ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Nancy Drew on August 18, 2008, 03:36:34 pm
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Hi!
I live in Denver, the mile high city. The past three times I went to the mountains (up to 11,000 feet above sea level), I have had some weird things happen in my AN ear. The first two times I went up for day trips to snowshoe. My AN ear was fine going up, but when I came down from the mountains my ear plugged up and I could hardly hear out of it. It returned to normal in a couple of hours. A couple of weekends ago I went up for an overnight trip. While I was there my ear gave me no problems at all. In fact my ear felt better than ever. Coming back down the tinnitus became louder than ever, and I had bad ear pain which lasted for several days. Does the altitude affect ANs? I am almost scared to go up in the mountains again. And on a side note, when I went to the AN doc last week he did the usual look in the ears with that instrument they use. My ear hurt for several days after. My AN seems to be saying, "Don't mess with me."
Thanks,
Nancy
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Nancy:
I believe (but don't know for an absolute medical fact) that acoustic neuromas can be aggravated by high altitudes (pressure). That your ear pain would be inconsistent is not surprising as inconsistency is a trait of ANs.
The doctor's ear-poking may have been a bit over-enthusiastic or perhaps the ear is over-sensitive. I doubt the doctor's pokes came close enough to the AN to disturb it. These are really good questions for your AN doctor. I'm just guessing.
Jim
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Hi Nancy,
This past December, I flew to Key West and I thought my right ear was going to burst while on the plane! For the next day or two I could not hear out of that ear, but then things cleared up. I did not know I had an AN at the time, just thought it was another weird ear thing for me. Did the AN cause it? Who knows, but sure seems suspicious to me ;)
...I'll catch up on your PM to me in just a bit!
Cindy
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Hi Nancy,
I lived in the Denver area (Arvada, Thornton) for 10 yrs before moving back to IA last year. The first time I ever had problems with my AN ear, was similar to what you described. My ear totally plugged up, couldn't hear out of it for several days. That's when the tinnitis started. That happened a few times in a year before I moved.
I've been told that I've probably had this for 5 or more years. We used to have mountain property by Canyon City (approx 8,000 ft.). I don't remember having any symptoms then, but maybe it wasn't big enough to even notice then?
Sometimes I did (and still do occasionally ) notice that my ear would just ache for a few days. Then would be fine. Didn't know why then. Now I suspect is was the AN. :(
Cathy
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Hi,
I have lived in Colorado my whole life and my son was the one with the AN. I have been over so many passes since I was a girl I can't even count. But I have tons of trouble with my ears when I go in the high altitude. When I go over 10,000 feet I have trouble and sometimes my ears are so bad that it takes hours to get them unplugged. I know that when I was pregnant they told me not to go over 10.000 feet. So, If it were me I would just know your limits and maybe just decide if you want to go too high until you know how it affects you. I don't know if it is anything beyond discomfort for the AN. I have always hated going above tree line. I can tell as soon as I hit tree line. That might be in my head but I always thought if the trees can't breathe then I don't know if I can. Also, it was always worse for my ears when I had a cold. Of course you should always take it slow. If in a car going over a pass it is always best to maybe stop and let your ears adjust. I always have trouble going down passes because you go down so fast. Taking a break helps my ears. I hope that helps. I hate that high altitude feeling but oh do I love the mountains. Always have. And it is the worst going down the big hill into Denver.
Just know it is the same for alot of people without ANs but I suspect the AN makes it worse. I don't know how many people have AN's and live near high altitude so I don't know if they know how it affects them. Eric has not been in the mountains since the surgery so I wonder how it will affect him.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
Sorry to hear that your young son has had to go through so much with his AN. Glad to hear that he is having success post surgery. Darn that altitude. I am so sorry to hear that you have problems with the altitude here in CO. I have never had problems with the altitude except motion sickness and maybe an occasional slight ear pop. I have lived in CO for 16 years, and I go up in the mountains often. My AN ear has had problems the past three times I have been in the mountains. Makes me think that something is going on with my AN. I am having GK mid-Sept. It will be interesting to see how my ear reacts once I have GK under my belt. Hope your son will not have any problems when he goes in the mountains. I might fear what my AN ear might do in the mountains, but it won't keep me away. We live in a beautiful state. I love looking at the Rockies, but I love hiking, snowshoeing and camping in them more.
