Hey! Chelsea! Welcome! 
You are practically famous around here - thanks to your intrepid mom.
I know your Acoustic Neuroma tumor was huge and that you had a series of rather nasty post-op complications but that you are past that now and due for fractionalized radiation treatments soon. I've exchanged PM's with your mom regarding the radiation treatments as I'm undergoing the same type of treatment
(see my signature) and she asked for my input. Not much to say except that the 'facemask' they'll make (specifically for you) is
extremely snug. The sessions are quick (20 minutes for me). Painless, yes, but boring, most days. Still, it has to be done so we just do it. Right?
It's great to read about you getting back into the life you had to interrupt for the stupid tumor. I felt the same way. As for 'relating' to you and your specific condition: we're all different in some way and although we all have had (or still have) a tumor on our brain, none of us has - or will have - the exact same experience or outcome from surgery. I''m 63 and my physician says I have the constitution of a man half my age. News to me. I never was very health-conscious but I had the good sense not to smoke or drink most of my life. Perhaps that, along with a lot of heartfelt prayers sent up for me by my friends and a very experienced and knowledgeable surgeon contributed to my successful sugery and rapid recovery. That's why I believe. In any case, I'm an AN success story and I'm not at all ashamed of that. In fact, I'm kind of proud of it - but I do wish that a lot more AN patients shared the same positive outcome from surgery and/or radiation. Your experience was pretty unpleasant for you, I'm certain. I regret that others have similar problems following AN removal surgery. I truly wish every single AN patient could have my positive experience.
Chelsea, I'm one of many AN 'survivors' who followed your 'journey' and prayed for your recovery from the various complications you endured. Your mom kept us informed and through her messages, we grew to admire your spirit as well as her calm tenaciousness as she tried to shepherd you through this health crisis in your young life (most AN patients are quite a bit older than you) . Well, you're almost done, now. Soon, your mom can rest and you can be the young woman you were and still want to be. I join many others here in wishing you both a successful radiation therapy and a
great future, free of tumors. You deserve it.
Jim
