Newbie with 3.9 AN

[Cheryn]

I think we'll be fine. I'm thinking of having air bags installed until I get my balance back. My hair dresser asked if the doctor could "staple" a little flower to my shaved side.....   I'm terrified about the whole thing. They will need an elephant tranquilizer to get me there on the 19th but on the 20th I'll be on my way to recovery. I made the best choices I could and now I must trust that I have the best possible care and a strong determination to be back to normal (for a blonde)....

[Joef]

My AN story ....
   I had some hearing lost, some dizziness,and numbness my cheek ...my GP sent me for a MRI and I had shock of my life, I see the 4 cm AN pressing up against my brain. I ended up going to House in LA .. I live in CT. and I'm 40

Surgery was scheduled for Aug 9 , 2005.  On Aug 8. I Met with Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger, Dr. Stefan and Dr. Joni Doherty. (and a BAHA too), I quote "the tumor was huge" from Hitselberger!! and took about 6 hours. These were all great Dr's and I would  recommend at least to send them an MRI for a opinion... I ended up staying at hospital longer than I thought (7 days) because the facial monitor "lost" signal before the surgery was over, which I come the find out later might of been a stoke !!!! (its hard to write my name and other signs of a stoke)

its been 6 weeks now and I feel little behind the curve with most of you here but I am coming around quickly. I still feel a little off balance (I not driving yet),facial issues (speaking not right), and dry eye (I use tape and laci-lube) , but other wise feel good !! and I started to work half days from home (I'm a programmer so I can most of my work via DSL).

I see progress every day with my facial nerve and balance issues, and think I will surprise them and how well I'm doing when I go back to HEI for a MRI checkup and BAHA on Nov 17 ..

    Joe
 

[Joef]

I went back to read my old messages .. kinda fun and interesting ... those were dark days ... I actually seen some more improvement in my smile  I'm getting there!!

[yoga52smh]

Great Joef, I'm glad to see all the progress.  You looked great at the brunch.  Our bodies are amazing, in that I think they want to get back to normal as much as we want them to! Continue to improve.  Best wishes to you and all. I remember your post.  It's about the time I started reading this site faithfully almost every nite.

Happy holidays, Merry Christmas       sue

[nancyann]

   Joe,

   I think this is so cool.
  To look back pre-surg, 8/05, then report back 9/05 -
      already starting back to work less than 1 1/2 months post op with a 4 Cm !!!
      & seeing where you're at now.

   You always had a positive attitude pre, and post op !!!

Hey,   Glad to hear there's improvement in the smile,  YEEEAAAAH !!!!!
 (keep them positive facial vibes coming !!!!! ).

Take care Joe,     Nancy

[Crazycat]

Joe,

   Just got in from working. Can you believe it? Talk about wonky-headed! My deaf ear is ringing and vibrating non-stop.

I didn't realize that this thread was from your pre-surgery days. Now you're a vet! I bet it must be somewhat comforting to look back at those posts and know that the fear and anticipation is all behind you now. I didn't join this forum until 2 months or so after my surgeries so I don't have the archived memories. I just remember the ever-growing malaise and sickening fear that I went through.
   Catch you later. Time to sleeeeeeeeeep........


   Paul