Something Positive

[motomotoyama]

Okay, so even though I'm railing against my lot in life, I can still appreciate where I've got things pretty good. I belong to some Facebook support groups for people with my and related conditions. I just read a comment from a woman who has a schwannoma on her sciatic nerve whose doctor won't consider removing it until it starts causing paralysis. I already thought that my neurosurgeon, Dr. Ko was a rock star, but this just gives me a deeper appreciation of his skill. When I was first going through the process of getting diagnosed and then figuring out what to do with that diagnosis, the first neurosurgeon I met with patently refused to consider removing the tumor because the surgery was incredibly risky and told me to manage the pain with medication and get another MRI in 6 months to track growth. By this time, I was in constant pain and beginning to have trouble with some types of exercise. I had already made the appointment with Dr. Ko at this point, so I kept it to get a second opinion. I am so glad that I did. He was kind of brusque, but did not immediately dismiss my concerns like the previous neurosurgeon. Most importantly, he looked at my MRI results, did a quick physical examination and asked me if I wanted it taken out. I asked him to tell me the risks, and he assured me that while there was indeed a chance of loss of sensation or motor function, he had performed similar surgeries before and had every expectation of a good outcome. I was so impressed with his confidence in his abilities and the fact that he listened to me instead of talked at me that I decided to go ahead and schedule the surgery for several months in the future to give me some time to consider my options. I am so very glad that I did.

Comments

[celeste_noelani]

having had the surgery she needs and knowing the immediate relief, i am so angry at whoever told her it wasn't worth it. i mean i know that surgeons are people and people have different skill levels, but damn. it seems like it shouldn't be this drastic!

[freewaydiva]

I'm glad you found a neurosurgeon who not just listens, but hears. Mine treated me as a brain with an issue and completely disregarded the rest of the meatsack that housed it. So frustrating.

xo

[motomotoyama]

That IS frustrating. Finding medical professionals that make you feel heard and cared for is so important and rare.