New member, symptoms questions.

[stevehernes]

welcome to the forum Mark. I used to feel bad about asking for help, especially with academic stuff. But after giving фcademized https://academized.com/thesis-writing-service a shot, I’ve realized that support systems like this exist for a reason. They helped me handle a challenging assignment while I focused on recovering from burnout. I finally have some energy again—and that feels like a huge win.

[Jill Marie]

Mark, Glad to hear you have a surgery date! Please let us know how you are doing before surgery and of course how you are after surgery when you feel up to it!  Jill Marie

[Mark F.]

Well how I'm doing now just over 3 weeks from the big day is very nervous.   I tell people that everyone else seems happier about me getting surgery than I am.  Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I am finally in the end game and looking forward to seeing some things improve instead of constantly in a slow decline.  But the gladness is only one of the many feelings I have.   I'm also scared to death of the surgery, worried about the outcome, and anxious about the length of recovery time.   

[Mark F.]

Today was a Pre-op appointment day.   Blood work, EKG, vitals, basically making sure I am healthy enough for surgery.   It took longer than I thought it would.  But everything was good.  Basically half a day spent there.   It's getting more real every day, only 2 weeks away now. 

[Mark F.]

Only down side so far is they told me no ibuprofen for a week before surgery.  Ibuprofen is the only thing that seems to cut the headaches down.  It doesn't eliminate them, but does make them more tolerable.  So that last week may be a bear

[Jill Marie]

Hi Mark,  I was trying to think of the things that helped me before my surgery which was over 30 years ago and yes I still remember a lot of that time very clearly.  I was hoping to be able to tell you something that may help you.  Unfortunately we found out one of our sons has cancer not long after your post about the date for your surgery so I haven't felt up to posting. I mention this because I said I hoped you would keep us updated on your progress and you did, but I never replied.

I understand your being nervous about the surgery and outcome, you've had a long time to think about it which doesn't help of course.  Everyone is happy the date is near because we see good things in your future and are looking forward to hearing that the headaches and other problems you have been dealing with are gone or at least manageable.  I'm thankfully a person that is able to get busy doing things I should have done already when I have things on my mind that worry me, that is of course after I deal with the realization of what's in store for me.  Hopefully you have everything planned as best you can now and can immerse yourself in doing projects or something you enjoy doing to keep you from thinking too much.  That of course is if the headaches allow as I read that you can't have the ibuprofen you need.  I so wish I had a crystal ball so I could tell you the outcome is going to be everything you hoped for.  As for the length of recovery time I assume you are concerned about not being able to work, it's always hard to be a patient, patient.  Are there things you can do while recovering that you wouldn't normally have time for? 

I'm glad you got the pre-op appointment done and all went well.  I will be checking the board when I can to see how you are doing just before surgery, if the headaches allow you to post.  We look forward to seeing a post from you after surgery.  Jill 

[Mark F.]

Jill,

Sorry to hear about your son.  I hope things go well for him.  Don't worry about the late reply.  What we all understand on this board is that things happen out of nowhere that we can't control that can turn your life upside down.

I'm in that last week now, and a nervous wreck.   Didn't help that I recently saw all these stories about the dangers of MRI contrast dye, and I'm sitting here thinking that I will be getting yet another MRI with contrast on the day before surgery, making 7 within the last 3 years.   

You are correct that I worry about getting back to work.   I know everyone says you're health is the most important thing, but the bills don't stop because you're not feeling well.

I have set a goal for myself that I think should be easy to achieve.  I always ran a few 5k races each year, except last year as my dizziness made running difficult and I didn't want to just walk them.   But my goal is to enter this year's Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving.   I want to be able to run it the whole way, but I plan to finish it even if all I can do is walk.  I never thought walking a 5k would be considered a goal, but that's how life goes sometimes.

I stopped the ibuprofen early.  They told me at least 7 days before surgery, I stopped at 10 days before.   It's been a little rough, but not as bad as I feared, so there's a plus. 

[skier]

Hi Mark,

I want to send you a link, for some recommended "visualization" tools on a page by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. But sending links is not allowed, but if you google visualization and MSKCC you will find the page, I think.

Background: I had cancer 15 or so years before I had my Acoustic Neuroma. I had time (and motivation) to learn about different guided meditation tools, then, and I found them simple to use and incredibly helpful.

Ten minutes of guided meditation could really create calm and positive self-talk, especially before and after procedures. There's a lot of science behind it, as well.

I was able to use these tools leading up to my AN surgery. Helped me a lot! Highly recommend trying at least once.

