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Case Study Questions
1) How old were you at the time of your diagnosis?
I was 42 years old at the time of diagnosis, but had been to my Primary Dr. and ER several times with no help. One time they even ordered a CT and it showed in the results (my Dr. just showed me this last week 5/18) and the ER sent me home telling me there was nothing they could do for me.
2) Do you have any history of Schwannomas in your family?
We are not positive, my grandmother on my Dads side had a tumor removed from her stomach years ago however we can not ask her as she has passed.
3) Where was your Schwannoma located? And what were the symptoms that lead to your diagnosis?
It was located in my stomach. This tumor was very painful, at times it would feel like someone was stabbing me with a knife and I was doubled over in pain. I had a hard time eating foods when I did eat it went straight through me and I drank a lot of coke. Weird I know but it was the only thing that would somewhat calm my stomach.
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)
I was finally referred to a gastrenologist who preformed an endoscope and biopsy, which flared the tumor. Within a week I was in surgery with the same Dr. (Still not knowing it was a Schwannoma) and he removed it and 1/2 of my stomach. The tumor was the size of a golf ball. I was supposed to be released the following day however I was in so much pain (I suppose from all the nerve endings he had just cut) I stayed 3 days longer. My tumor was sent off for testing and that is how I found out it was a Gastric Schwannoma. Yes, I would go through it again, I lived pain free for the first two years. I have had three scopes since it was removed to check to see how I was doing. I am currently going through more testing as I have been having a lot of the same pains from the first one for about nine months.
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?
Be persistent! No one believed me for the longest time, lots of Dr’s said because I had Chronic Pain they would not treat me, which was really sad because I was truly sick and in tears when I would show up to the ER having an attack. I was lucky to end up with a very caring Dr. even though he new nothing about Schwannoma’s he has done everything possible for me! My tumor was found in a CT, however did not know what type of tumor until it was sent off for testing. That is when I was told it was a Gastric Schwannoma Nerve tumor.
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)
The hardest part of my recovery was now I had a tiny stomach that hurt just not as bad and wow do you use stomach muscles. My Dr. did say after surgery that I had a lot of muscle he had to cut through, which kinda made me laugh cuz I was fluffy just not as fluffy as he thought. As soon as I was allowed to I would take mini walks even if it was one house away. Definitely follow Dr. Orders this probably helped me the most and made it a positive outcome for me.
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)
I don’t know that I can fairly answer this question for the fact that I feel my tumor probably went undiagnosed longer than normal because I have an internal stimulator in my back to control pain in my back and down my legs, but it also radiates around to my stomach. So even this time I have put off going to see my Dr. for nine months.
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If you are suffering from a similar kind of Schwanomma and would like to send a message to Wendy, you can email her at: wendy.nesdahl
