Welcome to our sixth Schwannoma Case Study - this one is a gentleman by the name of Bart Johnson who has a Schwannoma at L4, not yet removed. Bart was kind enough to sit down and answer our case study questions as one who is living with a Schwannoma and keeping it monitored. We thank Bart for sharing his story! - Neil
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1) How old were you at the time of
your diagnosis?
I was 55 and the diagnosis was in
March of 2013. I am a runner and experienced a partial tear of my upper
hamstring tendon. The MRI that diagnosed the hamstring tear also noted a
spot on the posterior side of my lower spine.
2) Do you have any history of
Schwannomas in your family?
No, I have never heard of the
tumor before my diagnosis.
3) Where was your Schwannoma
located? And what were the symptoms that lead to your diagnosis?
It is located on the posterior side of L4. The
neurosurgeon explained that it was nestled up close to the iliac artery.
I did not have, and still do not have any symptoms. If I did not have the
hamstring injury I would still not know about the Schwannoma today.
4) Could you describe, in whatever
detail possible, what kind of surgical treatment was performed on your
Schwannoma, and if you would consider it successful? (Or describe what you may
know about the surgery that may yet be performed, if you haven't been operated
on yet)
After the original diagnosis I went
back for an MRI in three months and then again after another three
months. There was no growth. I did not have any other MRI’s
performed in that area in the past
so there was no past benchmark to use. The neurosurgeon explained that
they know how Schwannomas grow, but they do not know at what speed. It
can be different for each person. After the second repeat MRI the surgeon
told me not come back for a year. That was mid-February, so he told me to
remember to call back to schedule the MRI at Valentine’s Day. Great! Now
I will associate Valentine’s Day with an MRI and the possibility of surgery!
The surgeon described the surgery as
needing to be very precise. The entry would be through my abdomen.
He explained he did not want to leave any of the Schwannoma behind, because
when they do, they usually grow back. He then said that may mean severing
some small nerves that would lead to some numbness in my left leg. He did
tell me it would not harm my muscular control. After reading other’s posts
about post-surgery symptoms the “numbness” has me a little worried. I
wonder how bad it would be.
Someone asked me if I was sorry they
found the Schwannoma by chance. I said “heck no” I was glad they found
it. The reply was “aren’t you going to worry about it now?” I was
truthful and said “Nope, I hope they burry me with it”. I can truly block
out thinking about it and just live my life. If I become symptomatic, or
the schwannoma grows, then I will think about it. Not until then.
5) Having gone through the
experience, what do you think are the most critical questions for
someone to ask their doctor about surgery and treatment of this kind of
schwannoma?
First thing you want to determine is
what the physician’s experience with Schwannomas is. How long has the Dr.
been in practice? What is their experience with your particular type and
location of Schwannoma? What should you expect after surgery? What
percentage of patients have different types of post-surgical pain, or other
symptoms. Write down a list of all your questions. Your doctor
should be able to explain his answers to all of them.
6) Can you describe what the
recovery process was like for you – if you feel you have made a positive
recovery…and what things you have done that have been of most help to you?
(Also, you are free to describe what doctors tell you to expect from your
recovery if you haven't been in surgery yet)
After my
doctor explained the surgery I asked him how long until I was back to 100% of
pre-surgery. He told me there would not be a “100%”. That was a
shock. He explained entry would be through the abdominal wall and a very
delicate surgery going around the blood vessels and nerves.
7) Are you able to do all or
most the things you did before? (Also feel free to describe your abilities even
if you are still living with the tumor or tumors)
TBD, if surgery is needed. I asked my doctor if they ever
stop growing and he said yes. Thanks what I am hoping for.
