Maren,
Welcome to this very exclusive club. My daughter (Taylor) is 18 and had a 4.8 AN removed on Feb 3rd. It was found only 4 days earlier. As you know everyones outcomes are different regardless of size of tumor. Unfortunately she has had all the usual problems with recovery, but has come a long way. After 12 hours of surgery she awoke with right-side facial paralysis, impaired coordination on the right side, right side vocal cord and throat paralysis, and the feeling her entire left side below her neck was asleep. She was in the hospital 5 weeks. She coudln't eat or drink without choking, couldn't sit up straight or walk let alone get in or out of bed by herself. She is understandably very bored and depressed. She was able to finish enough schoolwork to graduate high school with her class on May 21. She walked into the ceremony and got her diploma without the walker or the cane or anything. No, she doesn't walk normally yet, but she IS walking and slowly getting better. She can now eat or drink anything she wants and rarely chokes. No her vocal cord still doesn't move, but the other side is compensating. Her face is still not moving but she gets itches and tingles. Her facial nerves were not severed. Yes she needs eye drops during the day and ointment and a patch at night. Please remember you can't predict your outcome based on someone elses, but you have youth on your side and that is a big plus. Yes it may be a life changing event but you will be OK and life will go on. This forum is a great source of info and support and we're all pulling for you. Keep us updated. Best of luck to you.
Kathy
