[NPInfo] update on my sister's mass

[Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, NP-C, FNP-BC, FAANP, CSP]

What terrific news! Breathing a sigh of relief for you and your family, PegDr. Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP President, Fitzgerald Health Education Associates, Inc. 85 Flagship Drive North Andover, MA 01845-6154 978.794.8366 FHEA website www.fhea.com FHEA on line store www.fhea.biz peg at fhea.com
FNP, Adjunct Faculty, Family Practice Residency Greater Lawrence (MA) Family Health Center, Inc.

> From: GRETAOB at aol.com> Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:33:47 -0400> To: np-clinical at nurse.net; NPInfo at nurse.net> Subject: [NPInfo] update on my sister's mass> > Thank you to those of you who provided me with information and support in > regards to my sister’s mediastinal mass. I wanted to provide you with an > update: > The mass proved to be a posterior mediastinal mass. It was impinging on her > esophagus and trachea. Upon further scans they decided to take her to > surgery. The mass was larger than they expected but they were able to remove it > and some surrounding lymph nodes. She required a chest tube and was in ICU > for 2 days. > Fortunately, it proved to be a benign schwannoma, a tumor arising from nerve > sheath. They're usually benign as it was in my sister’s case. The most > common type of this tumor affects the eighth cranial nerve and hearing loss is a > common symptom (also known as vestibular schwannomas or acoustic neuromas). > The schwannomas that can arise from neurofibromatosis are much more likely to > be malignant. > As in the case of my sister, schwannomas also appear on the roots of the > nerves that come off of the spinal cord. They are slow growing (my sister > apparently had a chest xray several years ago that revealed a mediastinal widening > and the radiologist recommended a CT scan for further evaluation; her > physician failed to note this). She was asymptomatic until a few days before this > admission and even though it was found to be impinging on her trachea, she > exercised just a few days prior to diagnosis. > Within 24 hours after the surgery, her trachea and esophagus were back in > place. She states the chest tube removal was the most painful experience. She > is extremely fatigued but improving every day.> > When I looked up some info on this type of tumor, I ran into a you-tube > video for a patient who was to have his schwannoma removed. It was set to the > tune of My Sharona. Very fitting.> > Thank you again,> Greta> > > > > **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? > Read reviews on AOL Autos. > (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017 )> _______________________________________________> NPInfo mailing list> NPInfo at nurse.net> http://lists.nurse.net/mailman/listinfo/npinfo> *****************************> >