Surgery- August 6, 2008

[Lamsue23]

Hi to all,
     I have been on this forum, off and on, for about a year.  I was diagnosed with a AN in Feb. of 2007.  I went to Darthmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH and was followed every month with MRI"s, Audio, Neurologist, and ENTl  Recently after my MRI they decided that it was growing, and thought it's time to do surgery.  I'm scheduled for August 6, 2008 at 6AM. I have SSD on the left side, balance problem.

     I read a lot of your stories and suggestions.  I feel that I am ready now with knowing all of the information.  Thank you for doing this forum, I have been a silent partner, but am grateful that you're here for everyone.

     I'm 64 years old, widowed, my two daughters live in NY and Arizona.  They are both going to be with me the day of my surgery at DHMC in Lebanon, NH.  My surgeon have done a lot of AN surgeries and also went to China last fall to teach the doctors there how to do this surgery.
Today was my pre-op.  I live an hour from the medical center, so have to travel some.
 
     I have  a very bad back, almost no discs left from neck down, fibromyalsia, osteoarthritis etc......Have been through many therapies etc.....
I made sure that they will be cautious during surgery to take care of my back also.....I'm on a lot of medications as of now. Have been on WC for many years and now on SSD. also on Long Term Dissability.  I have had a lot to deal with. 

     Well I hope I haven't bored you all with this, but thought it was time to introduce myself after a year.  Marci, good luck tomorrow for your surgery, you're in my prayers.

     Thank you to all of you who keeps giving us hope with dealing with our AN.  I'll keep you posted!

Sue L/NH 
     

[leapyrtwins]

Sue -

glad you decided to introduce yourself.  It sounds like you are dealing with a lot right now and I'm glad you've found this forum helpful.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery.  I see it's already been added to our AN Calendar.

Jan

[elliemae]

Hi, Sue
Greetings from over the state line in MA.  I wish you all the best for you operation in August....coming soon!

My best friend since first grade (a veryyyy long time ago! And also named Sue...) works at DHMC, and since I know she would only work somewhere superb, I trust you're in great hands there!

We'll all be thinking of you.
Elaine

[sgerrard]

Hi Sue,

Welcome back on the forum, and thanks for the update on your surgery. We are super organized now, so David will be starting a topic on Sunday Aug 3rd, where we can all wish you well on your surgery. I hope you get to look in at least once before your surgery date. I also hope we stay organized that long. 

Meanwhile, just in case, best wishes on your surgery, I hope they take care of your back, and that your recovery is gentle and uneventful.

Steve

[Kathleen5306]

Sue-

My surgery is the week before you on July 30.  I will be putting all my best wishes to you and will share with you what I can on my experience.  I have been so strengthened to learn from my fellow AN-ers and to be inspired by their courage, focus and determination.  When I am feeling down and sad, I come here and I realize I will be okay.  I hope you get that same support and God-speed in your recovery. 

All the best,

Kathleen

[Jackie]

Hello Sue,

May I take this time to wish you calmness, and happy spirit as you go through what we all hope for "an uneventful, successful" out come of your surgery. We'll be waiting to greet you with lot's of good cheer, as I am sure you'll be ready to move on in your life!
Best of luck to you always,
Jackie

[lacey7]

Sue,
Glad to meet you.  I also have fibromyalgia,& osteoarthritis.  I just wanted to say to "make sure they give you all the meds you are currently on".
I had a problem while in the hospital, that they didn't give me all my nighttime meds.  I had to keep asking for them.  As you know, most people with fibro need the meds to be able to sleep.  When I was so out of it, my daughter helped remind the nurse.  As I got to feeling better, I could not remember a couple of the names of the night meds.  Drove me crazy!!!  ha.  They did have them down on the charts, but they told me, that one of the drugs, would only be given, if I couldn't go to sleep.
GRRRRRR.....I never did go to sleep without it......but just keep this in mind. 
I will be praying for you, and may God bless you. 
I hope your doctor is sensitive enough to all your illnesses', that they do what they can.
Keep us posted.
Lacey

[Debbi]

HI Sue-

Good to meet you, but sorry you have to be part of our little club. 

