Connect with ANA Peer Mentors - available to newbies

[leapyrtwins]

Sunray -

here's a link on how to post profile photos.  Hope it helps 

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7238.0

Jan

[LOIS]

Idar,

Read your post.  I also have asthma.  It was not a problem.  Just make sure to tell the dr., anesthesiologist and anyone else involved you need breathing treatments after surgery to get it all out of your lungs.  I was told a long while back when I had a bad experience after emergency surgery to do that.  This surgery went fine with the asthma.  My dr. and everyone else was right on top of it cause I let them know.  Its been 2 weeks since the surgery and asthma has not been a problem at all.  Hope that helps somewhat in your desicion making.

Lois

[vjgfamily]

Hi. I had acoustic neuroma surgery 20 years ago. At that time (1988), the surgical procedures were in their infancy, but I found the best doctors possible (Los Angeles). The doctors in Oklahoma (Tulsa) had only done a handful of these surgeries, so I found a couple of more experienced ones in LA. I was young, and my recovery only took about 6 months...although I still live with repurcussions. But, I'm living well........and you can too. Let's talk.

Also, from my personal experiences, I can discuss the following:

Symptoms
Surgery
Recovery

Also, what is BAHA?

[leapyrtwins]

A BAHA is a bone-attached hearing aid.  Basically a titanium rod implanted in the skull that a tiny hearing aid (processor) attaches to.  It's for those who are SSD (single-sided deaf).

Here's a link that explains the scientific stuff behind it http://www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/baha.htm

Here's a link to pictures of mine http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6634.0

It's very cool technology    I highly recommend it.

Jan

[sgerrard]

I have moved a recent set of posts to its own topic:

Alicia (Alicia678): New with 3.8 cm AN, http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7978.0

Steve

[bern]

I hope you can help me.  I had gamma knife rad. in July.  My an was about the size of an m and m.  Since treatment, i have developed a chronic, severe ear pain that nothing seems to help.  My doctors are of no help.  I go for another MrI in January.

What do you know about this ear pain that I have?  What shall I do?  I have called my neurosurgeon again today and still no call back. I really need pain relief.

any advice would be appreciated

Bernadette

[Hexe]

Hi, I am about 4 weeks post-op had a translab and am deaf on that side and wear a hearing aid in my "good"ear.
I am still experiencing dizziness, poor sense of balance, double vision, and am missing some common words.
Is all of this normal or should I call my doctor?
Any idea how long this will last?
Does amyone have experience/knowledge about bi-cros aides; like cost and merits of different brands?
I am also not very computer savy so I hope I will post this and receive replys.
Thanks,
Hexe

[leapyrtwins]

Hi, Hexe -

the symptoms you are experiencing (dizziness, poor balance, and double vision) are very common post op and generally go away in time.  Everyone's AN journey is different so it's really hard to say how long your symptoms will last.

As for the bi-cross aid, I did a search and here is a topic you might find helpful  http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7877.0

If you put bi-cros in the search box at the top left-hand side of your screen you'll find other posts related to the bi-cros aid.

Good luck,

Jan

[sgerrard]

Pamk: I moved your post to a new topic, so more people would see it.

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=8885.0

[lauralynn]

Hey Pearl,

My surgeon actually gave me a pamphlet for the ANA and I sent for the package.  I have emailed 3 people so far and they all have been so sweet and said I can call them anytime.  I actually plan on it this weekend.  I'm so glad that I found this forum!  I know it's going to help me before my surgery and after.  Pearl on my last post I think I mentioned that the doctor said I'd have to do one session of Gamma Knife.  I haven't been able to follow up w/ him and ask about that but as soon as I do I will let you know what he says.  I know when I did ask at my appt. I was surprised when he said I would only need to have one treatment of the Gamma.  Only having to do one treatment would be nice though!

[sgerrard]

I think I mentioned that the doctor said I'd have to do one session of Gamma Knife... I know when I did ask at my appt. I was surprised when he said I would only need to have one treatment of the Gamma.

Gamma Knife is usually done in a single treatment. It is CyberKnife, and sometimes other machines, that do 3-5 treatments.

Steve

[Vivian B.]

Hi Joan,

I noticed you said you have to go to Sunnybrook Hospital. I am assuming you are from Ontario. Who is your surgeon/Neuro. I am also being treated there.

I have a meningioma in the 7th cranial nerve about 8mm. I saw Dr. Nedzelski, he is great and now waiting for consult with Dr. Schwartz.

Love to hear from you.

Vivian

[mk]

Vivian hi again 

I noticed you will be seeing Dr. Schwartz. He is great, I consulted with him too (about GK). He does both surgery and GK, and has published on the procedure. So he will be able to give you a good perspective on both. I am sure you will have a very constructive consult.

Marianna

[LisaP]

Pearlly,

You are the best, you know that, there for everyone.  Oh by the way my one year anniversary of my dx is March 31st and one year of not smoking on April 4th sooooo my good friend Kim is treating me to yes Pearl OPENING DAY OF THE RED SOX, on April 6th. 

I will be thinking of you and see you soon at our Luncheon!!!

LisaP

[Patsy1960]

Hi,
I am a newbie not yet sure i have AN but after last night pretty convinced I do. May i ask what your symptoms were and how soon after they started when you got a diagnoses.  I only have tinnitus in my left ear for two weeks now. My Doctor cleaned out a huge plug of impacted wax in that ear that seemed to help but tinnitus came back next day and hasnt stopped since.  So now i am worried.  I didnt like the ENT he sent me to so wonder how long i can wait before seeing another. I have slightly elevated BP i am on low dose meds for so nto sure if that is contributing to it.  I just really scared. Last night we went to an activity at my childs school and the acoustics in the gym with all the noise made the tinitus worse.