ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: nycnewbie on June 08, 2009, 02:49:09 pm

Title: Surgery Decision
Post by: nycnewbie on June 08, 2009, 02:49:09 pm
After having 2 hospitals tell me middle fossa and the other 2 tell me retrosigmoid, I believe I am gonna go with Selesnick and Stieg at Cornell. Though, I know there is more risk in visualizing a tumor in the IAC, I have to believe that they would not recommend this approach for me if they did not believe they could get it fully out. It is more of a chance on the hearing preservation, but I have to believe that my these two doctors are top in their fields and have done hundreds of surgeries and will  do the best they can with the approach they know best.
Wish me luck, everyone. July 2.
Serena
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: NancyMc on June 08, 2009, 02:52:16 pm
Good luck, Serena.  I hope you'll be pleased with your decision.  It seems as though everyone on this site believes his/her surgeons are the best in the world.  I'm sure you will, too.
Nancy
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: wendysig on June 08, 2009, 03:09:55 pm
Serena,

Congratulations on reaching a decision.  In my opinion, it is the hardest part of the AN journey.  Since your tumor is small, your chances for hearing preservation are decent.  I have to agree with  Nancy, everyone does believe their surgeons are the best and that's the way you should feel, so I'm glad your comfortable as you can be with your decision.  Don't second guess yourself between now and July 2, you can make yourself crazy.  Keep us posted on how you are doing between now and then.

Best wishes,
Wendy
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: nycnewbie on June 08, 2009, 03:37:32 pm
Wendy,
Thank you for this! I don't know if mine are the best...but I believe they perform the retrosigmoid well.
Serena
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: Darlene on June 09, 2009, 11:29:32 am
Serena,

Congratulations on a decision!  I know we will both have successful surgeries me on the 1st you on the 2nd.   I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. 

Take care,
Darlene
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: CHD63 on June 09, 2009, 01:25:55 pm
Serena .....

So glad you have made a decision for your treatment.  Many of us will agree that one of the most difficult aspects to the AN journey is making the decision on type and place of treatment.  Now that you have made your decision, try to relax as you await the date ..... knowing you did your homework and be at peace with your decision.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Clarice
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: Jim Scott on June 09, 2009, 03:24:37 pm
Serena ~

We often say that once a treatment decision has been arrived at, the hardest part is over.  Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but still basically valid.  Congratulations on making your surgery choice and of course, the best of luck to you as you go forth.  Please continue to keep us apprised of your progress.  :)

Jim
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: Dawn on June 09, 2009, 06:24:59 pm
Serena,

Congrats on your decision...I also felt very comfortable with Dr. Selesnick and Dr. Steig.  I was going to have Mid Fossa with them but then was told to wait on the surgery so please keep me posted on your progress as I too may be with Dr. Steig for my Chiari surgery.

good luck!!
Dawn
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: jtd71465 on June 09, 2009, 07:02:39 pm
Best of luck...the hard part is over.


Joe-
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: ppearl214 on June 09, 2009, 07:14:31 pm
congratulations on making your decision, which should hopefully be an elephant off your back..... and now time to focus on the treatment and wellness.  Decision making for AN's, to me, is one of the hardest parts of this "journey"......

wellness wishes to you,
Phyl
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: leapyrtwins on June 09, 2009, 09:10:25 pm
Congratulations on your decision, Serena.

As others have said, one of the hardest parts is now over  :)

I think you made a good choice and that you selected very good doctors.  I'm confident things will turn out well for you.

We'll be rooting for you!  ;D

Jan
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: Darin on June 15, 2009, 06:39:24 pm
Hey Serena, just wanted to wish you the best on your surgery decision. I also decided on the retrosiggmoid style, and am taking the plunge one day ahead of you, on July 1st! I hope you have some time before the big day to relax and do some fun stuff. - Darin
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: Syl on June 15, 2009, 07:07:09 pm
I, too, believe making a dicision is one ot the hardest parts of this journey.

Syl
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: cjtender on June 18, 2009, 07:45:03 pm
Congrats on your choice....I really liked Selesnick...he has been there for me since the beginning...I do not have any type of side effect except for hearing loss..but I didnt hear much before the surgery...good luck to you
Title: Re: Surgery Decision
Post by: Kate B on July 14, 2009, 08:59:04 pm
After having 2 hospitals tell me middle fossa and the other 2 tell me retrosigmoid, I believe I am gonna go with Selesnick and Stieg at Cornell. Though, I know there is more risk in visualizing a tumor in the IAC, I have to believe that they would not recommend this approach for me if they did not believe they could get it fully out. It is more of a chance on the hearing preservation, but I have to believe that my these two doctors are top in their fields and have done hundreds of surgeries and will  do the best they can with the approach they know best.
Wish me luck, everyone. July 2.
Serena

Serena,
Here's hoping all is well after your surgery on July 2.

Kate