ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: hruss on October 03, 2008, 04:10:50 pm
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So i have been very busy recently and i found some time before me falling asleep before the keyboard to write to you.
thank you marianna (mk) for your supporting personal messages!!
First the week started with some master;s admission exams for the first three days in row, i didn't have any lunch breaks so i was allowed to go out of work an hour earlier. then after 8 hours straight at work i ran for my exams for 3 more hours each!!
Then on Thursday i woke up at 6 am so as to get ready and go out - i have never been to the hospital where i had my MRI this time and since it was away from home, i reached it in an hour. to cut the story short, although i had a 3 week earlier appointment for 8 am, i got in to the MRI scanner 40 min late. anyway, they finally took an MRI for me and since i have already paid for contrast (yep in Bulgaria we pay for it - it is only the simple MRI scanning that the state health agency covers :-\ ) they came and injected it to me till the end of the whole MRI scanning. then scanned me for 5 more min and that was it. Overall, i HATE MRI scanners - these are so scary for me!! i always get panicked when i had to go through this. :-\
i was well late for work as you can imagine (thanks God i have such an understandable chief), again without lunch break - this time i used it to go back and take my MRIs, i ran to my health care center (it is private, i pay for it in addition) straight after work. there i had an appointment with a surgeon and breast cancer doctor. the surgeon prescribed me to have full blood examination on the next morning; breast front - nothing to worry, finally something positive.
So today (Oct 3) at 6:30 i headed up to this medical center again to have blood examinations and an appointment with my neurologist. She is a wonderful doctor and person!
Looking at my MRIs, me sitting on the bed straight after the blood exam - i almost faint every time when they take blood, i am so scared of the pin getting into my vein- brrrr - the neurologist explained to me what she saw. Actually, my AN is huge - 4.6 x 2.1 x 3.1 cm. I remember that these were the approximate sizes of the tumor last year when first discovered, which means that it has grown to its initial size despite my two partial resections. :'(
Meanwhile, last week i had a bad cold which worsened my vertigos and dizziness and even before having an MRI, i called the doctors in Hannover, Germany and asked them to have an appointment for surgery. The very next day (Thursday) i received an email asking me to confirm that Oct 12, 2008 is suitable for me. So did I. I had been waiting for an answer from HEI, LA for a week then and the moment i got in contact with the doctors from Hannover, i received an answer from HEI on he next morning.
Anyway, I do not regret for my decision in any case and since HEI told me to reserve a surgery date 4 - 6 weeks in advance, i preferred Hannover. In INI Hannover i had to ask for a date only 12 days ahead.
Now I had to book me and my brother's flights for next Friday or Saturday, still do not know. I asked the woman who got in contact with me from INI Hannover via email yesterday and still do wait for an answer. i even called her today several times, but only the telephone secretary switched on!! they have no customer service policy!!! >:(
I do not know when exactly when they want me there for all the medical pre op exams and I do not know which flights to book and for how many nights to arrange the hotel stay. I am mad at her >:( - she is dealing with human lives and shows no concern!! i have to wait till Monday to get a reply from her, hopefully!! And since one of the flights of Lufthansa is already full, who can guarantee me that till Monday the other won't get full!! ?
My chief told me that if I want i can the next week free, but i prefer to go to work, rather than staying home and thinking constantly about the forthcoming surgery!
Tomorrow at 7 am (ugh another early hour :( ) i am travelling by train to my hometown to visit it and my parents for my last time before surgery and then getting my packs ready for the long journey!!
Hrissy
PS Finishing this letter, i realized that on this day (Oct 3, 2007) one year past i had my first surgery ever (both my first AN surgery which turned out to be the first in my life) in my life and now i am expecting the third. i am a bit tired and scared but hope this resection will be the last - after all they cannot open my head numberless times, right?!
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hruss:
What an adventure! You certainly haven't had an easy time of it and I admire your fortitude in the face of bureaucratic obstacles and a hectic daily schedule. All I can say at this point is that I will pray for you and trust that this AN surgery will be successful and your recovery quick and total.
Thanks for finding the time in your busy life to update us on your progress and upcoming surgery on October 12th. I've added you to our AN Treatment Calendar http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d12/10/2008?authenticate=&display=M&style=Band (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d12/10/2008?authenticate=&display=M&style=Band) so you'll have lots of people thinking of and praying for you as you approach your surgery day. I wish you all the best. :)
Jim
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Hrissy,
You will have lots of folks thinking of you and praying for you on your next surgery. Here's to the hopes that is your 3rd and LAST surgery.
Cathy
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Hrissy -
I'm glad you have a surgery date and wish you the best.
You've been through so much. I'll definitely keep you in my prayers.
Jan
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Jim, Cathy and Jan,
thank you for your support!!
