just finished consult

[Tamara]

Well, I just got home from my CK consult.  Interestingly enough, though the CK neurosurgeon said that either CK or regular surgery would be fine for my 7 mm AN, he thinks regular surgery would be slightly better in my case.  I was really not prepared to hear that, as I just figured he'd be a proponent for CK.  So, at least I have a consensus.  Also, interestingly, when I asked him to review my 300 MRI films to make sure that I had nothing else to worry about, he said "Hmm, that's peculiar".  Well, those are not really words you want to hear out of a neurosurgeon.  Apparently, there are supposed to be some spaces in your head that are just air, and one of mine isn't.  So off he goes to consult with a radiologist.  When he comes back he says that he and the radiologist concur (love that word) that this is just an anomaly of how I am and that it is just a fat pocket in there.  So my response is, "well, it can just join all the rest of the fat pockets in my body".  I get to have a CT on Friday just to be sure, but I guess I'm really not worried.  Still, I guess it puts the AN in perspective.  I'll be scheduling that surgery for summer.

So I guess I'm a fathead and all you guys are airheads!
Tamara

[leapyrtwins]

So I guess I'm a fathead and all you guys are airheads!
Tamara

Tamara -

that isn't entirely true.  On this forum there are a number of us who are fat heads - myself included 

When patients have AN surgery, a lot of them have a fat graft from their adbomen; the fat is put into their head to fill the hole left by the AN.  It's also used to cover the titanium plate that covers what my neurosurgeon refers to as the "window" that's made in our skull.  So you see, we are "birds of a feather" in more ways than one 

Good luck with the CT scan on Friday and congratulations on making your treatment decision.  Let us know when you have a surgery date so we can keep you in our thoughts and prayers that day.  We always like to hear from our "posties".

Best of luck,

Jan

[ppearl214]

Hi Tamara.  also congrats as well...

I have to ask one question please... and no disrespect to you... who was the CK center you consulted that said to do surgery vs. CK for 7mm AN?  Did they feel due to the "anomoly" they spotted on your films that it was more important to do microsurgical?  Only curious, nothing more....

sending my continued wishes to you... truly!   Please keep us updated on what happens!

signed,
Fat Head by Association only.
(Phyl)

[Tamara]

Jan, I stand corrected.  Is there any chance that they can remove more fat than they need from my abdomen??  Just to be sure they have enough for what they need?  In case they drop some, or something?? 

Phyl, I was at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin, just outside of Milwaukee.  They've got a terrific neurosciences center, and I'll be there for my surgery in summer.  The CK neurosurgeon gave the same reason as the oto...whatever specialist guy - that there is more ambiguity in the outcome via radiation, in their opinion.  The AN and the "anomaly" are unrelated issues.  I'm good with the decision.  My only constraint is that I still need to find someone to work with my daughter for a few hours every day for maybe the first 3 weeks after surgery.  If I can't get that in order, I'll probably go the CK route. It's good to have a Plan B.  I'm glad the CK was available to be considered and I'm glad it's working for so many of you.

Tamara

[lori67]

Hi Tamara - I already asked my doctor to remove a little extra fat from my abdomen in case anyone needed a fat donation, but he apparently decided not to do that!   Just took out enough to plug the hole in my head and left the rest there!  Darn it!   

Maybe if you have a "fat pocket" in your head, you can subtract a few pounds when they weigh you... you know - subtract a few for your shoes, your jeans, your really heavy socks, and of course that fat pocket...  Worth a try....

Good luck to you.  I hope you are able to work out a good plan for you and your family.  If I lived closer, I'd come play with your daughter myself!

Lori
One of the True Fat Heads, who also happens to occasionally be an Air Head... the best of both worlds...

And PS to Phly - loved the picture in the ANA Newsletter!   

[lori67]

Ok, that should say "Phyl" - you know what I mean.  I said I was an air head... Apparently one who can't type very well...

[gordy]

tamara im  in wisconsin as well. im pretty sure that the ck is brand new for waukesha memorial . i saw a neuro surgeon there as well but at the time surgery was what was suggested to me. im assuming because the original doctor only did surgery and they didnt have a ck machine at the time. i ended up going to fredort for anoyther opinion and opted for gk for a 1.5 by 1.5 cm an. i had that done  july of last year. mind me asking who your doctor is? good luck to you.

[leapyrtwins]

Tamara & Lori -

I think most of us with the fat graft asked about the possibility of the docs taking more fat than necessary - as I recall I think I used the word "liposuction" but to no avail.

Picture of Phyl in the newsletter    - didn't get mine today    Hope they were congratulating her on what a great job she does on this forum.  Guess I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to see what it's all about.

You know, when I read Tamara's post I didn't realize her AN is so small.  I had surgery, but my AN was much larger.  If mine was only 7 mm, I think I'd look more seriously into radiation.  Just my opinion; nothing else.

Jan