Nancy
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Hi Nancy,
I do feel fortunate for growing up here. I am a rare native. I know I could never live anywhere else. Maybe by the ocean but I know I would have to come back. I really think that taking your time coming down would help. I have more trouble when we are up there for a few days. I doubt that it is more than a discomfort thing but maybe your doc will know more. Is your doctor in Denver? If so I would be curious who.
I remember hiking with some girlfriends years ago and we got a little lost up by Golden Gate State Park. I started getting really upset and I just wanted to get out of there after walking around for 2 hours. I will never forget my friend saying that would be a beautiful place to die. I thought that she was nuts but you know, I am thinking that we will go do that stuff anyway no matter what it does to us. The mountains just call you. I really feel like they look at me and call me and once they hypnotize you can't stop. You just go up like a zombie. You feel close to God up there.
Good Luck Hon.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
I grew up in Mississippi so moving out here was a total culture shock. But, I could never go back now that I am here. The mountains and this lifestyle here have captured me, and I am hooked. I hope to be here for many years to come. My doctor is Dr. Robert Feehs, and I will be having GK at the Swedish Gamma Knife Center. I feel very comfortable with the team at Swedish, and I think since my AN is so small it will respond well to GK.
Nancy
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Yes, Nancy. No offense but it is so hard because Eric and I have laughed about it before. Once you go Colorado you never go back. And it is all you guys that move here and get hooked that has grown Colorado so much. I am getting better about it but it is hard for me to see the changes that growth brings. It is funny I never realized it until you said that but I guess COLO is a culture. I am trying to figure out why the natives leave? There are so few of us. :)
I have never been to the south. I hear that is quite a culture too. There are some that can't handle the dryness here. And there is a sick period with the altitude. Did you have that? We had some neighbors that moved here from Alabama and they made it 6 weeks and moved back. They hated it.
Good luck with GK. How many GK places are there here?
Robyn
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I traveled to Denver 6 weeks post op and was concerned that the altitude would be an issue for me. Fortunately, it wasn't.
I even took the cog train to Pike's Peak and no problems whatsoever. I don't know if that was because my AN was gone by that point, or not ???
Jan
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Hi Robyn,
I am sorry us foreigners have taken over your state. I have definitely seen the negative effects of growth since I moved here 16 years ago. I can't imagine anyone moving away from this beautiful place. Maybe I can justify my move here by sayiing I have taken the spot of someone who left. Now I don't feel so guilty. I have oily skin so the dryness is great for me. My husband has dry skin, but it is his problem since I tell him he should just use lotion. I don't want to get in trouble with any of my southern friends, but I will tell you that it is definitely a different kind of culture down south. A lot depends on where you go as well. The big cities are more diverse, and the small towns are more unique. I am from a really small town, and I love to go back to visit. But, my heart is here now.
Back on subject--there are two GK facilities here in CO. The one at Swedish and one at St. Anthony's Hospital. The GK machine at Swedish is newer. There is also a CK facility in Boulder, and one of the doctors I spoke to said they plan to get a CK center in another hospital here in Denver. My original AN doc was David Kelsall, M.D. He also uses the GK at Swedish. He is an excellent doctor, but I just decided that Dr. Feehs was a better fit for me based on personality. I also had a second opinion from Dr. Cass at University Hospital. I do not recognize the names of the doctors who treated your son. Of course, I was never going the surgery path from the beginning since my tumor is so small, and I think it will respond better by going with GK. Just a personal decision for me.
Here's to Colorado!
Nancy
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Hi Nancy,
Dr. Cass is with the same office that Dr. Jenkins is in. With Eric's size issues I would have never gone with anyone but Jenkins. If he were not available then we would have gone to house. NOt that Cass is not good but since Eric had such a large tumor we needed the best and I didn't settle for anything less. Even if it was just a little less. IMHO, Dr Jenkins and Lilihei are the only ones in Denver that we would go to. House was next. That's as far as surgery. I think that CK and GK doctors are different.
I am glad that your tumor is so small I know it doesn't feel like it because you do have a tumor but comparatively you are lucky.
I am from a small town here in Colorado too. But a mountain town, Craig. We were always 20 years behind the city. I miss living up there but it is alot different now. I can't believe how expensive it is. At any rate. When you grow up here or live here as long as you have you know you could never live anywhere else. This is Gods country. LOL.
And the reason we have blue and orange sunsets is because God is a Bronco fan. LOL I couldn't resist.
Robyn
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OT even more. Nancy is your name really Nancy Drew?
