Translab surgery Tuesday Jan.24th...And a bit nervous

[block]

I am scheduled to have a very small tumor removed on Tuesday and to say the least I am a bit nervous.I  noticed my hearing in my right ear had gone away almost overnight about this time last year.After going to my family Doc I was sent to a specialist and sure enough an MRI revealed a small tumor.After 3 MRI's and a year later I decided to get this thing out and get on with my life.The Docs tell me that it should be a pretty routine surgery (relatively speaking of course).My concern is not so much the surgery but the fact that I have not been in a hospital since 1966 and the idea of 4-6 days there scare me as well as the down time after the surgery.I spend a lot of my spare time riding my bicycle and the thought of balance problems concern me.My Doc tells me that stationary bike riding is something he encourages for rehab.I also scheduled the operation for this time of year because the weather tends to be bad and not condusive to outdoor bike riding.Are there any other cyclists on this board that can offer a bit of advice? One other question....how much does a Translab surgery effect your chewing and eating in the days follwing the surgery? Please think a good thought for me on Tuesday morning and I will check back in after the ded is done and give a full report.

[cookiesecond]

I didn't have problems chewing and the only problem I had with eating was that I was nauseous. It soon passed.Just remember there are many sucess stories. I had translab 8-2-05 with complete removal and no facial problems. My only lingering symptom is a few issues with balance and they are getting better.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Lynn

[Boppie]

My translab was December 15.  I had a hamburger (from the hospital catering service) on the third night for my dinner, tasted grrrreat and not one problem chewing.  If your tongue is numb you might have to chew slowly for a few days though.

If you ride bike a lot, you will regain your balance quickly with same exercise post op.  Learn the eye exercises and do them now at home.  Then, start doing them from your bed and chair in the hospital.  You'll be amazed how fast your brain will figure it out.

You will  do fine.  Keep after the head eye movement exercises.

[luv2teachsped]

Hello-
   I also had translab on May 18,2006.  I did have problems chewing, as I had a lot of facial numbness prior to my surgery.  I ate a lot of soups, oatmeal and other soft foods. Pizza was definitely out! I am a bike rider also and was very leary of getting on it the first time.   I started riding it around the end of July and did fine.  I probaly could have rode sooner if my family and friends hadn't all be so afraid for me! (I live alone) I did however, walk a lot, and practiced turning my head from side to side and looking around.  I had a tendency to look down ahead of of me,in order to avoid the vertigo. Good luck! You'll be in my prayers also!luv2teach

[dpericoni]

I didn't have translab but had middle fossa. My jaw hurt for a while when I chewed. I had no nausea with food just movement. I ate all the hospital food and thought it was wonderful! Steriods?  Don't know if this applies to your surgery.

I had my surgery at the end of October and rode my bike last weekend (3 day weekend) 120 miles! I was pretty excited. I started riding on January 1st but I could have started sooner. I had a small tumor so I had more problems with balance than those with bigger tumors.

Good luck. I was never in a hospital until this tumor. Ignorance is bliss.

Darlene
In Arizona
5mm by 8mm
House Ear

[teela]

I, too, am having translab surgery and like so many others ... am extremely nervous about this. I guess it's not really knowing what to expect after the surgery. My surgery date is scheduled Feb. 22, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester with Dr. Link and Dr. Carroll doing the surgery. I will keep you in my prayers on Tuesday. God Bless,
Teela

[Boppie]

Good luck on Tuesday! Keep us posted. 

[Jeanlea]

Good luck on your surgery.  I will keep you in my prayers.  I had my translab surgery on September 6, 2005.  My tumor was fairly large (3.5 cm) so I must have been losing some balance before surgery.  Today I went out cross country skiing for the first time since my surgery.  I went down a fairly large hill and didn't even fall!  It did scare me a bit though.  Probably should have started out with something easier.  Going on the flatter ground with smaller slopes worked well.  Only fell once.  But them so did my son.  lol

My advice for the hospital stay is to ask for sleeping pills if you can't sleep.  The nights can be long otherwise. 

[josnik]

I am too scheduled for Translab on February 17 and nervous just like you are. I will keep you in my thoughs & prayers and await your reply of your progress. God Bless!