What They Found in my Head...

[Josu]

OK. I was wrong earlier... it is a tumor.

Went to the doctors yesterday. Basically, I am going in to surgery to have the growth removed on May 12... two weeks from today.

In simple terms, the hole in the skull that has the auditory and facial nerves going out, is being blocked by the tumor. The expanding growth is pushing against the cerebellum into the area that controls my breathing. 6 months of waiting and I could have a stroke or lass control of my breathing.

They are going to open a 'C' shaped hole behind my right ear and take out a piece of the skull about 3" (7.5 cm) and try and get as much as they can. A piece about a grain of rice is expected to stay to save the nerves. I may then need chemo or a 'gamma knife if it is cancerous... But that is only a 2% chance of that. I then get some hexagon shaped plates put in to hold the piece they take out.

I have a good chance to loose 75 - 100% of my hearing and a small chance of permanent loss of feeling in my face and tongue on the right side.

I am checking in to Swedish Hospital at 5:30 on the 12th and surgery starts at 7:30. It will take about 6 hours or so. 1 - 2 days in ICU and 3-5 days in the hospital.

Below is a video of the basic surgery... DO NOT WATCH IF SQUEAMISH!!! You have been warned.

Spoiler :

I'm not kidding...This is gross!

Spoiler :

Link to video.

Best wishes man. I will read you on 25th May

 

[classical_hero]

My brother had a growth removed from his head about 3 decades ago and he recovered well from it. The surgeons are more skilled than they were back then, but as with any surgery there are risks. Well back then after the surgery my brother was still overcoming the effects of the anaesthetic and wasn't hungry so I ate his dinner for him.


Link to video.
But in your case it is tumour.

 

[Kyriakos]

OK. I was wrong earlier... it is a tumor.

Went to the doctors yesterday. Basically, I am going in to surgery to have the growth removed on May 12... two weeks from today.

In simple terms, the hole in the skull that has the auditory and facial nerves going out, is being blocked by the tumor. The expanding growth is pushing against the cerebellum into the area that controls my breathing. 6 months of waiting and I could have a stroke or lass control of my breathing.

They are going to open a 'C' shaped hole behind my right ear and take out a piece of the skull about 3" (7.5 cm) and try and get as much as they can. A piece about a grain of rice is expected to stay to save the nerves. I may then need chemo or a 'gamma knife if it is cancerous... But that is only a 2% chance of that. I then get some hexagon shaped plates put in to hold the piece they take out.

I have a good chance to loose 75 - 100% of my hearing and a small chance of permanent loss of feeling in my face and tongue on the right side.

I am checking in to Swedish Hospital at 5:30 on the 12th and surgery starts at 7:30. It will take about 6 hours or so. 1 - 2 days in ICU and 3-5 days in the hospital.

Below is a video of the basic surgery... DO NOT WATCH IF SQUEAMISH!!! You have been warned.

Spoiler :

I'm not kidding...This is gross!

Spoiler :

Link to video.

I hope it all goes well, man. I will be thinking of it at May 12th too. Good luck, and return safe and well.

 

[The_J]

Good luck and .

 

[Borachio]

Yeah. Every best wish for a speedy recovery.

 

[El_Machinae]

My guess was correct. It's an acoustic neuroma (or a vestibular schwannoma). My condolences, because this is scary as heck. The risks overwhelm some people, emotionally. The hearing loss is one thing, but the threat of facial paralysis is really, really scary.

Are they going to try to take it all out in one go?

 

[Cutlass]

I wish all the best to you.

 

[FriendlyFire]

I can always try and fix it myself...

At least you live in a western country with socialist healthcare and not in America, else that would not be so funny. Losing hearing is pretty scarey prospect but with the hi tech devices of today would be more manageable.
Your chances though look pretty good compared.

 

[Farm Boy]

Best wishes during a difficult time.

 

[Antilogic]

The same from me, best wishes. I hope to see ya posting again after the surgery!

 

[Cheetah]

Wow.

I wish you all the best, and really hope you come out of this with all your hearing and nerves intact.


Also, the video wasn't especially gross. It contained no needles on skin, and no dental work, so it was pretty harmless to watch. Didn't even ruin the taste of my tacos!

 

[El_Machinae]

You've talked about the tumor in your cerebellum. But what's causing that huge buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in your left hemisphere?

 

[Leonel]

Damn I hope you beat those odds of losing your hearing and recover to normal. Good luck and get well soon!

 

[Fr8monkey]

Hey. Just a note to tell everyone I am going to the hospital tomorrow (Monday) and am staying in "The Inn", accommodation rooms in the hospital.

I am going to be sooooo busy tomorrow and will check this post in the morning but may not post. After that it may be 2 - 3 weeks before I can come back.

Thinking negatively, which I usually don't, But with the chance of fun things like Meningitis, and Epileptic damage, and severe nerve damage, can't help but think of what may happen (which it won't)... Here is to all the friends on the internet... I love you all

Talk to you in a few weeks!

 

[cybrxkhan]

Have fun!

Hope it goes well and hope your hospital is a good one, that makes a big difference! And I hope the hospital food tastes decent for you.

 

[Hygro]

Godspeed Fr8monkey. We're rooting for you.

 

[Cutlass]

Good luck!

 

[Borachio]

Yes. Good luck, indeed.

 

[Kyriakos]

Godspeed Fr8monkey. We're rooting for you.

Very well said.

 

[Farm Boy]

Indeed. Thoughts and prayers, good sir!