Ohio?

[kdmayb07]

We live about an hour from columbus and my mom has a consultation with dr. antonio chiocca at OSU Med Center..

any input?

[Pembo]

There are many on this forum who had surgery at OSU Med center...hopefully they'll see your post. I had mine at Univ Hosp Cleve. Best of luck to your mom.

[auntsherry]

Hi Ohio!  I also had surgery at UH - 8/07;  didn't realize there would be so much involved in recovery, therapy and most likely dealing with some issues the rest of my life.

My Neurosurgeons were:  Magerian & Selman;  good doctirs, bad hospital food!!

Continue to live WELL!   

[MAlegant]

Hey Aunt Sherry,
I'm in the Ohio club as well, though Dr. Selman was in a cast so his colleague, Nick Bambakidis operated along with Dr. Megerian.  Wonderful doctors, excellent care.
Marci

[CMRochester]

Hi,
I have not visited the site for some time, but saw your post and thought I would respond to you.

I had my surgery, last May, in Cleveland at University Hospital with Dr. Megerian and Dr. Selman.  I could not ask for a better team.  I interviewed 10 specialists before making my decision.  I consulted in Rochester, NY (where I live), Cincinnati and Cleveland.  In Cincinnati I consulted with Drs. Pensak and Theodosopolous I looked in Cleveland and Cincinnati because I have familly in both cities and could stay with a family member after leaving the hospital.

You are close enough to Cincinnati and Cleveland to get consultations with any of the above doctors, and if at all possible, I would suggest you try to see them.  Drs Pensak, and Megerian would be the ones to start with (Drs. Theodosopolous and Selman are the Neurosurgeons they work with respectively).

My tumor was 3cm and pressing against my brain stem.  The doctors removed 95% of the tumor - what was left is around my facial nerve (we had discussed, prior to surgery, that my facial nerve was to be preserved).  I did have some balance issues, but physical therapy has corrected that.  I still am tentative when on unfamiliar/rough terrain or waliking in the dark.

I lost most of the hearing in my right ear (AN ear).  SSD has been a bother to me, especially directional sound.  After much research I decided to get a BAHA and went back to Dr. Megerian/University Hospital on December 19th for the BAHA implant.  I will get the processor in mid-March.  I have had not issues from this implant - no headache, no problems with the surgical site.

Best of luck to your mom.
Ceci

[leapyrtwins]

Ceci -

glad to see you back and also glad to hear about your BAHA implant.

I had the BAHA surgery myself in March (got my processor in June) and had no issues either.

Don't be a stranger; stop in more often 

Jan

- sorry for the hijack, Phyl 

[mwman]

Aunt Sherry,

I too had the pleasure of spending 12 hours in the OR at UH with Drs. Megerian & Selman in Dec 2005. I have nothing but good words to say about them!

[CMRochester]

Hi,
I had my BAHA implant 12/19/08 and was turned on 3/19/09. 
I am scheduled to see Dr. Megerian, for my one year surgery check up and MRI , this Thursday.  I will also see the audiologist so she can check the BAHA.
I have had no problems with the BAHA to this point, and am actually amazed at how well I have adjusted to it. 
I'll let you all know the results of my visit.  I anticipate that it will be good news.
Ceci

[CMRochester]

Hi all,
I have good news to report.
I saw Dr. Megerian last Thursday for  my 1yr check up (actually it was only 11 months) for my Acoustic Neuroma surgery.  At the time of surgery, he was able to remove 95% of the tumor.  When he compared the MRI from last October to the one taken last Thursday, he found  25% shrinkage in the remaining portion of the tumor.  He showed me the MRIs and the measurements so I could see the difference.  This means that we do not have to consider any radiation.

There has been no change in my hearing since last October, and my BAHA is working very well.    It has helped considerably with my directional hearing, and has been an emormous help for me at work.  I now can hear people as they approach me, even when I am on the phone. 

To those of you who are just beginning the process, I wish you all the best.  I know that not all cases are the same; but I have found that perserverance and the support from family, friends and this network of people has been what has helped me through my process. 

Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive through out this process.

Ceci