Sabas,
I was 52 when I had my AN removed at John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. It is one of the best hospitals in the nation, and not far from you. I live near Harrisburg, PA. and can make the drive to JH in about 1 hr. and 45 mins. If you decide to look into JH, I would suggest you meet with Dr Rafael Tamargo,MD and Dr. Lloyd Minor, MD. Both were excellent for me and are the Directors of their departments for Acoustic Neuromas. But first, go to the JH website, and read what they say about AN, then look up the credentials of the neurosurgeons and the otalarynologists on staff who deal with this type of problem. I had chosen microsurgery over the Gamma knife because I was afraid that the later would not get all of the tumor and would grow back as cancerous. This experience may not be true for most patients. True, radiation surgery is non-invasive, can be done on an outpatient basis, and could still keep your hearing intact, along with very little side-affects. With the micro, you will more than likely go deaf in that ear because the nerve is cut, and the tumor removed with that part of the nerve on which it is growing. For me, my only side-affects were doublevision and taste lost, both of which have come back (though taste is not 100% as before the surgery). I guess I was very lucky. I am getting ready for my 3rd. followup visit with Dr. T and after each followup MRI, everything has been looking good. I have learned to regain my balance through PT (for vestibular problems) and the 1 or 2 exercises I do each day. I was in the hospital for 4 days (I could have gone home in 3), and in 8 weeks (after my PT ended) I was back at work. Take your time (if you have it), ask lots of questions, look and weigh both options before you decide. Frank
