pre surgery

[kss4luck]

Hi,
I'm new to the board, I have an AN it's 2.1 cm.  I've seen the ENT and the ear surgeon. The next step is the neurosurgeon on Tuesday. I've been reading the posts to see what to expect. I'm glad to find this site and would like to have any help or insight on what to expect. Some people say I'll be in the hospital 2 days my surgeon said 7-10. how long off work seems to be up in the air too from 1 week to 3 months. 

[Derek]

Hi there...

Sorry about your diagnosis but welcome to our unique club.

You appear to have already decided to opt for invasive surgery and as your AN is 2.1 cm I just wondered if you had considered the other options of 'wait and watch' and stereotactic radiosurgery?

Please be sure to undertake thorough research before making your final treatment choice. It is essential to find a medical team who have a proven track record in specifically dealing with acoustic neuromas.

Whatever your final decision make sure that it is YOUR choice and best wishes for an ultimate successful outcome.

Best Regards

Derek

[Boppie]

If you have surgery you will probably be in the hospital around 4-5 days, unless you have complications.  Your tumor is not large and you will be fine.  We are happy to have your visits here.  Keep us updated.

[Sue]

I too wish you the best of luck with your treatment and recovery.  I'm sorry you have to go through this, but you've found the right place for information, encouragement and support. 

Be sure your team is very experienced and that you are comfortable with the information they are telling you.  This is, afterall, microsurgery on your head!  That's about as big a deal as you can get, I think.  That and heart surgery. 

Take care,

Sue in Vancouver USA

[Omaschwannoma]

I extend the same "well wishes" as my fellow AN'ers.  You will find great info on this site, warm and caring people to share your experience with and lots of support.  Glad you wrote and look forward to hearing from you again.  Karen

[Obita]

Hi kss4luck:

Welcome.......I am almost 3 years post op and doing just fine. 

Good luck to you!! 

Kathy

[kss4luck]

Thanks so much for the morale support. God bless you all and thanks for your help.

[kss4luck]

Hi Everyone, I met with the Neurologist today and he wasnt nearly as sweet. smiled the whole time but told me all the terrible stuff that can happen. paralysis stroke bleeding out yuck yuck yuck . I like my ear surgeon better, he seemed to like my questions. this surgeon did say they have a 17% of no facial paralysis. thats better than the 47% I found online.

[TP]

I just joined tonight and have read over the information, I should have looked this site up months ago. I had my AN tumor surgically removed early June 2006. I was in for 5 days and then back in for two additional surgeries to repair a cerebrospinal fluid leak as well as a gold weight placed in my eye. I was out of work for 9 weeks and experienced total hearing loss and paralysis on the side of my face where the tumor was removed. I was not expecting the additional surgeries and complications (meningitis) but I kept a positive attitude and had lots of people praying for me. I was back to work at 9 weeks and back to my martial arts training. I experienced balance loss but that did not stop me from testing on my next rank in taekwondo by October and passing. I am still recovering (facial paralysis and double vision) but I am so blessed that I am healthy and staying strong. I have another MRI scheduled later this month to see how things are going. Stay positive and listen to your doctors. My prayers are with you!   

[kss4luck]

Wow TP my prayers are with you too. I'm so proud you went on with exercise and didnt let this slow you down. keep on kicking!!

[Jim Scott]

TP:

Welcome and congratulations on your recovery and great attitude.  I like your style.  'Don't be a stranger'. 

Jim

[Louzilla]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but it's not the end of the world.  My hospital stay was 5 days. 1 in ICU and 4 in a regular room. I was back to work in 3 weeks, and driving in 4. My balance came back pretty much 100% except when I'm in the dark.  Vision is the primary sense that takes over when the inner ear balance system is compromised.  I'm a skier and cyclist and back to doing those with no problems.  Go to a surgeon that has done a ton of these to give yourself the best odds of a fast recovery.  Good Luck.   

[Battyp]

Hi TP WOW great attitude...keep on kicking!!
Do you do any tai chi?  I know it's suppose to help w/ balance.

[TP]

Mainly taekwondo but we do several other martial arts training. I have been in it for 10 years and I believe the training is what help me recover as quickly as I did.  I don't spare anymore, i think I will give my head a few more years to heal before I start getting kicked again. I just wish my face and eye (double vision) were better but can't control that, it appears several folks are in the same boat. I wish I had found this website before now. I am very inpatient and thought my face and eye would be better by now but it looks like I have a ways to go. Thank you for your note! 

[Jeanlea]

TP, you sound similar to me.  I'm back in pretty good shape except for my facial paralysis and numbness.  I'm 18 months post-op (as of March 6) and my face has improved, but it is amazingly slow. 

Kiss4luck, good luck to you.  In general it seems the smaller your tumor is the less likely you are to end up with facial paralysis.  It's good to read this forum to get an idea of what happened with other people.  It sort of gives you some ideas as far as your own treatment and recovery may go.  I think it's good that your doctor is telling you about what "may" happen.  How many AN surgeries has done?  It's important to get a doctor that has dealt with this a lot.

Jean