It never gets easier....

[Jwh]

Hi!

Well yesterday was my 10th anniversary from my first AN surgery.  Today I will be scheduling a 2nd year follow up from my second surgery.....  I have a pit in my stomach just thinking about making that appointment.  It never gets easier.  I can't believe it's been a decade since my first surgery!  I guess this AN thing will always be a part of my life.  First indication of a problem mid 20's....now late 30's and still dealing with it. UGH.

Please send some positive vibes!

Thanks!
Jen

[Kaybo]

Jen~
I know how it is always a bit unsettling to go in for follow ups...here's to a good report!!

K   

[Cheryl R]

Jen,   I hope the MRI goes well for you!       I will be 10 yrs this fall and then had the more tumors and surgeries and you do still get that nervewracking feeling.    April is my checkup time and dread it.      The odds are that it will be fine but is hard to think positive.          I am alot older and has to be hard when you are a younger person.      I wish the best for you!         Cheryl R

[nftwoed]

Hi Jen;

  My; You did have your time with a regrowth and second surgery!
  I'm NF-2, so have annual MRIs (2). This is the 10th year of my NF-2 Dx.
  Must say I get the pit in my stomach also and can't force it away. Would say also I've not read of many 3rd regrowths unless one has NF-2.
  I trust you will receive good care, whatever the outcome.
  I usually have a great lunch if MRI is in the morning, or gourmet coffee following an afternoon MRI.
  Move with this, and face it delibertly as possible, OK?
  God Bless... May He give you emotional and physical strength and fortitude.

[kraynok2]

Jen,
  I think that throughout the years, this will enter our minds off and on.  I hope all will be well for you.  In my case, the AN was gone, but a parotid gland tumor showed up instead.  Try not to worry about it.  Think positively.  Good luck to you.  Sandy

[Jwh]

All of your words mean so much to me.  It gives me a sense of peace knowing that you all can relate and help out in a time of need.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I love hearing from all of you.

[ksiwek]

Hi Jen,

I will be sending positive thoughts your way.  I am almost a year post op with 5 MRIs under my belt in the past 14 months.  I hated everyone of them     But, we have to believe that we can receive good news!  Easier said than done, I know.  I was diagnosed at 29 and I know that it is a long road of worrying about recurrence.  I am just doing my best to live life to the fullest   

Wishing you good results on this MRI and always!
Kris

[dragonlady1030]

Hi Jen,
It does get easier.  I am almost fifteen years out from my first surgery.  I have lived a very full and satisfying life.  In 2002, I had a recurrence that was treated with radiosurgery.  I have an MRI every year now, and feel pretty confident that there will be no more recurrences.  That's my plan, anyway....lol

[Jim Scott]

Jen ~

It gets easier if you let it.  To my knowledge, if you have no symptoms, at some point doctors usually allow you to go to a 5 year MRI schedule.  I'm about to mark the fifth anniversary of my AN diagnosis and subsequent debulking surgery followed by FSR.  I was blessed with a marvelously talented, highly experienced and compassionate neurosurgeon who debulked my large AN and oversaw the follow-up irradiation, three months later (as planned).  I recovered fairly quickly and had my last MRI 3 years ago.  It showed the tumor was experiencing necrosis (cell death) and the beginnings of shrinkage.  I'm asymptomatic - and feel great.  I'm well aware that there may be some small risk of re-growth but because my AN had it's blood supply severed and was basically hollowed out, then radiated over 5 weeks (FSR), I'm pretty sure it's dead.  I refuse to fret about 'what-if'.  There is no benefit in that.  I'm not advising you to pretend you never had AN surgery, just not to allow yourself to be overwhelmed over what is only a possibility and not a probability.  Like a Vulcan, use logic.  Well, it works for me (and I don't have pointed ears). 

Jim

[nftwoed]

Hi Jim;

  V  "Live long and prosper".  : )

[leapyrtwins]

Good luck, Jen.

Thinking good thoughts,

Jan

[Jill Marie]

Hi Jen,  This time next year will be 20 years since they told me why I couldn't hear in my left ear anymore.  Believe it or not I haven't had an MRI since then, I was told that if I didn't have any symptoms then there was no reason to have the MRI.  I guess since my Facial Neuroma Tumor grew slowly(it grew over 30 years before it was removed) they didn't see a need.  Perhaps it's time I asked again.  Of course it's not something I want to do but if it means catching something in the early stages it's worth it. 

Yes, I live with the side affects of the surgery everyday, hearing loss, eye doesn't water so I use eye ointment 24/7, don't have a full smile.  On the bright side I've been married for 34 years, at the same job for 16 years (got the job 3 years after my surgery), have two wonderful sons, love to garden, hike, camp, Geo-cache and take long bike rides. 

I hope that your MRI shows that you had nothing to worry about!  Take Care, Jill

[rayden1]

Hi Jen

Just want to wish you all the best.

Ann x

[suboo73]

Jen,

I too, want to wish you the best for a positive result from your MRI!

Me - i don't like small places, but have trained myself to realize that the MRI machine is what got the information i needed to understand my hearing loss.

Prayers all around for an uneventful trip through the 'tube!'

Sincerely,
Sue