Jim
I will have retrtosigmoid surgery if you want to add it to the calender (I could not). and I tried to correct the number of the surgery but I could not. It will be my 3rd surgery, actually.
I still do not have an answer from the INI HAnnover, Germany about when I have to go to the clinic for my pre op exams and how long they will tke them. So I cancelled my booked flights and came back to initial phase - still waiting!
Hope they will answer me soon!
Thank you for your support again, guys!! I really really feel that I need it!
Hrissy
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Jim, Cathy and Jan,
thank you for your support!!
Jim
I will have retrtosigmoid surgery if you want to add it to the calender (I could not). and I tried to correct the number of the surgery but I could not. It will be my 3rd surgery, actually.
I still do not have an answer from the INI HAnnover, Germany about when I have to go to the clinic for my pre op exams and how long they will tke them. So I cancelled my booked flights and came back to initial phase - still waiting!
Hope they will answer me soon!
Thank you for your support again, guys!! I really really feel that I need it!
God luck and know that we all are behind you, wishing you success and praying for you as Oct. 12th approaches. :)
Hrissy
I hope they'll answer you soon, too!
I fixed your AN Treatment calendar entry to reflect the details you gave.
We'll be thinking of and praying for you as your surgery date approaches. :)
Jim
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Wow, Hrissy!
You have been through so much already! My prayers are with you as you go into this next, and we pray final, phase. We all have to jump through hoops when it comes to health care, but you have had to really deal with a lot.
God blses,
Maggie
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Hrissy-
You have been through so much! I hope that the third time proves to be the "charm" and your AN will be gone for good. In the meantime, you're in my prayers. You have an amazing spriit.
Debbi, sending you prayers from New Jersey
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Hrissy,
Thinking of you and hoping as always, for the best. Your patience in the face of all these obstacles is pretty amazing. Keep us posted.
Marci
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Hrissy,
I too hope the third time proves to be the charm. Keep us posted -- I haven't checked the AN calendar is your surgery on it?
Wishing you onlly good things,
Wendy
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Hrissy~
WOW!! I am glad that you are going ahead with surgery (sounds like it needs to be done SOON - I'm so sorry it has grown back to the original size), However, selfishly, I was hoping you would be having it here in the States so I could visit with you on the phone. Maybe I can get a calling card - that what I do when my friend is in Mexico. Do I just get one that covers Europe, I wonder?? We will DEFINITELY be with you in thought & spirit and sending LOTS of prayers your way. I will PM you later - sorry I haven't been able to write back sooner...my grandmother is not doing well (just set her up with Hospice {end of life treatment here, basically}) and am taking full-time care of my mom who broke her leg and can't get around well or drive. That with the busy schedule we have is quite a lot!
Hugs to you!!
K
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Hrissy
Wow, what an adventure you've had, trying to get this thing removed permanently! Here's to the docs in Germany and hoping they can take care of this for you so you don't have to worry about it any more! They're German, they're detail oriented, if anyone can, they should be able to (I'm 1/2 German, my mom came over to the US in the 1960s). I also hope that silly woman calls you back soon so you can get the big arrangements made.
Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!
Andrea
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Hrissy,
Hoping you have an easy time and a smooth recovery! Keep as posted!
Eve
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Thank you all so much for the soothing words!! I get to understand that i really need them!
I was in Karlovo today (my hometown - 2h 30 min away from the capital where i am living) to take a good bye before me flying to Hannover, Germany at the end of this week. My mom and dad were so worried. They tried to hide their feelings but me looking at them and their helplessness made me so down. I cried so much on my own. Tend to realize how worried they are, me being in another country struggling for life and they being so much apart! they must already be devastated!!
I preferred not to tell my grandparents about the exact date of my surgery (they only know that it is going to be someday in October) because my grandfather was just released from one month hospital stay after a heavy surgery that left him mute! and my grandmother staying with him and taking care of him all the time and at the same time worrying about me - my news would just ruin her! So I left my news for my myself!
Kaybo, I would have loved to hear you on phone but HEI LA were a bit late with their answer so I preferred to talk to Hannover who made an appointment for me immediately!
I will be with my brother in Hannover and he will keep you posted about the details around me!
Hrissy
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Hrissy -
as you so accurately pointed out, AN surgery isn't just difficult on the patient, it's also difficult on the patient's loved ones. I will include your family in my prayers for you.
I'm glad to hear your brother will be in Hannover with you and look forward to his posts.
Keep your chin up. You've been through so much, but you will get through this too.
Jan
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Hrissy,
I am so happy you will have a brother with you during this time. I will be praying for you as well as your family. I'm looking forward to reading about your speedy recovery and that all went well.
Debbie
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My best wishes to you on your upcoming surgery--all will be well. Blessings to your doctors and nurses who care and to your family who will be there to support you in your recovery.
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Hrissy,
wellness wishes... wellness hugglez.... I'm cheering you on! Best wishes and hang tough!