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
My first name is Nancy. I just did Drew for the fun of it. Also seems like everyone remembers who I am when they see my name come up. And, my name comes up often. I hear Craig is pretty. I haven't been there, but maybe I'll make it one day. There are so many places to see and things to do in CO. I live in Centennial, a burb of Denver.
I wasn't impressed with Dr. Cass to be honest. He gave me his opinion initially from looking at the written MRI reports only. He said my AN had not grown and to just continue to W&W. I asked him to please look at my MRI CDs, and he said he didn't have a disk player on his computer. He went down the hall to find one, and he said the computer was broken. Finally the assistant suggested he go down to the basement to see if the computer room could send my MRI up to his computer. Once he got to look at it, he said it had definitely grown and changed in shape. Then he said to go either way--radiation or continue to W&W. Then he said I should just continue to W&W. To be honest, I wouldn't let him go near my AN. Some other people I have met here said they were not too impressed with him either. Sounds like you did the right thing going with the doctors you did. I think the GK Center here has an excellent reputation. My doc trained at Pittsburg which is one of the top GK centers in the country. He has a good team working with him.
I agree with what you said about the sunsets, and I am a HUGE Bronco fan. Colorado does get in your blood. It is a beautiful state with many things to do.
Best Wishes to your son. You sound like a loving and caring mom. You son is fortunate to have you on his "team".
Nancy
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Hi Nancy,
I am in Centennial too. Around Smoky Hill and Buckley.
I have not met Cass but I have heard stuff too. I have to say that Dr Jenkins wasn't exactly easy to talk to. I had to remember that they are surgeons and surgeons are weird. No offense. i wasn't there for his bedside manner. His bedside manner was terrifying. But he is a fantastic surgeon. It took some time to figure that out. I called almost every ENT I could find in Colorado and they all said he was fantastic and same with Lillihei. I will caution you though. I would not go to the Swedish team for surgery. I am sure the CK or GK is different. :)
I am sure you are going to do great and I am glad your tumor is so small.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
I guess we have hyjacked this page as they say, but that is OK. I live close to Park Meadows Mall. Since I never considered surgery, and I am not sure which surgeons you are referring to at Swedish. I know that both of the AN docs I have seen do surgery, but I don't know their reputation. I have only heard that they are really reputable with the GK there. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Paul Elliott, who will be a part of the team was super nice. And, I really like Dr. Feehs. He is a laid back kind of guy who talks in non-medical language. He also has the most experience with GK in the area. I guess you have to go with who you feel comfortable with and sometimes that means putting up with not so great bedside manner in exchange for a really topnotch doctor. Just nice when you can get the whole package. I hope your son is getting good follow-up care. I think it must be hard on a kid to have to deal with a doc who doesn't have a great personality. Did he have his surgery at Children's Hospital? Just curious. I do volunteer work there.
Nancy
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Yes, We have hijacked this page but since you started it, I will try not to feel bad. I don't know the first thing about GK so really I am sure your docs are great. As far as like actual surgery I think it is really important that they have done hundreds and hundreds. I am so glad your tumor is small. I am sure this will work great. Dr. Jenkins and Lillihei are good. Alot of my decision with Eric stemmed from the fact that I didn't want any of the tumor left if possible. The younger you are the more of a chance of regrowth and I felt like our other option really wanted to leave part of the tumor.
As far as Cass. He was never an option and I would not have had him do surgery. It was hard to have Dr. Jenkins but he is a fantastic surgeon and after everything was over he really did care alot about Eric. He went out of the country a couple days after Eric's surgery and called many times to see how he was doing. He just was very blunt. And it was funny after the surgery was over he seemed to have a better sense of humor about everything. I think he is just very serious about it.
Park Meadows is such a nice area down there.
I am so glad your tumor is small so you can avoid surgery, and I know it is going to go great.
'
What do you think is going to happen at Mile High tomorrow with all this DNC stuff. Traffic is going to be a nightmare.
Robyn
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Hopefully Mile High will be peaceful. They will have to be respectful of our wonderful Bronco stadium. Broncos is a religion out here, and God or our higher power would be mad if they had something go wrong there. Hopefully people on the outside will see what a beautiful state we live in, but then they will just come drop some of their $$$ here and leave.
I can totally understand why you wanted your son to have his tumor removed instead of having it zapped. At his age, he doesn't need to worry about that bugger still being in his head. I hope once mine is zapped, it will just sit and be happy :) and show no problems in the future. Does your son have the NF2 kind of AN? If so will he have more worries down the road?
