Newbie with Surgery coming soon

[Angel-1]

Hello Everybody, I'm another Newbie, with translab surgery scheduled on July 8th.  Surgery will be at Duke Hospital in North Carolina with great surgeons. I've been on the forum for a while, but this is my first time posting. With surgery getting closer, I'm starting to get nervous.  I have lost all of my useable hearing in the left ear and I do have tinnitus.  I do have some balance issues, but the tumor has not completely destroyed my balance nerve.  My tumor was 1.4 cm when I was diagnosed in February.  I've had some changes in my balance and had some facial spasms, wondering if it has been growing.  This forum has helped me so much and I want to thank all of you that continue to support all of us Newbies and each other. Because of all of you I know I can make it through this surgery.  I'm ready to have this behind me and be a Postie.

Thanks to you all,

Angela

[Kaybo]

Angela~
WELCOME!!  I know that this is a very scary time (& that is normal) but try to do something for YOU and enjoy it.  Things probably will change to some degree after your surgery but life can be good again (even if it doesn't seem like it right away!)!!  Just listen to your body...

Please feel free to ask any questions in the upcoming weeks - that is what we are here for!!

K   

[kenneth_k]

Hi Angela.

I wish you luck with your up-coming surgery.

Best regards, Kenneth

[tenai98]

Hi and welcome Angela
I had my surgery april/09...my tumor did kill my balance before surgery and took away most of my hearing...Surgery is the easy part...we are asleep...and always remember the first three days dont count towards recovery...I had my surgery on tues and could have come home on that Friday but because I was from out of town, and it was a long weekend, I convinced them keep me for another few days...After surgery, let your body dictate the rest that you will need...and do alot of walking...so basically its rest walk rest and rest some more and walk and rest...Good luck and keep us informed....We all know what its like to some degree
JO

[HeadCase2]

Hello Angela,
  Good luck with your AN treatment.   Let me know if I can answer any questions about the Duke experience.  You're in great hands there.  There is also a local ANA chapter that meets in the Durham area.  Let me know if you would like the email of the person who sends out meeting notices, so he can add you to the email distribution list.  The local meetings are a great place to talk to others who have been through it, and hear about their experiences.
Regards,
  Rob

[moe]

Hi Angela and WELCOME,
Surgery will be here before you know it. Try and stay busy and productive, and exercising BEFORE surgery will help in your recovery.

I also had translab and the incision is barely noticeable. I've had no problems other than the face nerve, but that was unavoidable because of the size. Yours is small, so you should be good to go after your recovery.

Keep in touch, we're here for you
Maureen

[Jim Scott]

Hello and welcome, Angela ~

Our ad hoc  welcoming committee has already done a fine job of acknowledging your presence here and I just wanted to join them in wishing you an uncomplicated and highly successful Translab surgery on July 8th.  I believe you're having the surgery in a hospital with a solid reputation among our members and thus, I think you'll do very well.  Should you encounter any post-operative issues, I trust that they'll be minor and temporary, which is often the case. 

I've added your surgery date to our AN Treatment Calendar  http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d08/07/2010?authenticate=&display=M&style=B

Jim

[jaylogs]

Hey Angela, another welcome to our unfortunately ever growing club here! I am glad you've been on here for a while, I met a few people when I went to for my surgery and it was quite obvious those who had done their homework so to speak. They weren't nearly as freaked out as those who didn't.  As long as you go into this with eyes wide open, you'll be just fine!! Of course, if you need to vent or anything, please don't hesitate to post...we are all a pretty sympathetic group here! Good luck and keep us updated on how you are doing!
Jay

[Rich56]

Hi Angela,

Just want to let you know that we are here for your spouse, family, and/or caregiver as well, and to say welcome to the forum.

You'll be a postie before you konw it,

Rich & Scarlett

[Angel-1]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and support!!!

Angela

[LisaP]

Hi Angela,

Best wishes on your up and coming surgery, I am still W&W with my next MRI scheduled in Oct of 10.  Keep us posted.



LisaP

[CHD63]

Hi Angela .....

Adding my welcome to this forum.  Dr. Fukushima removed my AN in February, 2008.  I had the best possible outcome and I give him a great deal of credit for my exceptional recovery and outcome.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I was in Duke Raleigh Hospital, not big Duke ..... either place is top-of-the-line in medical care so you will do well, I know.

Best thoughts.

Clarice