Cerebellar Retraction / Handwriting Difficulties

[Crazycat]

Bumped to forefront.....

[MLB57]

Hi Paul--How are you--Still enjoying FL weather, I'm sure!!! I met w/Dr Barker who referred me ot Dr Loeffler (radiation specialist) as Dr Barker said 10% chance of further damaging my weakened facial nerve if repeat surgery (didn't want that anyway)--anyhow I mentioned the NE brunch bunch and when  I described you (as I don't know your last name) he smiled broadly and chuckled and so you made an impression on him!! I will see Dr Loeffler March 21..

Regarding your hand-writing--it occurred to me that I think quicker than I write (same goes w/typing but I never was a good typist) and have to concentrate so the words I am writing are clear.. I have a printing/proofreading background so grammar and spelling are important to me. I had retrosigmoid (w/retraction of cerebellum) but I can't be 100% positive my handwriting has been impaired beause of that as when I am hurried or stressed I can't write quickly anyway....

Jut had to add my two cents' worth--I'm now going to check to see i fPhyl has made progress w/the brunch date!! 

Take care and looking forward to seeing you again and hopefully meeting your gal!!   Mary...

[Crazycat]

Hi Mary!!

   Yes, I'm still down here with Jody! I'll be returning to MA the second week of April. Looking forward to seeing all of you at the brunch again at "Maxwell Silver Hammerman's". And thanks for mentioning me to Dr. Barker. You know, he said that he would prescribe the same treatment for me in the event of any regrowth.

Take care and see you soon, Paul

[TP]

I would have never thought my AN could possibly be the reason for my poor handwriting. It has been bad for years and since my surgery I found when I do need to write a check I usually have to write it a couple of times because I totally hose up the information. I constantly get letters mixed up so I feel better now knowing that it is not my old age but possibly that stinking tumor and the after effects.   

[Crazycat]

TP,

  From the profile you've provided of the size of the tumor and the accompanying symptoms, I'd say yes, the sloppy handwriting is directly related to it.
Your symptoms - minus the facial paralysis - sound like what I went through. I think they left a bit of the growth behind on my facial nerve so as to avoid damaging it. I'm very fortunate to have gotten through without any facial nerve difficulties.

    Paul

[southjersey636]

Paul - handwriting difficulties have been a frustrating issue since surgery. I too used to have nice penmanship, but find it hard to complete certain letters as I am wiriting and it ends up looking like chicken scratch.  While writing in cursive, I find it difficult to complete an "O, S, B" and a few others. If I take it very slowly and concentrate it is much better. Sometimes I will write faster than my brain can process (hope that makes sense) and words are jumbled, as if my brain and hand are out of sync.

What has helped me re-train my brain to some extent is purchasing printing and cursive writing handbooks that grammar school kids use. (The ones that you trace over)

I also used to do alot of fine needlework, but that has also become a challenge.

Cheryl

I have this same exact problem at work and notice that when I try to write I end up either writing too fast or too slow and messing up even simple letters or numbers. I always thought it was because I might have ADD but it seemed to have started after my surgeory a few years ago.