Author Topic: Miss Molly's Week In Boston  (Read 10580 times)

MissMolly

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Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« on: June 12, 2009, 02:33:53 pm »
Hi all,
I've set up this topic to keep my AN discussion and other friends in the loop of my surgery.  My husband, Steve, will take over on the actual surgery date as I am quite sure the anesthesia will prohibit any postings by me at that time. 

Sunday at 6:30 I have my last MRI prior to surgery.
Wednesday from 9:00- whenever I have pre admissions, chest x ray, audiological evals, consultations and blood work.  Nancy Mc. suggested bringing a good book for the long waits.  Should be fun.
Monday the 22nd is "The Big Day".  Since my vertigo has been so horrific, I'm actually looking forward to it.  Sort of.  Kind of.  OK, not really. Just hopeful that I won't be dizzy all the time after surgery. 

So stay tuned as the fun begins!!

Molly
Diagnosed 3/09 1.1cm tumor - 4/17/09 - had grown to 1.2
Age 61 - married with three adult kids
MidFossa surgery completed June 22nd
Mass General/Mass Eye and Ear - Martuza and McKenna
The tumor has grown back.  Now working with Mass General.  Dr. Loeffler feels I am not a candidate for proton beam.

CHD63

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2009, 05:48:27 pm »
Molly .....

10 days and counting ..... soon you will be a postie and on your way to recovery from surgery.  My thoughts and prayers!

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

leapyrtwins

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2009, 05:56:12 pm »
Molly -

you're well on your way.  I was anxious for my "big date" also - not because I had a lot of dizziness, but because I just wanted to get it over with and I'm very impatient!

Like you, I hope your dizziness will be resolved by the surgery.

Good luck on the 22nd; I'll keep you in my prayers.  And thank your husband, in advance, for taking on the task of scribe.  We'll all want to know how things turn out, so we'll be waiting for his updates. 

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

Kate B

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2009, 06:50:36 pm »
Molly,

At first I got all excited thinking your time in Boston might have crossed paths with my time in Boston...until I realized you are talking June and I will be there in July for a workshop!

The countdown is on and the time will be here before you know it.

All the best,
Kate
Kate
Middle Fossa Surgery
@ House Ear Institute with
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger
November 2001
1.5 right sided AN

Please visit http://anworld.com/

sgerrard

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2009, 08:30:54 pm »
Hi Molly,

Best wishes on the surgery.

Can I move this topic to Post Treatment? We are going to try and keep surgery updates in one place there, instead of in the boards for discussing treatment options. I don't want anyone to get lost, though...

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.

Vivian B.

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2009, 08:58:36 pm »
Hi Molly,

Good luck on your surgery. Soon you will be on the road to recovery.

Vivian
CPA AN(most likely meningioma) 1.6cm by 1.5cm by 1.9cm diagnosed early March 09. Watch and Wait.

cin605

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2009, 01:20:00 pm »
Best of luck w/ a smooth sugery & quick recoup! :)
2cm removed retrosig 6/26/08
DartmouthHitchcock medical center lebanon,N.H.
43yrs old

Jim Scott

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2009, 01:33:11 pm »
Hi, Molly ~

I recall being equally excited and apprehensive as my surgery date drew closer and closer as I underwent the pre-op testing, so I can empathize with your conflicting emotions.  I suggest you try - as much as possible - to focus on the ultimate benefits of the surgery and less on the 'what-if's'.  As you noted, not being constantly dizzy is one of those benefits...think about that

Remember that many people will be thinking of and praying for you, not only on the 22nd but every day from now until then, so please take some solace from that pleasant reality.  :)

Jim
« Last Edit: June 13, 2009, 02:45:07 pm by Jim Scott »
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.

moe

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2009, 03:34:12 pm »
.  Sort of.  Kind of.  OK, not really. Just hopeful that I won't be dizzy all the time after surgery. 
Understand completely! Ambivalence and apprehension about upcoming  surgery, but want to get er done.
I'm sure you'll feel tons better after this is behind you.
Hang in there,
Maureen
06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

stoneaxe

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2009, 10:28:10 am »
Hi Molly,

I'll be snoozing with a hole in my head when you come in on Wednesday but feel free to stop by and say hi to Sue and the girls.

