2017, 04:34:21 pm »
We will be thinking and praying for you Colleen!!

As Cary says, you are in good hands there I'm sure  ;D.

Post when you are up to it,,
Peace and calm are wished for you,,

Jane
translab Oct 27, 2011
facial nerve graft Oct 31,2011, eyelid weight removed Oct 2013, eye closes well

BAHA surgery Oct. 2014, activated Dec. 26

Cruzinpa

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2017, 07:52:51 pm »
Will be praying for you as well, Colleen!

ColleenS

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 145
  • I have learned to watch birds and smell the roses.
Re: Surgery Date
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2017, 07:00:34 pm »
Good luck Colleen. Tell Dr. Haynes to get you some tacos at Taco Mamacita when you're in recovery! 

You're in good hands there!

 Cary

I completely agree with you Cary. I told him he is so "bad ass"  ;D
I will ask about those tacos too.
5/2/17 @ Vanderbilt Translab approach with Drs. Haynes & Chambless
Readmitted on 5/7/17 for CFL, lumbar drain; CFL repair surgery
10/18 5 Radiation treatments for tumor regrowth
3/19 Pain, swelling, facial paralysis
5/19 Facial paralysis, numbness
10/21 Mild facial paralysis still