dlbenz's Blog

Thursday July 3rd, 2008

 

 

6:40 PM

 

 

One week ago I had brain surgery.  Over the next several days and weeks I will blog here about my experience and how I am doing. I wrote my first entry yesterday but, have been unable to post it until now.

 

 

I met with my doctor’s today one week after surgery and there is much to tell in addition to what I wrote yesterday. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until I have more time to compose my second blog entry.

 

 

Thanks again to everyone who has inquired about my well being.

 

 

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Wed. July 2, 2008

 

 

It’s 4:45 AM and I can’t sleep.  My body has been knocked for a loop the last week between the combinations of nausea meds, steroids, pain pills, acid reflux meds and even sleeping pills I’ve been taking.  I’ve been trying to sleep since 10:30 last night but don’t think I ever actually accomplished the goal.  So… rather than just lay here awake I figured I’d battle my spinning head and try to start blogging about what I am currently going through and while it will be at least another month before I will be back on TV at WTTG.

 

 

Last Thursday (6/26) I underwent brain surgery at the St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles.  The surgery was to remove a benign tumor known as an “Acoustic Nueroma.”  It’s probably something you’ve never heard of and hopefully never will need to know of again.

 

 

An acoustic Nueroma is a rare growth that begins in the auditory canal inside the cranium. the cause of this tumor is not yet known though some researchers believe cell phone usage could be a factor as these diagnosis or on the rise (my doc doesn't subscribe to this however).

 

 

I will get more into the details of this, including my specific tumor as the days and weeks progress. But for now I will just say my tumor was found while it was still considered to be on the small side (13mm).  Smaller is better because the bigger the tumor the more the complications of permanent hearing loss, facial paralysis and even death can become a reality. 

 

 

The rarity of this illness is a huge reason why I had my surgery in la (and even opted for surgery).  Again, more on those topics to follow but before I go any further, let me just say that my surgery was a success and doctors are very optimistic I will be fully healed with minimal hearing loss and no facial paralysis in the weeks ahead.

 

 

Additionally, I need to say how completely blessed I am to have so many people around who love and care about me and have been constantly checking in to make sure I am doing well.  First and foremost my thanks are forever indebted to my beautiful wife, Sacha, who at 21 weeks pregnant with our first child has been by my side to keep me brave and cheerful every step of the way.  I do not know how I could get through this without her love, strength and determination.

 

 

And of course I’m grateful to all my family and friends have been huge; and that includes all the people back ay Fox 5.  From the moment I first informed management there of my issuse they have been nothing but supportive and helpful. 

 

 

Dave Feldman, Rich Dunne, Dave Ross and Travis Thomas in the sports deptarttment have proven to be great friends in my time of need.  Especially Feldy, who has known about my tumor longer than anyone and was there to cheer me up when I was scared.

 

 

Some of my co workers may not as yet even know where I have gone as I asked  to keep this all very quiet because I didn't want anyone to give me any special treatment.  To those of you who knew and respected my privacy, thank you.

 

 

I am going to wrap up this first blog but more will follow, complete with pics.  For now thanks to everyone and I look forward to sharing my experience with everyone in hopes it may help someone else who is hurting.

 

 

Oh, and hard to believe but only 11 days away from work and I already miss the job.