Hi Lori,
Yes, I did know that ANs arise from the schwann cells, and actually I believe the technically correct name is vestibular schwannoma
![Smiley :)](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif)
. I have no problem calling my AN a benign brain tumor for the very reasons as you and everyone else. Also after I wrote my last post, just out of curiosity I looked at the statements I got from Aetna regarding my surgery and the doctors' percertification. My neurosurgeon called my AN a brain tumor and my neurotologist called it a brain lesion (same thing really) so if they call them brain tumors apparently, although it is technically incorrect, it is commonly referred to as a brain tumor, even by most of the experts.
As for how I look, yes, I look fine and for the most part, I am -- I am very thankful that I don't have facial paralysis and I feel very fortunate. Because of that people assume everything will be " normal" again for me. My balance issues are improving but are still here -- but I am deaf in one ear now, like many of you. BAHA will help that but not cure it. Sometimes, it annoys me that other people don't see that. Being SSD is not nothing -- I usually have a very positive outlook, but this has changed my life, in some ways for the better, but being SSD is not something I would choose. So yes, I look fine but I have a new "normal" to adjust to.
Wendy