Author Topic: LIFE IS GOOD!!!  (Read 11004 times)

leapyrtwins

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LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« on: May 31, 2012, 07:27:44 am »
Today I'm celebrating the 5th ANniversary of my AN surgery.  But more importantly, I'm celebrating 5 years without an AN  ;D

Despite being SSD (I wear a BAHA now) life is good.

So, many thanks to my docs and to all the people I've met through this Forum (virtually and in person).

And to all the newbies, being diagnosed with an AN is scary, but you'll get through it.  You have more strength than you realize, so keep the faith!

Best,

Jan



Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

CHD63

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2012, 08:03:57 am »
Jan .....

As your personal text says you are, indeed, a success story!  Congrats on reaching that significant 5-yr mark!!

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

Tod

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2012, 08:29:27 am »
Congratulations, Jan! Your support and contributions on this forum are a wonderful thing for a lot of people!

I hope life is always good for you,

Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

Jim Scott

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2012, 12:45:07 pm »
Congratulations, Jan! 

I like the way you characterize the 5th anniversary of your surgery as celebrating your fifth year without an AN. Well put.

May life continue to be good for you and yours.

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

MDemisay

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2012, 01:24:15 pm »
Congratulations, Jan! Something to be very proud of indeed! ;D

Mike
1974 - Dr. Michelson  Colombia Presbyterian removal of 3 Arterio Venous Malformations
2004- Dr. Sisti  NY Presbyterian subtotal removal of 3.1 cm AN,
2012 - June 11th Dr. Sisti Gamma Knife (easy-breasily done)"DEAD IRV" play taps!
Research, research, research then decide and trust in God's Hands!

LizAN

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2012, 06:50:31 pm »
Congrats!  What a milestone!

Liz
8/20/2010 - 9mm AN on left side 
Fullness, tinnitus, mild hearing loss
2/20/2011 - 8mm
4/20/2012 - 12.4 mm
Moderate to severe hearing loss, LOUD tinnitus, deteriorating balance
Facial numbness and twitching, which subsided pre-surgery
Translab at House, 7/3/2012, Slattery and Schwartz

ppearl214

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2012, 04:14:23 am »
So, many thanks to my docs and to all the people I've met through this Forum (virtually and in person).

No, thank YOU, m'dear! :)  You're buying the beverage of choice next time I see you! :)

MAJOR congrats on your ANniversary! :)  5 years! w00t! :)

xo
Phyl
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

leapyrtwins

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2012, 08:19:24 pm »
You're on Phyl.

Am not planning on attending the next symposium in Los Angeles, but am hoping the one after that will be in the Boston area.

I'd love to see you again and I have a dear friend from college who lives in MA that I've been promising to visit.

So, use your influence on the powers that be @ the ANA.

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Syl

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2012, 09:33:36 pm »
Congratulations, Jan.

I second that. Life is good after surgery.

Syl
1.5cm AN rt side; Retrosig June 16, 2008; preserved facial and hearing nerves;
FINALLY FREE OF CHRONIC HEADACHES 4.5 years post-op!!!!!!!
Drs. Kato, Blumenfeld, and Cheung.

ppearl214

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2012, 05:14:56 am »
You're on Phyl.

Am not planning on attending the next symposium in Los Angeles, but am hoping the one after that will be in the Boston area.

I'd love to see you again and I have a dear friend from college who lives in MA that I've been promising to visit.

So, use your influence on the powers that be @ the ANA.

Jan

As of now, not planning LA either (but, ya nevah' know....).Am working it Jan for Boston... trust me! :)
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

It is what it is

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2012, 08:00:07 am »
As a newbie, I'd like to add my huge congratulations to all of you who are post treatment and post AN.  Thanks for continuing to stay on this discussion list.  Your help is invaluable! 
« Last Edit: June 03, 2012, 09:02:58 am by karenforte »
.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.

kixit

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2012, 06:32:22 pm »
Happppeee Anniversary Jan!!

You have such a great attitude about this AN thing. I wish this site had a "like" post option because I like many of your posts (and others). You give a lot of great information and point folks in the right direction. Thanks!!  8)
left side AN 9mm diagnosed 2/2012
SSD, loud tinnitis left ear
Translab 5/24/12
Baha surgery 8/1/2012 at UVA
Baha hook up 11/09/2012  : ) 

I am a happy camper : )

jaylogs

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2012, 01:07:50 am »
Congrats Jan!!! You are definitely an inspiration to us all!! Here's to another 5 years! woot woot! :)
Jay
8.1mm x 7.8mm x 8.2mm AN, Left Ear, Middle Fossa surgery performed on 12/9/09 at House by Drs. Brackmann/Schwartz. Some hearing left, but got BAHA 2/25/11 (Ponto Pro) To see how I did through my Middle Fossa surgery, click here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jaylogston

Bonnie B.

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2012, 07:09:47 am »
Congratulations to you.  What a great day!!!     I can't wait to get there.
1.7 cm AN
diagnosed January, 2012 - no hearing L ear
GK surgery done March 15, 2012 at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Ct.
Dr. Chiang and Dr. Yu

It is what it is

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Re: LIFE IS GOOD!!!
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2012, 07:26:38 am »
Me too!  Congratulations!!!!!! !!   ;D
.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.