Keeping you in my thoughts and hoping that all goes well for you and your son in this journey. Take a deep breath of the Rocky Mountain Air and relax!!! Peace to you.
Nancy
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Broncos are a religion and I am devout. I am still mad at this city for tearing down my beloved and true Mile High Stadium. There was a period in the late 80,s and through the nineties that they went through a "let's tear up this city" thing. I will never forgive them for tearing down an ICON! My family laughs when I get started. I had to deal with losing Mile High, John Elway, and Patrick Roy all in just a few years. I still throw fits when I see the New Mile Stadium. Eric just laughs because I still think Elway might come back someday. LOL
Eric was not a candidate for CK or GK. We were totally under the gun and had to find a surgeon quickly. He had surgery a month after we picked our surgeon. I don't know if he has NF2. Lord, I hope not. I admit the chances are higher because he is young. I don't have any family on my paternal side, I mean I do but I don't know them. But when I met my family once when I was young, I remember them saying that my real father died of leukemia at like 30 and my paternal grandfather dying of a brain tumor . It was probably cancer but back then Surgery was not what it is today so that is probably unlikely. I know nothing more than that but sometimes that worries me. The doctors think it is unlikely because Eric's tumor is so large and they think it has been growing for a long time I think they think that another one would of shown up by now.
This is strange but a year before Eric was Diagnosed, My 22 year old was getting really bad headaches and it is a very long story but she lost part of her vision and actually had a blind spell. It was terrible and after going to doctor after doctor, I think it was the 8th one she went to, they found out that she had a reaction to some meds she was on. It is really, really rare. It was called Psuedo Tumor Cerebre, and it makes the spinal fluid increase and put pressure on the brain. Basically, an ophthalmologist sees it and we had to take her to an ophthalmologist. It basically mimics a brain tumor. Once she got of the meds in a few months she was all better. I feel bad for the people that have this condition because the ones that have it and it is not caused by meds, it doens't go away. These people lose their vision permanantly in some cases. It is terrible. But at the time Kirstin had this, there was something like 200 hundred cases of it caused by meds. So in a year we had two rare things and they both had to do with the brain. How strange.
Thank you for the thoughts and we will keep you in ours too. I don't know alot about the CK or GK but I think it will be fairly easy for you from what I see on this board. I sure wish we could have caught it that early.
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Wow! You are a true blue Bronco fan. I've only lived here for 16 years so I didn't have much invested in the original Mile High Stadium. The new one is kind of funky looking, but I am not upset like you are. Hopefully you are getting past the anger!!! I was actually hoping Terrell Davis was going to come back. John Elway is a legend, and I hate that he retired. Hopefully we will get a quarterback one day who wiill do Elway proud. However, I'm not sure there will ever be anyone who can stand in Elway's shoes. Must be a tough act to follow.
I haven't heard of any kid as young as Eric getting an AN. All of you must have been freaked when it was discovered, and then brain surgery on top of it all. That is weird stuff with your daughter, too. I am glad the docs got to the root of her problem. I only have one child, a son (24 years old), and he has always been healthy, and I can't imagine what it would be like to have a sick child. I volunteer at Children's Hospital, and I can honestly say that the parents often look more worn down than the kids. Seems like kids can be little troopers through the worst of times, or at least that is what I have seen at the hospital.
Interesting about your daughter having problems with the medication. A bad reaction to a medication I was taking is what led to the discovery of my AN. I was getting bad vertigo that the ENT could not figure out. Thought it was an ear infection, a viral infection.....he just had no clue. He sent me for a MRI, and that is when they found the AN. However, the vertigo hung on, and my AN doc said it probably wasn't a symptom caused by the AN. He said maybe a migraine headache without the headache. I have heard of these kinds of headaches, but in my long history of having migraines, I had never had one like this. The vetigo would start in the morning and usually continue on until noon, and then completely disappear. I hated my life. Couldn't imagine having to live the rest of my life with the spinning every morning. Finally, my psychiatrist got to the root of the problem. I had been taking the same bipolar medication for over 12 years. I started getting depressed and over a period of time he raised the dose. I split the dose, but the a.m. dose is where he increased my meds. He had an idea to get a med level, and it turned out that my Lamictal level was way too high. Once I went back to my regular dose, the vertigo stopped. So, I guess you can say that is how my bipolar met my AN. In a way, it is great that that happened because it allowed me to find the AN while it was small. I am on top of my bipolar now, but the anxiety is out the roof. I think once I get the GK, things will settle down. I feel pretty confident that I will have a positive outcome.
