Author Topic: health issues approaching surgery  (Read 1598 times)

teffaz

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health issues approaching surgery
« on: March 24, 2009, 08:57:27 pm »
Hi, all,
My translab is scheduled for April 2. I have a question for you: how totally healthy, other than having a brain tumor, does one have to be in order to proceed with surgery? Here's my issue: I have developed some allergies the last couple of weeks--sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, etc., white blood count a little low (3.7).

Do you think this is something most surgeons would dismiss as not being serious enough to postpone surgery? What has been your experience? Does a person have to feel great (other than AN issues) to go under the knife?

Just getting a bit more nervous,
Teff
1.5 cm. x .5 cm AN
translab May 2009
SSD (before surgery as well as after)
grateful for incredible surgeons: Dr. Porter & Dr. Syms
Barrow Neurological Institute; Phoenix

moe

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2009, 10:41:44 pm »
We'll see what the docs say, about the white blood cell count being low. Low white blood cell means more susceptible to infections, so......
I'm sure they'll repeat everything. It is nerve racking prior to surgery, hoping you don't get sick and get the surgery postponed.
Ask the doc  what you can take for your symptoms prior to surgery, or the nurse, if he has one.
Let us know what he says.
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

Rich56

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2009, 09:48:16 am »
Hi Teff,

When Scarlett's (SML) surgery was coming up (1 week ago today) I was worried about her getting sick.  Kept her away from everyone who even had a sniffle.  You are one week away.  I would call your doctor NOW, and if it's a concern to them, maybe they will give you something for your cold.

Good thoughts your way,

Rich
SML (Scarlett's) other half, she had - 1.5 cm x 2.5 cm Cystic AN - Right side
Retrosigmoid on 3/18/09 at MGH in Boston, MA. Dr. Barker & Dr. Lee of MGH/MEEI
no facial issues, SSD right side, balance issues to work on.
The AN Calendar is here: http://www.my.calendars.net/AN_Treatments

Jim Scott

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2009, 02:40:18 pm »
Teff: 

You're only a week away from scheduled surgery so your low white blood cell count and allergies could be problematic - but I would certainly not wait to find out.  I suggest you contact your surgeon's office and ask, specifically, about whether or not your low white blood cell count might affect the doctor's decision to operate as scheduled and, if so, what can be done to alleviate the problem.  I hope this won't be an obstacle to your having the surgery.

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.

kathylittlejohncobb

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2009, 04:29:17 pm »
Dear Teff,
Absolutely, contact your surgeons asap; don't leave them out of the loop.  They want to know so they can help you.
Hope everything works out!  Let us know!
Kathy
Retrosigmoid at House/St. Vincent's in Los Angeles 4-4-06; partial hearing saved on AN side;
Dr. Marc Schwartz & Dr. Rick Friedman, my heroes!

teffaz

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2009, 04:37:43 pm »
Thank you to all who gave advice. It's all good advice. I just found out today that my doctor has a family emergency and therefore my surgery will need to be rescheduled! I do not have a new date yet, but maybe this will give me a chance to heal.

Thanks again!

When I'm informed of the new surgery date, I'll let you know.

Teff
1.5 cm. x .5 cm AN
translab May 2009
SSD (before surgery as well as after)
grateful for incredible surgeons: Dr. Porter & Dr. Syms
Barrow Neurological Institute; Phoenix

teffaz

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2009, 09:12:25 pm »
Hi,
I do have a new surgery date, but I think this kind of news belongs in the "AN Community" section of the forum. (I'm new at posting in any kind of forum, so I am definitely in the learning mode! Please bear with me.)  So I will post the new date there.

Thanks to all!!

Teff

P.S. Feeling better, thank you!!
1.5 cm. x .5 cm AN
translab May 2009
SSD (before surgery as well as after)
grateful for incredible surgeons: Dr. Porter & Dr. Syms
Barrow Neurological Institute; Phoenix

moe

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Re: health issues approaching surgery
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2009, 08:01:48 am »
Teff,
Wow, that does give you time to heal, and more time to ruminate- surgery in June.
Stay productive if you can-time hopefully will go by fast.
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