Re: Re: Visit to HEI (Removing the balance nerve)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

whoa. that is unbelievable that your tumor was that small and it did

that much damage. How long ago was that and where did you have the surgery

done.? Did you have both acoustic neuromas done? I know that we were

extremely fortunate that his surgery went so well. I guess I have to chalk it

up to lots of prayer and the drs. at HEI. I truly do feel that if we had his

surgery done here in Nashville, we would not have had the same result.

Regarding the balance nerve: the way that Dr. Brackman explained it to me is

that the tumor originates on the balance nerve and by removing it there will

be no regrowth. That is a good thing. In a few months we'll be doing it all

over again. I hope and pray for the same results. God Bless!!!!!!!!

Diane

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/21/2000 10:19:24 PM Eastern Standard Time,

adonai10@... writes:

<< whoa. that is unbelievable that your tumor was that small and it did

that much damage. How long ago was that and where did you have the surgery

done.? Did you have both acoustic neuromas done? >>

Diane,

I had the surgery done in July of '97.... by Dr. Tamargo of s Hopkins...

a very good neurosurgeon. My hearing in my right ear before surgery was

about 30%. According to the monitoring device they were using on my acoustic

nerve, its wave function had been retained. Alas, when I woke up... the

hearing was all gone in that ear. The right side of my face was pretty well

paralyzed - though that has been temporary for the most part. I have

regained my full smile, but I can't play French horn any more. I still

have perfect (as far as I can tell) hearing in my left ear.... with a very

small acoustic neuroma contained within my acoustic nerve on that side. It

has not yet broken through the nerve; hence I have no hearing loss on that

side - just tinnitus. According to the NS, my tumors were incredibly sticky

as well, which complicated things.

>>Regarding the balance nerve: the way that Dr. Brackman explained it to me

is

that the tumor originates on the balance nerve and by removing it there will

be no regrowth.<<

Hmmm well maybe most do.... perhaps I'm the odd one out?

A.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the reply. I find it extremely interesting and helpful to

hear about each person's experience with this disease. It does make it hard

to make decisions regarding the choices we have for treatment because results

vary from person to person, at least it seems that way. But that's okay. The

more info we have the better enlightened we are. I guess for me I want to

believe that everything will go smoothly each time we have to deal with a

decision for my son. It's just plain scary!!!!!!!

Diane