6 years post-op, Translab, House Grade 6 Facial Paralysis

Hi! My name is Jennifer Miller and I am celebrating my 10 year post-op AN anniversary this May! I am happy, healthy and completely medicine free! Being diagnosed at such a young age completely changed my life but I wouldn't be the person I am today if I didn't go through all I had. I still have facial paralysis and 100% deafness in my right ear but I have used these "malfunctions" to share my story with others and help them know the darker days will get better. I am so proud to be an AN Warrior and have met so many other amazing AN fighters! You guys are awesome and keep me going each day!

I went to my doctor for a buzzing in my right ear. A lengthy battery of sometimes painful tests revealed a 6 mm acoustic neuroma and led to a 6-hour operation. While I lost my hearing in my right ear, and have had some life-long facial paralysis on the right side of my face, the surgery was successful and I have not suffered from the other more serious side effects of AN, quite an achievement in those long-ago days. I have enjoyed an active and normal life, am now retired from a successful career, and have a wonderful family. I have been very lucky and wish the best for other survivors.

Oct. 17, 2017, I had a near-total removal of a 3cm AN. My family and friends were amazing throughout this journey. I'm still living life - I took an amazing trip to Hawaii with my husband and son. Struggles have not escaped me - deafness in one ear, dry eye and closure problems, PT for neck issues, and I’m walking nearly every day to improve my balance. My biggest struggle is with daily headaches and debilitating pain. AN Awareness week is significant to me as I just received my first nerve block for occipital neuralgia and I have my first post-op MRI this week. Fingers crossed!

Approaching 5 month recovery 5/10 after Retrosigmoid Craniotomy removing my AN. 18 years suffered dizziness, 2015 started w/balance problems, 2nd MRI in 2017 confirmed the brain tumor. Returned to work 7 weeks & most significant milestone - riding bike 5 miles @ 13 weeks. Lost my hearing & still have balance problems/dizziness/fatigue/pain. Forever grateful for my family, friends, coworkers, employer & the AN Association! LOVE LIFE to its fullest, be grateful for each NEW beautiful day! "Life doesn't get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more RESILIENT" - Steve Maraboli.

The Force was with me on May 4th: 6 Year ANniversary... Pittsburgh's Steel Challenge - 5K (Saturday, May 5th) and Half Marathon (Sunday, May 6th) - Mission Accomplished...

9 weeks post-op and just ran for the first time! When I first woke up from surgery, I had some pretty bad complications with vision. I didn’t know if I would ever see straight, let alone walk again. An avid CrossFit athlete, this was clearly devastating. With some incredible coaches, physical and vestibular therapy, I have worked my way back to clear sight, walking and now running again! Every day is a new milestone and a huge gift!

I was 33 years old, married with three daughters, 8 years, 6 years, and 4 years old. Now I am a happy Grandmother sharing 6 Grandchildren with my husband. God is Good.

I had Translab surgery to remove my AN on August 31, 2016, and was back on my bike October 9th! Blessings to all of my fellow Acoustic Neuroma warriors. Never give up hope!

I was diagnosed with a small AN at age 52 in 2016. I was scheduled for AN surgery, then it was put on hold to remove a cancerous thyroid nodule. On 3/28/17, I had Middle Fossa surgery. The balance nerve was removed so I woke up with vision issues, no balance, SSD, and minor facial paralysis. Recovery went well with vestibular therapy, walking and personal training. A year later and I am back in the gym 5 times a week doing kickboxing and bootcamp classes. "A strong person is the one who knows how to be quiet, shed a tear for a moment, and then picks up their gloves and fights again."

One year after surgery, although I suffered total hearing loss in my left ear, surgery was successful. My follow up MRI showed no residual tumor remaining. I made it!

I had my surgery that removed my tumor which was a meningioma. My hearing has improved tremendously, which is critical for my job.