TT:
As you can see from the various responses, we all heal differently. It's obvious that some folks need more time than others - for a host of individual reasons. I'm one of the 'lucky' ones that came out of AN surgery with only minor physical problems to deal with. I 'fought' to regain my equilibrium and was determined to get back to 'normal' as quickly as posible. Now, I'm not suggesting that 'thinking positive' can 'cure' real physical problems but I do believe that 'attitude' can help in speeding up recovery unless prior or post-op physical issues are too serious to overcome, which does happen.
In my case, I entered into AN surgery in very good health and with the attitude that this 'AN thing' wasn't going to beat me. Immediately post-op, in ICU, I was fatigued and listless but, within 24 hours, I was determined to be discharged as soon as feasible. I was out of bed and sitting in a chair in 3 days and walking around the halls by my fourth day. By Day 5, I was discharged. At home, I basically slept and sat in a recliner and sort-of watched TV, although few programs interested me. I had little appetite. After about a week, the after-effects of the anesthesia finally wore off and I began to feel more like 'myself'. A PT sent by the Visiting Nurses Association came and gave me some balance exercises to do. As I had avoided ecercise for most of my adult life, I hated them - but I dutifully plugged away and the PT decided that I was doing so well, I wouldn't need further PT. I was pleased and, as the weather was good (June in the northeast) I did as much outside walking as possible, which I enjoyed. I felt better and stronger by the day and, four weeks after my surgery, I asked my neurosurgeon for permission to drive, which he granted, provided I start out on back roads with my wife present - just in case. I did that, had no problems and was driving on the interstate the next day and have been doing so, without incident, ever since. We bought a new car in September and I've put about 3,000 miles on it, doing most of the driving, myself.
Sure, I occasionally have a moment where I feel 'wonky'- but it's rare and passes quickly. My balance isn't quite what it was a year ago, before AN symptoms cropped up. So what? I walk just fine (no lurching, anymore), and I can go up and down steps without using a handrail, which was impossible for me six months ago. I have no problems in the dark and never did, truth be told. My sense of taste is slowly returning and I enjoy just being able to taste food and drink again. My left-side hearing is gone for good - but I adjusted to that a long time ago and can live with it. What choice do I really have? What I'm saying is that while I consider myself blessed (the beneficiary of many prayers on my behalf) I've also done everything in my power to improve and get back to relative normalcy. Now, I'm retired and that makes things easier, granted, but I'm also 2 months short of my 64th birthday, which is something I mention for context. No matter what others may think, I do not consdider myself 'old' and I don't act that way. I'm an Acoustic Neuroma patient - but I refuse to be a victim.
This is not to minimize or dismiss the very real and often debilitating issues some AN patients have to endure, post-op, or how they cope. I simply want to make the point that full recovery takes time that is sometimes measured in years but certainly in months, not weeks. I maintain that keeping a positive attitude is beneficial to that recovery, even when it isn't going so well. I've had pretty good success in my recovery, yes, but I've read other accounts on this board from those who have had terrible problems for many months, post-op. Some of them are truly inspirational in their refusal to give up or figuratively drown in negative emotions, even as they admit their frustrations and occasional periods of melancholy. I am amazed by their resilience and determination to get better, no matter how long it takes or what they have to do. True, this is a bit more difficult as we get older, but since we have less time left, the motivation to make the most of it should be stronger.
I wish you a good recovery - and better days ahead.
Jim[/color]
