2010 Alumni- Here I Come- Surgery Scheduled for 2/2/10 at HEI

[Michelle K]

So the date is set.  I will be joining the AN/VS surgical resection class of 2010 Alumni on Feb 2nd, less than 2 weeks away, at HEI with Dr. Brackmann and Schwartz (unless this cold I currently have sidelines me).  I'm not terribly excited about joining the club, but I have found a lot of comfort from so many of your posts.  Watching those just going in for treatment, and then going through recovery, and coming out ok, it gives me hope.  I am so glad I found this website, it's been a wonderful resource, and helpful to know that there's a whole AN/VS familly out there that understands this experience like no others.  I want to especially thank Jay and DHM, for taking the time to resond to my PM's.  Your insights were invaluable.  You've all "paid it forward" more than you know.

Michelle

[Lilan]

Michelle, congratulations on having a date.

It won't be the best week of your life, but it'll be a memory before you know it.

So many doctors pre-surgery were telling me I just needed to "get this behind me," and I thought they were out of their minds. What did they know, they aren't the ones on the table, and living with the consequences, right!!!?!   

But now when I see patients on here stressing about decision-making, I wish on their behalf for the day when they will have this "behind them"! And now yours is near.

[Chitownpete]

Im scheduled on Feb 2nd as well..  Seems like alot of people going on this date. I wish us good luck.

[sgerrard]

If you peek out from the sheets after surgery, and you see your shadow, we will all have six more weeks of winter. 

Steve

[Michelle K]

Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone.  Steve, you are too funny.  I'll let you know about the weather status shortly.  Chitownpete, 2/2/10 sounds like a lucky day to me.  Hope all goes well for you and keep me posted.  Lilan, thank you for that.  I do just want to get this all behind me.  The stress of constantly thinking about it is exhausting. 

Michelle

[loose screws (tightened)]

Michelle, Your in very good hands, literally. These two guys (Brackmann/Schwartz) do a lot of these surgeries and are probably the most experienced surgeons anywhere in the world for removing ANs. I had the privilege of letting them cut my head open and remove my tumor back in Nov 09. I'm now back at work functioning at about 85% pre-surgery.

Good luck

Mike

[Jim Scott]

Michelle ~

Congratulations on securing a surgery date with two very experienced AN doctors.  I'm confident that you'll do just fine. 

I've added your surgery date to our AN Treatment Calendar  http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d02/02/2010?authenticate=&display=M&style=B  Feel free to edit, if needed.

Jim

[DR]

Michelle,

Glad to hear you have made a decision, we know how difficult it is to make.  Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!  And hats off to Steve regarding his "shadow" comment, it had me LOL in my office 

- Dennis

[jaylogs]

Hey Michelle, that is awesome you got the date! It'll be over before you know it!!  Now you can just rest easy and let things happen because you're not in the driver seat anymore, at least not for a while!  As long as you feel good about your decision, then it is indeed the right one on who you are doing this with!  Keep it going with the updates on here, or if you just need to vent! Again, congrats!!
Jay

[alicia]

You gotta love not being in the driver's seat!  You are in great hands.  Try to relax, this is just the next thing to cross off your "To Do" List!  Best wishes and remember the first few days don't count!!!  Alicia

[james e]

Good luck...break a leg! Can you say that? I have just talked to HEI on Tuesday and they have asked for a more high definition MRI of the auditory canal. How long did you have to wait, once you contacted them, did you get scheduled for surgery? I am trying to put my life in order before I do all of this, and just need some type of time table. Every time I talk to a doctor, I always walk away asking my self "why didn't I ask that?"

[moe]

Michelle,
Surgery will be here before you know it, and you'll wake up "on the other side" and be happy about that!
I'll remember you on Groundhog day, prayers for successful surgery.
Maureen

[Michelle K]

Thanks Everyone!  You are all so wonderful!  I can't believe it's less than a week away now.

James, I think HEI was only about a month or so out for scheduling my surgery.  Not too long.  There are some really great links to other people's blog's regarding questions to ask.  Here's my list.  Hope it helps and saves you a little bit of time.

Surgery Questions:

1.   How many VM’s have you removed this year?  How many do you typically do in a week?
2.   What surgical approach do you recommend for my tumor size, location, age, health, and level of hearing?  Do I have enough hearing to even try to preserve?
3.   What are your success rates for preserving the facial nerve in cases such as mine?  What is the likelihood I will sustain facial nerve damage?  Temporary, how long?  Permanent?
4.   Do you anticipate total tumor removal?
5.   Can you tell if my tumor is coming off the vestibular nerve?  How much outside the IAC?  Location?
6.   How do you measure the size of my tumor, ie: what measurement comes first, the largest?
7.   Who monitors the facial nerve during surgery?
8.   What is the rate of surgical complications given my particular situation?  Headache, bleeding, CSF leak, and infection?
9.   Who will be on my surgical team?  What are each of their jobs?  Do you do the entire surgery, or do you switch back and forth with the neuro?
10.   Who will be present in the OR?  Any students?  Who will be operating on me?
11.   With the TransLab, do you fill the void with anything besides fat?  Titanium mesh also, or not?
12.   When you take the fat from my stomach, where from?  How big of a scar?  Do you put a draining tube in or stitches?
13.   How many times will you come to visit my family, or send updates to my family during the surgery?
14.   How long do you anticipate the surgery to take given my particular tumor size?
15.   What should I expect when I wake up from surgery?
16.   Which Dr’s will be doing the follow up in the hospital?
17.   How discomfort should I expect from pain after this surgery?  Dizziness?
18.   What medications will I be getting?  Steroids?  Side effects?
19.   How long can I expect to be ICU?  In recovery at the hospital?  When will I get the stitches removed?  How long do I need to stay in the area?  Ok to fly home?
20.   Will I have an MRI after surgery?  How often should I get them thereafter?
21.   Can my son come to see me at the hospital after surgery?  How long after surgery do you typically recommend?
22.   Will I be sharing a room?  With how many people?
23.   Can I tour the hospital area where I will be?
24.   What will be done for the pre-op?  Can I get copies of all of my pre-op bloodwork, chest x-rays, EKG.  And the surgery report?
25.            If you had an acoustic neuroma, who would you trust to perform surgery on you?  Who do you recommend for a second opinion?

[leapyrtwins]

If you peek out from the sheets after surgery, and you see your shadow, we will all have six more weeks of winter. 

Steve -

that quote is just plain hilarious!! 

Jan

[NL]

During her busy pre-op day, Michelle was able to take some time out to meet with the LA ANer's. (We're so glad it worked out!)

Hello All,

Well, I'm headed to surgery tomorrow.  Just want to give a special Thank You to what I affectiionately call the HEI posse.  I was fortunate enough to meet Nancy, Lainie, and David today for a brief but wonderful lunch.  To take the time out of your day to spend with me was just, well, beyond kind.  Thank you, and I hope to pass on a similar kindness to others myself once I get this surgery and recovery behind me.

Michelle

Nancy, Lainie, Michelle, and David, 2-1-10

Michelle - it was such a pleasure to meet you and personally wish you well on your way to postie-land!
Know that LOTS of good vibes will be headed your way tomorrow morning!