Author Topic: Well, this just takes the cake!  (Read 11967 times)

NancyMc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
  • One year and all is well, almost.
Well, this just takes the cake!
« on: August 23, 2010, 05:51:18 pm »
Dave (my post-op caregiver and significant other) has been worried about his hearing.  So, he goes to an ENT today for a hearing test.  The ENT does the tuning fork test which results in reduced hearing in upper ranges in left ear.  ENT schedules hearing test and tells Dave that it is very unusual to have reduced hearing on one side and that he will likely send him for an MRI to diagnose acoustic neuroma! 
I said, "Well, I know some really good surgeons!"  And "At least we know how to tackle this one!"
Could it be possible?  Can't even imagine.
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

lori67

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3113
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2010, 06:14:06 pm »
Nancy,

I know you're generous and all, but you don't have to share EVERYTHING with Dave!   ;)

I hope it doesn't turn out to be an AN.  That would be quite a coincidence!  I might start drinking bottled water if I were you!  Sounds like there might be something in the water there!

Seriously though, I hope the MRI comes back clear and there's some other simple reason for his hearing issues.

Keep us posted.
Lori
Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Rich56

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 241
  • a caregiver's 2-cents
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2010, 06:15:19 pm »
Hi Nancy,

I was just about to post the Weekly when I saw your post.

Scarlett and I just looked at each other and couldn't believe it, and obviously we hope they are wrong.

We will keep Dave in our prayers.

Thinking of you both,

Rich & Scarlett
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

leapyrtwins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10826
  • I am a success story!
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2010, 09:18:00 pm »
If he does have an AN, that would be just too weird for words  :o

Keep us posted,

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

moe

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1697
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2010, 11:57:36 pm »
Nancy,
No I cannot even imagine :o
Hopefully nothing. He doesn't have any other symptoms does he??
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

iluuvpups

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 134
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2010, 02:49:48 am »
Someone else posted awhile ago that are husband and wife that had ANs.  That post is here:  http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=12811.0

I hope he doesn't have it, but if he does, like you said, you know how to handle it.  Good luck!
Original 1.75cm left-side AN diagnosed Feb 2010
Translab surgery May 27, 2010 with Drs. Kartush and Pieper of MEI
SSD on left side, some facial weakness, tear duct doesn't work
Found I actually had a facial neuroma during translab
Remaining 6mm facial neuroma - watch and wait

Lizard

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 791
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2010, 08:29:53 am »
Wow, I do remember the post recently about the husband and wife, you never know.  Its possible that other people in our lives have an AN that will go undetected.  Well at least you know what you could potentially be dealing with and like you said, how to tackle.
Keep us posted,
Liz
Left AN 2.5CM,retrosigmoid 11/2008, second surgery to repair CSF leak. 
Headaches began immediately.  Dr. Ducic occipital nerve resection, December 2011!!!!!

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on"
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Soundy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1329
  • prophetic picture done by my 5 year old, June'04
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2010, 10:27:54 am »
I hope that Dave doesn't join our club ... not that it isn't a nice one ...

good luck on a blank MRI
3mm AN discovered Aug 2004
Translab July 2 ,2007
3.2cm x 2.75cm x 3.3cm @ time of surgery

NancyMc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
  • One year and all is well, almost.
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2010, 01:58:35 pm »
He doesn't have any other symptoms does he??
Maureen

Yes, he has had for as long as he can remember constant tinnitus.  The doc also thought that was odd as it would "normally" come and go.

good luck on a blank MRI

Well, hopefully, there's something in there, although sometimes I wonder.   ::)
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

Jim Scott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7241
  • 1943-2020 Please keep Jim's family in your hearts
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2010, 02:16:54 pm »
Nancy ~

I'm sorry to learn about Dave's symptoms - but, should he be found to have an AN, this is kind of bizarre.  I know ANs aren't contagious!  Right?  I hope this turns out O.K. for Dave.

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.

saralynn143

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1822
  • Sarey Sarey Quite Contrary
    • MVD diary
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2010, 05:00:00 pm »
And here I was thinking this thread might be birthday related.

There are many, many reasons that could be behind Dave's hearing loss other than an acoustic neuroma. I pray that it turns out to be nothing serious.

Sara
MVD for hemifacial spasm 6/2/08
left side facial paresis
 12/100 facial function - 7/29/08
 46 - 11/25/08
 53 - 05/12/09
left side SSD approx. 4 weeks
 low-frequency hearing loss; 85% speech recognition 7/28/08
1.8 gram thin profile platinum eyelid weight 8/12/08
Fitted for scleral lens 5/9/13

pjb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 682
  • Sad to say now a W & W
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2010, 08:50:13 am »
Praying that it is a negative MRI....

My prayers and thoughts are with the both of you..

Best Wishes,

Pat
Diagnosed with a 1 cm. AN had Retrosigmoid
Approach surgery July of 2009, several problems after surgery.

cindyj

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1434
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2010, 11:43:19 am »
What!  No way, Nancy...you guys don't need any other health issues, especially not another AN to deal with - what are the odds?  How's he been doing otherwise?

Will be watching for your updates...

Cindy
rt side 1.5 cm - Translab on 11/07/08 Dr. Friedman & Dr. Schwartz of House Ear Institute,
feeling great!

"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold."  Josh Billings

NancyMc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 857
  • One year and all is well, almost.
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #13 on: August 25, 2010, 01:49:42 pm »
Thanks, Everyone.  He's pretty scared.  His DVT symptoms, blood testing, diet and coumadin are manageable other than the concern for frequency of CT scans (2 per year).  Thank you for asking, Cindy.  He already gets headaches, so I'm hoping those do not become a greater issue.
Oddly, my son switched to a new PCP, and when we went in for an initial meeting, I mentioned my AN along with the rest of his family medical history.  Dr M said that he's always wanted to diagnose an AN.  Well, he's Dave's PCP, too, so he may just get his wish!  The ENT seems eager to add Dave's AN to his life list as well.  I guess the practice of medicine is getting boring these days.
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

lori67

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3113
Re: Well, this just takes the cake!
« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2010, 07:18:32 pm »
That's nice of your family to keep things interesting for the docs!   ;)

Lori
Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.