my story from ratthebrat

[ratthebrat]

Hello everybody,

I was 24 yrs old and was home cleaning on my day off. All of the sudden i fell to the floor screeming because i had a ringing in my ear and a horrible shooting pain in my right ear. I was just to the ENT the day before this happen for a follow up of sinus surgery. I call the clinic in my home town and i couldn't hear anybody but they could hear me so i yelled that i couldn't get up and please call my sister whom is a nurse. My sister came and took me to the hosptial. I was treated for one month on prednisone and compazine(for nausea). I continued to have flucuating hearing loss. the doctor kept saying that it just takes time and all i had was a viral hearing loss and it would eventually come back. I yelled at the doctor and said i think something else is wrong and told him i wanted an MRI done now. He reluctantyly agreed and i did the MRI the next day after i saw him. He told me he would call me with the results. at this time my daughter was 2 1/2 yrs old and i was laid up unable to go to college or work. the doctor called me one hour later and told me he needed to see me right away. When i got there two doctors came into the room and told me i had a thing called ACOUSTIC NEUROMA. The decribed it as a tumor near my brain. I lost it i left there screaming and crying so hard i couldn't tell my loved ones what was wrong with me. All i could picture is my daughter growing up with out me and i didn't want to miss her growing up. It took me two months to get to see a specialist which was located 1 hour away from home. When i got there i was told what it was and how successful they are with the surgerys. The doctor then made me decided if i wanted surgery now or wait to see if it grows any more. Well i decided to do the surgery and get it over and done with. my surgery was expected to be 4-6hours long to remove a 5 cm tumor and it only too 4 1/2 hours which went like textbook so they say. They told me my earing nerve was working and i should hear again. I had facial paralysis on my right side. IT took me 6 day to be able to crawl out of bed. I ate nothing for 6 day and only go IV fluid i was so sick to my stomach. I left the hospital in a wheel chair. It then took me 6 months of physical therapy before i could walk by my self with a cane. Now i am going blind in my right eye and deaf in my right ear because of that tumor. I am challenged everyday with walking and hearing people and doctors in the hospital. I can't walk outside alone at night by myself because all i do is fall. I am now a nurse and my daughter is 5 1/2 years old and i am glad to say that i am here to see her on her first day of school.  , This tumor is always everywhere i go everyday but i am constantly batteling it even though its gone. I just pray that it will never come back.  thank you all for your support!!!

[HeadCase2]

rat,
  You've had a rough time of it with your AN.  You've come to the right place.  Everyone here has, or had (after treatment) an AN tumor.  We understand how tough it can be with all the potential complications and after effects.  You've had it tougher than most.
  Thanks for sharing your story, you're a brave woman.
Regards,
 Rob

[Obita]

Dear ratthebrat:

Look how far you have come.  Your story is an inspiration to all of us. 

Your tumor was huge.  I can't believe your doctor asked you if you wanted to wait for surgery???  Good grief, I am very glad you are here to tell us about it.

Your little girl is lucky to have you as her mom.

Welcome rat, we are here for you 24/7.  Kathy

[ratthebrat]

thank you everyone for making me feel comfortable telling my story. I feel there is not enough people whom know about this kind of tumor.

Its great to know i have many friends out there who know what i am going through. I am just glad to have found you guys and i am glad to part of your group.

I stumbled on this discussion board because i was doing a research paper for nursing school on acoustic neuromas because i think more should know about this. I think it is something i can share my own story on to make more aware.

thanks again to all of you.

ratthebrat

[Sue]

Hi

I also am astonished at the size of your tumor and the damage it has done to you. You are the first one I've heard of who has had serious vision problems because of an AN. You are so lucky to be able to be here to tell your story.  Thanks for sharing it with us.  We all wish you the very best...

Sue in Vancouver

[tatianne]

ratthebrat,

im glad you are here and im touched by your story, thank you for sharing.
You have lived a great deal and it seems you have come out of it all with a lot of success.
You seem to have a really good attitude about your AN and your life now.
Im new here as well but just beginning my AN journey, and im glad to have you along.

T