Personality Changes

[Captain Deb]

Brendalu-Oh yeah, the swashbuckler in me is way more fun--gotta just channel your inner pirate--the ballsey broad who don't take no crap and never, ever feels sorry for herself!!!!
Capt Deb

[nancyann]

hi guys - mood changes, yes.   I find myself getting tearful when I talk to someone about the surgery.   It really bothers me because I've always been a strong, independent person, and hearing my voice start to crack & my eye fill up with tears, jeez.....  (it doesn't help being in perimenapause either!!!!!!!!!).  Been 4 months since 2cm. tumor removed SO, with subsequent facial paralysis, total hearing loss right side, etc, etc.  I hope there comes a time soon when I won't have this emotional edge going on.   At least I know I'm not alone.   Nancy

[Cheryl R]

Hi Nancy.   4 mionths really isn't very long to be adjusted to the changes that come from having AN surgery.    My first surgery was soon to be 5 years ago and I felt like it took a year to recover physically and another one emotionally so hang in there.      Plus I had a good recovery compared to some.   One adjusts in time to the new you and it does get better.                       I had surgery again this spring for a facial neuroma and the nerve was severed this time and a nerve from my neck put in so am living with the paralysis again so know it's not fun.              I have been very lucky that I do not have facial numbness though.         I do have it around my ear since the nerve was removed for the graft below my ear and it does feel weird.
I was found to be NF2 so who knows what lies ahead.                           Cheryl R.

[nancyann]

Hi Cheryl - thanks for the support.   This forum is great, I was so lost before getting a computer in August (had surg. 6/06), felt so alone.   Since hooking up here, I can't believe how many people go thru this.   Last week at work I ran into a dr. I hadn't seen for awhile, she was surprised to see me with right sided facial paralysis, when I told her it was an AN, she said 2 of her pt's recently were diagnosed with the same.   I was glad to be able to tell her about the forum.    Nancy

[Brendalu]

I think that the surgery does change your personality somewhat, but I also think that you can be whoever you want to be.  My stroke (on 9/30/08) was probably the best think to happen to me.  I quit feeling sorry for myself and got back to loving life and enjoying each moment.  I don't look at what I can't do any more, I look at what I am doing and doing well.  I don't get up in the morning thinking about what I can put off until tomorrow.
Brenda

[MAlegant]

Good question.  I am convinced that you can't go through a life-changing experience without changing.  I feel "different" than I was before and I've asked the people close to me what they think. My husband and dear friend think I have lost my tolerance/patience for ignorance and stupidity and am more likely to be direct.  I thought I was direct before!  My boss says it seems as if I have more wisdom.  Is that a euphemism for old???

[Jim Scott]

My boss says it seems as if I have more wisdom.  Is that a euphemism for old??? 

Nah!  I get that a lot and I'm not old (if compared to Methuselah). 

Jim

[konnie]

Im glade it's just not me....
 After my surgery I have gone from anxiey, to deppression, to anger. and back...

aftet 4 months of recovery i can honstly say I'm much better.  its like the dark cloud has lifted or i finally realized how fortunate i am to be alive.  i count my blessings every day. and don't sweat the small stuff...

MY older sister doesn't understand the change in me and how relaxed i have become.
She came over the other day just to yell at me for not calling her back write away. she thought i was avoiding her...
I told her that i was still recovering from surgry and get very tired and sometimes need to take naps.

sometimes people forget that i had brain surgery 4 mounths ago because i look so good... and you can't tell...
so she is nagging me like older sisters sometimes can and trying to get me all worked up for no reason at all...
 I found out that i too lost my tolerancs for foolishness behavior. it is such a waist of time.
 she got no reaction from me ..
this confused her becasue we would usually have a big disagreement and one of us would storm off.

I just told her that i was given another chance at life and i am gonna seize evey moment.............look at it and really see it........
live it..... and never give in to negativity .... ( well its a try anyway.)
konnie

[wendysig]

Konnie,

I feel very much the same as you, I don't sweat the small stuff anymore.  When upsetting things happen I look at them in a new way and then decide whether they are worth ruining my mood or day.  I have become more tolerant and usually more patient, although I sometimes have to take a deep breath and count to 10.  I am more thankful for the little things in life and count my blessings on a regular basis.  I don't avoid reality but do embrace more  of the things in life that make me happy and look more for reasons to be happy.

Wendy