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Author Topic: Annual MRI and anniversary  (Read 5353 times)

Pooter

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Annual MRI and anniversary
« on: May 08, 2009, 06:33:08 am »
Well, it's been a year exactly now. I had my MRI 2 days ago and while my doctor visit is on 5/18 I got a cd of the films and radioly report. I'm happy to say that the radiologists reports that he feels the tumor was entirely removed with no residual. I'm no doctor, but that sounds like good news. :)

I wanted to express my extreme gratitude to everyone who has helped, answered my relentless questions, saw me through both hospital stays, and has generally been there through the good times and bad. Wholeheartedly thank you.

I'll post a couple of MRI pics today. One with visual proof that a brain was found (hi jan!), and another because I have a question (again).

Thanks again to everyone for being there. More later.

Thanks,

Brian
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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

leapyrtwins

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2009, 06:50:09 am »
Pooter -

let me be the first of many who want to congratulate you  ;D

I don't know what's better, the first year anniversary or the clean MRI.

You've been through a lot in your first year and you've been an inspiration to many.  I'm glad you decided to stick around - not only because you are a good source of information for the newbies, but because us "oldies" like you too.

Please make sure you give my best to Jenni - she's been through a lot with you post op.  You're lucky to have such a supportive wife.

Jan

PS - glad to know we both have a brain  :D

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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

Keri

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2009, 08:34:31 am »
Hi Brian,
Even though you probably didn't expect any problems, it must be quite a relief to have a clean MRI. Congrats!

Keri
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1.5 left side; hearing loss; translab scheduled for 1/29/09 at Univ of MD at Baltimore
My head feels weird!!

ppearl214

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2009, 08:49:02 am »
oh, my Pooter!!!!!!!!!!!  MANY happy congrats to you for this news... and a very happy postie anniversary to you! Hope you celebrate by doing sumptin real special!

Congrats Brian! :)

Phyl
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EJTampa

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2009, 09:19:41 am »
Hey Brian,
 
Let me be the fourth person to congratulate you on your clean MRI!  :).
 
Looking forward to the pics!
 
Ernie
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-1.3 X 0.8 cm AN in the right cerebellopontine angle extending into the internal auditory canal.
-Retrosigmoid Surgery with Dr. Bartels and Dr. Danner at Tampa General 3/5/2009.
-Had to cut hearing nerve to get "sticky" tumor, so SSD right side.

Pooter

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2009, 09:43:55 am »
All,

Thanks for the notes!  As promised, here are some MRI pics.

This one shows the tumor gone.  This one's with contrast, so it should be beaming pretty brightly, but I've through every "series" on the CD and didn't see anything.  This is just indicative of that.



Also, a question.  In this one, you can see my sinuses.  Ever since surgery, I've noticed that I don't get stopped up on surgery side.  The other side might, but not that side.  In this shot, you can plainly see that my sinuses on that side are really clear, while the other side is pretty congested.  So, I have visual confirmation of what I already knew, but my question is why?  I love always being able to breathe (at least out of one side), but understandably it worries me just a bit.  Here's the pic:



Here's another view that shows it pretty good too.



And, just for fun, here's a scary shot that I came across.  :)



Thanks again everyone!

Brian
« Last Edit: May 08, 2009, 10:48:18 am by Pooter »
Logged
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

ppearl214

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2009, 09:55:06 am »
hey, my Pooter! You got nuttin' up there! :D

*runs like heck... shouting... "CONGRATS!!!!!"......*
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EJTampa

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2009, 10:43:21 am »
You need to have that last pic turned into a mask for halloween!
 
I would ask the doc about the sinus thing, but it seems like a good thing to me :).
 
Ernie
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-1.3 X 0.8 cm AN in the right cerebellopontine angle extending into the internal auditory canal.
-Retrosigmoid Surgery with Dr. Bartels and Dr. Danner at Tampa General 3/5/2009.
-Had to cut hearing nerve to get "sticky" tumor, so SSD right side.

Pooter

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2009, 10:54:01 am »
Quote from: ppearl214 on May 08, 2009, 09:55:06 am
hey, my Pooter! You got nuttin' up there! :D

*runs like heck... shouting... "CONGRATS!!!!!"......*

All evidence to contrary, my dear.  ;)

This is the only thing that gave me pause in the report:

"There is fluid tracking posteriorly into the posterior mastoid air cells.  The fluid is also seen to extend into the craniotomy defect over the right occipital bone where it measures 3.4 X 1.3 cm.  This likely represents a CSF or a lymphangioma."

Later in the summarization, he says the tumor is gone.  But, this note seems to represent that at least the possibility that a lymphangioma exisist.  What the heck does that mean?

Regards,
Brian
Logged
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

Pooter

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2009, 10:55:23 am »
Quote from: EJTampa on May 08, 2009, 10:43:21 am
You need to have that last pic turned into a mask for halloween!
 
I would ask the doc about the sinus thing, but it seems like a good thing to me :).
 
Ernie

Thanks Ernie!  I plan on asking the dr about it on the 18th.  It's good to see the pics before the visit so that all the questions that pop up, I can jot down to ask when I go in.

I thought about the mask thing too.  :)

Regards,
Brian
Logged
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

leapyrtwins

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2009, 11:40:04 am »
Quote from: Pooter on May 08, 2009, 10:54:01 am
But, this note seems to represent that at least the possibility that a lymphangioma exisist.  What the heck does that mean?


Pooter -

I don't know what the heck this means  ???  Definitely something to ask the doctor.

Hope it's nothing to be concerned about.

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

Jim Scott

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2009, 02:38:09 pm »
Brian:

Congrats on the clean MRI scan!  I trust the report's more pessimistic observations turn out to be of little import, which is often the case.   

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.

Cheryl R

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2009, 02:56:02 pm »
My guess without looking it up is that there is a bubble or area of lymph fluid.     How much fluid like that is usually there is beyond me without looking it up.         Way too long since been in school or needed to know for when I worked.           I am anxious to see what the dr says.                                     Cheryl R
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Right mid fossa 11-01-01
  left tumor found 5-03,so have NF2
  trans lab for right facial nerve tumor
  with nerve graft 3-23-06
   CSF leak revision surgery 4-07-06
   left mid fossa 4-17-08
   near deaf on left before surgery
   with hearing much improved .
    Univ of Iowa for all care

cindyj

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2009, 03:09:59 pm »
Congrats, Brian!  What a year, huh! 

Cindy
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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

NL

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Re: Annual MRI and anniversary
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2009, 09:31:49 pm »
Hey Brian,

Congrats on the clean MRI!

Hard to believe it's been a year - make that double congrats!  :)

Nancy


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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
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