I want to second what Lacey said - make sure you take a list of all your meds with you so that you'll have it in your room.  And, make sure your daughters remind your nurses.  My husband was like a bulldog about reminding the nursing staff about the regular meds I was taking.  It pays to be diligent, no matter how good the medical facility is.

I'm very glad you'll have family there with you - that makes such a big difference and I do feel it helps speed recovery. 

We'll all be praying for you and sending you lots of good thoughts next month.

Debbi

[satman]

even though we dont know each other i guarantee you have me praying for you,all will be fine.
looking forward to having a new postie.

[Lamsue23]

Thank you all,
     I'm just checking in for a few minutes and was quite overcomed by all of you.  It's quite soothing to know that others who are going through the same thing  are there for you.  Again, a big thank you. 
     I'm also glad you told me to remind them of my MANY meds I'm on.  My daughter from NY is a Cystic Fibrosis and knows what it is to stay on top of your own meds, I'm sure she will be the sargeant on this.  When I did my pre-op yesterday, the nurse did tell me to remind them before they put me to sleep to be extra careful of how they move me during surgery.  She also told me to take all my meds till that morning except for one. I guess with being in such pain all the time we need to take it one day at a time and only deal with that day.  I will try to have my daughters let you know on my outcome.
     Kathleen, good luck on the 30th.  We will all have a lot to talk about like all the others.   My prayers are going your way.......

SueL/NH   

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Sue:

Welcome back and thanks for the introduction and update.  Please accept my wishes and prayers for a successful outcome to your pending AN surgery.  From your message, I believe you'll benefit from very competent doctors/staff and with your daughters present, I trust you're practical needs will be met while you're in the hospital.  As you know, having an advocate is very important...and you'll have that, in duplicate!

My wife suffers from maladies similar to yours; (fibromyalgia, major spinal problems) and also needs myriad medications on a daily basis just to function somewhat normally, so I can relate to your concerns, which I know will be ably handled by you and your daughters.  I was 63 at the time of my surgery (Retrosigmoid approach).  Fortunately, I had an outstanding neurosurgeon with over 30 years experience operating on AN tumors and I was blessed with overall excellent health going in.  I had a splendid outcome (no complications) and a fairly rapid recovery, all things considered.  I pray that you'll have a similar experience. 

So pleased you find these message boards helpful and informative.  Please stay connected with us.  Thanks.

Jim   

 

[wendysig]

Sue,
Welcome to this forum.  I too am having my surgery just before you, well really about two weeks before you -- thiis Friday to be exact.  It sounds like you'v been through adn are going through a lot.  I;m sure I'll be posting again before your surgery but just in case, I wish you good luck and hope the hospital staff takes excellent care of you in every way.

Best wishes,
Wendy

[Lamsue23]

   Wendy,

     Good luck to you on friday, all my prayers are with you.  Is it me or are they're more of us having surgery lately.  Pretty soon we will be all recouperrating.  I happen to mention to the nurse that did my pre-op about the suggestion someone had on glasses.  She thought that using an old pair and removing the side you have your tumor on was an excellent idea.  I need my glasses to read so I will diffinately use that idea.

Having had this forum to research I know I'm going to feel better with the knowledge I have accumulated from all of you.  Thank you to ALL!!

SueL/NH

[leapyrtwins]

Is it me or are they're more of us having surgery lately. 

For some reason the surgeries seem to go in spurts.  But lately there have been a lot of weeks that are very full.  I think the AN Calendar is making us all aware of who is doing what when.  Actually the calendar was an excellent idea.  Many thanks to whoever thought of starting it.

Jan

[Pooter]

Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.  Take your meds, relax and start healing!  I wore my glasses over my bandage, but my glasses are hinged in such a way that they expand quite a bit too.  If that doesn't work, then take off the arm.  I can't see without mine either!  Just take the recovery one day at a time.  Be patient.  We'll be thinking of you on your day.  All will be fine.

Brian