The envelope please...

I guess there is no real winner, just a decision to be made.  After weeks of deliberation, debate, discussions and a few sleepless nights, I decided to proceed with microsurgical removal.  We consulted with several very qualified local specialists, but decided to have the procedure done by Dr. Brackmann with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles.  Why?  Basically if acoustic neuromas were Stormtroopers then Dr. Brackmann would be Yoda.  Except he is much taller, better looking and not hundreds of years old.  And he speaks in regular sentences.  ("Hmm, not like Yoda does he speak.")

The procedure is not a common one, so finding a doctor who has performed hundreds of them is a real blessing.  When someone suggests cutting a hole in my noggin, moving my brain aside and entering a very small area to remove a tumor... well, lets just say I'm in no mood for me to be that particular doctor's first foray into this realm.  I want an experienced, steady hand.  I know we found that with Dr. Brackmann.

I could go into a rambling list of reasons I decided to proceed with surgery or why I ruled out the other options, but it would be counterproductive at this point.  When it comes to treating an acoustic neuroma every treatment has risks, large and small.  I can understand, even when put in an identical situation, how others can come to a different conclusion.  There is no wrong or right decision, just my decision.

When we decided to break the news to our children, we were worried that they would take things very hard.  Proving once again that kids say the darndest things, our oldest was less worried about death or long-term complications.  Instead, he had two simple questions... "Will the doctors actually see your brain?!?!"  I responded "Yes."  I should have known what the followup would be ... "COOL!  Do you think they will take any pictures or a video of it?!?!"  I still don't know the answer to the second question...

At this time I will probably take a week or two off from posting updates, unless a random thought strikes me as something that needs to be shared.  But fear not, as my date draws closer (November 4th) I will let you know how things are going.  And on November 4th my lovely and talented wife will provide minute-by-minute updates during my surgery.  Well, maybe not exactly minute-by-minute, because that might be a bit too much.  And I also feel certain that she will take a break to investigate the goodies in the hospital cafeteria.  Post-op updates will be provided by her and/or me as I recover.  She is not a big fan of haiku, but a sonnet may be in order.