Author Topic: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday  (Read 4135 times)

luvzmutt

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Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« on: August 24, 2011, 11:25:06 am »
Just wanted to report the Cindyswart had her surgery yesterday with Dr. Fukushima in North Carolina.  I just spoke with her and she sounded great.

She told me her AN was 3 times larger than the scans showed, and Dr. Fukushima was able to remove the entire thing.

Her surgery started about 7:30 am, and lasted 9 hours.  She was still in surgery when the earthquake hit yesterday on the East Coast!!

She is still feeling wonky from the anesthesia.  I will talk to her again tomorrow and post an update.

~Leslie
Right side AN diagnosed 7/10 - 6.1 mm x 7.8 mm
1st follow-up MRI 1/10/11 - 0.9 x 0.3 x 0.4 cm
2nd follow-up MRI 7/11/11 - 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm
Follow-Up 12/20/11 - no noticeable change
MRI 11/26/12 - .5x1.0x.6 cm
MRI 10//21/13 - 0.8 x 1.0 x 0.7
Some hearing loss AN side and tinnitus
NF1 & optic glioma

Jim Scott

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2011, 02:25:56 pm »
Leslie ~

Thanks for that positive update on Cindy.  Welcome her as a 'postie' and remind her that 'the first three days post-surgery don't count.' 

Lots of good thoughts and prayers for healing coming her way, too.  :)

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

deheisel11

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2011, 09:52:05 am »
I am so glad that Cindy's surgery went well.  I am looking forward to her updates.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
translab surgery of 2.6cm neuroma, right side, by Dr. Welling at Ohio State, 6-18-10.  BAHA base placed on same day.  Facial paralysis. Gold weight 7-14-10.

luvzmutt

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2011, 10:52:28 am »
I will try to give her a call later this afternoon and post an update.
Right side AN diagnosed 7/10 - 6.1 mm x 7.8 mm
1st follow-up MRI 1/10/11 - 0.9 x 0.3 x 0.4 cm
2nd follow-up MRI 7/11/11 - 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm
Follow-Up 12/20/11 - no noticeable change
MRI 11/26/12 - .5x1.0x.6 cm
MRI 10//21/13 - 0.8 x 1.0 x 0.7
Some hearing loss AN side and tinnitus
NF1 & optic glioma

moe

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2011, 02:53:54 pm »
That is great news about Cindy, talking the day of surgery!
Can't wait to hear more in postie land. Like Jim said, the first few days are no fun, but then again, she may prove us all wrong!
Maureen
06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

luvzmutt

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2011, 03:30:34 pm »
I just spoke with Cindy and she is on her way home.  She is experiencing some headaches, but is doing well. 
Right side AN diagnosed 7/10 - 6.1 mm x 7.8 mm
1st follow-up MRI 1/10/11 - 0.9 x 0.3 x 0.4 cm
2nd follow-up MRI 7/11/11 - 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm
Follow-Up 12/20/11 - no noticeable change
MRI 11/26/12 - .5x1.0x.6 cm
MRI 10//21/13 - 0.8 x 1.0 x 0.7
Some hearing loss AN side and tinnitus
NF1 & optic glioma

Cindyswart

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2011, 10:56:11 am »
Hi guys!! it's me Cindy!  Wow what a journey!!
 A few facts:  the tumor had grown three times it's size and had  a very healthy blood supply. It was bright red and post surgery testing showed that the balance nerve was totally gone as of the day before the surgery. I knew that I would be left with no hearing on my AN side. I came out with just a little laziness of the facial nerve, seems to get better every day. I had a little double vision when i got out of ICU but that cleared the next day. My headgear was very attractive!! That came off on Friday, and I came home on Saturday! Both doctors were very surprised at the accelerated growth and my MRI was definitely not very clear as to actual size.
   I am at home now, my MOM came home with me to make sure i am a good girl!! I have a little tongue numbness and SSD, but that bugger is gone, they got it all!! I am blessed!
Diagnosed 4/19/11 An 1.5x1.9x2.0
Surgery 8/23/11, Dr Fukushima.
Total tumor removed. SSD.
Second surgery 11/11/11 for abscess

I'm gona work like I don't need the money
I'm gona laugh like I'm not afraid to cry
I'm gona dance like nobody's watchin'
I'm gona love while I still have the time!

CHD63

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2011, 01:45:08 pm »
Cindy .....

Good to hear directly from you.  So glad you did not wait any longer and that things are going so well in recovery.

Continuing thoughts and prayers for an uneventful recovery.

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

moe

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2011, 10:06:56 pm »
Great report, Cindy!
Take it easy, now. Lots of walks, rests, naps, fluids, and go easy on completely bending over which may contribute to the headaches.
Peaceful wishes,
Maureen
06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

Cindyswart

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2011, 03:16:24 pm »
Okay. day nine, facial nerve seems now completely awake and balance gets a little better every day. I have not real headaches, just shooting pains which i am told it normal. There a section of the right side of my head in the back which is still very numb- don't know how this will progress. I was able to wash my own hair today! Yay!! I look much more like myself. I run out of steam really fast, lots of naps but overall, I have not complaints!!   :)
Diagnosed 4/19/11 An 1.5x1.9x2.0
Surgery 8/23/11, Dr Fukushima.
Total tumor removed. SSD.
Second surgery 11/11/11 for abscess

I'm gona work like I don't need the money
I'm gona laugh like I'm not afraid to cry
I'm gona dance like nobody's watchin'
I'm gona love while I still have the time!

CHD63

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2011, 03:57:45 pm »
Cindy ......

Good to hear the continuing good report!  That numbness could take years to go away.  Nerves take a long time to heal.  Parts of my head are still very numb from my surgery almost four months ago.  After my two previous surgeries, it took months for the numbness to go away.

Yaaaaaay for washing your hair ...... such a simple thing, but it feels soooooooo good!

The fatigue is very normal.  Listen to your body, take power naps when the fatigue hits, then get up and walk again.

Many thoughts and prayers.

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

Jim Scott

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2011, 03:13:04 pm »
Hi, Cindy ~

Congratulations on quickly moving forward in your AN surgery recovery!  The fatigue is fairly normal.  I believe the 'shooting' pains are also part of the healing process.  It took a bit less than a year for my surgical incision area to regain fairly normal sensation.   Of course, your experience may differ somewhat.  From what you've posted, I think your post-op future looks bright....very bright.  You may need to wear shades!   8)   

Jim 
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

luvzmutt

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Re: Cindyswart's Surgery was yesterday
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2011, 07:51:17 pm »
Cindy,

Glad you are up and posting.  I've had a long, crazy week, but I will call you this weekend.

~ Leslie
Right side AN diagnosed 7/10 - 6.1 mm x 7.8 mm
1st follow-up MRI 1/10/11 - 0.9 x 0.3 x 0.4 cm
2nd follow-up MRI 7/11/11 - 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.6 cm
Follow-Up 12/20/11 - no noticeable change
MRI 11/26/12 - .5x1.0x.6 cm
MRI 10//21/13 - 0.8 x 1.0 x 0.7
Some hearing loss AN side and tinnitus
NF1 & optic glioma