Author Topic: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update  (Read 9444 times)

NL

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Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« on: January 29, 2009, 03:25:54 pm »
Rick's wife Jane sent out an email last night after she got the update from the surgeons. She hadn't seen Rick yet, but wanted to pass on the good news:

"They managed to take out ALL the tumor and his facial nerve is ALL intact. The surgeons are very happy with the results. They are working on the closing of his skull and should all be done in 2 hours where he will be in recovery for awhile before being transfered to ICU and I will be able to see him..."

Congrats, Rick! Hope you and Jane are both are both resting comfortably.  :)

I'll post again when I hear more.

Nancy
1.6 cm left AN diagnosed Oct. '07
1.9 cm on 2nd MRI, May '08
Retrosigmoid surgery at House Clinic/St. Vincent's on 8/6/08
(no post-op dizziness, nausea, facial or balance issues)
Thankful for a fantastic team of doctors - Dr. Rick Friedman, Dr. Marc Schwartz, & Dr. Michael Stefan

Pooter

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2009, 03:45:48 pm »
Fantastic news..  As steve likes to say, the first 3 days after surgery don't count, so sleep away comfortably, Rick. 

Thanks for letting us know..

Regards,
Brian
Diagnosed 4/10/08 - 3cm Right AN
12hr retrosig 5/8/08 w/Drs Vrabec and Trask in Houston, Tx
Some facial paralysis post-op but most movement is back, some tinitus.  SSD on right.
Story documented here:  http://briansbrainbooger.blogspot.com/

"I must be having fun all wrong!"  - Roger Creager

Jim Scott

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2009, 04:56:06 pm »
Nancy:

Thanks for the positive update on Rick.  I love reading good news!  I'll pray for his rapid and total recovery as well as brief hospital stay.  :)

Jim
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.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2009, 09:59:35 pm »
Nancy -

thanks for the update; I was wondering how Rick was doing.

Please keep us posted if you hear more - and also please tell Jane to send Rick our best.

Jan
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

NL

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2009, 10:34:01 pm »
Jane sent out a "Rick post-op day 1" update today. He was still in ICU and having bad headaches and nausea, but was a tad better than last night. Her email went on to say:

"Aside from that (headaches/nausea) the docs are happy with his progress. They said he might have some facial paralysis today or the coming days but so far he looks fine with not a hint of facial paralysis. Just as well I got him to have a good shave before the op so he looks well respectable even with tubes coming out from all over and a bandage that resemble Jackie O's headdress. They just gave him more painkillers for his headache and it seem to be working....he is asleep..."

Rick - we're all hoping for a pain-free day 2. The pain meds and Brit humor will help.  :)
1.6 cm left AN diagnosed Oct. '07
1.9 cm on 2nd MRI, May '08
Retrosigmoid surgery at House Clinic/St. Vincent's on 8/6/08
(no post-op dizziness, nausea, facial or balance issues)
Thankful for a fantastic team of doctors - Dr. Rick Friedman, Dr. Marc Schwartz, & Dr. Michael Stefan

sgerrard

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2009, 11:22:46 pm »
Good news. The week seems to be going well. :)

Steve
8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.

MAlegant

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2009, 06:49:14 am »
Thanks for the update.  It sounds like he's doing well, Jackie-O headdress notwithstanding.  Hoping today is better still.
Marci
3cmx4cm trigeminal neuroma, involved all the facial nerves, dx July 8, 2008, tx July 22, 2008, home on July 24, 2008. Amazing care at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

mimoore

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2009, 07:12:25 am »
That is great news, thanks for the update.
He is heading in the right direction. Sending healing thoughts.
Michelle  ;D
Retrosigmond surgery on June 4th, 2008 for an AN. 100% hearing loss and facial paralysis (was not prepared for facial paralysis). Size: 2.3 cm, 2.1 cm, 1.8 cm. some tumour remains along facial nerve. Pray for no regrowth. Misdiagnosed for 10 yrs.

wendysig

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2009, 07:51:56 am »
Nancy,
Thanks for the great updates on Rick!  Aside from his headaches (ouch -- I remember those days) it sounds liek he's doing great.  Please give him our best wishes!

Wendy
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!

cindyj

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2009, 08:18:33 am »
Thanks, Nancy!  Good to hear he came through and is on his way...sounds very similar to so many of our first day post-op stories.  Hopefully, the headaches and nausea subside soon.

We're all pulling for you, Rick1

Cindy
rt side 1.5 cm - Translab on 11/07/08 Dr. Friedman & Dr. Schwartz of House Ear Institute,
feeling great!

"Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold."  Josh Billings

Debbi

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2009, 09:46:11 am »
Sending lots of good wishes and prayers to Rick!  And, thanks for updating us, Nancy.

Debbi
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

Captain Deb

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2009, 06:41:41 pm »
All of us House Alums know how great those St Vincents Nursies are--the best in the world at keeping post-AN surgery patients comfortable so that Mack-truck-itis don't feel quite so bad. Healing thoughts and cyberhugs go out to Rick and Jane. He'll get a kick outta reading all these posts when he can see straight again!!!

Capt Deb
"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
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Pooter

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2009, 10:03:08 pm »
Thanks for the updates, Nancy.  My surgery was on a Thursday and I don't remember a thing clearing until Saturday or Sunday..  He's doing great!

Regards,
Brian
Diagnosed 4/10/08 - 3cm Right AN
12hr retrosig 5/8/08 w/Drs Vrabec and Trask in Houston, Tx
Some facial paralysis post-op but most movement is back, some tinitus.  SSD on right.
Story documented here:  http://briansbrainbooger.blogspot.com/

"I must be having fun all wrong!"  - Roger Creager

chocolatetruffle

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2009, 09:15:28 pm »
hello rick
you are now an official postie!!!  and heard you said goodbye to the "jackie" look.  thanks for all the updates from jane, we wish you continued healing, speedy recovery and hope you get discharged very very soon!  wonky head is no fun, but hang in there  ;)
chocolatetruffle


2.8 cm left AN
Translab @ House/St Vincent's 11/27/07
Drs. Brackmann, Schwartz, Wilkinson, Stefan

NL

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Re: Rick (QRM) Surgery Update
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2009, 10:20:43 pm »
Hi All,

I got an update from Jane late last night. She said Rick did a short walk with his PT yesterday,..."Ten small steps, but he'll be working on the marathon next!"  He swapped out his "Jackie O" look for a "pirates of the Caribbean" look and is very proud of his scar, on which the doctors did a great job. Though he's still weak, the nausea and headaches are getting better, so he may be discharged today. She also said that for all the juggling she's been doing between Rick and Rain, she's holding up OK!

Go Rick! Go Jane!

Sending good thoughts to you both!  :)

1.6 cm left AN diagnosed Oct. '07
1.9 cm on 2nd MRI, May '08
Retrosigmoid surgery at House Clinic/St. Vincent's on 8/6/08
(no post-op dizziness, nausea, facial or balance issues)
Thankful for a fantastic team of doctors - Dr. Rick Friedman, Dr. Marc Schwartz, & Dr. Michael Stefan