An excerpt from my journal.
Unknown to me, many years ago my body decided to take me down a path I would never have chosen for myself or anyone else for that matter. The path less traveled is called acoustic neuroma and I never would have taken this path if I had had a choice. The road sign that threw me for a loop was posted in a pamphlet I read in early December 2011 that read, “this is not an ear thing, it is a brain thingâ€. I felt like I had been knocked to the ground and couldn’t get up. A brain thing? Yes, this is a benign brain tumor that affects the 8th nerve out of the ear into the brain. Mine happens to be on my left side and is currently, as of January 2012, affecting my hearing, word comprehension, and balance.
I don’t know if being two feet away from a lightning strike back in early 2000 is what first projected me toward this path or not. My neurosurgeon says not; he says that maybe that is what caused my initial hearing loss but not the tumor. It is also stated in most of the literature that I’ve read that AN is rare; however, reading the numerous posts from this support group makes me wonder. I am very blessed that my tumor is still small (10.2mm) and my symptoms / side effects are still very mild.
The path from October 27, 2011, till today has sometimes been very steep and many times very dark but with the help of the ANA forum lights have been lit along that path and the climb has gotten easier. I’m very thankful that I have found the ANA support group and website.
God bless and may you all have a Happy and Healthful New Year!
Karen
