Author Topic: Introducing myself  (Read 7480 times)

southjersey636

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Introducing myself
« on: January 22, 2007, 07:57:10 pm »
Just happen to stumble upon this forum after looking up some topics on the AN. Well lets start off by saying my name Mike and I was first diagnosed with my AN at 18 when I lost hearing in my left ear. Over the years while growing up I would get dizzy spells that dated all the way back when I was 8-9. At 18 I had my tumor taking out at University of Penn in Philadelphia and overaul the surgery came out great with no facial problems which was a big +, some uneasy balance problems and no hearing in my left ear but that was disccused to me before I did the surgery.  Im now 24 and like many others have had my share of issues of recovery from uneasy feelings when in certain stores-situations, to fatigue. but I guess I can help speak for the younger crowd that has had one of these tumors removed or is going to. I feel that certain things can aggravate the affects the tumor removal like alcohol, caffeine and not getting enough exercise.

Well thats all for now. Hope to talk to you all.

Joef

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2007, 09:30:55 pm »
Welcome  8)
Years ago (at your age).. I guess you could call me a heavy drinker (20+years ago) and of course became older and wiser  ... I have not *really* tied one on since the surgery, but I've had enough dinner parties and light social drinking to realize ... I'm a lightweight now.. with only one inner ear to balance myself .. seems like 2 drinks are 4 ... 4 drinks are 8 etc... I'm ok sitting down.. but getting up to walk in a dark hallway .. forget it..... heck I have trouble doing a DUI walk dead sober anyway.

The best things to do?  .. exersize more, (drink less) don't avoid places that make you un-easy -- I know its hard, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Heck I'm taking the train to work every day.. the crowds of people still make me un-easy, but it is getting better (plus standing on the train while it going is great pratice!)
« Last Edit: January 22, 2007, 09:35:24 pm by Joef »
4 cm AN/w BAHA Surgery @House Ear Clinic 08/09/05
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger, Dr. Stefan and Dr. Joni Doherty
1.7 Gram Gold Eye weight surgery on 6/8/07 Milford,CT Hospital

pearchica

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2007, 10:30:14 pm »
Mike: welc  Welcome to the forum.. if it's of any comfort, at your age, I never held my drink well, but I was too drunk and or young or stupid to know the difference! Now at age 44, I know the difference and I still "don't hold my drink well"! Glad to know your sugery went well. Thanks for introducing youself- take care, Annie
Annie MMM MY Shwannoma (sung to the son My Sharona by the Knack-1979)
I have a TUMAH (Arnold Schwarzenegger accent) 2.4 x 2.2 x 1.9CM. CK Treatment 2/7-2/9/07, Stanford- Dr. Stephen Chang, Dr. Scott Soltys

Battyp

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2007, 10:59:05 pm »
HI Mike and welcome!  Heck I had one sip of wine and it went straight to my head....I can't imagine what a whole glass would do  LOL

Have you met Chri, Chelsy or Taylor?  They are around your age.

matti

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2007, 11:47:11 pm »
Welcome to the forum Mike!!! I know your perspective on the whole AN journey will certainly help our younger members (and us oldies as well ;))  Thank you!!

Since my AN surgery I have found that I can get drunk on just half a glass of wine, where as before my tolerance level was much, much higher.

Cheryl
3.5 cm  - left side  Single sided deafness 
Middle Fossa Approach - California Ear Institute at Stanford - July 1998
Dr. Joseph Roberson and Dr. Gary Steinberg
Life is great at 50

Lorenzo

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2007, 01:09:21 am »
Hi Mike!
Welcome! I'm older than you, but I still feel 18 inside. Strange that. Wonder if it has anything to do with the AN? I blame it for just about anything else... ;D
Alcohol and ANs: not a good idea. I drink a small glass of wine (and sometimes two...) at dinner parties, and boy it feels like I had the entire bottle and more! Takes much longer to recover from it too. Sigh, I like wine with food and I would miss it if I couldn't enjoy a nice vintage! :(
Still, at least my taste hasn't been affected too much so I can still taste it. Next trip to California is going to be full of flavour!
Ciao and looking forward to reading your prospective on ANs at a younger age.
Lorenzo

