Author Topic: Surgery soon  (Read 4709 times)

neuroma_racer

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 62
  • late apexing
Surgery soon
« on: April 08, 2010, 03:51:25 am »
Hi all,
This is Kathy, Jesse's wife, I'll be posting with an update, once he is out of surgery. 
surgery is at 8:15.
He did not sleep much last night, but his spirits are good.
All for now.

Kathy
mild hearing loss - 12/'09
left 4x5x7mm, intracannicular schwanomma
MIDDLE FOSSA surgery 4/'10, Dr John McElveen, et.al.
was actually a FACIAL NERVE NEUROMA
hearing worsened 4/'12 - Tumor quadrupled to 9x9x15mm
cyberknife 8/'12
1.5yr MRI shows shrinkage % 85% necrosis
LEFT hearing & tinnitus SUCK

CHD63

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3235
  • Life is good again!!
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2010, 06:51:59 am »
Kathy and Jesse .....

Prayers in progress!

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

lori67

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3113
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2010, 07:02:07 am »
Don't worry Kathy - he'll get to sleep a whole lot today!   ;)

Take a deep breath.  He's in good hands.  I'm sure this will seem like a very long day to you, but we're all with you in spirit.

Looking forward to an update.

Lori
Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Kaybo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4232
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2010, 08:36:05 am »
Kathy~ 
Thanks for thinking of us - we tend to like to know how things are going!!  Prayers for you both today...especially for you for PEACE as you endure this day of waiting!

K   ;D
Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

james e

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 671
  • 75years, 1.7cm, trans lab Mar 2010, BAHA 5
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2010, 08:43:47 am »
We all count on Jesse having a successful surgery. This is just as hard on you, but in a different way. Jesse and I had our ANs discovered just about on the same day in December. I had my surgery two weeks ago, and feel on top of the world. Get on line if you get if you want to talk...just to pass the time. Good luck to both of you today. You both will be on my mind all day.

James

neuroma_racer

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 62
  • late apexing
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2010, 07:33:35 am »
Things went well
In icu still, this am
Moving to step-down/floor bed today

Interesting outcome
Was NOT an acoustic neuroma, after all
It was a facial nerve neuroma
Pros: wont lose any hearing
          Will not develop any vertigo
           They did not have to clip any of the vestibular nerves
           I have. NO facial nerve palsy
Cons: they were able to perform VERY LITTLE debulking, to avoid damaging C.N.VII
           So i may need a redo in 2 - 4 decades
Overall, i am very glad to be hearing, smiling, walking with TWO ears for balance.
Fairly small craniotomy headache.
So overall, i count many blessing.

Have lost ~30 lbs pre op, and will keep that tide a rolling, as well.

Thanks or thinking of me
Jesse

Sent from my iPad
mild hearing loss - 12/'09
left 4x5x7mm, intracannicular schwanomma
MIDDLE FOSSA surgery 4/'10, Dr John McElveen, et.al.
was actually a FACIAL NERVE NEUROMA
hearing worsened 4/'12 - Tumor quadrupled to 9x9x15mm
cyberknife 8/'12
1.5yr MRI shows shrinkage % 85% necrosis
LEFT hearing & tinnitus SUCK

CHD63

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3235
  • Life is good again!!
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2010, 07:49:34 am »
WOW!  You are doing well to be reporting from ICU, no less .....  Congratulations.  Interesting that it was not an AN.  Guess you mean that they removed what they could without damaging your facial nerve.  It is always possible it will not grow again and who knows in 20 years what new treatments will be available.

Here is hoping the headache abates quickly and you have an uncomplicated continuing recovery.

..... and an IPad!!  You have one loving wife!   :D

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

Lynn Mc

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 185
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2010, 08:12:37 am »
Congratulations!!!  Not an AN!!  Wow!!  Glad that everything is AOK.  Hope the headache moderates for you soon.

Happy Trails,
Lynn
Translab 01/22/10.  12 x 11.7 x 8.2 mm.
Dr's McKenna/McCall at Mass Eye & Ear,
Dr. Barker at MGH. 
SSD - No other significant problems post surgery, just some minor inconveniences!  Yipee!!
BAHA implant 04/08/11 Dr. Merchant
BAHA Gotcha 07/25/11
"Life is Good"

Kaybo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4232
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2010, 08:17:50 am »
Glad to hear that you are doing so well...remember to listen to your body and take it slow.  Sometimes our bodies fool us into doing too much too soon!!

K   ;D
Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

james e

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 671
  • 75years, 1.7cm, trans lab Mar 2010, BAHA 5
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2010, 09:12:18 am »
Congratulations on your surgery. Did you ever have any facial problems prior to the surgery?

cindyj

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1434
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2010, 11:58:13 am »
Wow, Jesse, was that really you reporting in your first post op day?!?  So glad to hear that you can still hear!  And no complications!  Great news - take it easy and get your rest...sure you've given that advice many times - now you will need to take it ;D

Cindy
rt side 1.5 cm - Translab on 11/07/08 Dr. Friedman & Dr. Schwartz of House Ear Institute,
feeling great!

"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold."  Josh Billings

Debbi

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1921
  • Originator of the Magic Scarf
    • Debbi's AN Blog
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2010, 12:17:54 pm »
Hey Jesse-

Wow!  I am in awe that you were posting from ICU!  There's no keeping you down, is there?  Glad that things seem to have gone well, and that you still have two good ears and a big smile.  Keep it up!  ;D ;D

Debbi
Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Jim Scott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7241
  • 1943-2020 Please keep Jim's family in your hearts
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2010, 12:47:15 pm »
Jesse ~

Congrats on a successful 'non-AN' surgery with few, if any, post-op 'issues' other than the minor headache.  Posting from the ICU is impressive - so we know you're doing well!  :)

I lost over 30 pounds pre-op and have managed to keep them off over the past 4 years...and I'm ancient.  I'm sure you'll manage to keep your weight stable.  Now, rest.

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

neuroma_racer

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 62
  • late apexing
Re: Surgery soon
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2010, 05:56:12 pm »
That WAS me typing this am, post-op day one
Kathy couldn't get logged back in yesterday post-op, to update.

Whole head doesn't hurt, just incisional area, and it is improving.

Have started with a delayed onsets grade I/VI left facial palsy
So they think it is just from swelling, and not direct nerve injury.

I am on a dexamethasone steroid taper.
Interestingly, the first two doses were pushed fairly quickly, through my central line, and i puked both times.
Went from NO nausea to INSTA-nausea, puked twice, and then nausea completely disappeared, till next time.

Third and fourth doses ar oral, and causing no problems.

Lumbar drain out tomorrow, dressing off Sunday, and may be home by Monday, or certainly Tuesday

I am SO unbelievably tired, no sleeping pills allowed last night, so asto not interfere with near checks,
I WILL take an ambient tonight.

I feel so blessed and am so pleased with the outcome.
So impressed with my whole team, whose names i need to update,
AND SO GLAD i didn't gamma knife my facial nerve, which would have given me a VI/VI palsy, and scarred thing down so badly, that a later nerve graft would have probably been I possible.

Praying for some sleep.

Thanks all,

More tomorrow

Jesses
mild hearing loss - 12/'09
left 4x5x7mm, intracannicular schwanomma
MIDDLE FOSSA surgery 4/'10, Dr John McElveen, et.al.
was actually a FACIAL NERVE NEUROMA
hearing worsened 4/'12 - Tumor quadrupled to 9x9x15mm
cyberknife 8/'12
1.5yr MRI shows shrinkage % 85% necrosis
LEFT hearing & tinnitus SUCK