I fully understand the feelings. Kind of a whirlwind of emotions at the moment.

I hope the dizziness goes away for you.

Best of luck fellow soon to be postie... ;D

Bob
Bob - Official Member of the Postie/Toasty Club
6mm AN treated with Proton Beam Radiosurgery in March 2004
at Mass General Hospital, Dr's Loeffler and Chapman
Cut the little bugger out the second time around in 2009..translab at MGH with Dr's McKenna and Barker.
http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

elliemae

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2009, 12:08:34 pm »
Hi, Molly
best of luck with the surgery! We'll all be following your Steve's postings.

Elaine

NancyMc

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2009, 03:09:02 pm »
Molly,
The Gray family waiting room is just a stoneaxe's throw from the pre-op screening room.  When you enter the waiting room, there will be a volunteer at the desk who can direct you to Sue and the girls for a group hug (Oh, maybe not, Sue has a cold or something.).
Good luck.  It seems like a hundred years ago for me now.  It wasn't a breeze at the time, but it's a fog now.
Nancy
Watch and Wait since 9/19/01
Increased from 1.1 x 1.9 to 1.9 x 1.9 cm as of 10/27/08
Right SSD, tinnitus, compensating balance
Dr. McKenna at Mass Eye and Ear and Dr. Barker at MGH
Translab April 8, 9 hours, 18 mm Tumor all gone SSD some facial weakness

stoneaxe

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2009, 04:18:59 pm »
LOL...actually Sue is huggable. She's not contagious. Lime disease.....when it rains it pours.
Bob - Official Member of the Postie/Toasty Club
6mm AN treated with Proton Beam Radiosurgery in March 2004
at Mass General Hospital, Dr's Loeffler and Chapman
Cut the little bugger out the second time around in 2009..translab at MGH with Dr's McKenna and Barker.
http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

MissMolly

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2009, 09:50:02 am »
Bob I know yours will go smoothly.  I will try and wander down to the Grey room for some hugs for your family. 

Had my pre-op MRI sunday night at 6:30pm.  How convenient.  Not.  Tremendous headache afterwards, but can't take any asprin or tylenol until post op so I just went home and went to bed.  Weather is still wreaking havoc on my vertigo.  I think my family has forgotten what I look like when I'm feeling normal. 

I have my official 'preop' day tomorrow.  Hope it goes smoothly.  Per many recommendations, Steve and I are bringing good books!!

Laurie messaged me, she will be sending the magic scarf.  Can't wait!  Bob do you want to wear it Wednesday? 

Molly
Diagnosed 3/09 1.1cm tumor - 4/17/09 - had grown to 1.2
Age 61 - married with three adult kids
MidFossa surgery completed June 22nd
Mass General/Mass Eye and Ear - Martuza and McKenna
The tumor has grown back.  Now working with Mass General.  Dr. Loeffler feels I am not a candidate for proton beam.

SML

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Re: Miss Molly's Week In Boston
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2009, 04:11:30 pm »
Hi Molly,

I just wanted to wish you well with pre-op tomorrow and surgery Monday.

Rich and I will be thinking of you and sending prayers you way.

Scarlett
SML(Scarlett)-Massachusetts
1.5 cm x 2.5 cm Cystic AN - Right side
Retrosigmoid 3/18/09 at MGH in Boston,MA.
Dr. Barker - Neurosurgeon, MGH - Dr. Lee - Neuro-Otology, MEEI
no facial issues, SSD right side, balance issues to work on.
Outstanding Surgeons, I'm very happy with the results.