Take Care,
Nancy
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Hi,
Wow Nancy. I have PTSD and an anxiety disorder. I have anxiety alot. I have my good days and bad days. I know how it feels. I am sorry that happened to you.
I am watching the speech right now and I can live with the DNC coming to Denver and taking over my stadium but I am having a hard time with them covering up the ring of fame with Obama signs. LOL.
I am a true sports fan. And Broncos is still my first love.
I hope you feel better. Just know I am right there with you. My Eric is having a rough night. He has a cold and it is upsetting his throat. I hope we all are better tomorrow.
I think he is feeling a little weary right now. I am too. It is very hard to be a parent of a child that has had these issues.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
I am so sorry to hear that your son is not feeling well. I am sure he is glad that he has his "mommy" to take care of him. I don't care how old our kids are, they are still our little babies. Hope he feels better soon.
I was watching the DNC also and noticed they covered up the ring of fame. How disrespectful of them. At least they didn't tear the stadium apart, but that sure was a lot of confetti. I feel sorry for the folks who have to clean all of that up. Hopefully it was recycled paper!!!
I also have PTSD along with other anxiety issues. You should have seen me during those two Super Bowl seasons the Broncos had. I thought I was going to die, especially the first one against Green Bay. My husband had to step outside a couple of times because it was just too much nervous energy for him. I bet you know a lot of the stats and players names, etc. so you have me beat there. Please don't tell me you have a blue and orange room in your house!!! If you do, then I will know that you are really "sick"!!! Just kidding. People know not to call or knock on my door on game days.
I am getting more used to the Oct. date, but it really pisses me off that they sort of implied the Sept. date several times. "We try to schedule the procedure as soon as possible so the patient doesn't have to experience anxiety after making their decision." Yeah, right!!! Oh well, it will happen, and I won't get my feathers in a ruffle. And just think, the BRONCOS will be well into their winning season so that will make the time go by faster.
Thanks for writing Robyn. You are a hoot! Cheers for the Orange and Blue and may John Elway and the others get "over it" that their names were covered up. Still, shame on the DNC. And isn't Elway a Republican? He should be really pissed!!!
Nancy
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Hi Nancy,
Saw that you are going on vacation. Have a good time. I can tell you, GK is by far easier than the surgery. The waiting is the hardest part. It will be over soon. Go on a well deserved Vacation! The work is over.
Waiting for Eric's surgery was not pleasant. We were all having problems sleeping.
It is much better after.
On the Broncos note. I want to declare I do not have a Blue and ORange Room or painted automobile. I will admit that I have a very gaudy Blue and Orange boot for a Christmas stocking. It has bells and is very ugly. But I love it anyway. I will also report that we have something called a hockey shrine during Hockey playoff games and a red light just like the light on the nets. We praise the hockey god and light candles around an Avalanche hockey puck on playoff games. This is true. I am not sure how this got going. I remember it starting during a redwings playoff game.
You have no idea what I went through on the Super Bowls we won. You have to remember I went through 4 losing super bowls. I am embarrassed to admit this and now the whole ANA board is going to know but we had a huge Bronco Party and we all drank, ALOT! Then after the Green Bay super bowl, we went to a friend of ours house that is an obnoxious Green Bay Fan (is there any other kind?) Just kidding, we went to his house and lit fire crackers on his driveway. It was hysterical. That is when I used to drink. I don't anymore. We did butter baby shots on touchdowns and field goals. Then I think it changed to first downs later. LOL If the Broncos go to another super bowl I am going to have to start drinking again. The Rockies last year were crazy for me and Eric. I wanted to start drinking during that too. Not to mention all the other tumor stuff. :)
Anyway, now you all know about my past Super Bowl Bronco Parties and our Hockey God as we call him.
I sure hope Eric is better tomorrow. I had to call the Asthma Doc. He is really frustrated and sick of coughing. I am hoping to get this physical therapy locked down soon. I sure hope they can help him. I am going to have to get the insurance to cover the one I want. So this will be fun. Being sarcastic, of course.
Peace and have fun this weekend. Sorry for the hijack guys.
