Just wanted to post a positive message for any newbies out there and old forum friends. I believe that most outcomes these days for AN treatments are positive, but may not be represented proportionally that way as we read stuff all over the internet. I'm very grateful for my outcome, and also for this forum and the great forum-ites for sharing their real life challenges that have helped so many people to get informed by folks that have been there.
This past Aug 11 marked 3 years since my AN surgery. I had my annual MRI and met with my neurotologist, Dr. Joseph Chang here in Houston. He tested hearing (on good side), overall balance and facial movements. He said I checked out great. Still have only slight facial weakness on AN side, but only noticeable if you're looking hard for it. He said the MRI indicated what appeared to be scar tissue around the surgery site, but can't be 100% sure, so it needs to be monitored just in case...so have to do another MRI next year. Just for reference, I'm a proud 51 year old husband and father of 2 university students.
I'm trying to live life to it's fullest. I just completed the Hotter 'n Hell 100 bike ride in Wichita Falls, TX last weekend. I've done lots of bike rides, half marathons, marathon, etc, but I'd have to say the last half of that ride was probably the toughest thing physically I've ever done. The heat here in Texas has been brutal this summer. The ride was 102 miles and the temp was 110 when I finished. I'm now going to hang up the bike for the fall/winter and start training for the Houston Marathon.....looking forward to cooler temps.
Ok...now back to college football. See y'all.
Patrick