Phyl
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Hi Hrissy,
I am sorry that your AN turned out to be so big once again. But I am glad that now you have a solid plan and you are about to receive treatment. For sure there are the logistical details that you have to iron out, such as the flights etc., but it will all be sorted out don't worry.
I am sure that you will be in the hands of very skillful surgeons. And it is great that you will have your brother with you to support you.
We are all thinking about you, please make sure to update us regularly.
Take care,
Marianna
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I finally managed to book a flight to hannover.
it will be on Oct 12, i will depart from Bulgaria very early in the morning, transfer in Munich and then finally land in 10:30 am in Hannover. I will then take a cab straight to the hospital and get admitted - hope flights will have no delays. I already gave a call to the clinic and informed them that I might delay due to my flights. They assured me that there will be a doctor to admit me so it will not be problem!
So, Jim (I know you are dealing with the calender - sorry to burden you - if you tell me how, i will fix my schedule) my surgery itself will take place either on Monday or on Tuesday depends on prof Samii's schedule!
My brother booked a hostel for him so I feel prepared as far as the logistics part goes!
that's for now!
expect more updates!
hrissy
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Hrissy~
I'm so glad you were able to get that done! I feel better for you so I KNOW you must feel better!
K
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Hrissy,
Glad to hear you have the logistics out of the way and that your brother will be in Hannover with you. I'm sure he will be a real comfort to you and that he will be glad to be there for you. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers and I truly hope they get the whole thing this time. Keep positive thoughts and I will also cross my fingers toes and everything else crossed for you for good luck too.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Thank you for the soothing words, dear wendy!!
since i promised to keep you all updated, here is my latest update!
today i went to the bank to deposit the last sum of money my coworkers have gathered and to finally see how things with my account are.
We had to count all the banknotes on the counter - imagine us with piles of notes counting all of them manually!! ;D
Finaly, we deposited them and after that i asked for a sheet of all the transactions from the opening of the account till now. Since i have three accounts - one in EURO, one in USD and one in LEVA (the national currency of Bulgaria) i asked for three sheets.
I was very disappointed to see that my cousin's money from US hadn't arrived and since it was a really substantial part i did not have all the money necessary for my surgery in Hannover. In the time of my disappointment, one of my coworkers noticed that the two sums of money on both of the sheets for USD differ from one another.
Then we asked the girl on the counter and she checked the status of the bank accounts again - it turned out that my cousin's money came in the time of 20 sec when the girl on the counter was switching between my three bank accounts!
I was so pleasantly surprised!!!
Hope this is a good sign from fate!!
Now i feel equipped to depart on Sunday!!
Hrissy
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Hrissy~
PHEW!! I was getting a little nervous there - so glad it is working out!!
K
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Hrissy,
I join you in thinking your cousin's money transfer was a good sign! Now you probably have done and arranged everything you possibly can. Try to keep busy with doing things for yourself that will give you pleasure for a couple of days if you can -- see friends, do something fun, etc.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Hi all,
I wanted to share that yesterday I made the bank transfer to the INI Hannover and money are to be received either on Monday or on Tuesday! I sent the money orders to the clinic via fax after that!
I depart to Germany on Sunday morning (Bulgarian time ;)) to be admitted right after my drive by cab from the airport to the clinic!!
So now what is left is to pray for the best outcome!!
Thank you for your moral support!!
Hrissy
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Hrissy,
I'll be praying for you and know you will do very well. Blessings to your doctors and nurses as they perform your surgery, may they be focused on the task at hand, may they be guided to perform with perfection giving you a positive outcome. May you wake feeling peace and may your healing be a rapid successful one.
I look forward to hearing from you when you are able.
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Hrissy,
Know that many prayers and positive thoughts will be on their way to you in Hannover on Sunday morning!
Nancy
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Hrissy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you through your journey. May it be the BEST and the LAST.
Your Bulgarian related friend, ;)
Cathy
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Hrissy,
Sending prayers, good thoughts, good karma, chi, and whatever else I can find.
Marci
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The last update by me for the next week, I hope ;)
I am done with packing and slightly nervous, but I do believe this is normal!
I am flying tomorrow early in the morning 7 am (Bulgarian time - midnight NY time) to Hannover through Munich!
It starts...
Hrissy
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Hrissy,
I hope your journey to Hannover and your AN journey are both quick uneventul. You have had more than your share of troubles and I hope that lis at an end. Remember to keep positive thoughts as we will all be sending positive thoughts and prayers for a wonderful outcome your way. We will all be anxiously waiting for news from you.
Wishing you only good things,
Wendy
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Hi everybody,
this is Petar Tahchiev (I am Hrissy's brother). She asked me to give you some information on her condition.
We arrived in Hannover on Sunday and the operation was scheduled for Monday morning.
