Newbie

[Nimrod]

 Hello All,
 I'm happy to have found this forum. I have already learned a lot on just what AN is.
 I am a 54 year old male, married with two sons, was just diagnosed with AN Monday 3/12. That's another reason not to like Monday. At least I know what is cuasing the ringing now. I already have a appointment with the specialist in Gainesville on 3/29.
 I've had the ringing for a long time & the Dr said it was just part of aging. My hearing in the left ear started to get worse. Last month I had a spell of vertigo, lasted 3 days and has not been back. That is what sent me to the ENT. You gotta love the Drs, going over my MRI he says, the good news is you don't have cancer but you have a brain tumer, blah-blah- blah, do you have any questions? After breaking the news to my wife, hopefully better than my ENT did, she asks what's it called, I don't know. So on to the google I go for some answers.
Had cancer in 08 and was blessed that they were able to remove it completely. I'll keep the same faith that I can whip this nuisance too!
 Thank you all for posting your personal info here. It really has helped me understand just what I have and how to beat it.

[CHD63]

Hi Nimrod and welcome to this forum of very supportive friends .....

Being diagnosed with an AN is a scary time ..... just remember that it is a benign and usually very slow growing tumor so you have time to do your research and seek multiple opinions on treatment options.

If you have not already done so, send for the free ANA materials that are very informative and helpful in sorting out fact from fiction.  See:  http://www.anausa.org/index.php/contact-us/free-ana-information-packet

Tell us a little bit more about the size and specific location of your AN.

Many thoughts and prayers.

Clarice

[Jim Scott]

Hello, Nimrod ~

I'm sorry to learn that you've been diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma but if you've beaten cancer (God bless you!) that should help you put this benign tumor into better perspective.  Although benign, ANs can cause quality-of-life problems.  Fortunately, they are vulnerable to radiation and can be surgically removed.  I underwent both procedures; tumor 'debulking' surgery followed by irradiation - and both were eminently successful.  That was 6 years ago.   Today, I'm doing great and life has long since been back to normal.  I trust you'll have a similar experience. 

Please feel free to ask questions and lean on the good folks that populate these forums for support and genuine encouragement, based on personal experience.  We're a realistically optimistic group and can serve as a support and information source for you.  Looking forward to your future posts.   

Jim  

[cindyj]

Hi, Nimrod...just another "welcome" to the forum...ask any questions you may have and let us know how your appointment goes on the 29th.
 
Are you in Gainesville, FL or GA?  If GA, I'm there too (just north of Atl).  We have an Atl support group which meets three or four times per year - would love to have you join us.  If FL, I'm from down there (Jax)   

Best to you,

cindy

[Nimrod]

 Thank you for the welcome.
Clarice,
 It is my left ear. Size is 1 cm X 6 mm. Small by what I have read here but not a competition I want to win. I will request the AN info.  I'll get it ordered as it may give my wife some peace of mind. She's my rock but I hate the stress this kind of thing puts her thru.
 Cindy,
 I'm in Sturat Fla, The ENT said there is a very good Dr in Gainsville Fla. My brother is outside of Jax in Middleberg. It will give me a good chance to catch up with him when I see the Drs.
 Jim
 Thanks and I will keep in touch.  I am kinda a private person so the only social media stuff I belong to are a couple of forum sites. I don't intend to let this get me down. Of coarse I needed a day to let it soak in. ( this thing sucks) I had my esophagus removed in 08. That scared the hell out of me. Wasn't sure I would be able to ever eat again. I have faith, a loving wife & a great Dr. All is well now. 
 I read the postings for Mindy. I wish her God's speed in her surgery recovery. The Drs can perform miracles these days but it is scary just the same. Especially when it is you going thru it.
 I'll post what the next Dr has to say later this month.
 Thanks, Craig

[chloes mema]

Craig, welcome to the forum but sorry the AN is what caused you to find us.  Post and read, it's a world of help and information.  I'm relatively new to this AN world myself but I highly recommend joining a support group.  I'm also in FL but on the west coast, Tampa.  Good luck with your doc appt, keep us posted.

Karen

[jaylogs]

Hey Nimrod...I am sorry you have to deal with yet another medical issue...it sounds like you have your humor about you so that's half the battle. Let us know how the Dr. visits go and what they have to say...we all here really do care about these things.  Take care and good luck!
Jay

[Suu]

G'day from me too, Craig.
A sense of humour is going to be your greatest asset.  I'll follow your journey with the rest of the great people here and please lean on us whenever the yen takes you.  So can your wife for that matter.

Regards,
♥ ´)
.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•♥ ¨)
(,.•´ (.♥ •´ *Suu

[leapyrtwins]

At least I know what is cuasing the ringing now.

Hi, Nimrod and welcome to the Forum.

Just wanted to note that ringing in the ears - commonly known as tinnitus - isn't caused by an AN.

Tinnitus is all in your head - has nothing to do with your ears.  Some who are diagnosed with ANs have tinnitus, but some don't (I'm one of those).

Good luck with your doc appt.  You've come to the right place for support - the Forum is an excellent resource, as is the literature that Clarice mentioned.

Best,

Jan

[Nimrod]

Thanks for the info on the ringing and the welcome.

Clarice, I just picked up my MRI report. I think I can answer you question on where it is now. Left internal auditory canal. Extends up to but not expand the porus acousticus (what ever that means)
It is 1.1 cm X 6 mm X 5 mm.
 The good news is that vertigo thing has not come back. That really sucked.

Thank you all for the info.
 Have a Happy St Patricks day.

[CHD63]

Craig .....

I am not a doctor of any kind, but I think that means it is still in about the middle of the internal auditory canal (IAC), which is a good thing.  If it is, it means you have plenty of time to do your research and get multiple opinions for what you should consider doing.

Glad the vertigo has not come back!  Many thoughts.

Clarice