The Call

Last week on Thursday, I sent my scans and report to the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles. They received my scans Monday, and today (Tuesday) I received a phone call. Dr. Fayad called me and said a team of doctors reviewed my scans this morning and had some information for me. So I have always said I am special, well apparently my tumor (Lloyd) wants to be special too. Dr. Fayad said that 99% of the tumors....yes 99%, almost the guarantee you get on condoms, 99% of the tumors grow on the balance nerve. Well mine decided to be an outcast and is growing on my hearing nerve. Unfortunately for me that means I will most likely be deaf in that ear (left side). If I wait and the tumor grows, it will destroy that nerve and if I have surgery they will destroy that nerve also since that is where the tumor is growing. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear (no pun intended) today, what I was looking for was...

Good Afternoon Jennifer, Great news, your tumor is pressing on a fat gland, yep, only you have a fat gland - nobody else, so to get rid of this tumor, eat some stouffers mac n cheese, have a starbucks frap, tomato and mozzarella panini, and eat some red lobster cheddar biscuits and the tumor will go away which will decompress the fat gland, you will lose 30 lbs over the next week and continuously lose weight so eat anything you want whenever you want.

Yeah, the doctor didn't say that at all. Actually what I did want him to say was that I was a candidate for Middle Fossa surgery and even though it is risky, I will have the best chance of keeping my hearing and getting rid of the tumor. That is what I wish he said.

I still have no clue what to do, the biggest thing I think about each day is that what ever damage is done can not be undone. I am just so afraid to sit and watch this thing and regret not doing something sooner. The doctor at HEI suggested I get three tests done, VNG test, hearing test, and ABR test. Once I get the results he asked me to send them to him, and he will make further recommendations. He also gave me his cell phone number, which I thought was pretty amazing.

I guess now I am waiting to see what the results are of the tests, not really sure what to think, just taking it day by day. My family and friends have been very supportive, so Iwant to thank you guys.