Sending you all the best wishes for your healing!

[Mark F.]

Thank you, I'll check it out. 

[DanFouratt]

Mark, slier sent me some information before my Open heart Surgery and it did help, please read it is time well spent. 

[Jill Marie]

Hi Mark,

Thank you, we have been busy trying to find the best clinics and treatments for him.  You are so right about things happening out of nowhere, he has always taken really good care of himself.

I can well imagine you are a nervous wreck.  I hadn't heard about the MRI contrast dye, I will have to look into that. 

Insurance pays most of the medical bills but unfortunately it doesn't pay the other bills. I wasn't working when I had my surgery (stay at home Mom) so didn't have to worry about getting back to work.  I hope you recover as quickly as possible so you can stop worrying about work/money. 

I love your goal to do the Turkey Trot, it will surely help you keep pushing to heal.  My goal was to walk the 7.5 mile Bloomsday course in Spokane WA in May.  I broke my leg in 3 places a month before my surgery not long after walking the course so I was looking forward to doing it again with my two boys and friends.  I did it! 

I'm so glad to hear that the headaches aren't as bad as you thought they would be after stopping the Ibuprofen.  I applaud your ability to stop it even sooner than they told you to, don't think I could have. 

I have been thinking about you and hoping the next 2 days go quickly so you can get the surgery done with and start the recovery process.

As a good friend from this board always said when signing off - Always Good Thoughts! Jill   

[Mark F.]

One last post before surgery. 

Had my Pre-surgery MRI today.   They put 11 marker stickers on my head in various places that have to stay there till I show up for surgery tomorrow.   I wish they had told me about that, I would have brought along my bandana to cover it up so I wouldn't have been going around with round stickers showing.  But otherwise it was good.   I got sick again from the contrast dye, but that is nothing new, happens every time.

By tomorrow this time I will be getting out of surgery.  Idk when I will feel up to posting again, but when I do I'll let you guys know how I'm doing. 

Thanks for the support.

[sissyn]

Mark F - wishing you all the best tomorrow, successful surgery and seamless recovery.

[Drlld]

I am 6 months post surgical removal of a facial schwannoma with transplant of a nerve from my ear. Leading g up to my surgery. I was told worst case to expect. Had my nerves going insane. I couldnt sleep for weeks leading up to it. I had a wonderful team of surgeons at the University of Penn. My surgery lasted 12 hrs. Just prepare your family for a long wait. I on the other hand had a wonderful anesthesiologist and I never remember leaving g.preop and woke up to my husband giving me a kiss. With the best days sleep I ever had.

To give some back ground my AN needed to be completely removed and was causing palsy on the right side of my face and was.miss diagnosed for 6 months. Thanks to a great nurse practitioner she got me the correct diagnosis and to the correct doctors.  They told me to expect to be in the hospital 3 to 5 days and I would most.likely loose all hearing in the right ear. I was prepared for the worst. The hospital being 5 hrs drive one way from home, my husband would be staying at a local hotel. As it turned out, I lost no hearing they were able to avoid removing those bones and went under. I was discharged the following morning to recuperate at home. It's now 6 months later and they tell me it will take another 6 months before they can determine how much recovery will be co.plete. but so far things are.improving. I just wanted to reach out and try to ease the anxiety. If it wasn't for family and friends, I would t have gotten this far. I joined today to look at some other issues that may or may not be related, but my over all experience with my surgical team has been great. You have to go in with a good attitude and.possative outlook. I'm 56 and have 6 kids, so when I told them I was dying my hair blue for surgery, they thought it was cool. I have kept crazy colors since to keep my mood upbeat. I get lots of compliments to and it's a talking point for my situation but has lead to lots of outside support. Every month I change the color and do update photos to keep track. My surgeons love it. I shaved the underside of my hair to prevent them from. Making a mess of my hair style but it's been woth it. Hair goes back. You have to do what gets you in a possative outlook. One of the best thi gs that happened, I was waiting for a dr apt and someone who had surgery 15 yrs prior came up to me and Introduced herself to let me know I wasn't alone and that thi gs will get better. I'm trying g to pay it forward by speaking out and supporting those who need it. I wish you luck and the best recovery. Everyone is different but it does get better. I don't know if you are religious or not but I accepted every prayer anyone offered. I will say a prayer for you that you have a speedy recovery and the best.possible outcome. Best of luck.

[Jill Marie]

Mark,  While you're in surgery we will be thinking about you, hoping and praying all goes well! Looking forward to seeing a post from you when you're up to it!  Jill