Since I was diagnosed with a right vestibular schawnomma, I found reading postings about the experiences of others useful. Knowing always that we are all different and that in the AN world we are a universe to ourselves. So here is my story or at least part of it in case it is helpful to anyone.
Me: Well I am two months short of being 60 years old and I know describe myself as a fat ugly couch potato latina and proud of it. I have some of the usual health risks of being overweight: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, slow thyroid.. of course controlled by meds. I am not into running marathons. Walking a mile in a day is probably more like it.
Diagnosis: I was diagnosed October 2015 with a 1.5cm x 0.8 cm AN in right side. I went through the usual research of options. For some reason, I could not get comfortable with the radiation options and tended more to favor the surgical options. I had some hearing loss in the right side and tinnitus. No real dizziness, but a bit unstable coming downstairs. From diagnosis to surgery, there was a bit more hearing loss but no major change in symptoms. No significant growth of the tumor either. But as I was not getting any younger I decided to act rather than wait.
Doctors: I chose Dr. Britz, neurosurgeon, a Methodist Hospital Houston Medical Center and Dr. Vrabec, Otolaryngology, at Baylor College of Medicine. And I totally adore them. Wow. I think I have elevated them to magician status.
Approach: Because I still had useful hearing the affected ear and I wanted if possible to preserve hearing, we opted for a retrosigmoid approach.
Worries going in: I had had an outpatient procedure for some other condition, cut short in 2013, due to some PVCs, (premature ventricular contractions). So one of my worries in considering surgery was is my heart healthy enough for this party. Rather than to go back to the cardiologist that had seen me in 2013, I asked Dr Vrabec for a recommendation at Methodist. He recommended Dr. Buergler and I had a full battery of tests done to make sure that I could be clear for surgery. EKG, stress test, echo..etc and the reassurance that if something were to happen my cardiologist was just in the same place.
Surgery was wednesday November 2nd and it lasted approximately 6 hours. Connie, the tumor, has now been evicted from my head and is gone. I woke in recovery room. Shivering but with all my marbles, alert, knew where I was etc. Great smile when doctors told me that there had been no impact to facial nerve. Face was functioning as expected, eyes opening and closing as expected. We have not retested hearing yet but to me it seems that I have preserved whatever hearing I had in the right ear. I do not think it is better or worst. Tinnitus still there but not better or worst.
I spent Wed night in the thoracic ICU as there was no room at the neuro ICU. Lumbar drain was on. I had a some pain that night and got the shot of morphine.
thursday morning I was awake. head felt heavy. I did head moving exercises. I was able to retain the liquid diet. I never knew I could like cherry ice. Biggest accomplishment was to sit on a chair for a while. Pain was manageable with Tylenol 3. threw up a bit that evening.
Friday morning Physical therapy came to try to get me to walk but my blood pressure kept spiking up. Pain was still controlled with Tylenol 3. I was not happy with my blood pressure all of that day and night. In the middle of the night, the monitor walk me and I raised the head rest a bit and ended up with the worst headache I had had up to that point. some morphine brought it down and I went back to sleep.
Saturday morning I was comfortable but not doing much. on solid food but I chose to eat only the tasteless stuff. About noon they finally took the lumbar drain off and my blood pressure and headache started to get better.
They moved me out of ICU and into the main floor on saturday late afternoon. I had two Tylenol 3 that night but have been off pain meds since then.
My doctors were ready to release me sunday but I asked to wait until monday. I felt that i had not done yet enough walking to feel comfortable that I could manage walking and control headaches and my blood pressure. Doctors agreed. I spent sunday walking down the aisles and getting comfortable. by monday morning I was ready to get out of there and rock and roll.
For someone that did not have major balance problems going in, I was worried about what kind of balance problems I would have after surgery. Luckily from the moment I first sat up or got up, I have not had any episodes of head spinning. I am able to stand and walk almost as before. I have to be careful not to let my head get ahead of my body. I have to careful not to turn suddenly or to suddenly lean forward but I otherwise can walk down the hallway without feeling that I am walking like a drunk or needing a rail. I did not get dizzy during the one hour drive home either.
Today life is great. Although they gave me a prescription for Tylenol 3 for pain, I have not needed any not even plain-vanilla Tylenol. I had no problem walking around my house last night even in dim light to go to the loo. My blood pressure today is under control.
I am taking it easy. I have a friend helping me. Napping as needed.
Life is great and I am thankful.