Brendalu

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2007, 06:06:56 am »
Mike,
Welcome!  Sounds like you are doing great after six years.  I'm trying to cut back on the caffiene, I have gone from about eight mugs of coffee to two.  I have maybe two drinks a year, so that isn't a biggie.  My eighteen month mark is coming up soon, but my balance is far from great.  I have the popular AN headache.  Now, crowds are another story!  I shop on the internet!!   I know how angry this tumor made me.  It will be interesting to hear how someone so young has coped with it for the length of time you have.  Symptoms from the time you were eight or nine must have been really scary.  I'll be looking for your posts.  Welcome.
BrendaO
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

ppearl214

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2007, 10:24:15 am »
Hi Mike and welcome :)

Well, around these parts, we enjoy virtual, water-down mug o' grog and for the most part, that is all we can tolerate in the way of alcohol.... but, we are really great around here for sharing our good ears, a stiff shoulder that can hold much and our thoughts/feelings/experiences and even some bad jokes on occassion. I'm sorry that you have had to endure as you have, but we welcome you and thrilled to have you here.

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

Dfcman

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2007, 07:03:15 pm »
Mike,

     Nice to have you on here.   Its a good lil place to share and hear what others have to say.  Its good b/c in a way you can be inspired to do better yet you can stilll inspire those who may need the encouragement.  Everyone here is different and it seems they have many certain pros and cons. 

     Anyways, Welcome! 

Chris
Son of Chrissmom
23 Years Old
AIM is the best way to contact me
5.3 x 4 cm tumor removed by surgery(2 times)
Dr. Arriaga and Dr. Baghai Pittsburgh Allegheny Hospital
Post Op as of 7/20/06

mykey

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2007, 06:14:39 pm »
Whilst everyone introducing themselves, i'll do the same.

My name is Michael also. I was diagnosed 1/20/2007. Right side 2.5cm.
I have been reading alot of the posts here and I am very impressed and thankful for the copious amounts of useful info.

This is where the non-medical experts are.

Very happy to find this space.

« Last Edit: January 24, 2007, 06:38:53 pm by mykey »
Diagnosed  1/20/2007. Right side AN 2.5 cm
50yr, guitarist for 35 yrs.
Married w/10yr old son.
Translab 4/26/07 at Emory University performed by: Dr. Mattox & Dr. Olson
Surgery successful!
Extended time in ICU due to CSF leaks.

Static

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2007, 07:39:39 pm »
Welcome to both Mikes!  You'll find alot of help around these boards and alot of great people too! 
~Karen
3.5cm AN removed 1-21-04
CSF leak repaired 5/04
SSD Right

Obita

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2007, 07:58:39 pm »
Hello southjersey Mike and mykey Michael!!

Welcome to both of you.  Anything you need, you can find here.  Everyone has been there, done that.

See you around, Kathy
Kathy - Age 54
2.5 cm translab May '04
University of Minnesota - Minneapolis
Dr. Sam Levine - Dr. Stephen Haines

Dantheman

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2007, 10:25:42 pm »
Alcohol aggravates??? I'm Irish for gosh sakes! Oy vey! Life isn't fair...

Welcome both Mikes...

Dan
Diagnosed 12/08/2006. 1.7 cm Right Side AN.
Trans-lab performed on 02/13/2007 by Dr. Lawrence Meiteles and Dr. Raj Murali at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, N.Y.
TransEar worn since 4/17/07.

Battyp

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2007, 11:15:04 pm »
Hey Kathy a fellow irishman!  Does that mean we need to stock greg beer on the BPW?  ;D 
Welcome guys know where here for you all!

Mark

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Re: Introducing myself
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2007, 11:40:34 pm »
Dan,

How do you think I feel re: Alcohol ,since I'm half Scottish and half Irish, part of me is always looking for it and the other part won't ever pay for it  ;D :o

OK, it's a bad joke, but don't anyone give me a hard time, I usually don't play in the "silly" posts  ::)

Mark
CK for a 2 cm AN with Dr. Chang/ Dr. Gibbs at Stanford
November 2001