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Author Topic: Debbi Bifulco Update  (Read 127889 times)

Debbi

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #315 on: May 30, 2008, 05:42:37 pm »
Kay- that's wonderful!!!  I'm doing the Happy Dance for you!! :D ;D 8)
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Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Kaybo

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #316 on: May 30, 2008, 05:51:00 pm »
Hey thanks -- there are pictures on the blog!

K
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Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

nancyann

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #317 on: May 30, 2008, 06:04:13 pm »
I know we're breaking into Debbi's subject,  but K, I just saw your latest pictures - what took me over 6 months to accomplish you've accomplished in record time ! !
Your smile already looks like mine today ! !    I am so happy for you.   Mona Lisa smiles ROCK ! !

Always good thoughts,  Nancy
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2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Debbi

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #318 on: May 30, 2008, 06:08:45 pm »
Kay, I just went to your blog and posted a comment there - but it is worth repeating here ... you look AMAZING and gorgeous!!!  I am so impressed with what you doctors have done and you look unbelievable.  Anyone reading this, if you haven't gone to Kay's blog, go there immediately and take a look at her beautiful face!!   That's an order!!

Debbi - my half smile is working overtime for Kay
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Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

MaryBKAriz

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #319 on: May 30, 2008, 06:26:53 pm »
Happy dance in Arizona!!!!!!!  :D

Mary
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Diagnosed March 24, 2008, 1.1cm, right side, "Goldie" - small but mighty!! :-(
Hearing, lottsa balance problems and a few facial twitches before CK
CK June 2, 2008, BNI in PHX, Drs Daspit/Kresl, side effects,steroids helped. Getting "sea legs".
Apr 2012 - Still glad I chose CK

leapyrtwins

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #320 on: May 30, 2008, 08:27:21 pm »
K does look fabulous!!!

Jan
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Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

lori67

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #321 on: May 30, 2008, 08:44:34 pm »
Yippee - Kay finally kicked the drugs!!!!   :D

Lori
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Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Kaybo

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #322 on: May 30, 2008, 09:05:02 pm »
Lori~
It really wasn't a hard habit to break...
 ;D
K
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Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

Debbi

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #323 on: May 31, 2008, 06:51:10 am »
Saturday morning in NW NJ ... and a question for all your posties...

I have a steady pain that starts at the back of my neck, on the right side and kind of radiates down that side of my neck.  It actually seems to be worse now than when I first got home - wondering if anyone else has experienced this.  It's a bit like a stiff neck, but feels a little different (or maybe I am just being paranoid...)

Debbi
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Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Jim Scott

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #324 on: May 31, 2008, 01:50:54 pm »
Debbi:

As a 'Postie-Toastie' (surgery and radiation) I can't say that I had such pains, post-op.  However, others have and I'm sure they'll be posting their experiences here.  I believe that your position on the operating table can have something to do with it as well as the fact that the incision runs in the same general direction.  I trust that you'll be getting more useful information here, soon.  Of course, you may just be paranoid.  Just kidding! :D

Jim
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4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

Captain Deb

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #325 on: May 31, 2008, 05:13:17 pm »
My best friend for those became my thermophore heating pad.  It gives you a moist heat treatment which relaxes the muscles.  Also get Willie to give you a little neck massage a few times a day if you can.  Part of it is those neck muscles compensating for the vestibular loss and working overtime.   Neck "stiffness" and sub-occippital head pain was the first indicator of my post-op headache syndrome. But I'd already had a few real whopping headaches at 3 weeks op-op so I wouldn't get too worried. 

I got my Thermophore at a drugstore that carried home health care and orthopedic supplies.

Capt Deb

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"You only have two choices, having fun or freaking out"-Jimmy Buffett
50-ish with a 1x.7x.8cm.AN
Mid-fossa HEI, Jan 03 Friedman & Hitselberger
Chronic post-op headaches
Captain & Designated Driver of the PBW

Debbi

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #326 on: June 01, 2008, 02:46:40 pm »
Capn Deb - I dub thee Dr. Capn Deb!!  I emailed Dr. R this morning and he suggested ... hot compresses!  Same thing.  I actually have a moist heat pad (you nuke it for 3 minutes) for my back, so am using that on the back of my neck and upper back - it feels good.

Went to Wal-Mart AND Pet-Smart this morning - talk about full-sensory experiences!  A couple of crying babies had me twirling about like a top at WM; and barking dog had me doing the same at PetSmart.  AT one point, I just grabbed Willie's arm and closed my eyes. 

Because that wasn't exciting enough, we then went to the grocery store where I thought I might pass out from all the visual and audio stumulation!   :P  Because I am constantly putting drops in my right eye, my vision in that eye is always blurry - so not only am I deaf in my right ear, but now I can't see worth a darn from my right eye either!  What a mess!!  ::)  Oh well, at least I am laughing about it all.

My father in law was released from rehab yesterday (after 5 weeks), and has already decided that he is going to go up and down the stairs!  Willie is over there now trying to talk some sense into him ...  Life certainly isn't dull...

Well, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

Let's all send Trish lots of prayers and postiive thoughts tomorrow!

Debbi - twirling about in NJ...

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Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Debbi

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #327 on: June 02, 2008, 10:50:36 am »
And one more thing...

When A Hamburger is NOT a Hamburger...

Having not had any red meat for well over a month, I decided that yesterday was the day to have a burger - enter McDonalds (I know, when I fall, I fall hard...)

Here's a special note to those who may suffer from facial paralysis in the future ... DON'T try to take a bite out of the burger!  Even though I believe I've regained some slight mobility in my  mouth, my right lower lip can't extend to allow a big old bite of burger in.  Thank goodness I wasn't attempting this fete in public!  I ended up tearing my burger into bit sized pieces so that I wouldn't have to try to wrestle a bite away from the "mother burger."  I am only thankful that I didn't attempt Subway!

Good grief, the fun just never stops, does it?

Debbi - very disappointed in my mouth!
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Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

wendysig

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #328 on: June 02, 2008, 01:47:10 pm »
Hi Debbi -
You do deserve a break today, but apparently McDonald's wasn't the  place.  Sorry you didn't get to really enjoy the burger experience you were looking forward to.  I hope it at least tasted good.  This too will come with time and patience, as you know.  Right now, I understand your disappointment and frustration but it will get better.
Thanks again.

Wendy
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1.3 cm at time of diagnosis -  April 9, 2008
2 cm at time of surgery
SSD right side translabyrinthine July 25, 2008
Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Extremely grateful for the wonderful Dr. Choe & Dr. Chen
BAHA surgery 1/5/09
Doing great!

lori67

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Re: Debbi Bifulco Update
« Reply #329 on: June 02, 2008, 02:08:23 pm »
Debbi -

May I suggest you stay away from bagels in a public place also.  Sandwiches of any sort are definitely out to get us!  They can be conquered, but you have to be creative and sort of use the other half of your mouth to shove it in - but be careful - it hurts when you bite your bottom lip!   :o

Lori
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Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.
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