ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: kenneth_k on October 16, 2008, 07:51:25 am
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Hello everyone.
I'm back :) from surgery (translab) after 10 wonderful days in hospital. The surgery went fine, complete tumor removal. No facial issues immediately after the surgery, but some facial palsy has occured now (pirate smile and difficulty closing the eye). The doctors are certain, that it will be ok again within 6 months, because they didn't damage the nerve. The balance is slowly addapting and will also be ok again. The hearing is gone, but it isn't that big a problem for me.
The doctors told me, it would be normal to feel depressed after some time. But I am very relieved, that I have been cured and that things slowly are improving. Before the surgery, I felt sick and like things were slowly getting worse. There is a big diffence in perspective now. Besides, if I feel blue one day, I know who to contact. YOU GUYS ;D
Thank you very much for your support so far.
Kenneth
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Congrats Kenneth! Whoo-hooo, you are now a postie! I'm so glad to hear things went well and that the doctors feel the facial issues will resolve in the not too distant future. I bet it is a huge relief to you to be done and have the darn thing gone! Congratulations again! ;D ;D ;D
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Kenneth~
Glad to hear that you are now home and that things went well! YEAH for you!
Continued healing!!
K
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kennth,
good to here. the reseach and prep for surgery were the worst time for me, because of the unkowns. after surgery I knew where i was and what I had to do.
GOOD LUCK with recovery.
Dan in Germany
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Hello Kenneth-
So glad to hear that your surgery went well! And that they got the whole tumor!! As for the SSD, it is not so bad. The facial paralysis is unfortunate, but it does get better and you will probably find that it isn't that bad either. I will hope that your facial nerve heals quickly. I am at almost six months and have quite a bit of movement back, although still no blink and my lower lip still doesn't move. However, it is so much better than when I first got out of surgery!
I know that some people experience post surgical depression, but I really didn't. I think that we all process changes in our environment differently. If you are lucky enough to have a good support system, I think that really helps (it certainly helped me!) I also really beleive that what is done is done - you can't change history, but you can control how you approach the future.
I wish you a speedy recovery, Kenneth. We're here whenever you need us!
Debbi in New Jersey
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Kenneth -
thanks so much for posting ;D We've been wondering how things turned out for you. Sounds good so far; I like your positive attitude.
The facial and the eye issues should improve in time - your balance, too - so have patience.
Your doc is right about the depression so watch out for it. It kind of snuck up on me and I didn't realize it until much later when I was past it.
Keep the faith and stay in touch ;D
Jan
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Yeah Kenneth! Glad to hear you are doing well. Take care of the eye - that was the biggest pain for me. Check out my post Eyewear and see one of the ways I have coped. Rest and take care.
Michelle ;D
Sending healing vibes your way.
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congrats kenneth sounds as everything went great,you say the eye wont close but can you make it blink? it's very important to keep that eye lubed,treat it like a master card "dont leave home without it" the lube that is.
feel free to vent when and if you feel a little depressed,it will take some time for that to present itself,right now your probably thankful as you well should be. next step ,you might want to check into the eye weights.
keep that pos attitude,you are doing great.
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Kenneth,
Welcome back postie and congratulations on your successful surgery. ;D Being SSD is not fun, but many people have no problem with it and if you decide to do something about it, either TransEar (transear.com) or BAHA (entific.com) are both great options. I'm sure you'll handle your facial paralysis with grace as so many here have done and continue to do. I wish you a swift and uneventful recovery. Remember to take it easy and listen to what your body tells you and you'll be fine.
Wishing you only good things,
Wendy
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Great news, Kenneth! Congratulations on being a postie. And as others have said, the facial movement and the balance do come back -- only on their own schedule. It just takes a little patience.
David
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A little patience? :o I am a pro in the patience department NOW. You are so right David the nerve regenerates on its own schedule.
One day at a time gets us through this journey.
Michelle ;D
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Kenneth,
I'm so happy to hear that your surgery went well and you're feeling up to posting! You have a great positive attitude, and as you've already noticed, things will continue to improve every day!
Congratulations!
Nancy L
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Hi Kenneth,
Glad to hear it went okay. Hope you are able to take it easy, being in the military and all. One day at a time, you will get there...
Steve
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So happy for you, Kenneth! Don't forget where we are and come and visit often. You never know, maybe we'll organize a lunch in Denmark!!
Sue in Vancouver, USA
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Kenneth,
Thanks for your update and I am very glad all is well for you. Yes, give your facial nerve time to heal, nerves are slow healers.
May you have a WONDERFUL life!
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Hi Ken,
Welcome to "other side" and the rest of your life.
I agree with Debbi (i think it was Debbi) that depression is not a given, even with paralysis. Of course there were some frustrating days (mine were centered around my double vision, which at 4+ months is about 90% fixed, YAY!!!!), but that is to be expected and like we don't all get frustrated with life generally from time to time.
The SSD thing is not great, but like most things in life, you will adapt. You will probably learn to enjoy quieter places more, and noisy restaurants, parties, etc. less.
After spending pretty much the first week laying down (in hospital), i found the best thing was getting home and moving around. I didn't have much in the way of balance issues, nothing a wall or two couldn't help. And i would say by 3 months i was probably about 95% (all this AN stuff is making me a little tired of stats....anyway). Even with one eye covered (due to DV) my balance was/is great. So don't assume that anything will be a problem for long.
I hope the pararlysis fixes quick for you, it is a pain, especially the eye, and i really miss my smile, but patience, patience. And even this gets easy with time. I felt myself melting down a bit around day 25 post-surgery (frustrated with lack of sight, hearing, not feeling 100%, disruption to routine and life) but i sort of bottomed out there and really do feel like my old self again (even if not looking like it yet).
Take it easy, take care, and keep smiling no matter what.
Trish in Toronto, Canada