Laura Lynn,
A fellow “4†here… Know that this spring (in August I will be at the 3 years post surgery bench mark) I have had NEW normal (not more synkenisis) movement in my face. I can almost whistle and the eye involvement that used to be part of that weird action – is NO longer.
Last spring I was having the
metallic taste return and I was freaking (worse in the morning) … yet the MRI showed NO tumor re-growth but did reveal the maxillary sinus was full (on the side I always sleep on as I was not comfortable sleeping the AN scar side). I have since identified the allergies causing this. SO far I have refused the sinus surgery and I paid out big bucks and purchased all that f
ancy dancy allergy protective bedding at Bed Bath and Beyond (“beyond†a reasonable price! …That word
apparently stands for
), bought a HEPA filter for the bedroom. I started taking a non-prescription antihistamine before bed that lasts the full 12 hours (do not take at daytime) called
chlorpheniramine (under many brand names in the USA such as
Chlor-timeton and in Canada as
Chloratriplon). I used to take Benadryl but it would wear off after 4- 6 hours and I did not get adequate sleep plus Benadryl is known a depressant. The Metallic taste dissipated
, my hyperacusis is down tenfold… and my earplug use is also down. I feel much better than this time last year… and no sinus surgery. I took the time to identify the problems,
cause and affects: why I did not sleep well etc., how were my sinuses at certain times, etc
Remember it was only 15 months ago you took a real blow to the head (ie a craniotomy) … and this takes time to heal. This was not knee surgery- this was “brain†surgery.
Know that stress can exacerbate nerve issues. When I am fatigued or stressed there IS facial nerve regression. (My teenager almost 16- is stress causing because she is so smart, cheeky and is normal in the she rebel against her parents at this age uggh… won’t start in the
teen driver stress.
) I have not had to wear my eye weight for ages… yet a couple of weeks ago I had a stress day as my hubby had knee surgery (piece of cake compared to the surgery you and I had
) … teenager was harder as I was single parenting during his recovery…and back went on the eye weight. My whole face was being weird and regressing. (speaking of regressing it is amazing how 15 year olds can have tantrums like 2-year olds
when they do not get their way ... or the keys to the car)
Stress is going to be there- ALWAYS. (Actually the stressful events are the ones you learn the most from as our brain cells fire overtime) The kids will become teenagers. The trick is learning how to DEAL with stress. A counselor can help you but maybe they have already jump started enough now for you to start initiating self help… and this maybe a window to see if you can apply what had been discussed in therapy. Maybe this is an opportunity you may not have taken otherwise. Is the cup half empty or half full here? (Only
you can answer that question)
We live in an era where information is readily available to us- as readily available to us as many professional be it: counselors, PT’s, nurses etc (some times there is an
overload of information
)
Google
“best stress management techniquesâ€
Here is my first hit
http://www.mftrou.com/support-files/stress-management-techniques.pdfSee what you can glean that may help you. But always be cautious of those who want you to buy their slick package be it cd’s, pills, herbs, their latest book etc.
Stay clear of any alcoholic bevies (this is a depressant) and watch salt intake (water retention in women get can affect the cranial nerves)… and get a regular exercise routine going. If your appetite is down make a point of eating ONLY foods with a high nutritional value (ie no Oreos, pop, and Doritos etc). If you have no energy to exercise know that a cup of coffee, tea, ice tea etc is not the end of the world and a mild stimulant may be a good thing… if it gets you up and moving. The key is moderation and balance.
At 2 ½ years post surgery that is when I felt my energy was back to where it was before the surgery. (Remember we had whopper tumors … oh and no whoppers at Burger King
- just healthy food
)
You have to ask yourself honestly (you do not have to answer to us on the forum – just yourself)
• How much quality sleep and I am getting?
• Am I eating good healthy food? (Or are you buying lots of processed stuff it fit the hectic schedule like frozen dinners etc)
• Am I balancing time for “me†with parenting demands well? (Remember the airline stewards who tell parent put you oxygen mask on first so you can best serve your child)
• Am I taking at LEAST one hour a day to sit quietly without talking or having an auditory overload? (I either grab a book or my laptop and put in an earplug to tune the family out… my outlet is writing be it on this forum, e-mails to friends, or book reviews. During that time my youngest either does the same or reads a book- her test scores have gone up tenfold because I have scheduled that “quiet timeâ€. Sometimes when she see mom writing and with an earplug in she knows this is “Mom’s time†and goes off and practices her trumpet or the piano solo.) You will have to find yours and the best time of day that fits this for YOU.
You CAN get through this!Make two lists of the pros and cons in life right now.
If the list is NOT balanced then identify the big ones and see if you can create a balance.
Example if you are not sleeping… what can you do to counter balance this and identify what is preventing you from sleeping.
If your appetite is down what can you do to increase this? Are you starving after a day of exercise in the fresh air? Plan a healthy meal after a power walk.
If your energy is low ask yourself, "what sort of fuel am I feeding my body?"
If the worst part is that currently you feel powerless – what can be done so you feel you have more control?
DHM
