Hi all,
I just realized this morning that I am just past four months post-op (my surgery was on July 25) and I have to say things could not have worked out much better for me. Although I am SSD that doesn't seem like as much of a problem as it once did. It can still be annoying to me and others I'm sure, but I have adapted to it better than I would have thought and become a better listener because of it out of necessity -- not an altogether bad thing.
I found a restaurant where the food is good and the noise level is tolerable -- always a good thing!
My balance has improved immensely -- I still need to work on it and still weave a little when I walk, but except for occasionally stumbling, turning around or turning a corner too quicly it is almost as good as it was before I was even aware I had an AN. I still suffer from wonky head outside and in crowds, the mall is a real challenge unless I look straight ahead and fix my gaze on something stationary or hold someone's arm. Walking through the racks of clothing in stores still makes me feel a little strange, but not nearly as much. I had been walking about 2 miles a day as opposed to 4 - 7 miles a day before surgery but am now back to four miles a day.
My only new complaints are that now that the cold weather has gotten here, my tinnitus which was almost nonexistant, has gotten louder. I'm not sure why this happened, but since it bothers me just as much inside I would guess atmospheric pressure has something to do with it. Another new thing is that my tongue occasionally gets slightly numb. I mentioned this to my doc in an e-mail and am waiting for him to get back to me but would appreciate any input from any of you.
Anyway, all in all I would say I am grateful to have had such a great outcome. I'm sure things will only get better with time.
Once again, wishing all of my fellow American ANers a Happy Thanskgiving,
Wendy