Hi Gang!
How are you all? I have missed you!
No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth just busy, busy! Everything is going well. Far too busy in my teacher career, I need to find a balance in my life; I think I am on the right road. You would think that after brain surgery that I would have learned or listened to my body.
My husband' company was bought out so he was offered a package. He took it and started his own company making and selling utility vaults. Its called Utilicon if that sort of thing interests you. He has a web site and is doing very well.
We moved into a much larger house that needs renovations, before he started his business, so the renos have slowed down.
It is almost 3 years since my surgery and lots to tell. Just a quick summary; my surgeon was wonderful. He really took his job seriously. I did have complications due to the fact that my tumour was large (went undetected for 10 yrs) and quite stuck on my facial nerve. Ideally the plan was that just maybe he might save my hearing (I had not lost any), remove the whole tumour and avoid facial paralysis. None of which happened. My surgery was 12-14 hours. My facial nerve was still intact.
I don't see him now at all - interns read my MRI and quite frankly I could do it on my own now. Yearly MRIs. I was told by another surgeon that he probably doesn’t want to see me because he is reminded of a failure. I see it differently - I am alive and my facial nerve is recovering nicely, I am looking into a transear (so close to coming to Canada, I will be letting you all know once I am holding it!) and I monitor my wee piece yearly and which I will deal with whatever head on.
I see a facial therapist every 6 weeks. Not 100% but getting better, I am still self conscious when I meet new people and I do miss my smile. The eye is good (no weight) I still put drops in every hour, near the end of the day maybe more often. I do think of maybe getting one… I sleep with my eye taped up, I am such a pro now it’s just one of my night time routines like brushing my teeth. I used to wear sunglasses that I modified with sleep eze foam now I just wear big sunglasses. Thank goodness they are in style.
I do get a throbbing in my head (where my surgery was) if I over do it and am very tired.
Do I wish things turned out differently? Yes, of course but I need to remind myself things could have turned out a lot worse. I do not stress about these minor things there is so much to live for and enjoy!
I cannot wait to get caught up and read and hear all about you all!
Hugs Michelle
