Hi, Brian - and welcome. I'm always sorry to learn that another person has been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma but fortunately, they're almost always benign and operable/treatable.
I condensed your questions and although others were way ahead of me in responding, I thought I'd offer my answers, for whatever they might be worth to you.
1. What would you suggest to prepare for surgery?
2. What would you suggest to help support my wife prior to surgery? Mainly I am trying to reduce stress and do some fun things with the kids.
3. What are some good things to bring to the hospital for the patient?
4. What are some of the side effects we can expect immediately after surgery? (I realize this is a pretty broad question).
5. My wife's Mom is planning on staying 3 weeks from the date of the surgery? Does that sound reasonable?
1. There really isn't much your wife can do to prepare for her AN surgery other than to be as physically fit as possible and try to keep a positive attitude. If she passed all the pre-op tests, then the doctors think she's O.K. and can endure the surgery with no greater risk than the normal risks inherent in any major surgical procedure.
2. Getting the house as squared away as possible and, as you're doing, having some fun time with the kids is a fine plan. Try to make some time for you and Pam, alone, too. Try to help her feel as if you'll have things under control and can cope with the kids and whatever comes up while she recuperates from the surgery.
3. Most patients don't really need that much in the hospital and many over-pack. Anything that comforts or amuses her is good. Once past the initial 3 days or so, she may want a favorite food or beverage (non-alcoholic, of course) which you can usually bring in because its unlikely she'll be on a 'restricted diet'. Books, magazines, newspapers, hand-held games, whatever helps her. She'll probably tell you - but be sure to ask, just in case she doesn't.
4. This
is a broad question. Extreme fatigue, dizziness, nausea, double vision, headaches and neck pain are the most prevalent post-op complaints. However, I had only two of these - double vision - which was mild and went away within a few days and fatigue, which also dissipated within a few days. My AN was close to 5 cm when operated on, so you can see that there is simply no definitive answer to your question. Just be prepared for the worst and of course, hope and pray for the best.
5. A three week visit by your mother-in-law to help you and Pam with the kids, meals, etc does sound reasonable. By the end of the third week, Pam will know whether she needs further help. With no surgical complications, she should be doing well by Week 3. I was driving and out playing miniature golf my 3rd week of recovery. Some of the younger, more adventurous post-op patients are running half-marathons and doing other physically demanding things. Some are not. I'm active but hardly athletic and although I got back to my normal life (I'm retired but not sedentary) fairly quickly, I had a very good surgical outcome and a strong will to regain normalcy. As you know from reading these forums, we're all unique individuals and one patient's good (or poor) surgical outcome doesn't really affect another AN surgical patient's outcome. Too many variables.
Kudos to you Brian for your obvious concern and willingness to do what is necessary for your wife, Pam, as she prepares to undergo AN removal surgery. I hope my comments are of some use to you and of course, I send my wishes and prayers for a smooth surgery and rapid recovery to your wife.
Jim