It lasted and more than 9 hours and according to the proffessor was extremely difficult. The good news are that they manager to reduce the whole tumor,
by preserving the facial nerve. The doctor I talked with told me that there could be a temporary paralysis that would last, in his opinion, several months, one year at most.
My sister is currently in the intensive care devision, and I was able to talk to her today. She can talk (althogh she has difficulties pronouncing some of the words) and close both of her eyes. We expect that tomorrow morning they will get her out of the intensive care and let her stay in her room. She is supposed to start eating tomorrow, too. That is by far all that I know.
Let us hope that the next time she will write the good news on her own.
Cheers, Petar.
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Peter,
Thank you so much for the update. Please tell Hrissy that I'm sending hugs. So happy she is doing well!
M
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Petar, you have done a fabulous job in updating us... thank you! Please give Hrissy my very best wellness wishes and please tell her that I/we are cheering her on like proper Pirates! :) I believe she will understand that comment.
Thank you again, please also you get some rest.
Phyl
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Good to hear she's safely through her surgery! Thanks, Petar for letting us know.
We all do wish her the quickest recovery possible!
Cindy
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Thank you for letting us know, Petar, that sounds like great news! Positive thoughts and good wishes heading her way. And a big pat on the back to you for being such a great brother to her when she needs you the most!! :)
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Petar:
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness on providing an update on your sister's condition. I hope she is resting and healing well. I also hope and pray that she'll have few complications and be posting here, soon. In the meantime, we appreciate you making the effort to keep us informed as to her condition and prognosis for recovery. Thanks again. :)
Jim
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Petar~
Thank you SOOOOO much for the news - I have been anxiously waiting. Please give her a huge hug from her Texas friend!! I will continue to pray for her!
K
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Hrissy and Petar,
I am so glad to hear you are awake and the surgery went well. I am sorry you are experiencing facial problems though, but encouraged to read the doctors are hopeful for a full recovery! Thank you for posting for us Petar!
Hrissy, don't be discouraged, I know you must be feeling 'down' regarding your face, but there are some wonderful people on this site here to help you through whatever you might be experiencing.
I am so happy it's over and you can begin your healing. Take it slow, don't beat yourself up, you've probably read these words here so many times, but I cannot express how important it is to allow yourself time to adjust.
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Petar,
Thank you for the update on Hrissy. I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well. Please give her my best wishes and a big hug. You are a wonderful brother and I know she appreciates your being with her.
Wendy
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Petar -
thanks so much for updating us on Hrissy.
It's good to see her surgery went well.
Please give her our best ;D
Jan
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Petar-
Thanks so much for posting - Hrissy has been on my mind and in my prayers. Please tell her that Debbi from New Jersey is sending her a big hug. And tell her not to be too upset about her face - it will heal just as mine is healing. And all of us here with crooked smiles are here to give her lots of support.
warmest wishes,
Debbi
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Petar
Mnogo blagodarya. That is great news. Please give Hrissy our best.
David
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thank you very much for your support all friends!!!
i am here, back from germany with faciail paralysis but the docs are very optimist for me.
the professor Samii even admitted that this surgery was very difficult (it lasted for 10 hours)! but it is over!!!
i make some facial exercises for my face to make it move. any suggestions what else do you do?
my eye gets blurred and i put some gel and drops inside and have to cover it with a plastic to preserve it from wind outside!! but for example now it is still very blurred too!!
i will write more when my eye is not that blurred!!
Hrissy
LADavid where do you know how to say thank you very much in Bulgarian?? ;)
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Hi Hrissy!
Glad to see you posting! You've been through quite an ordeal but sound great! Did the doctor think they got the whole tumor finally? I'm so sorry about your facial paralysis and eye problems and unfortunately have no advice because I was lucky enough not to have these problems. I'm glad to hear the doctor is optimistic that things will return to normal though. Keep up with those exercises and your great attitude.
Wishing you all the best,
Wendy
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Hrissy~
So happy to hear you are alive & kickin' - I will respond to your PM tomorrow! ;D
K
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Hrissy,
I've been thinking about you and am so happy you are doing well.
Best,
Marci
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Hrissy:
Congratulations on your successful surgery. I pray that your facial paralysis and eye problem will soon clear up. Thanks for updating us. Now please rest and take care of yourself. :)
Jim
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Hrissy -
it's so great to hear from you ;D
I'm sorry to hear about the facial paralysis and the eye issue, but with time they should both get better.
Thank your brother for updating us while you were in the hospital.
BTW, I wondered about David's Bulgarian also. Maybe he had to learn it for a movie ???
Jan
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Hi Hrissy,
Great job. I know that your face and eye will improve over time. Be patient, and rest while you can.
Your positive attitude bodes well for you...keep it up!
Verl
P.S., I was 29 when I had a 4+ removed, and that was over 20 years ago...and I thought I was young!