General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: MAlegant on February 15, 2009, 11:20:57 am
Title: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: MAlegant on February 15, 2009, 11:20:57 am
I think I'm actually noticing some improvement! ;D I've had a good week, with less pain and some feeling (but it is a weird feeling) coming back on my face. And it's the lowest part of the right side of my face, where it was really the numbest. It's been almost 7 months so I was beginning to think things would not change. I think I read on here somewhere that nerves heal from bottom up, so I'm hoping it will continue to move up. Even if not, the fact that I had less pain and discomfort for a bunch of days in a row gives me hope and makes me extremely happy. I'm still afraid to say it out loud, lest I offend the gods, but if I slide back I'll deal with it. Happy Sunday! Marci
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: kenneth_k on February 15, 2009, 11:27:40 am
Hi Marci.
This is wonderful news. It makes me happy :)
Kenneth
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Kathy M on February 15, 2009, 11:32:38 am
That's good to hear, Marci! I'm way behind you on this road of recovery and it is great to hear of victories, large and small, revealing themselves over time. I hope it keeps progressing for you in only positive ways!!!!!
Kathy
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: msmaggie on February 15, 2009, 12:02:44 pm
I think you should celebrate every small measure of success. It's what keeps us going , gives us hope. Good for you!!! I hope it continues to give you hope :). Priscilla
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Jwh on February 15, 2009, 12:08:16 pm
Woohoo! Excellent :o :o celebrate! Jen
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: sgerrard on February 15, 2009, 12:22:34 pm
I'm still afraid to say it out loud, lest I offend the gods,
Right. I think it is safe for me to say it, though - it's about time! :D
They are not kidding around when they say you need to be patient. I am delighted to hear that you are feeling better and having less pain.
I also hope you continue to get weird feelings moving up your face, if that is a good thing. :)
Steve
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: texsooner on February 15, 2009, 01:14:39 pm
Sounds great Marci....you deserve good news. I'm like Steve...here's hoping you continue to get weird facial feelings(as long as it's not painful).
I noticed a few weeks ago my AN side cheek twitching and chalked that up to it to facial movement coming completely back for me. I think it is right too about the nerves regenerating from bottom to top(at least for me). I still don't get tears on my AN side eye, but my blink is much stronger and I use much fewer eye drops than a couple of months ago. My eye socket on that side has been sore above my eye(like it's bruised) for the last few weeks...so I'm hoping that's a sign that the nerves are starting to fire better up there and maybe I'll get tears some day. If not, I'm still good with what's happened so far.
Stay positive.
Patrick
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: yardtick on February 15, 2009, 01:20:27 pm
You go girl ;D
Anne Marie
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: leapyrtwins on February 15, 2009, 01:26:30 pm
Great news, Marci ;D
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: wcrimi on February 15, 2009, 01:36:28 pm
Marci
This is wonderful news! ;D
It's actually wonderful news for many of us.
I am convinced that many of us will continue healing for a long time. It's just a very slow process. Most of the improvement comes quickly and then it slows down, but it keeps coming. I said this in another thread, but I'll repeat it. It sometimes takes professional athletes 6 months to a year to heal from injuries and surgeries to joints, muscles, ligaments etc... Why should it be any different for the nervous system? In fact, it probably takes even longer because we've all been rewired to some degree and that's a very complex thing.
Any time someone can report some permanent improvement or even a new temporary upward peak in anything we should all take encouragement from it! That means we are all still moving forward even if it's too slow to notice from week to week or month to month.
Wayne
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: catlover on February 15, 2009, 01:42:45 pm
Hi Marci, Great news! I agree with Steve - it's about time! Hope you will continue to heal fast.
Hugs from Helene in Sweden :)
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: MAlegant on February 15, 2009, 02:16:29 pm
Thanks all, for joining me in my mini-yipee. :D Patrick, my eye is on the same calendar as yours; it's much better but I still need drops sometimes. It also opens a second or so later than my other eye but blinks normally otherwise. I'm prepared for whatever it is, but I still hope it continues to improve. I've discovered I'm very greedy in this regard. I blame it on my 1970's upbringing. Marci ;)
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: NL on February 15, 2009, 02:39:25 pm
Hi Marci,
That's great news! I'm hopeful that things will continue to improve for you! (I'm right behind you on this journey, and was just noticing how much of the numbness has gone away on the side of my head in the last two months - though not completely...yet!)
I'm still afraid to say it out loud, lest I offend the gods...
I'm sure it's OK - I don't think typing it counts. ;)
Nancy
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: nteeman on February 15, 2009, 03:08:44 pm
Marci,
It's great to read your good news. I hope it continues and things only get better and better every day.
Cheers, Neal
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Jim Scott on February 15, 2009, 03:19:08 pm
Hi, Marci:
Before the bandwagon passes me by, I wanted to hop on and congratulate you on this significant improvement in your facial mobility/sensitivity. I doubt this apparent nerve regeneration will simply disappear, but even if that were to happen, it would probably be a temporary set-back. Frankly, it seems as if you're on your way back to normalcy in this area. I'm not superstitious so I'll be happy to say (O.K., write) that I'm very pleased and excited (but probably not as pleased or excited as you are) about this very positive development in your healing process. Less pain and increased sensation is a good thing. I think you've been incredibly patient and are due for this pleasant turn of events. Enjoy! :)
Jim
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Syl on February 15, 2009, 03:42:36 pm
Marci:
Thanks for sharing your great news. I like good news.
Syl
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: mimoore on February 15, 2009, 04:03:31 pm
YAHOOOOOOOOO Heading in the right direction!!!!!!!
