ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Kathleen5306 on August 30, 2008, 10:23:06 am
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Everyone-
I just received an update on ColoradoGal and her surgery which was Thursday, August 28 in Phoenix. According to her husband, it went as well as could be expected. Surgery lasted about 5 hours. They debulked the AN removing about 85-90% of the tumor. She had great hearing in her left ear prior to surgery, and they left some of the tumor attached to the auditory nerve in an effort to save her hearing. During the surgery, the test signals on her hearing nerve were all positive. However, right now she cannot hear anything in her left ear and they are not sure if that is just due to brain swelling and a pinched nerve, or whether that will recover in time. Her husband said she is still in a lot of pain and they are working on different meds to get that under control. He reported that she is eating, SMILING, and has her sense of humor. (All good things!) She is still in ICU and will be moved to a regular room in time. Then she will spend some time recovering in the home of a good friend in Phoenix, before returning to Colorado. If I hear anything else, I will let all of you know.
Kathleen
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Great news! Send her well wishes from me, Kathleen.
Debbi
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Thanks Kathleen. Glad to hear that the surgery went well. Hoping the pain issue is resolved soone. If you are in touch with her husband, tell her that we are thinking of her and wishing for her best.
David
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Hi Kathleen,
I know I am late coming to this thread, but I am glad to hear she is doing welll. Do you know if she is home yet or are they keeping her over the long holiday weekend?
Sending my best wishes and healing thoughts,
Wendy
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Kathleen -
thanks for the update; you know how we all worry.
Wendy -
you aren't that late in responding to this thread. Although time flies, I think it's only 8/31.
Jan
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Hi Jan,
Greetings and salutations! I didn't realize until just now that Kathleen didn't post ColoradoGal's update until Saturday and I knew her surgery was on Thursday so I responded quicker than I thought I did. You're right -- all of us do worry about each other after surgery and she had been on my mind. I've been so busy lately, plus I was away from Wednesday thru Saturday, I just assumed I was late.
Wendy
ColoradoGal - Sorry for the hijack but I hope you are starting to feel at least a llittle better!
Sending healing vibes your way,
Wendy
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ColoradoGal you made it! Congratulations and best wishes from sunny (but not for long) Ohio.
Best,
Marci
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ColoradoGal was released from the hospital on Monday. Her husband's note said she was doing well...eating, in good spirits, and getting around some. They are going to a friend's home in the area to further recover and relax. I know her parents are with her children here in Colorado. ColoradoGal had indicated the doctors would like her to stay in the Phoenix area for about 10 days after surgery before returning home. So, I would expect she will be down in Arizona through this weekend. I have not heard if she has regained any of the hearing in her left ear or not. If I get any details, I will share with everyone.
Kathleen
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Hi ColoradoGal,,
GLad to hear you are out of the hospital and doing well. I'm senidng healing through your way.
Wendy
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ColoradoGal,
Congratulations on your successful surgery. I am sending well-wishes for more and more pain free days and continued healing to your hearing nerve. Looking forward to your "first" post as a "postie"! Rest up and take one day at a time, as time heals all.
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Hello from Phoenix - I survived! :) Thanks, Kathleen for posting the updates. What can I say.... my head hurts, but surgery is over! Besides the headache, my head just feels like it is made of wet heavy clay. At least the lopsidedness is not causing me to walk in circles :D
NO face problems, no eye problems, no swallowing problems, but I am without hearing on the left side. Sounds coming in on the right are often sharp and annoying - as I imagine many of you know. I am still praying the hearing will come back.
I've not been up for much walking yet due to the headache when vertical, but lounging and sleeping are nice - and definitely in my skill set. ;) Today's agenda includes my second shampoo! WaHOO!
Thanks for all the kind words of support from everyone. It is so nice to know I am not alone.
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Hey there!
You did more than survive! Sounds like you are doing really well. I understand the weird head feeling--to me it feels like the right side of my head belongs to someone else. I'm happy for you and wish you a continued (good) recovery.
Best,
Marci
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Hi ColoradoGal,
It sounds like you are right on track. Rest, relaxlet yourself be pampered, if possible and take your time getting better. Most important of all, listen to your body and let it tell you what you're ready for. It sounds like your recovery, thought just beginning is going great!!
Wendy
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Ahhhh.... shampoo...... :) Who ever thought it could seem like such a special treat to be able to wash your hair?
I hope you have lots of hot water so you can take a nice long shower!
Lori
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ColoradoGal:
Hello and welcome to Postie-Land!
I'm just getting back to the forums after vacation and I'm so pleased to learn of your successful surgery.
I hope and will pray that your hearing returns and your recuperation is swift and complete. :)
Jim
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Great to hear from you! Know you're so glad to be on the other side of the surgery. Take care and take it easy. Crossing fingers for your hearing...
Cindy
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ColoradoGal,
I am so glad to hear that you made it through surgery, and I have been thinking about you like crazy just hoping things would turn out OK. I hope in time your hearing will return. When you get back to CO please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out. I'll catch up in a PM, but in the meantime. . . . great news!!! Enjoy that shampoo that everyone says is wonderful!!!
Nancy :) :) :)
Also. . . Thanks Kathleen for the update on ColoradoGal.
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Maureen
I am so glad you are posting! When a postie posts, we all know they are doing great! Keep laying low and sleeping and staying horizontal. Those are all good things and very needed right after surgery. Sorry I didn't get the updates more timely to update this forum. Somehow my email got "truncated" from your husband's Blackberry and I was always a couple days late. But, now you are here to let everyone know how you are doing. Welcome to postie-land. We'll see you back in Colorado before too long.
All the best,
Kathleen
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Hi all,
I am back in Colorado and doing very well. Not ready to go back to work two weeks post-op like pswift, (must be something about the "swift" part of the name), but it's great to be surrounded by my kids again. With SSD I discovered I can't locate the cordless phone anymore by following the beeping - so that's one less job for me! :)
Some folks may be interested to know:
Yesterday a friend who does a lot homeopathy (I call her a witch doctor) brought me a tube of "Nelsons Cuts & Scrapes cream with hypericum and calendula" for my scar. I can't believe how fast the cream is helping! Already today my incision is much softer, flatter, and more healed!
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Hi Maureen,
Glad to see you are home. Hopefully the altitude in Colorado is not a problem. :)
Take care and take it slow for a while.
Steve
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Hi there!
Glad you're home, I remember how good it feels to be there! Take really good care of yourself; nap, eat, sleep, walk; like a terrier-
Marci
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ColoradoGal,
Glad to hear you are home. As Dorothy so eloquently put it in the Wizard of Oz-- there's no place like home. Let yourself be pampered, rest and heal.
Best wishes,
Wendy