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Author Topic: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery  (Read 12260 times)

brasher

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hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« on: February 19, 2007, 12:16:15 pm »
i had a 6.5 cm an removed on 1/23. i have facial paralysis .
i had post op fluid leaking. 3 weeks in hospital, but i am home now.
just thought i would introduce myself.maybe i can help someone.
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6.5cm AN;   1/23/07
translab prceedure; house ear clinic; Dr. Slattery and Dr. Schwartz
facial nerve severed with complete removal of tumor.
gold eye weight;2/21/07-Dr Roberts
12-7 nerve anastomosis; 3/1/07, Dr Slattery
happy to be here; recovering well

Omaschwannoma

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2007, 01:20:40 pm »
Welcome home and glad to read you are doing well.  May you have continued healing.
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1/05 Retrosigmoid 1.5cm AN left ear, SSD
2/08 Labyrinthectomy left ear 
Dr. Patrick Antonelli Shands at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
12/09 diagnosis of semicircular canal dehiscence right ear

Jeanlea

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2007, 02:23:42 pm »
Hi Tony,

Wellcome to the forum.  Glad that you are home now.  Being home sure does seem to help recovery.  Tell us more about your story.  You had quite a large tumor.  I also have facial paralysis.  It was complete paralysis after surgery, but it has shown some improvement over the last year or so.
 

Jean
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translab on 3.5+ cm tumor
September 6, 2005
Drs. Friedland and Meyer
Milwaukee, WI
left-side facial paralysis and numbness
TransEar for SSD

nancyann

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2007, 02:42:24 pm »
Hi Tony & welcome !!

WOW !!!!  I think you win the BIGGEST TUMOR AWARD !!!

I also have facial paralysis.  My facial nerve was reattached at time of surgery(6/19/06 - a date I'll never forget)
I get routine facial EMG's, 1st one in October didn't show any nerve generation,
but the one on 1/12/07 showed 10-15% nerve regeneration;  still no movement,
the neurologist said it could take another 1 1/2 years to show movement.

Other people with facial paralysis have movement return (like Jean said), & others get a nerve anastamosis.
Time will tell.

Wishing you a peaceful journey,  please keep in touch with us here,     Nancy
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2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Jim Scott

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2007, 04:14:53 pm »
Hi, brasher:

Welcome!  That was certainly a huge AN tumor you had.  I'll bet it's a relief to have that sucker out of your skull!  I know my surgeon was very concerned over the size of my AN (4.5 cm) and wanted to operate almost immediately, but it took about 3 weeks from diagnosis to surgery, which, thankfully, went exceptionally well. 

I'm sorry to learn you had a CSF leak and had to spend 3 weeks in the hospital, along with experiencing facial paralysis.  No fun.  However, the paralysis may very likely be treatable and not permanent, as other posters have already indicated.  I hope that your recovery is both rapid and complete.  Thanks for joining us.  :)

Jim
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4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

Obita

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2007, 07:17:43 pm »
Hi brasher and welcome:

Holy crap!! I must ask what your symptoms were and what lead to the diagnosis.  The pressure in my head was extreme with only a 2.5er in there.  I can't even imagine what yours must have felt like.

Glad to have you on and I am very glad you are home.  How is your balance? 

Good luck in your recovery.  Kathy
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Kathy - Age 54
2.5 cm translab May '04
University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Dr. Sam Levine - Dr. Stephen Haines

jenn

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2007, 10:47:01 pm »
Well, I feel a little silly.  I had an itsey bitsey tumor compared to yours.  ;) I agree with everyone.  That was one BIG tumor.  Thank God you are still here to talk to us about it.  You probably have a lot of knowledge and information for those with large tumors.  Keep us posted on your recovery and just know that there is a lot of life still ahead after that ordeal! :)

Jenn
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2.0 cm AN diagnosed 09-06 Age 38
Surgery 12-06 Trans Lab at Loma Linda Univ. Med Center
Surgeon: Timothy Jung/MicroSurgeon: Lawrence Clark

Boppie

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2007, 10:53:18 pm »
Brasher, You are quite remarkable!  How can we help you?
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brasher

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symtoms from a large a.n.
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2007, 11:33:35 pm »
hello kathy,
thanks for the reply. my tumor was huge. i had experienced severe headadches (hypocephalus) basically, the tumor was displacing the brain stem and causing csf fluid blockage.
i also had hearing loss. substantial hearing loss; equilibrium issues; and vision problems. my tumor completely removed thru tranlab procedure, so there is good news.  i am still trying to learn how to navigate this site, so i hope this even gets to you


tony
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6.5cm AN;   1/23/07
translab prceedure; house ear clinic; Dr. Slattery and Dr. Schwartz
facial nerve severed with complete removal of tumor.
gold eye weight;2/21/07-Dr Roberts
12-7 nerve anastomosis; 3/1/07, Dr Slattery
happy to be here; recovering well

brasher

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2007, 12:09:05 am »
dear boppie,
thank you for the kind words, i do feel pretty lucky and blessed to be here. there are a coulple of things i need help with. one is how to navigate this site and reply to all ofyou nice people, the other question is about hypoglossal nerve anastomy, since i  lost my facial nerve with the tumor.
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6.5cm AN;   1/23/07
translab prceedure; house ear clinic; Dr. Slattery and Dr. Schwartz
facial nerve severed with complete removal of tumor.
gold eye weight;2/21/07-Dr Roberts
12-7 nerve anastomosis; 3/1/07, Dr Slattery
happy to be here; recovering well

brasher

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2007, 12:26:50 am »
thank you for the reply nancy,
i am scheduled to have the eye weight procedure done 2/21, day after tomoorrow, any last minute advice?
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6.5cm AN;   1/23/07
translab prceedure; house ear clinic; Dr. Slattery and Dr. Schwartz
facial nerve severed with complete removal of tumor.
gold eye weight;2/21/07-Dr Roberts
12-7 nerve anastomosis; 3/1/07, Dr Slattery
happy to be here; recovering well

nancyann

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2007, 05:35:17 am »
Hi Tony:

You are going to LOVE the results from the gold weight.
My only suggestion is that if you're also having the lower lid pulled up/tightened,
let the dr. pull it up to where he/she thinks it should be.
I told my doc not to pull too tight, didn't want it to look too tight,
however, now you can see the white under the iris - wish I had kept my mouth
shut & let him do his thing.  Now I may have it pulled tighter at some point.

Best advice is REST, REST, & REST.

Best wishes,  Nancy
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2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Pembo

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2007, 07:11:30 am »
Welcome Tony and congrats on successful surgery after such a large tumor. Rest easy knowing that the worst is behind you. I spent a lot of time on these forums in the weeks after surgery. You can certainly help others.
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Surgery June 3, 2004, University Hospitals Cleveland, BAHA received in 2005, Facial Therapy at UPMC 2006

ppearl214

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2007, 11:22:47 am »
Hi Tony and welcome.  I am speechless for all you have endured and you have such a marvelous attitude (others around here will tell you that's is rare for me to be speechless :)  )

Please hang in there... listen to your body if it speaks (ie: fatigue) and so thrilled to see you here and doing so well! Please keep us updated on your progress and know we are here for you!

God bless!
Phyl
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"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

redgrl

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Re: hello, my name is tony, one month out of surgery
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2007, 02:29:31 pm »
Hi Tony and Welcome. Wow you had a big one! Good luck with your recovery you have come to the right spot for questions and support.
Big hugs!  ;D
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4 cm left side AN. Translab Sept 20th 06 at virginia mason w/Dr. Backous & Dr. Nussbaum. Second surgery Oct 15th 06 to repair CFS leak.
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