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Author Topic: Progress at seven months: photos added  (Read 9287 times)

saralynn143

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Progress at seven months: photos added
« on: January 03, 2009, 06:13:39 pm »
Yesterday marked seven months post-op for me. I have not been checking my facial progress daily, or even weekly, because as you well know, the progress is so slow and subtle that I would never notice anything.

But also yesterday, I happened to have on a small closed-mouth smile while looking in the mirror, and I could see movement in my cheek! Not much, but it is there. Mostly around the corner of my mouth and a little upward and outward from there. I tried a big smile and while there is no perceptible change there (yet), I am still tickled pink about the movement that is there.

Anyway, that is my happy new year story, and I am sticking by it.

Best to you all,
Sara

P.S. I've added photos. Please scroll down.
« Last Edit: January 12, 2009, 04:25:14 pm by saralynn143 »
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MVD for hemifacial spasm 6/2/08
left side facial paresis
 12/100 facial function - 7/29/08
 46 - 11/25/08
 53 - 05/12/09
left side SSD approx. 4 weeks
 low-frequency hearing loss; 85% speech recognition 7/28/08
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MAlegant

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2009, 07:46:37 pm »
Yay!!!!  ;D
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wendysig

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2009, 09:18:47 pm »
Hi Sara and Happy New Year!

Every victory, be it big or small is something to be celebrated!  Congratulations on getting some facial movement back.  You have a lot of will power -- I would be checking every day!

Wishing you continued good healing,
Wendy
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mimoore

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2009, 09:26:45 pm »
YAHOOOOOOOO SARAH! KEEP THE MOVEMENT COMING!!!
« Last Edit: January 03, 2009, 09:29:08 pm by mimoore »
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Retrosigmond surgery on June 4th, 2008 for an AN. 100% hearing loss and facial paralysis (was not prepared for facial paralysis). Size: 2.3 cm, 2.1 cm, 1.8 cm. some tumour remains along facial nerve. Pray for no regrowth. Misdiagnosed for 10 yrs.

Jeanlea

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2009, 09:51:26 pm »
Sara,

Congratulations to you!  It is a good feeling to notice new movement in your face.  Just think what may happen by this time next year.  :-)

Jean
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Milwaukee, WI
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Jim Scott

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2009, 04:23:13 pm »
Sara:

Allow me to add my congratulations for - not only the small-but-significant facial movement you've noticed - but also on your patience, which is definitely being rewarded.  :)

Jim
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Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2009, 06:20:12 pm »
Sara -

congratulations!

Jan
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LADavid

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2009, 08:09:31 pm »
Yay, Sara!  Keep it up!
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Debbi

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2009, 01:22:06 pm »
Sara-

I was so happy to read your post!  I got a major leap of progress between 6.5 and 7.5 months, so maybe there is something magical about this time period - let's hope so!  Are you doing facial exercises still?  I have started new ones now, based on the greater movement in my cheek (and also based on some warning signs with bunched-up muscles).  It is nice to actually be able to make something move finally.

I am sending lots of good ju-ju your way for continued progress.  Keep us posted, please.

Debbi
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saralynn143

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2009, 03:28:11 pm »
Hey Debbi, I am not doing any facial exercise. The only thing I have ever done is massage at bedtime when I put my face cream on. The facial nerve specialist I see told me specifically not to do any type of exercises or exaggerated movement to avoid developing synkenesis. So far so good on that count.

Sara
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MVD for hemifacial spasm 6/2/08
left side facial paresis
 12/100 facial function - 7/29/08
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left side SSD approx. 4 weeks
 low-frequency hearing loss; 85% speech recognition 7/28/08
1.8 gram thin profile platinum eyelid weight 8/12/08
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saralynn143

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Re: Progress at seven months
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2009, 04:24:30 pm »
I am adding photos to compare facial paresis at three and seven months post-op:



Sara
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MVD for hemifacial spasm 6/2/08
left side facial paresis
 12/100 facial function - 7/29/08
 46 - 11/25/08
 53 - 05/12/09
left side SSD approx. 4 weeks
 low-frequency hearing loss; 85% speech recognition 7/28/08
1.8 gram thin profile platinum eyelid weight 8/12/08
Fitted for scleral lens 5/9/13

yardtick

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Re: Progress at seven months: photos added
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2009, 05:11:30 pm »
Looking good Sara!

Anne Marie
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Kaybo

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Re: Progress at seven months: photos added
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2009, 05:26:38 pm »
Sara~
Your progress looks great!!  So excited for you!!  YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K   ;D
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lori67

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Re: Progress at seven months: photos added
« Reply #13 on: January 12, 2009, 05:39:28 pm »
Sara -

You look awesome!  That is definitely a smile you've got there!  What good news for you!

Before long, you'll be grinning ear to ear!   ;D

Lori
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Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Brendalu

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Re: Progress at seven months: photos added
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2009, 05:53:09 am »
Sara,

You look awesome!!  I'm sure that before you know it you will be posting a pic with a huge smile!  Congratulations and good thoughts for continued progress.
Brenda
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