Well, my surgery was Monday, October 1st here at Memorial Hermann in the Houston downtown medical center. Thanks to everyone the sent me personal messages and words of encouragement. I finally have found the strenght and semi focused vision to provide an update.
Let me just say the Sunday before, it all really became really. I even contemplated running away from all this and jus not doing it. Yeah, right. where was I going to run to. I knew I had to face my problem head on. I showed up at the hospital prompltly at 5:30am and was wisked away. I think I passed out around 6:10am. I can't tell you when the surgery actually started but was told it lasted about 7-8 hrs. I had a trememdous support group of family, friends, and co workers. My wife never left the hospital. She was my advocate. I think the biggest thing I have learned from this experience is an advocate is most important person during this time. You surely can't speak for yourself. I had the Retrosigmoid approach. The suregeons tried to preserve the hearing, we will know for sure in a couple of weeks, but I really don't hold much hope. Lets see, I don't remember anything immediately folowing surgery. the Doctors told my wife that the surgery was succcessful and they were able to save the facial nerves but there was alot of bruising. As such, I do have facial paralysis, by docs said that It should return over time slowly over the next few months. Until then, no being able to blink is very discomforting. I have already had two encounters with an abrasive kleenix. Not good. The Doctors urged my wife you try to get me to respond. I think it was 6six hours later before I actually responded. At times, in the neuro ICU I vaguely remembrer images of scenes out of City of Angels. All these angel like figures perched around a body in the next pod. Apparently, there was a last rites taking place from a car wreck the same night. Yes, I was scarced, by too drugged to really do anything about it. When I finally recognized my wife, I said I needed new nurses in ICU none of them listen or care, I remember saying I've been hear 5 days and nobody check up on me. My wife say you haven't been here one night. That was when I realized the drugs were still in play. But there is some true to the insensitivity of ICU nurses. I don't think they really care. It was like gand central station in ICU, the nurses were more concerned about when their next day off is, who's coming on shift to releave them, or what they had for dinner. I spent two days in ICU and that was more than I could handle. They eventually moved me to a private room and spent the next 4 night there. Other than the PT guys and a battalion of doctors showing up every morning, the private room felt more like a closet, but it was a room. I remember being wisked out in the middle of the nght to get a CAT scan and to get an MRI scan. Both, showed no more tumor. For the first couple of days, I wasn't able to hold down anything. Jello, finally became my friend. On the first day in the private room , the PT doctors wanted me up out of bed and begin starting to walk. They propped me up, I immediately began to through up due to the double vision. Sufficed to say, the next day was alittle better, I told them I was more concerned bouat CSF leakage than immediately walking. They gave me a short term goal and said that I had to pass it, or they would recommend moving me to another floor for 10 more days of PT. I said, what do I gotta do to prove to you that my I can walk given a little time and rest. They gave me a walker and said I had to make 50ft to the nurses desk and back. Then it was down the hall around the corner up some steps and back. Then finally go the message that I would be ok in time.
On Saturday, the hospitall realised me. I spent the next three days in bed resting. I one point the drugs froim the surgery, finally wore off. I could just tell, don't know how, just could. Still taking the other standard fair of drugs, but now insomia has kicked in. I can't sleep at nights with getting muscle cramps. i'm trying to stay awake during the days to help with the sleep at night.
I'll be happy to see the doctor on Friday to have the staples removed. They are starting to bother me. All this time and I didn't say it. My team of doctores Dr. Alp and Dr. Chang were a God send. I can't speak more highly of Dr. Alps, neurosurgeon, professionalism, bedside manners, and experience. I thanks them for getting me throught this rough patch. I cannot say the same for all the nurses. Some were great, others should look to a new profession.
So recovery is slow, but I am recoverying. Thanks again to everyone that has email me with well wishes.
Here is the run down:
2.2 CM Left side AN apparently had grown 20 25% since discovery and surgery. It was pressing against the brain stem.
Retrosigmoid to removed.
Mostly likely lost hearing on left side
facial nerve was saved but suffer from temporary facial paralysis for some months.
Balance alittle wobbly but that should return too they said.
using a walker right now to get around. Should be on a cane by next week. and nothing after that
OH. I tell everybody, being deaf is not silent. I hear tons of noise. but no sound.
