ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Jossie on July 13, 2010, 04:12:39 am

Title: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Jossie on July 13, 2010, 04:12:39 am
Hi. I'm new to ANA and will be having surgery today at the House Ear clinic. We travelled from South Africa on Thursday and arrived In LA on Friday afternoon after 25hours in transit. I met Dr's Swartz,Slattery,Stefan and Goddard yesterday and am so impressed with their professionalism and knowledge.
will post how it went - please pray for me as well as my parents that are here supporting me and my husband Reinier, kids Christian(15) Danielle(11) and Gustav(2) that had to remain in South Africa.
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: CHD63 on July 13, 2010, 08:53:29 am
Jossie .....

Thoughts and prayers today.  Let us know how you are doing when it is all over.  Looking forward to hearing more about your situation.

Clarice
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: HeadCase2 on July 13, 2010, 09:34:28 am
Hello Jossie,
  You are in good hands at House.  Best of luck with your treatment.   I hope your recovery goes smoothly enough that you will get to see a bit of LA while you're there.
Regards,
  Rob
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: moe on July 13, 2010, 09:35:26 am
Jossie,
Good thing you checked in before your surgery.  ;) What a long distance to travel. You and your family are in my prayers today for a successful surgery and normal recovery so you can get back HOME.
Maureen
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: opp2 on July 13, 2010, 10:55:47 am
Wow Jossie, what a lot to deal with. All the best to you. I'm on the same coast so you are likely just getting put under. good wishes, good thoughts...
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Jim Scott on July 13, 2010, 01:30:48 pm
Hello and welcome, Jossie ~

Thanks for posting!  Of course you'll be in my thoughts and prayers today - and those of many others - as you undergo surgery at the famed HEI. 

I admire your fortitude in traveling such a long distance for your AN surgery, but I also think it will prove to be a wise decision and I'm confident that you'll do very well.  :)

Jim
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Lizard on July 13, 2010, 01:43:20 pm
Josie,
You are in the most capable hands, sending prayers your way.  Please let us know how everything goes.
Lots of hugs!
Liz
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Rich56 on July 13, 2010, 06:25:22 pm
Welcome Jossie,

Sorry we're late getting to this thread.

You really are on quite a journey, being from South Africa.

We will certainly keep you, and your family in our thoughts and prayers,

Rich & Scarlett
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: lori67 on July 13, 2010, 06:30:23 pm
Jossie,

Hope everything went well for you today!  You sure traveled a long way.  I hope you have a quick recovery and can get back home to see your kids soon! 

Hopefully the LA crew will be able to check in on you too.  You've got many prayers coming from all over!

Keep us posted.

Lori
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: satman on July 19, 2010, 06:45:07 am
cant stand the wait for an update  :(
hope all went well .
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Jossie on July 21, 2010, 04:29:01 am
Hi Everyone!!! im back, and i made it..wow.the drs at house ear and the personell at St Vicents are just incredible! i can not sy that it was a picnic, and am still recovering a bit more everyday but I am so grateful to be alive, that the op went well - for the first time in more than a year I have hope that everything is going to be fine and that i will gradually have a life again! Can't wait to go back to my country of birth,South Afriica - but honestly will need some prayers and thoughts for the 31 hour coneccting flights. I live for the moment when I arrive at home and greet my husbandand three kids!!to all of you that still has to undergo surgery or other treatment - good luck!!!i will pray for you. my plan is to create more awareness of AN in South Africa, think it may be hugely misdiagnosed and treated there in some cases.
lots of love

jossie (juanita terblanche)
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: DR on July 21, 2010, 06:12:58 am
Jossie,

Congratulations on a successful surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Keep in touch and let us know how things progress.

- Dennis
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: moe on July 21, 2010, 08:02:21 am
Juanita,
Congrats on a successful surgery! It's a tough one, now you know, but as you know baby steps will get you running before long.
How long will you remain in the states? Concentrate on gathering your strength, walking, resting, sleeping, repeat cycle.... and lots of fluids too.
How's your pain? Any facial nerve issues?
Congrats again!
Maureen
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Mickey on July 21, 2010, 08:23:04 am
Congrats! and many prayers for a speedy recovery. Best wishes, Mickey
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: opp2 on July 21, 2010, 08:31:54 am
Safe trip Jossie! I flew home on day 10. 4 hour flight, so nothing like what you're going to take on. I had no problems. A little normal ear popping on the way up. I did notice that my AN eye began twitching on the plane, but it was intermittent and not a big deal. That twitching still happens every day for a couple times a day so I believe it was not at all connected to flying home.

We booked first class home so I could lie down in the plane, but you know, I never did. I did raise my legs, but didn't feel the need to lie down. My husband did. Poor soul..so tired from taking care of me.

All the Best Jossie, you did fab!
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Lizard on July 21, 2010, 11:46:08 am
Congrats and I'm happy to hear your good report.  You must be so excited to get home, have a safe trip and make sure you take it easy when you get home.  31 hours will take their toll...perhaps you can request an upgrade due to your current disabilities or at least request to board the plane before other passengers.
Take care and welcome to the the other side, postie!
Liz
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Jim Scott on July 21, 2010, 01:13:55 pm
Jossie ~

Congratulations on your successful surgery at HEI!  I'm so pleased to learn that everything went well and that you'll soon be homeward bound to reunite with your family.  I appreciate your determination to help make doctors and the public in your country more aware of acoustic neuroma.  Thank you for your prayers - and your contributions to these forums.  Be well.   

Jim
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: dalern on July 21, 2010, 04:43:22 pm
Congratulations!  I knew you were in good hands at the House Institute.  My SSD was diagnosed and treated there in 1998.  I have flown to Kenya in East Africa and I know how grueling that can be.  Plan a late flight if you can with minimum layovers and try to sleep as much as you can.  Maybe your doc will even give you something for sleep.  Great news and I wish you a safe journey home.
~Dale
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: satman on July 21, 2010, 07:24:55 pm
congrats !
be sure to take it easy
Title: Re: Operation at House Ear clinic today
Post by: Sonja on July 25, 2010, 08:04:27 am
Jossie:

You are in my prayers. You are in great hands at HEC. I had surgery there in February 2009 and am doing great. I'd have to say what Jerseygirl2 said. If I had to do it again (PLEASE NO) I'd walk to HEC from Maryland to have them do the surgery. Good luck and God bless you.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Sonja