Hi, Pamela ~
You appear to have 'done your homework' and are well-prepared for eventual AN surgery. Yes, we can all understand your conflict with 'put it off' and 'get it over with'. I can only trust that once you have a surgery date you'll be able to surmount your very natural concerns about the outcome of the surgery.
As your research has probably made clear, outcomes range from somewhere between splendid and terrible with the average being that there is always something to deal with but time does help heal and there are procedures and various other ways of alleviating whatever post-op issues may arise - if any.
In my case, at age 63 I was diagnosed with a large 4.5 cm AN and the neurosurgeon I consulted (
with 30 years of AN removal experience) recommended a 'debulking' of the tumor, effectively peeling off layers to render it vulnerable to the effects of the radiation which would come 90 days later. While debulking the AN, he also severed it's blood supply, further weakening the tumor's chance of survival. The 9-hour surgery went as planned with no complications.
Immediately upon awakening from the anesthesia, I regained my sense of taste, which I had lost months earlier due to the tumor's growth. I was in ICU for four days only because there were no 'regular' rooms available. I slept most of the first 36 hours post-op, was sitting in a recliner by Day Three and walking the halls - a lot - by Day Four. By Day Five I was bored and anxious to go home. I passed a balance test administered by the hospital PT nurse and was discharged on the morning of my fifth day in the hospital.
I was a bit weak and dozed a lot at home but that passed within about five days and I began taking walks (
with my wife) in a nearby park (
it was early summer in New England and very pleasant weather). I trained myself to regain my balance and was mostly successful although even today, seven years later, my balance is not 100% - but it is quite adequate.
I was blessed not to suffer any real post-op complications other than a tiny 'numb' spot on the side of my tongue that is not a problem and occasional 'dry eye' on the 'AN side' (
my left) that I can usually blink away when it occurs.
Ninty days post-op I underwent 26 FSR sessions to destroy the remaining tumor's ability to re-grow. The sessions were uneventful and subsequent MRI scans indicated they were successful and the tumor showed necrosis. Today, I feel great, am doing well and pleased to offer my support and wishes that your AN surgery be as successful and uncomplicated as mine.
Jim
