Hello again. I was looking through this thread and noticed that the details of my surgery were never told…….both to let all you know and to hopefully educate another newbie. My surgery took 15 hrs because I was a “bleeder�. My tumor was very sticky and very vascular so every time they peeled away at it, they had to pack it and wait for it to stop bleeding. Silly Sam and I also for expecting a “normal� surgery; there is NOTHING that we do that is normal! Personally for my life, I always go against the grain, so my tumor removal shouldn’t be any different….lol.
My doctors used a Transpetosal approach which is an expanded translab. Given the size and more importantly, the placement of my tumor (all against the brain and brain stem, and none in the ear canal) they felt this to be the best option. Consequently I have a larger incision than most that wraps tightly, but longer around the back of my right ear. They removed most of the tumor, but the part on the facial nerve they left because it was sticky and they wanted to decrease the chances for facial paralysis. I had an MRI the next day. Dr. van Loveren, my neurosurgeon, showed Sam the MRI and she says it’s only a sliver of the golf ball my tumor used to be. The doctors left more than they wanted, and after a years plus time of facial nerve healing I will need radio surgery. Also, since my tumor was so vascular, chances of the blood supply being cut of after surgery are not good.
My symptoms are pretty typical:
Head Pain
Tongue Laceration (because of the tube in my mouth for 24hrs total)
Facial paralysis
Face feels swollen. I “feel� like Rocky!.....lol
Dry eye. My eye doesn’t blink, but does close when I make it. There are times when it does not close all the way, a little gap. This should improve with time if not I will get a gold weight my the doctor does not recommend at this time.
Shooting pains through my head, ear, cheek. Dr. Danner says this is good, but will be excruciating. These are the nerves re-generating.
Un-coordination in my right hand. This is already getting better this past week. Should return to normal or close.
I’m walking and getting about great! They expect my facial functions to get much better, but as with all AN’s nothing is ever guaranteed. Theoretically speaking, it should heal.
I thank God for my surgical team. I was the reason for the long surgery, not them. I’m so incredibly happy to have them. I’d hate to think of the outcome from a less experienced team. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again about my surgical team……..money couldn’t buy better surgeons. I truly believe that and that is the best feeling. Tampa General is about to open the largest Neurosurgery wing in the nation. Dr. van Loveren is the head of Neurosurgery. EVERYONE at TGH says he is one of the best in the country. I’m just glad he is/was one of my surgeons. When he came in the next day I shook his hand and very gratefully said thank you. I told him that surgery took a little longer than he expected. He replied, and this is one of the reasons I love him…..�You kicked my ass!� I just looked at him and said….�Yes I did!� and we had a good laugh. His younger partner, Dr. Levine, pre surgery was worried about me having swallowing problems post-op as I was having to occasionally force myself to swallow pre-op. I did not in ICU and I do not since I’ve been home. That is a good feeling. When I woke up in ICU tied to the bed with a tube in my throat, and about to break the bed apart, even in my angst, I did notice that my thoughts were so much clearer and lighter. That also is a good feeling. I just told Sam this evening that even though I’ve recovering right now, I’m so much less tired and wore out. I just feel better.
I go back this Wednesday to get my hardware….lol….staples removed. The incision is healing beautifully. Sam says its one if the best sew-up-jobs she has ever seen. It’s very tight and was never red, but always flesh colored.
Talk to you all again soon.
Adrian
