Derek,
Dr. Jackler has
great people skills and is very personable. He always gets back to me with regards to my questions (e-mail or phone call). My only regret is that I do
not live in the same state that he practices in – as follow up care has been a challenge for me being that I am out-of-state. Because you already live in the Bay Area this will not be an issue for you. His support staffs are excellent and were much more helpful and efficient than the university hospital in my own state… thus I went to Stanford. My experience with the Otolaryngology Dept, specifically, at Stanford was they were all very professional and courteous (unlike other experiences I had elsewhere.) Dr Jackler is internationally recognized as a leader in his field… and for many good reasons.
My AN was a large and sticky tumor that required an 11+ hour surgery… and a blood transfusion (I donated my own blood – prior.) I now have NO balance problems and NO headaches post op. My facial nerve did come back as he predicated it would -at 6 months. I have 60% regained facial movement however I am dealing with some synkinesis. Dr. Jackler is referring me to a neuro-muscular facial retraining therapist. I will be going out-of-state for this also. Other AN patients, in my own State, received no referrals to facial therapists or even vestibular therapists from their surgeons. I have jumped some real hurdles the past six months- and after jumping many of them – I still have to say I like Dr Jackler very much - and I continue to hold him in high regard. (I did not see eye-to-eye with the assigned follow-up physician, back in my own state ,however- I realize that his philosophy and views did not reflect Dr. Jackler’s views, even if he trained under him.)
I initially went to Dr. Jackler mainly just for counsel, on the recommendation of some Canadian Neurotology professors, as to what sort of treatment options I
realistically had… as I was an atypical case. I liked him (and his answers) instantly. Later, after much research, I asked him if he would do the surgery. He was willing to do the retrosigmoid or the translab. The retrosigmoid approach was
my final choice. Remember you have a small tumor so you have many more options available to you than I had (I had only 2). Dr. Jackler will be able to give you “objective� council on what might be best in your case- and he may even suggest one of his colleagues there at Stanford if you think you would prefer Radiation vs. surgery. (BTW “Dr. Chang� has a great reputation for Cyberknife Radiosurgery)
Dr Harsh is more quiet and reserved. He is very matter-of-fact. I have not had any cognitive issues, post surgery, so I would say he did a good job. I did have CSF leaks immediately after surgery but remember I had a big tumor that was very adhesive. The CSF leaks cleared up on their own- no brain shunts were needed. I did not really see Dr. Harsh post-op, other than in ICU, but his team checked in on me frequently… and were onto problems immediately. Primarily I was Dr. Jackler’s patient.
Although interns and fellows were involved in the opening (this included the craniotomy) and closing of my surgery- it was Dr. Jackler and Dr. Harsh that did the main brain surgery. The University Hospital, in my own state, would not assure me that students would NOT be involved in the main tumor dissection “brain surgery� part. Dr. Jackler assured me that the students were only observing from a TV in a separate room. Dr. Jackler assigned me a fellow Canadian (MD), while I was at Stanford, who was his assistant and doing his fellowship year there. This young Canadian doctor was key in my well being and very good at holding my hand through the whole scary process… (IE The Canadian assistant, doing his fellowship there, Dr. Jackler assigned me while I was in California -was excellent. Dr. Jackler had good people intuition as to who to team me up with.) What I liked about Stanford was the good “team approach� to patient care. There were many checks and balances along the way. While in the hospital I was seen by follow up occupational therapists, dieticians etc… Once in my own private room I had excellent care.
I spoke with 9 surgeons before I selected this team. I also forked out money to
http://www.healthgrades.com and paid for various reports. If it gives you peace of mind – when I did my records search, last summer,
both Dr. Jackler and Dr. Harsh had “immaculate� records… this was not the case with the others. (Stanford Hospital also had a good rating)
I personally have much trust in Dr. Jackler and I would recommend him to other AN patients.
I hope this helps. Feel free to e-mail me a personal reply if you need to.
Keep moving forward,
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