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: MAlegant on February 15, 2009, 04:27:24 pm
You guys are the best. And no, I am not drunk. ;D Marci
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Lainie181818 on February 15, 2009, 05:03:29 pm
Fantastic news Marci, hope it continues. Lainie.
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: LADavid on February 15, 2009, 06:31:56 pm
You're not drunk????!! Why? ;) Looks like I'm a bit behind in joining your mini-yipee, but I'm still here -- way to go, Marci!!!!
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: elderbirds on February 15, 2009, 07:34:37 pm
Marci, I noticed twitches and movement on my "7th month mark" I thought I was crazy and had an appt with the surgeon soon after. He said that's what it will do and continue to improve. I am at 10 months post op now and have noticed great improvements. Of course I am greedy and want more, more, more now, but hang in there you will get there. My surgeon told me between 5-8 months you seen a great jump and then again around a year! great news Hope
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Kaybo on February 15, 2009, 07:49:27 pm
YIPEE-SKIPY!!! Doing the Happy Dance for you!! ;D
K
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: AMD on February 15, 2009, 08:57:01 pm
Marci,
so glad to hear of your improvement. Sounds like what I am experiencing with my right arm/shoulder. It's great to hear that others are improving and that ity just takes time. I hope things continue on this path for you!
-Amy
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: suboo73 on February 16, 2009, 04:32:20 am
Congrats, Marci! All my best for continued improvement.
Sincerely, Sue
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: satman on February 16, 2009, 07:10:29 am
awesome marci,it gives me hope !
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: GRACE1 on February 16, 2009, 08:18:55 am
Marci,
What wonderful news!! Good way to start off my week.
Grace
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Pooter on February 16, 2009, 11:35:15 am
Okay, so I'm late to the party.. But, my happiness over your good news is no greater than anyone else's. I have facial twitches off and on (and have had them for a couple of months it seems). I've noticed that I'll have them as a pre-cursor to more movement. Progress is progress.. And I'm glad you're still having some!
Regards, Brian
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Debbi on February 16, 2009, 01:12:14 pm
Looks like I am a little late to the party, too - but wanted to jump in and say Whoopee!!!! ;D ;D Keep us posted on progress!
Debbi
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: jerseygirl on February 16, 2009, 01:26:06 pm
This is great, Marci! This is what happens: you hit the plateau, get very frustrated with the progress and then... move in the right direction when you actually don't expect it. What a cause for celebration!
Eve
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: wendysig on February 16, 2009, 04:36:18 pm
YAY Marci!
I'm so glad to read your good news! I hope you continue to see and feel improvement!
Best wishes, Wendy
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Larry on February 16, 2009, 04:41:05 pm
less pain - fantastic news marci
laz
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: sher on February 17, 2009, 12:56:53 am
Woooooooo Whooooooo Marci!!!!!!!
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Tamara on February 17, 2009, 06:54:20 am
That's terrific, Marci! I bet you'll be off the eyedrops in the near future too. While I have a great deal of movement back (probably 75% or so) and no more eye issues, I continue to get the weird twitches too. I've also developed strange dimples that come and go as my face comes back. I've currently got one in my chin at times. My doc said that I can expect a lot of improvement from 6 months to over a year. It's an adventure, eh?
Continued healing to you - Tam
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: cindyj on February 17, 2009, 08:31:23 am
VERY late to this thread, but what great news, Marci! So glad for you and glad you shared it with everyone - does give others much hope, I'm sure.
Cindy
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: cherrypiper on February 17, 2009, 11:41:42 pm
good any little progress is a bi deal when you live with it all the time.Some of mine have happened at 4 months, 7 months, and 13 months . the 12 month check up was kinda fatalistic ( well this is the way your stuck now) BUT others have seen changes since then.
one of the neat things is OTHERS tell me. i cant see them. they can. and a support group here in Houston has helped that too as i am the "new surgery" on the block at 14 months now.
get some ANA er's around you. and you betcha CELEBRATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::)
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: vjgfamily on February 18, 2009, 12:47:37 pm
In my case, I think I continued to improve (albeit, slowly) for 5 or 6 years after my surgery. Since then, I believe the improvements have been due to "getting used to it". Honestly, even though I still have deafness, ringing, and balance issues, there are weeks (even months) go by and I don't even notice it. The body and its adaptation to the environment is an amazing thing.
If someone had told me 20 years ago that I would be around to walk my daughter down the aisle, I would have called them a liar. Last Saturday, it happened, and it completed me.
Wedding/reception bill yet to come...I may need another hospital visit. :D
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: Jim Scott on February 18, 2009, 01:35:39 pm
Verl ~
Congratulations on your daughter's marriage! :) Condolences for your depleted finances. :'(
Jim
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: calimama on February 20, 2009, 11:02:19 am
also late to this party... great to find good news and happy posties...
I am about a month behind you (June surgery) Marci, but also started really noticing improvement around the 7 month mark.
I didn't know that improvement worked it's way up, but this makes sense to me and is encouraging. The first signs of life on my left side came a bit earlier...i forget... maybe 5ish months... and it was VERY subtle in my lower jaw. I can say that the improvement is slow, but picking up steam and noticable on even a weekly basis. And though my eye still won't close or blink... i can see more teeth ;D, wrinkles ;), and movement :'(. Even annimation coming back to my eye area (slight movement - up - of my lower lid when i smile, and mini crows feet - bless those wrinkles!). Based on the "bottom-up" theory, I can only hope that the blink and eye closing can't be too far off!
I am now 8+ months and though i still have a long way to go, i feel like I have crested the top of a big mountain and am now cruising down the other side, at a nice pace, the wind in my hair and sun beaming down warmly on me.
Life is good...
Trish
Title: Re: I'm almost afraid to say this...but...
Post by: MAlegant on February 20, 2009, 05:02:44 pm