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Hi again Robyn,
You are an officially "sick" sports fan, and I love it. No wonder you love CO so much because we have every major sports team here. If you ever moved, you would have to go into some serious heavy duty therapy--maybe even put in a padded room. The drinking stuff just happens when you' re watching the game with friends. But, glad to hear that you quit drinking if that is what you needed to do. Hard to do, and I admire you.
As for hyjacking, I don't think anyone cares. Have you noticed that we are now the only ones posting here. We have scared everyone off with our Bronco jibber. I was just thinking this morning. If the DNC had wanted to be sensitive to our BRONCOS home field, they could have at least added orange confetti to the mix. That would have been a sign of respect in my book!!!
Hope your son gets better soon. I am looking forward to my vacation. It will help give me some distraction that I so badly need.
Take Care,
Nancy ;D ;D ;D
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As for hyjacking, I don't think anyone cares. Have you noticed that we are now the only ones posting here.
oh, we're watching...we're watching.... so, what is this about Altitude and AN's, huh? :)
Phyl
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HI Nancy,
I am sure everyone is sitting back and eating popcorn and watching about what I am going to spill next.
I did not mean to say that I am an alcoholic and it was hard to stop drinking. I just had some crazy Bronco parties. LOL.
It was all in fun. :) Let's see next time maybe I will talk about when I used to go camping before I got divorced and we used to shoot potato guns and what we used to do around the campfire. Oh this is only about "high" altitude and not AN's. Just kidding.
Eric is doing better. I hope you all have a great weekend.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
OK!!! Good to clear up the beers and cheers issue. I am getting excited about the season opener with Oakland. What a way to start out! We will have to start a new post now that Phyl has caught up with us. Maybe we could call it BRONCOS fans with ANs Only! Maybe we could get a few to join in!!!
As for the altitude, Oops. . . . it did it again!!! (Sorry, that was bad humor!) Just got back from Oklahoma yesterday, and once back in Denver, the mile high city, my ear started acting up again. Ear pressure and pain, loud tinnitus......gotta have something to do with the altitude since this keeps happening to me. It will be interesting to see what happens once I have GK in Oct. Glad your son is doing better, Robyn.
Phyl,
Welcome to our nightmare!!! Glad you caught us. I don't feel so guilty now!!!
Nancy ;D ;D ;D
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Nancy,
I have that same issue with the coming back to Denver thing. I don't like it either. I hate actually. BUt I would deal with that anyday over high humidity.
I doubt we could get many to join our Broncos club. But I would love to know how many are out there. I can't wait for football. I love Sundays.
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Robyn,
I grew up in the south, and I never knew anything else but humidity. Once I moved out here to CO, I thought I was in heaven (CO is heaven, right?). When I go back to humidity, I just about die. It just zaps my energy, and I hate it when the sweat sets in. Don't forget that it's MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL this coming week. Yes, Sundays are nice. Except don't give me a losing game before bedtime. It just ruins my sleep. And my mouth can get pretty "dirty" during the games. I would hate to take my blood pressure on game day!!!
Enjoy the game.
Nancy ;D ;D ;D
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Robyn . . . .
Back to the altitude issue. Seems like the BRONCOS were on a Rocky Mountain high last night in Oakland. We know that Oakland is a really, really bad team, but I hope the Broncos are going to be a really, really good team this year. They sure did look good last night. I wonder if people with ANs who come here from out of state to attend the game have problems with the altitude affecting their ANs. Seems like the visiting team always wants to blame everything on the altitude when things aren't going their way. Have you noticed that?
Nancy
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Go Cutler and Royal!!! I think The Broncos will be the surprise team this year, especially with Brady going down week one. Manning was less than stellar also. My only worry is the Defense. They were hardly tested Monday. Go Broncos!! San Diego may be a bit of a threat but I don't believe their coach has what it takes.
Woo hoo!.
Robyn
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Robyn,
You are so much more on top of things than I am. I just scream and shout! You are now my "go to" person for BRONCOS info. I know what the GU is for on the left side of the jersy, but what does that "C" stand for on the right side of the jersey. I notice not all of the players have the "C". Yep, defense will have to get some work so we can see what they are made of. How is your son?
Nancy
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*crosses arms and taps toe on floor at the hijacking going on*
ahem... back on track folks... thanks.
Phyl
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Darn, got caught hyjacking my own post. Yikes! It must be the altitude!!! Nancy :-[ :-[ :-[
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I am in High Altitude and My son has an AN. Is that enough so I can talk about the Broncos beating San Diego by 1 in the game of the week!!
