One Year Ago Today!

[nteeman]

Yes, it was a year ago today that I had my AN removed.

My brain still works. (some memory lapses but I forgot the details)

Balance OK (I would say 95% -- I can put on my socks standing up without falling down, and rarely clip the doorway turning into my AN side)

Headaches (I would get very mild headaches as I woke up in the morning and they would disappear once I got up. Haven't had one for about a week now.)

SSD (This is my bigest issue and does take some getting used to. When outdoors and someone calls me from far away I have no idea where they are and look kind of silly trying to find them.  When the bell for the elevator rings in the building I work in I usually turn the wrong direction than the one that is opening. I also have become so used to the difficulty in hearing in noisy places that when someone(who knows I am SSD) is talking to me and I can't understand a good deal of what they are saying, I let them finish and then casually respond "You know I can't understand anything you've said." then I smile.)

OK, there was something else I wanted to say but I forgot  but if I remember I'll edit this post.

Next up I will schedule my 1 year MRI, Oh boy!

 
Neal

[leapyrtwins]

Neal -
 
let me be the first of many to congratulate you.  The first ANniversary is a huge milestone.

You've come a long way in the past 12 months and you have a great attitude about your "limitations" - the memory glitches and the SSD.

Good luck with your MRI.  I found myself extremely nervous for my first one post op, but year two was much earlier on my nerves.

Here's to a clean MRI - and to many more ANniversaries.

Thanks for all the great feedback you've contributed to the Forum - I hope you stick around to keep up that tradition.

Best,

Jan

[JerseyGirl2]

Neal,

Congratulations! I remember meeting you at the January 2009 NY/NJ get-together when you were still a couple of weeks away from your surgery and then again at this past November's gathering when it was obvious that you'd had a wonderful recovery!

Best wishes with your upcoming MRI!

Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)

[alicia]

Neal ~
It is amazing how time flies.  I remember reading about you when I first came to the forum last Spring!  I am glad to hear you are doing well.  My goal was to put my socks on standing up too!  Hope those headaches dwindle over time.

Your SSD stories are so true.  I always spin the wrong direction when someone speaks to me.  You'd think I would take the chance and go the other way! 

Congrats on making it through this year and wishes for many more great times to come! Alicia

[Jim Scott]

Neal ~

Thanks for the one-year update!  You've had a good recovery and are dealing with your SSD quite well.  More proof that there really is 'life after AN surgery'....and a good life, too!

Jim

[Keri]

Good for you, Neal. I'm right behind you - my one year is tomorrow. I have my MRI scheduled but not my follow up with my doc yet. Which means I'll be holding my films up to the window all weekend trying to figure out what is and what isn't in my brain.

The SSD is frustrating, but I feel fine most of the time. I feel little tipsy sometimes but that's ok. I haven't had headaches or fatigue in a while. My face is still kind of non moving in some places.

Overall, I'm happy, thankful, etc and I'm so glad you're doing well too!

Thanks for sharing the details!

Keri

[DR]

Neal,

Congratulations!  Let us know how things go with the MRI.

Dennis

[jaylogs]

Neal, congrats on the milestone...I know it has been quite a ride for you and you are doing very well!  Also congrats to you Keri on your one year as well.  These stories should be good reading for all us newbies and upcoming posties as well...that there is life after AN!
Jay