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Post by dolphintale on Jun 29, 2013 8:31:09 GMT -6
Leah & Nevada--thank you so much for your words of support and encouragement...trying not to count down the days until my surgery by keeping busy with work and getting my household in order. I do find myself rubbing the back of neck quite often...not necessarily because of pain but because it's hard to believe that this "little hidden monster" that I cannot feel on the outside has caused so much havoc on the inside. I am grateful to have the support of all the "SCT family" I have found here...even though we each face our own struggles...it's humbling to know we are able to hold such compassion and concern for each other....in this vein we are truly fortunate!!
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Post by dolphintale on Jul 26, 2013 8:58:27 GMT -6
I am one lucky gal!!!! Had my surgery on July 5 and what had been diagnosed as a chordoma turned out to be a 3cm x 2 cm x 1 cm hemangioma at C3 that had started to grow. Considering what I was facing with the first diagnosis this was wonderful news. The tumor was completely removed but they did have to sacrifice some sensory nerves with it. It was a 4.5 hour surgery and I was in the hospital for 3 days. The back of my head on the right, my ear and my jawline will probably remain numb permanently. Right now they are not numb but seem very super sensitive so the numbness may be a good thing. My tongue curls to the right and my speech has really been affected and eating is difficult. I am told that should improve over the weeks and should not be permanent. I have found that a neck pillow (the kind used when traveling) makes sleeping so much easier because it seems to take the pressure off the affected areas. I feel like I'm doing really well and thought maybe I could go back to work but am listening to my body instead of my brain. Just after walking through the hospital for my doctors appointment this past Tuesday I became very dizzy, slept the 1.5 hours back home and then another 3 hours when I got home...it wore me out!! I go back in two months for a complete MRI in my spine because two nodules (9mm and 3 mm) were also found at L2 inside the spinal column. These are probably hemagiomas also. These are on a "wait and watch" status right now.
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Post by landofconfusion on Jul 26, 2013 10:31:40 GMT -6
What excellent news! I am so glad to hear that you didn't have a chordoma after all and that your surgery went well! You've been on my mind these past few weeks. I think you're wise to listen to your body before returning back to work. It's been through a great trauma & there's bound to be a few challenges along the way.
Nevada
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Post by dolphintale on Jul 29, 2013 16:08:17 GMT -6
Thank you, Nevada!!
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Post by lw on Aug 14, 2013 7:32:23 GMT -6
I have just been catching up on this thread. Many congratulations on a speedy recovery to you! It sounds as though you are doing remarkably well given all what you've been through. I am so glad to hear that your tumour wasn't a chordoma and that the neurosurgeon was able to perform a complete excision. The fact that you are seeing such dramatic improvements so soon after surgery really bodes well for the future. Don't worry if it doesn't all come back straight away though; I was still improving after almost 3 years with regards to numbness. I am sure you will be able to return to work and 'normal' life soon. Fingers crossed!
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Post by dolphintale on Sept 6, 2013 11:56:43 GMT -6
Just thought I'd give an update two months into my recuperation....I have started back to work full time (although some days I do think it's a bit much and have to remind myself to slow down). The right side of the back of my head, ear and jawline remain numb and I am getting used to this new "normal". I have had 6 sessions of speech because my tongue continues to hook to the right and my speech is still slurred but I am seeing some improvement. All in all, everything is good and am so thankful.
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Post by lw on Sept 7, 2013 7:57:36 GMT -6
Blimey. Good on you, girl! I'm glad to hear that you are continuing to do so well so soon after surgery. I do remember you saying in one of your earlier posts that you were aiming to return to work asap. I'm sure the speech will improve with time and therapy too. Keep working at it!! x
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Post by Laura Hughes on Apr 24, 2018 13:43:09 GMT -6
I wonder how dolphin is doing now. It’s been quite a few years since there was a post on this thread. Hope all is well
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Post by ajapekihaewe on Oct 27, 2019 11:23:16 GMT -6
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