Hi, Darcie ~
I'm sorry to learn you've been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma but glad that you discovered the ANA website/discussion forums and have benefited from them.
Your nervousness is completly normal and for AN patients like myself, totally understandable. You're facing major surgery and there are no guarantees that complications won't arise. The good news is that the vast majority of AN surgery patients, like you, have good outcomes. Sometimes a few post-op issues will arise but they are usually temporary and/or treatable. That your family and friends may not grasp what you're going through is all too common.
To be fair, acoustic neuromas are relatively rare and unless you've received that diagnosis, it's difficult to fully understand the angst involved for the patient (
you). Many times, as with other medical issues, especially cancer (
ANs are almost always benign - not cancerous) family and friends simply don't know what to say, so they say nothing at all, seeming to be indifferent but actually just unequipped to deal with the situation in a way you would like. I suggest you cut them some slack and without belaboring the subject (
your AN surgery) try to educate them on what you're facing. Whether they respond positively or not, know that
we're here for you as a virtual support group. However, if you go to the ANA website home page, you'll see a listing for 'Support Groups' (
just under the 3 photos, to the right). Click on that link to get a state-by-state listing of local support groups. I'm sure there will be one in your area. It's certainly worth a look.
To answer your question regarding tinnitus after the surgery: unfortunately, the answer is no. Tinnitus is generated by the brain, not through the ear and surgery usually does not alter it although it has been know to happen in rare cases - but it's not something to expect.
As for post-surgery; complications
can include a CSF leak (
easily repaired), double vision (
usually transient), headaches (
often temporary but occasionally stubbornly intractable and varying in intensity) and, almost guaranteed, fatigue. The fatigue will lessen eventually but can be severe the first few weeks, post-op. Balance problems tend to range from minor to major, depending on the patient and how much of your balance nerve has already been compromised prior to surgery. In this case, the less effective your balance nerve has been, the better, as the brain re-trains itself to receive only unilateral input and adjusts accordingly. My balance was poor prior to my AN surgery and with a lot of intense walking post-op, I regained 'serviceable' balance within a few months. Other post-op issues (
stroke, blood clots, etc) are possible but so rare (less
than a 1% chance of occurring) as to not be a serious concern.
My 4.5 cm AN was de-bulked in a 9-hour surgery and except for a few days of slight double-vision, I had no real post-op problems. No headaches or nausea and my balance was good enough to pass a PT nurse's evaluation that allowed me to be discharged 4½ days after my surgery (
I was anxious to leave). My recovery was relatively swift. I was given doctors permission to resume driving a fortnight after my surgery. 90 days later I underwent (
preplanned) FSR treatments (
26) to destroy the remaining tumor's DNA. That was in 2006. Today, I'm doing great, just as I believe you'll do. Remember, Darcie, we're here for your support. Please feel free to ask any question and never forget that as AN patients, we understand because, one way or another, we've all been where you are.
Jim
