Author Topic: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)  (Read 4713 times)

Helga

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Seems like everyone's doing it, so I hopped on the AN surgery bandwagon, too. July 14 at Tuft's Medical Center with Dr. Heilman. Got my pre-op appointments all set for July 8. Will take a few days at the Cape and try to relax, maybe with a bit of a tan I won't look quite as lousy out of surgery (at least that's the plan). 8)
See you all on the other side, hope to make it to the October brunch
Helga

Adrienne

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2009, 06:25:35 pm »
Congrats on taking the leap.  For me, it felt like everything changed once I knew the date.
Soon the stress will be over, and you'll be able to start your healing journey.
Good luck.

Adrienne
3.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm AN, left side.  Diagnosed Feb. 19th,2009
Retro Sig surgery with Dr. Akagami and Dr. Westerberg on May 26/09 at Vancouver General Hospital
SUCCESS! Completely removed tumor, preserved facial nerve, and retained a lot of hearing. Colour me HAPPY!

CHD63

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2009, 07:03:58 pm »
Hi Helga .....

Glad to hear you have a surgery date.  Now you know how to plan the next month and prepare for the important part of healing during recovery.  Enjoy your days at the Cape.  It has been many years since I was there but I still remember the beauty with awe.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

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

ghenier27

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2009, 07:11:34 pm »
Hi there! Congrats on your surgery date. I am wishing you all the luck in the world. I am thinking about hitting the beach before my surgery date ( when I get one) . One thing to remember is, when you awake after your surgery- that is the begining of your recovery period! Lucky you. Please keep us informed as I love hearing everyone's personal story. Debi

leapyrtwins

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2009, 08:14:48 pm »
Congratulations on your decision, Helga! 

I was on that bandwagon too, and am happy to say that it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

I'm hopeful your experience will be just as good as mine.

Did you put your date on the AN Calendar yet?

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Helga

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2009, 06:54:11 am »


Did you put your date on the AN Calendar yet?

Jan

No, how do I do that? I'd like to see the others, too.
Helga

Jim Scott

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2009, 11:46:46 am »
Helga ~

Congratulations on getting a firm date and of course, best wishes for your upcoming surgery!  :)

I entered your surgery date on the AN Treatment calendar.  http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d14/07/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B.  Feel free to edit as you wish.

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.

Helga

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2009, 01:37:34 pm »
Thanks, Jim, and thanks to all the other well-wishers, too.
Helga

moe

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2009, 02:14:24 pm »
Helga,
July 14 it's a date!
 About a month.
Time will go quickly now that you have a "plan."
I'll stay posted.
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

elliemae

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2009, 12:04:25 pm »
Helga!
I'm behind in my forum reading!! ... but not too late to wish you good luck on your surgery!
There will be a lot of new posties at the brunch in October!

Will you be making muffins for your surgical team too?  (Just read in another thread about all those lucky surgeons!  ;D )

Elaine

stoneaxe

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2009, 02:16:16 pm »
Sure will be great to get this behind you. All the best!

Bob
Bob - Official Member of the Postie/Toasty Club
6mm AN treated with Proton Beam Radiosurgery in March 2004
at Mass General Hospital, Dr's Loeffler and Chapman
Cut the little bugger out the second time around in 2009..translab at MGH with Dr's McKenna and Barker.
http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

SML

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2009, 04:01:01 pm »
Helga,

Like Tom Petty say’s…�the waaaitinggg is the hardest part�.
Soon it will be behind you. Trust me, it so much better on the “postie� side!!
Best of luck to you. Rich and I will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Scarlett
SML(Scarlett)-Massachusetts
1.5 cm x 2.5 cm Cystic AN - Right side
Retrosigmoid 3/18/09 at MGH in Boston,MA.
Dr. Barker - Neurosurgeon, MGH - Dr. Lee - Neuro-Otology, MEEI
no facial issues, SSD right side, balance issues to work on.
Outstanding Surgeons, I'm very happy with the results.

tsl

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #12 on: June 18, 2009, 10:53:43 am »
Helga,
I've marked my calendar to say some special prayers for you on your surgery date.  It must be a relief  to have made your treatment decision.  Take care.  Enjoy the Cape.
-Theresa (tsl)
AN diagnosed Dec 2006
Approx. size 9 x 6  x 4 mm
Proton Beam radiosurgery wtih Dr. Jay Loeffler (radiation oncologist) and Dr. Paul Chapman (neurosurgeon) at Mass. General on Nov.2, 2007

Helga

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #13 on: June 19, 2009, 03:20:01 pm »
Will you be making muffins for your surgical team too?

I don't think I am that talented a baker and don't want to skew my chances! Having worked in hospitals for years I know that free food is the only way to have docs attend any meeting, so there is definitely something to that.
I want to thank all of you for your wishes. Getting a little more nervous every day, but managable so far.
Helga

NancyMc

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Re: Got my date (although I suspect my last one was a lot more fun!)
« Reply #14 on: June 19, 2009, 05:40:42 pm »
Helga,
You are in the nervous, freaking out stage pre-op.  At some point fairly close to the date, you will probably find yourself just resigned to trusting your surgical team and eager to get it over with.  It's a common progression of feelings.  Just ride along with it and vent to your closest friends and loved ones. 
From our meeting at the brunch, I believe you have the spunk to rock this outcome.
Good luck!
Nancy
Watch and Wait since 9/19/01
Increased from 1.1 x 1.9 to 1.9 x 1.9 cm as of 10/27/08
Right SSD, tinnitus, compensating balance
Dr. McKenna at Mass Eye and Ear and Dr. Barker at MGH
Translab April 8, 9 hours, 18 mm Tumor all gone SSD some facial weakness