Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada

[effiya]

Dear All, I would appreciate any info on any good AN surgeons in Toronto, Ontario. Thank you. Effiya

[Lisa]

I am in Quebec and went to Montreal but I know from others I have spoken to that Dr. Nedzelski (not sure if I spelled that right) is highly recommended. I think he is at Sunnybrook. I am sure there are lots of people who could give you first hand experience but I'm not sure everyone has rejoined this message board.
_________________
Diagnosed with a 3.9cm AN December 2006, while pregnant.
Translab surgery February 2007 for then 5 cm AN, in Montreal, QC, by the VERY gifted hands of Dr. Saliba and Dr. Bojanowski at Notre Dame Hospital.
What a difference a couple of years make!!!

[effiya]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your reply.bI have found a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western now. I am sceduled for surgery in about a month at TWH. My brother who lives in New Jersey told me of Dr Neldzelski of Sunnybrook. I contacted him but he needs a referral and I couldn't get one. Thank you. Cheers!

Effiya.

[effiya]

[Lisa]

I posted a fairly long follow up on the post op section. But yes, SSD is part of my reality now. Keep me updated on your surgery and I will send some good vibes your way. I am positive it helped with my outcome. Keep positive.
You never gave a rundown of your situation. Did you have any questions regarding surgery, etc. Take care,
Lisa
_________________
Diagnosed with a 3.9cm AN December 2006, while pregnant.
Translab surgery February 2007 for then 5 cm AN, in Montreal, QC, by the VERY gifted hands of Dr. Saliba and Dr. Bojanowski at Notre Dame Hospital.
What a difference a couple of years make!!!

[Kathleen_Mc]

Effiya: I had my first surgery done at TWH many years ago, Dr. F. Gintili .
Who is doing (or has done) your surgery?
Kathleen
_________________
What's that you say?
First resection 1990, subsequest resection for regrowth after years of monitoring.
Several "plastic repairs to "fix" facial palsy
Total hearing loss on affected side, blance issues

[effiya]

[Kathleen_Mc]

Effiya: Yes my tumor was big, not sure of measurements but the surgery was 15-16 hours. The only long term "disabilities" I have are totoal hearing loss, balance issues and facial problems. I have had many "plastic" surgeries to help the facial issue and am told that it is not really notiable anymore. I returned to work 3 1/2 months post-op from the initail surgery, full time, to my nursing career.
I don't know if my assistant you mean Dr. G's secretary....I had a lot of problems with her during the years my regrowth was being monitored and even wrote her up to administration of the hospital.....
hope all goes well when you finally have treatment
Kathleen
_________________
What's that you say?
First resection 1990, subsequest resection for regrowth after years of monitoring.
Several "plastic repairs to "fix" facial palsy
Total hearing loss on affected side, blance issues

[effiya]

[Kathleen_Mc]

Effiya: I did not have any physio. after my first tumor was removed but I know now they routinely refer people to physio for exercises to do with improving balance ....I know this because I was referred after the regrowth was removed. They will teach you exercises to improve your balance. If u aren't referred make sure u ask....actaully u shou,d have a relative know these things too and have them written down so it doesn't get overlooked.
Kathleen
_________________
What's that you say?
First resection 1990, subsequest resection for regrowth after years of monitoring.
Several "plastic repairs to "fix" facial palsy
Total hearing loss on affected side, blance issues

[Lisa]

On that note, I had a balance test during one of my last appointments before surgery. They were checking to see if my balance nerve was functioning. I'm not sure what it was called but one was with lights and the other was with a water test in my ears. My nerve wasn't working at all so in a way it was good news because it meant that my balance issues post op weren't going to be worse than they were pre-op. I woke up with basically the same issues I had been dealing with. I think many people have balance issues post-op that they may not have had before surgery. I didn't need any physio for balance but know a couple of people who really benefitted from it. I just started walking when I felt up to it. Two houses down our street the first time, a few more the next time, etc. I'm lucky mine resolved itself fairly smoothly because chasing three kids requires a LOT of balance! I was also told that the brain exhausts a lot of energy in keeping the body in balance so I know that my energy was sapped very easily (before and after surgery!).
Lisa
_________________
Diagnosed with a 3.9cm AN December 2006, while pregnant.
Translab surgery February 2007 for then 5 cm AN, in Montreal, QC, by the VERY gifted hands of Dr. Saliba and Dr. Bojanowski at Notre Dame Hospital.
What a difference a couple of years make!!!

[effiya]

[effiya]

[Kathleen_Mc]

Effiya: I was seen by the physio., at Sunnybrook for my balance after the regrowth was removed.....of cource I could have used that after the initial surgery but didn't. I was also seen there many years ago for facial physio and this was very helpful. Are you being referred to Dr. Nedzelski there?
For a surgical consult?
Kathleen
_________________
What's that you say?
First resection 1990, subsequest resection for regrowth after years of monitoring.
Several "plastic repairs to "fix" facial palsy
Total hearing loss on affected side, blance issues

[effiya]