Author Topic: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th  (Read 10812 times)

JulieW4

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Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« on: June 24, 2008, 04:29:06 pm »
Well, I have decided to have surgery after investigating my radiation options.  I had my films sent to Dr. Sheehan in Virginia and he felt that surgery was best based on the different growth pattern of my tumor.  It is also a possibility that I have a facial schwanoma and that if that was discovered during surgery then the area around the tumor would be decompressed and radiation would be an option to treat the tumor.  I have spent many hours on these message boards reading and feel very fortunate that I am going into surgery knowing all the possibilities of complications.  The last couple of days have been a roller coaster of emotions.  From the beginning of the discovery of my AN every doctor that I spoke with always described my tumor as unique and my gut has been telling me that surgery was probably the best chose for treatment.  I have complete faith in my surgeon and just pray that recovery will go smoothly.  I will keep everyone informed of my recovery process and am again grateful for the incredible support that these forums give me. 

Julie
2.7mm X 3.7mm AN
misdiagnosed for 13 years
complete hearing loss on right side
Had Translab surgery on June 30th, released from hospital 48 hours after completion of 5 hours of surgery
BAHA abutment surgery on Oct. 31st, received processor on Dec. 4th

leapyrtwins

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2008, 04:38:36 pm »
Julie -

best of luck with your surgery.  We are all "unique" here, but it sounds like you are "extra unique"  :)

Treatment decisions are always very hard decisions, but it sounds like you've made the best choice for you - which is what it's all about.  Having complete faith in your surgeon IMO is key.  I had complete faith in my two surgeons and it helped me immensely - both going into my surgery and during my recovery.

If you have time, please put your surgery date on the AN Calendar (there is a link at the bottom of sgerrard's profile) so we can all remember to wish you well on your "big" day.

Jan

Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

yardtick

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2008, 05:23:49 pm »
Welcome to the facial neuroma club.  I've been feeling lonely here!

Anne Marie
Sept 8/06 Translab
Post surgical headaches, hemifacial spasms and a scar neuroma. 
Our we having fun YET!!! 
Watch & Wait for more fun & games

cindyj

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2008, 05:53:23 pm »
Good luck on Monday, Julie.  Good for you for making a decision and getting your surgery scheduled.  Will be watching for news of your recovery and hope all goes well.

Cindy
rt side 1.5 cm - Translab on 11/07/08 Dr. Friedman & Dr. Schwartz of House Ear Institute,
feeling great!

"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold."  Josh Billings

Cheryl R

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2008, 06:34:29 pm »
Anne Marie, we hope for a good outcome for you someday as well as Julie as I am evidence that it it can be helped!
                                    Cheryl R
Right mid fossa 11-01-01
  left tumor found 5-03,so have NF2
  trans lab for right facial nerve tumor
  with nerve graft 3-23-06
   CSF leak revision surgery 4-07-06
   left mid fossa 4-17-08
   near deaf on left before surgery
   with hearing much improved .
    Univ of Iowa for all care

akajpa

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2008, 09:37:24 am »
All the luck to you! I'm sure they will do a great job!

keep us posted

Tumbleweed

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2008, 09:59:50 am »
Good luck and best wishes for a fast recovery, Julie!

Tumbleweed
L. AN 18x12x9 mm @ diagnosis, 11/07
21x13x11 mm @ CK treatment 7/11/08 (Drs. Chang & Gibbs, Stanford)
21x15x13 mm in 12/08 (5 months post-CK), widespread necrosis, swelling
12x9x6 mm, Nov. 2017; shrank ~78% since treatment!
W&W on stable 6mm hypoglossal tumor found 12/08

lori67

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2008, 10:16:55 am »
Good luck to you Julie!  I hope all goes well and you are back home recovering in no time!

Now you facial tumor folks can have your own little clique! 

Lori
Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Jim Scott

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2008, 02:44:04 pm »
Julie:

Congratulations on having made that difficult but crucial decision on treatment and having a scheduled surgery.

Many thoughts and prayers will go with you next Friday.  Mine included.

We'll support you and look forward to seeing you here as a 'postie' before very long.

Meanwhile, get some rest and definitely stay positive.  You'll do just fine.  :)

Jim
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.

Omaschwannoma

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #9 on: June 26, 2008, 07:09:59 am »
Julie, positive thoughts to you on Monday, I'll be thinking about you.  Prayers to your surgeons, nurses and other doctors handling your case so your outcome is a successful one. 
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

leapyrtwins

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #10 on: June 26, 2008, 07:42:44 am »
Julie -

I just noticed from your profile that you will be getting the BAHA surgery at the same time as your AN surgery.

Good luck - I love my BAHA; I think you will too  ;D

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Debbi

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #11 on: June 26, 2008, 10:18:36 am »
Lots of prayers coming your way, Julie.  Try to stay calm over the weekend - Monday will be here before you know it.

Debbi
Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Catflower

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #12 on: June 26, 2008, 11:02:42 am »
Julie:

Good luck Monday.  I'll be sending good vibes your way.

Linda

sgerrard

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2008, 09:26:49 pm »
Lots of prayers coming your way, Julie.  Try to stay calm over the weekend - Monday will be here before you know it.

July will be here before we know it. Best wishes on the surgery, Julie.

Steve
8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.

JulieW4

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Re: Surgery scheduled for Monday, June 30th
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2008, 10:35:51 pm »
All your well wishes mean a whole lot.  It helps so much to know that they're others out there who have gone through the same thing I am about to experience.  I am obviously very nervous but it's good to know that I will have many people beside my immediate family and friends who will be praying and thinking about me.

Jan, yes I am very excited to be getting the BAHA.  As you know it will be three months before I will get to experience the benefits of it, but I am looking forward to being able to locate my cell phone when it rings.

Thanks again everyone.  I will keep you posted.

Julie
2.7mm X 3.7mm AN
misdiagnosed for 13 years
complete hearing loss on right side
Had Translab surgery on June 30th, released from hospital 48 hours after completion of 5 hours of surgery
BAHA abutment surgery on Oct. 31st, received processor on Dec. 4th