Welcome Arizonajack!
You have found a forum of experienced listeners and advisors although none of us has a medical degree! We are all empathetic listeners here with a common AN problem some people are watch and wait with little teeny AN's, some have had surgery with a total removal, some have had a near total removal (like myself) and are waiting to give it a lethal dose of radiation either GK or CK.
Although, I admire your sense of humor, there is nothing funny about them, because they grow at differing rates of speed. Like you, I have also named my neuroma. My AN's name used to be 'Irving' then in 2004 I had my large tumor debulked to 'Ir' . In October of 2011, on a routine CT scan with contrast, my Neurosurgeon said it was time to do Gamma Knife. This frustrated me greatly and caused me to be in a panic state (as it does many of us who come here for comfort and support).
I am at peace now, and I hope you find peace in research here and guidance if you want it. But, I caution you, do something with ALF for as you laugh, he grows and you may have little time or you may have a lot of time! Depending on what your last MRI said.
If your tumor is a large one, you maybe compromising your health if you don't act soon! You see I ignored my body signals, whereas, I could have done something much sooner. Truly, my outcome could have been much different than it is now! Not that I am complaining I have learned to adapt over time. Most of us learn to live with ourselves.
I use my naming my AN to make it as insignifigant as possible to master it and imagine that it is shrinking already. I encourage you to do the same.
Welcome to the forum! You have found an oasis of fellow ANers here. Sad that we had to meet this way but glad to have another point of view to add.
If you notice, on Monday, I will be going for GK and I will be starting my GK Treatment Journal soon. Good luck with ALFNmay you decide soon. Ready to hear from you again.
Mike
