Scared but hanging in there

[Shirley48]

Hi everyone. I'm new at this--my first time writing in, although I've been reading posts for a while. I go in for surgery on Wed and it's finally hitting me that this is really happening. My AN is small (7mm) and we're going with the retro-sigmoid approach. I feel confident with my doctors (Roland & Golfinos at NYU) but I realize what a long and delicate surgery this is with damage potential. After surgery, I know I will need encouragement from people who have gone thru this, so I thought I'd introduce myself now. I'm a retired special education teacher, a mom of two and grandma of three, and I'm 63. My husband is wonderful, but he seems to think I'll be "back to normal" after surgery, despite what the doctors have said. My balance has been way off for the past 6 months but has actually started to improve lately, which I interpret as my body learning to adapt. Well, that's about it for now. I'll write again when I'm a postie!

[It is what it is]

Welcome to this incredibly supportive family of ANers.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Wednesday.  My surgery isn't scheduled until 8/1 so I can't offer any advice or experience with post treatment, but there are a lot of others here who can.

Karen

[LakeErie]

Please remember the " potential damage " is just that, potential. Not every complication will happen to you. Any complications you may have are often temporary or improve greatly with time.
Any complications that prove not temporary you can adjust to or there are ways you can get help.
I am over 9 months post-op now and the difference in how i feel is huge. Good luck.

[jenichol]

Hi Shirley48 and welcome.  I am just a little over 3 weeks post retrosig surgery and I am improving everyday.  I have found so much support and encouragement from the folks on this forum.  I have learned that everyone is a little different in their rate of progress, so don't get discouraged if it takes you a little longer.  This is definitely a major surgery, so listen to your body and don't try to over do it.  I found that I needed a lot of sleep following surgery.  I have had to find a balance between sleep/rests and walking/activity. 

Just know that you are in my prayers, as I am sure of many others on this forum.  I will look forward to hearing how you are doing post op.  Stay confident in your medical team.  It really helped me to think past surgery to the recovery.  I was not as scared when I envisioned myself getting better and stronger.   

Peace to you.

Jan

[CHD63]

Hi Shirley48 and welcome to this forum of caring, supportive, new friends .....

I can identify with your fears and apprehensions.  I am a retired public school teacher, mom of three, and grandma of three.  I am in your age group so I understand many of your concerns about the post-op period.  Although I was retired at the time of my first surgery, my husband was still employed.  He was very concerned about my immediate care following discharge from the hospital.  Our daughter-in-law and 3-year-old granddaughter came and stayed with us for a week after returning home.  It was wonderful to have them here to make sure we all had something good to eat each day, but in actuality I completely took care of myself and did not need any assistance.  I had major balance issues post-op because I have no working vestibular systems on either side.  I quickly learned to stay near something I could grab easily to steady myself ..... and I used a cane for awhile when venturing outside the house.

As we often say on here, each person is unique and we cannot say what you will or will not experience.  I hope you can relax going in to surgery.  You are in good hands.  If you have any specific questions, ask away ..... that is what we are here for!

Many thoughts and prayers.

Clarice

[pjb]

Hi everyone. I'm new at this--my first time writing in, although I've been reading posts for a while. I go in for surgery on Wed and it's finally hitting me that this is really happening. My AN is small (7mm) and we're going with the retro-sigmoid approach. I feel confident with my doctors (Roland & Golfinos at NYU) but I realize what a long and delicate surgery this is with damage potential. After surgery, I know I will need encouragement from people who have gone thru this, so I thought I'd introduce myself now. I'm a retired special education teacher, a mom of two and grandma of three, and I'm 63. My husband is wonderful, but he seems to think I'll be "back to normal" after surgery, despite what the doctors have said. My balance has been way off for the past 6 months but has actually started to improve lately, which I interpret as my body learning to adapt. Well, that's about it for now. I'll write again when I'm a postie!

Hi, just wanted to offer my thoughts and prayers and you will be fine you chose a good team in NY so that is half the battle. Hoping that you will be back to normal or if slightly different that is okay to we learn to be the new "us" and it is not so bad at least these are benign .. I met with Dr. Roland and I am close in age with you and was very impressed by him so good luck to you and the first 3 days don't count hoping to read a post from you on day 4...

Prayers for you on Wednesday and waiting to hear once you are on the other side.

Best Wishes

[mindyandy]

Hi Shirley. I have been in your shoes. I was very nerous and anxiety sure took over my world when I was getting ready for surgery. I am now 4 moths post op and very happy to have it all behind me. You will be too. You are going to do great and you will be posting as a postie in no time. Prayers for you and your speedy recovery.

Kepp us posted
Mindy

[MDemisay]

Shirley,

You have chosen a good team at NYU I have personally interviewed Dr.Golfinos so I know of his bedside manner. You shall be in my prayers today and as you head into surgery. Please post as soon as you can (and don't worry, if it's not too soon) and know also that you can count on us to support you as you begin your life as a postie! Take care!

You have chosen the best, now let God do the rest!

Mike

[Chances3]

Hi Shirley,

You have selected two excellent surgeons.  Dr. Roland and Dr. Golfinos removed my tumor in Oct. 2010.  It's taking a lot longer then I expected, but I continue to get better.  Dr. Roland replies to emails in a short period of time.  In many cases hours later, I wonder how he finds the time.  He is a wonderful and caring man, you're in good hands.  If there is anything I can do, let me know.  I pray for a speedy recovery.

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Shirley ~

Not much to add to the many supportive posts that precede this one but I wanted to send my good thoughts and prayers for you as you approach The Big Day (Wednesday)

Like you, I underwent Retrosigmoid Approach AN surgery at age 63 and did just fine with no real complications.  It was 'debulking' surgery on a large (4.5 cm) tumor.  90 days later, as planned, I underwent 26 FSR treatments to destroy the remaining tumor's ability to reproduce.  No complications there, either.  In fact, it was kind of boring.  That was in 2006. Today I'm enjoying my normal life (retired) and doing pretty much whatever I want with only minimal balance issues.  I had lost all hearing in the affected ear by the time I was diagnosed and remain so, today.  Fortunately, I've been able to deal with being SSD (Single Side Deaf).  Some cannot but there are BAHA and other hearing devices available that have helped many in that situation.

Your apprehension is perfectly normal but you have a fine medical team and the odds are that you'll be O.K.  Try to relax a bit and not allow your fears to dominate your thoughts.  Thousands have gone through this surgery and had good results.  I'm one of them - and I'm confident that you will be too.

Jim

[Shirley48]

Wow, what encouraging responses after only one post!  Thank you all! I'm heading to NYU Hospital in just a few hours for surgery and I feel ready to get this done.  Will write again in a few days.

[mindyandy]

You & Lisa are having surgery today. You both are in my prayers.

Mindy

[It is what it is]

You are both in my thoughts and prayers as well!  You will be posties by the end of the day.  Please keep us updated. 

Karen

[leapyrtwins]

Shirley -

just saw this post now, and you're probably in surgery even as we speak.

Wanted to say that being scared is normal, but your team (Roland and Golfinos) absolutely rock!

You are in great hands. 

Looking forward to hearing from you as a postie 

Godspeed,

Jan

[wwarr]

Shirley,

   I just said a  prayer for you and that you'll be comforted as you recover.  Your probably out of surgery and in the ICU now.  Please know your being thought of  and as you go through your recovery, listen to your body.   
God bless,
Wendy