ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: juliec on August 11, 2009, 12:35:27 pm
-
Surgery is in two days (Aug. 13). I'm driving down to Iowa City from Minneapolis so Dr. Gantz can perform Middle Fossa on me first thing Thursday morning. Obviously I'm not looking forward to it, but on the other hand, it will be nice to have it over with after finding out May 20 that I have an AN, or possibly a facial schwanoma. Tumor is somewhere between 1.3 and 1.75 cm (doctors don't agree). Wish life didn't have to throw curve balls at you, but how else do you grow I suppose? Just praying that God will give me the strength I need to deal with whatever the outcome is, and knowing he's always with me. I'm thankful for faithful family and friends. Thanks for all the help and support the people in this forum gave me. I haven't posted much, but I have read much. I appreciate all the help you've offered others, which I have benefited from as well.
-
Julie .....
So glad you will soon have the AN out of your head and you can get on with your life! Dr. Gantz has an excellent reputation so you are in good hands.
Don't forget to take the Chapstick (kind of a joke on this Forum, but actually it has been almost universally essential for post-surgery :D).
We have close college friends who live in Bloomington so we have been there many times ..... neat city (and of course, love the mall!).
My thoughts and prayers for successful surgery, uneventful recovery, and the strength to deal with both!
Clarice
-
Hi Julie,
You never know what's around the corner, life is funny that way.
The AN journey is a strange one to say the least. With each one so different from the other. It sounds like you have a strong faith, and that will get you through whatever lies ahead. Keep your spirits up, there have been so.....many positive out comes, yours will be also :)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you for that successful and uncomplicated surgery,
Rich & Scarlett
-
Julie ~
No one really looks forward to AN surgery but alas, it is a necessity for some of us. Please remember that you'll have a host of friends from this site thinking of you and praying for you on Thursday. Your faith in God to give you the strength you'll need is well-placed.
I've added your surgery date to our famous AN Treatment Calendar http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d13/08/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d13/08/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B)
Jim
-
Hi Julie-
I remember, as if it were yesterday, the last 48 hours of the booger-ectomy countdown. Wish I had something brilliant and life-changing to say, but instead I will tell you that you will be in my thoughts and prayers this week. Remember that the first 24 hours don't count - and try to stay as calm as you can this week.
hugs to you,
Debbi
-
Good luck with your surgery Julie! You will do great-there is so much anticipation and nervousness in the days immediatly preceeding surgery. I kept telling myself that these surgeons do these surgeries all the time so trust in the skill in your surgeons and in yourself to handle whatever comes your way! I'm looking forward to reading your first report as a postie ;D
Erin
-
Hey Julie,
I hope everything goes well for you on the 13th. Sometimes the waiting is the hardest part, and thankfully that part is almost over for you. Let us know how everything went as soon as you feel up to it.
Good Luck and God Bless!
Joe B.
-
Julie,
Best wishes on your upcoming surgery. :) I look forward to reading your posts once you are a postie!
Neal
-
Julie,
I will add my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery.
Go for it - you will do great!
Sincerely,
Sue
-
Best wishes, Julie. See you soon as a postie. :)
Steve
-
Hey Julie, don't forget to eat alot of ice cream before surgery! It helped me. The last couple days I was kind of going crazy with the 'countdown', I'm sure you'll do great. Any questions during recovery, let us know, the first couple answers are free ;) In all seriousness, will keep you in my prayers.
-
Julie, I'm not sure if you're driving down today or Wednesday. I sent you a personal email offering my support for you in facing your surgery. You can tell from the forum that GOD has been a huge, huge factor for so many of us facing the AN surgery. I hope you find comfort in your prayers and in the prayers of others. I know that I did. I also know from experience that Dr. Gantz is an amazing surgeon and will take very good care of you. Keep your faith and stay positive. Go into surgery with a big smile. You're going to do great.
SUE
-
Julie, Good luck in Iowa City as know it way too well. One big hint is to take some Refresh Liquigel with you for possible dry eye as all they give for daytime use is a plain tears drop which hardly does a thing. I had some dry eye for 3 weeks my last surgery even with no facial paralysis. The lip balm is handy too.