LOL
Nancy we must be the only high altitude people around here. If you don't live in Colorado or don't know how to drive in the mountains or snow you are affectionately known as a flatlander. Well, maybe it isn't always affectionate. Just an interesting fact about the culture here.
How is the tinnitus going?
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HI,
I am sorry it took so long to read through posts. Feeling bad. You know I just wrote on another post about how Eric has a terrible coughing attack when he sees bugs. I guess that nerves are affected by thoughts and Eric had some very odd things that were happening to him pre surgery. This is strange indeed. Is there high altitude in Texas?
Robyn
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Hi Cheri,
I have lived in CO for over 16 years now. Other than a little "popping" of the ears, I have never had any real problems with the altitude affecting my AN. When I go up into the mountains, I usually get motion sickness and/or a headache if I am dehydrated. Always coming back down the ears do the little "popping" thing. Helps when I chew gum. I grew up down south, and when I fly back from seeing the folks, I usually have the altitude headache for a couple of days. Those of you coming out here, don't forget to drink lots of water--helps with the headaches. Also bring some lotion if you have dry skin.
I went down south in January, and I had no problems with my AN ear. Around the middle of May I went snowshoeing a couple of times, in early June to a ski resort, and in August to Rocky Mountain National Park. Every time I had trouble with my AN ear--ear pain and two times ear plugged up for a couple of hours. Wen to OK City last month, and I had ear pain also when I got back. By ear pain, I mean like an ear ache and a burning sensation. My last MRI in May showed slight growth. Before that my AN had just been sitting there causing no problems. So, I guess what I am trying to say is that my AN ear has never had any problems with altitude until it started growing. I think there is a connection.
I am curious to see what will happen when I go up in the mountains after my GK next month. As Robyn has mentioned in our last posts, CO is a wonderful place to live. I'm not moving even if the altitude continues to affect my ear. The pain is worth living here.
Robyn,
Was that game amazing or what? I was really worried about them going for two. WOW, the BRONCOS just might be a comeback team afterall. Does your son have problems with the altitude in his AN ear? Hope he is doing better with the bugs.
Nancy
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HI,
Sorry Nancy. Haven't been here and we lost Sunday. But I guess that is payback for our winning luckily against San Diego.
I have never lived near sea level and because I live at 5280 above sea level and have issues at above 10,000. This is incredibly high. Just above this level the trees can't even grow because there is not enough oxygen. So, for me it is hard to see 100 feet making a difference but if you live low that may be alot. To me it is like going up to the second level of my home. I hope you are feeling well.
Robyn
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Hi Robyn,
Gosh, what a bummer about the game on Sunday. Maybe we can blame it on the lack of high altitude. My husband and I went up to the mountains this weekend to see the aspen trees turning. OMG. I have never seen them that beautiful. I took a couple of Advil before leaving the flat lands, and I will say that I am quite please to say that I didn't have hardly any trouble with my AN ear--just a little ear ache type of pain. Maybe the Advil helped with the swelling that could have been going on in the past.
Big bummer today. I went for my pre-op visit today for the GK procedure that I was told would be next Tuesday, Oct. 7th. Turns out there was a scheduling error between my doctor's office and the gamma knife center, and now my GK will be on Oct. 21st. I have been driving my family and friends nuts with all of the waiting. I guess they are just going to have to put up with me a little longer. Oh well, you have to take what life gives you--just like what Kansas City gave the Broncos last week. Here's to Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. Bring your oxygen Tampa Bay. You're gonna needed it in the mile high city. GO BRONCOS!!!
Nancy ;D ;D ;D
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Hi Nancy,
Glad to hear it was better this time in the mountains. I am also sorry to hear about the scheduling difference. The waiting is the hardest part. It was agony for us. How long is the procedure? Do you know?
Robyn
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Robyn,
The doctor said the procedure will probably be 4-5 hours beginning to end. That is not so bad. I have accepted the waiting. Maybe a trip to the mountains today or next weekend will help get my mind off of the waiting. If I go, I am going to be sure to take the Advil again to see if my theory is right about swelling and altitude issues. I had a terrible earache yesterday. It was probably just a psychological thing, but the migraine headache that went along with it was for real--just stess, I'm sure. The weather is nice today so I better go take advantage of it before the cool air comes in although I love the cool weather. GO BRONCOS!!!
Nancy