ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: waypoint on December 20, 2008, 01:19:49 pm
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After four weeks of painful guessing and wondering about what I was looking at on my MRI and what exactly the report said, Dr. Chang yesterday gave me the good news ;D... He said that the left post-AN side look good and that nothing was growing. What the Radiologist report was talking about was attributable to the AN surgery artifacts. Dr. Chang said that the person that did the MRI doesn't have the luxury of comparing and reviewing against my previous MRIs. That person also, doesn't know my history and the details. The Doc said there's no difference when he compared it to my 3mth post-op MRI. He also said he did not agree with the report from the radiologist about the right side. That is was not an AN and that I was not NF2. This tiny area they were referring to was some minor inflamation and would probably not be there on the next MRI. Regardless, he said not to worry... He also gave me all my MRIs to keep and that he would set me up to have another MRI in 6 months just to put my mind at ease. I also had a hearing test, and nothing changed. Still deaf on the left side and great hearing on the right. Now, with all this good, I have to tell you this trip was not without major PAIN. :-[
The Doc says my scar looks great except for down by the neck area. He called it a Keloid (scarring tissue), I refer to that section as an eathworm that has permanently attached itself to my neck :D. I asked him won't this go away over time. He said it might, but he doubted it since I was 14 months post op. He said that down the road if I wanted "scar revision", he could and would do it, and that it was covered under insurance. I said covered? Heck yeah... In the meantime, he said what I can do is try steriod injections to see if we can get the keloid to shrink and be less noticeable, so I might not have to have scar revision surgery. He asked "You still want the steriod treatment? We can do it now." I said, "Sure, will it hurt?" ???... Without pausing, said says, "Oh, yeah its gonna hurt" :D He proceedes to pull this needle out and dissapears behind my head. :o Holy Jesus - Mother Mary... :o I reverted 35yrs back to a 3 year old and had tears flowing from a tear duct, I wasn't suppose to be working anymore... After 8 injections, he say we're done. Its not the needle that hurt, its the steroid liquid. That awful burning sensation lasted dang near an hour after we left his office. The best way to describe it was -- Have you ever accidentally stepped into a fire ant mound (yeah...like I'm the only person that's ever done that). Except this time you left your head in the fire ant mound for an hour. Dr. Chang says, I'll see you again in a month for your next steroid treatment. Not likely, I'll have to think about it. Even a dog that's been wupped knows better than to come back asking for more.
All in all, it was a great afternoon. I felt a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The great news was my Christmas wish. The wife and I rejoiced and celebrated by going out to dinner last night. Thanks to all the well wishes and prayers from everyone here. I'm a true believer, the power of prayer does work...
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Waypoint:
Congratulations on the excellent MRI report and your doctor's positive evaluation. :D Sorry to learn about the steroid injection unpleasantness. No one would blame you if you begged off doing that again.
I agree that prayer is effective when one believes. I'm living proof, as are may other folks that post on the message boards.
Happy Christmas! :)
Jim
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Totally awesome news, even with the fire-ant steroid injection. Woo-hoo!
All's well that ends well. Have a great holiday.
Steve
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Waypoint....great news about the MRI.
Dr. Chang is great....I like him a lot...he's very direct...I can definitely hear him saying "oh yeah, it's gonna hurt". Thanks for the heads up, I think I'll steer clear from the steroid shot treatment.
Patrick
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You couldn't ask for a much better Christmas present, could ya'? That's great news!!
Sorry about the painful end to your visit - but you have to know if a doctor admits it's going to hurt - it really is! :o I got a cortisone shot in my hand once, and if it's anything like that, I can see why the tear duct decided to work! Ouch!
I'd say the hour of pain was probably worth it to hear good news overall.
Celebrate big this holiday!!! You deserve it!
Lori
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Congratulations Waypoint! Nothing in there but your brain; the news we all want to hear. And sorry about the steroid injections--scar revision surgery will probably be less painful. Just guessing here.
Best,
Marci
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Hiu Waypoint!
Congratulations on your great report from Dr. Chang -- it sounds like the best Christmas a guy could ask for!!! Sorry about the pain from the steroid injection -- I had a cortisone injecion in my knee once and concur with Lori -- I can see why your non-working tear duct worked. Maybe this was the inducement in needed and will continue to produce tears. I agree with you too, the power of prayers and positive thinking does work!
Best wishes and Merry Christmas!!
Wendy
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That is great news! Christmas will be very special for you this year. And I can sympathize with the shots. I got a steroid shot for a shoulder problem many years ago. The dr. said the shot would make the pain easier, and then gave me a shot that hurt for 24 hrs. :'( :'( . Who's idea of easy was that!
Best wishes to you and yours!
Priscilla
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Great news on the MRI! I know you're relieved! Bummer about the steroid treatment, but it's better than another surgery.. well, I should wait to say that for another couple weeks. :) Congrats!
Brian
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Dr Chang ???????? in Houston Texas????????
He was my surgeon...........and yes Steroids in the head and stomach hurt . BUT nothing like the halo hurt 1 year ago..........
GREAT NEWS ..................my 1 year just passed and MRI was wonderful as well !!!!!!!!!!
WTG 8) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1