hole in head

[Patti]

well, it is comforting to know i am not alone!  patti

[Patti]

carrie-i am so sorry to hear you have to have removal again!!  how old were you the first time?  how did it go?  how did you find out about the new one?  patti

[Debbi]

Wow, as David said, this has given me somethign new to worry about!  Since I'll be seeing the neurotologist Monday, I'm going to ask him exactly what (besides belly fat) is in my head!  I am pretty sure I remember the neurosurgeon saying that they replace the chunk (technical term) of skull after the surgery, but not sure about screws, plates ,etc. 

Carrie, I am sending lots of positve energy and prayers your way for Tuesday.  Do you have someone to act as a scribe for you?  You know we'll all be anxious...

Debbi

[cmp]

Patti--I was 29 for the first surgery, and found the regrowth in February, after going to my PCP with some trigeminal neuralgia-like symptoms (very mild and intermittent, and on the non-AN side!) and being referred for an MRI. I had 20 good years between surgeries, and and hoping to break that record this time!

And thanks, Debbi, for the good energy and prayers--definitely in order! My husband will be posting updates for me--he pretty much goes through life glued to his laptop, so all he needs to do is go to a part of the hospital with wifi and type away!

[wendysig]

Patti -
I was amazed when I read your post.  I had no idea some surgeons left a hole in their patients' skulls and closed over them.  Even though it seems there are no ill effects from that practice, I asked my neurotologist what he does.  It made me feel better that he uses titanium mesh, I'm not sure I'd be okay with a hole in my head, even though it doesn't really seem to pose any real problems.  Hope no one else manages to elbow you again -- that does seem unlikely.  Wishing you all the best.

Wendy

[Debbi]

As Dr. Roland was subduing my spitting sutures yesterday, I asked about this.  Turns out that they glued the piece of my skull back in (he said it's about the size of a silver half dollar) and attach it with several small titanium plates.  Very interesting.  He also assured me that the titanium won't set off metal detectors!  (which I already knew since I also have a titanium market in my **** - but that's a story for another day... )

[leapyrtwins]

He also assured me that the titanium won't set off metal detectors!  (which I already knew since I also have a titanium market in my **** - but that's a story for another day... )

Debbi -

can't wait for that story!  You might have to post it on your blog though so Phyl doesn't censor you 

Titanium also won't show up in MRIs - learned that one from my doc just last week!  We are such special people, aren't we? 

Jan

[wendysig]

Jan -
We're obviously special, otherwise we wouldn't have ben "blessed" with ANs.  Only the most special people get to have them!

Feeling truly "special" today!

Wendy

[leapyrtwins]

Well, I don't know about you, Wendy, but I could have probably gotten through my life just fine without being "blessed" and "special" 

Jan

[lori67]

Yeah, but then you wouldn't be talking to us!  You'd miss us!   

[leapyrtwins]

Yeah, but then you wouldn't be talking to us!  You'd miss us!   

This is SO true!  I don't know what I'd do without you guys!

I guess I'd be forced to take my droll sense of humor elsewhere 

[wendysig]

Jan and Lori -
I'm always looking for the silver lining and here it is in black and white (well, I guess your pictures are in color Mine would be too if only I could post a picture -- I'm so hopeless at this stuff).  Lori is right -- if we hadn't been "blessed" with our ANs we wouldn't have "met" and would have missed the opportunity to share our own brands of humor and compassion. 

Lori - I'm getting so absent-minded I'll blame it on my AN (they certainly do have their uses).  Did I PM you last night (I think I did) and let you know I wasn't going to make it to the Shore on the 18th after all?  Doctors have a way of ruining  my well intentioned plans, and it looks like I'll be spending my day at Dr. Choe's and Dr. Chen's offices.  Hopefully there will be another opportunity soon.

Wendy

[lori67]

Don't worry Wendy - there are days I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached!  Yes, I did get your PM.

I think you should wear your bathing suit and bring a towel and a beach chair (and a margarita) to your doctor's office so they know what you'd rather be doing!   

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

I think you should wear your bathing suit and bring a towel and a beach chair (and a margarita) to your doctor's office so they know what you'd rather be doing!   

Wendy -

if you actually take Lori's suggestion, I think you should have someone take a nice colored picture and I will personally walk you through posting it on this forum 

I would not want to miss that 

Jan