Post by kat on Jun 20, 2010 23:19:52 GMT -6
Hello!
This is my first time to see or post to this forum. You all seem so nice and helpful!
I am scheduled July 8th for the removal of a 2.2 cm diameter Intradural/Extramedullary mass that is being called a meningioma or possible schwannioma along my C4-C6. I am 50 years old and this will be the first time I have ever spent the night in a hospital. (Previous surgeries have been out-patient and infrequent.) My husband and I are very nervous and scared about this major surgery in my spinal canal near my spinal cord. I am being told that this mass is probably benign.
We interviewed 3 neurosurgeons. The first said there is a high likelihood of nerve damage to my right side deltoid, bicep and tricep (I'm right-handed), he will remove 3 lamina and not return them, hospitalization would be 5-6 days with rehab for a couple of months. Possible permanent damage with loss of muscle function.
Doctors 2 and 3 were more positive. Doctor 2 said less than 5% chance of nerve damage, 2-3 days in hospital, 2 weeks to be "cut-loose" and 6 weeks to "good as new" with no PT. He will also return the lamina to my neck. He trained for 2 years at the Barrow Institute in Phoenix where they specialize in complicated spinal surgeries and he was very confident that this would be a successful surgery.
Doctor 3 basically said not to worry, he wants to "focus on the positives" and would decide at surgery if we would return the lamina. He is the "top" neurosurgeon in town but not forthcoming with details.
We have scheduled the surgery with Doctor 2.
I have not tolerated prescription pain medicine well in the past (I throw up) so have always just taken Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain. I also get sick from anesthesia even when they give me the anti-nausea meds. My mother was allergic to morphine and most pain meds so I assume that is genetic.
I am very nervous and not sure what to expect. I am also not sure what to watch out for or the right questions to ask.
If any of you can give me suggestions and advice, I would really appreciate it!
Kat
This is my first time to see or post to this forum. You all seem so nice and helpful!
I am scheduled July 8th for the removal of a 2.2 cm diameter Intradural/Extramedullary mass that is being called a meningioma or possible schwannioma along my C4-C6. I am 50 years old and this will be the first time I have ever spent the night in a hospital. (Previous surgeries have been out-patient and infrequent.) My husband and I are very nervous and scared about this major surgery in my spinal canal near my spinal cord. I am being told that this mass is probably benign.
We interviewed 3 neurosurgeons. The first said there is a high likelihood of nerve damage to my right side deltoid, bicep and tricep (I'm right-handed), he will remove 3 lamina and not return them, hospitalization would be 5-6 days with rehab for a couple of months. Possible permanent damage with loss of muscle function.
Doctors 2 and 3 were more positive. Doctor 2 said less than 5% chance of nerve damage, 2-3 days in hospital, 2 weeks to be "cut-loose" and 6 weeks to "good as new" with no PT. He will also return the lamina to my neck. He trained for 2 years at the Barrow Institute in Phoenix where they specialize in complicated spinal surgeries and he was very confident that this would be a successful surgery.
Doctor 3 basically said not to worry, he wants to "focus on the positives" and would decide at surgery if we would return the lamina. He is the "top" neurosurgeon in town but not forthcoming with details.
We have scheduled the surgery with Doctor 2.
I have not tolerated prescription pain medicine well in the past (I throw up) so have always just taken Tylenol and Ibuprofen for pain. I also get sick from anesthesia even when they give me the anti-nausea meds. My mother was allergic to morphine and most pain meds so I assume that is genetic.
I am very nervous and not sure what to expect. I am also not sure what to watch out for or the right questions to ask.
If any of you can give me suggestions and advice, I would really appreciate it!
Kat