Also make sure to order snacks and keep in frig as they don't keep much on hand and I was into pudding as not much tasted good with my taste being off. This is on the floor once out of ICU. I will be thinking of you. Cheryl R
-
Well, the surgery was a week ago. I got my stitches out today. Surgery went pretty well. The tumor is gone. It was bigger than all the other doctors thought. Only Dr. Gantz guessed the size correctly at 1.8cm. It was also stuck to my facial nerve, even though it was an acoustic neuroma. I'm thankful Dr. Gantz was performing the surgery. It was a sticky tumor and hard to get out since it was all over the place. My left balance nerve is gone. My hearing from the left ear is probably gone, although sometimes I think I can hear something out of that ear. My facial nerve is intact, but stretched out during surgery so not working very well yet. I was crying this morning because of my screwed up face, but when tears came out of my left eye too, I felt better. The doctors think it will all start working again in a few months. I'm praying for that. I'm starting to feel better and visited work briefly to talk to my supportive employer and co-workers, then went to out to lunch. Food tastes the same to me and the mac & cheese at noodles was really good. Came home and still felt fine, although a nap was definitely in order.
Thanks for all your support through this. A brain tumor and surgery is a scary thing and it helps to have people there for you who have gone through it before.
Julie
-
Julie
You sound like you are doing great for a week post op! I can sympathize with the emotions surrounding your face looking different but hey, you got some tears out of it....that's GREAT!!! I hope that your face continues to make progress...don't get discouraged-it takes time. Make sure you get lots of rest and take good care of yourself. It is a scary deal but here you are...already posing again ;D
-
Julie, I remember the angst over my screwed up face but tears in the eye is a very good thing. I didn't have that for a couple years. Lots of rest now and stay strong.......Welcome to your new normal
-
Julie -
glad things went well :)
From what I've heard from Cheryl R, Dr. Gantz is a great doctor - you were definitely in good hands.
Happy healing!
Jan
-
Julie, I was thinking of you last Thurs and hoping the surgery went well. It is hard to have the facial paralysis and waiting it out to see when it improves. The nerve healing can be slow. Are you using a heavier drop for the eye than what Iowa City gave you? They are not good about what is best for eye care in my opinion.
Sounds like you are doing well but take it easy as things get better in time. Keep us posted how it is going.
Cheryl R
-
Julie .....
I, too, was thinking about (and praying for!) you last Thursday ..... and then wishing you could have seen and talked with other wonderful ANers who have walked in our shoes at the symposium. Two years from now it will be in Cincinnati ..... mark your calendar. :)
Sorry your tumor had to be a sticky one, but glad it is now out and your recovery is going well. My thoughts and prayers continue.
Clarice
-
Good to hear from you, Julie! It's a good sign that you are posting for yourself already. Also a very good sign, I think, that you already have tears. I, as so many others here, had my facial nerve streched as well and had temp facial paralysis - my tears didn't come back for a couple of months. So, perhaps yours is going to bounce back quickly...but often it can take some time, so do try to be patient.
Keep us posted,
Cindy
-
Hi, Julie ~
Thanks for posting your 1-week surgery update. Although you may have some post-operative facial 'issues', I trust they'll be temporary. In this situation, your tears are actually a very good sign!
Get the rest you need, stay positive and update us occasionally, as your time permits. Thanks. :)
Jim
-
It's been about 10 days since my surgery. My head hurts most of the time and I haven't seen much improvement in my facial nerve function. The corner of my mouth can move slightly if I try hard. That's about it so far. I know it's still pretty early and I'll try to be patient. My balance is getting better. It's nice to be able to walk on my own. I wish I could sleep through the night, but the headaches wake me up and keep me awake. :(
-
Hi Julie
I remember just after my surgery that my surgeon pronounced that my face would be "Just fine!" when all I could move was the corner of my mouth! And I was thinking "this man is crazy."If it is any sort of reassurance to you-my face is, in fact, just fine now. Though everyone is different, I was about 3 weeks out when all of a sudden there were changes every day. I had to talk my myself down every day until I started to see progress to "be patient." I know it is hard but try to relax and let your mind rest that you will see progress-I know it's hard to trust but things will improve. You are only 10 days out-now is the time to rest and give that nerve time to heal! As far as the headache goes, if you are not able to get relief I would suggest checking in with your surgeon to see what he suggests. Take care.
Erin
-
Well, the surgery was a week ago. I got my stitches out today. Surgery went pretty well. The tumor is gone. Julie
WOW, Julie! Congratulations on being out and about already, one week after surgery - amazing!
I am sending my best thoughts and prayers for continued healing.
You are very brave and now you are a 'postie!' :D
Please keep us updated on your progress.
Sincerely,
Sue