Hi, Renee:
Thanks for your informative post that helps explain what happened to you, as related in the video in question (I've watched it).
We all understand that every AN patient is an individual and our AN experiences are always different. Apparently, your AN had grown to the point where it had severely affected your brainstem - with the resulting symptoms you described. I have read that, if left untreated, this is exactly what can happen. I also acknowledge, based on my own surgenon's statement, that an untreated acoustic neuroma tumor, due to it's location, can eventually kill you. I'm very impressed with your recuperative powers and the great progress you've made in regaining facial mobility since your surgery.
The only reservation some of had with your on-camera statement regarding your imminent demise is, due to the fact that acoustic neuroma tumors are rare in the general population, little is known about them - even to many physicians - and we don't wish to see misinformation being spread. With the reach of the internet, misunderstandings can become 'facts' in a matter of days. I believe that you probably were in danger of dying fairly soon had your AN not been discovered and treated, but the unequivocal statement that you had
"two weeks to live" seemed a bit extreme, even taking into account your condition at the time. For someone just diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma or their family/friends, to see a compelling AN patient, such as yourself, make that statement, gives it immediate credibility. The basically 'uninformed' person,( knowing little or nothing about acoustic neuroma tumors) then assumes they or their family member is just days away from certain death, when the AN patient in question may have a very small tumor and be nowhere
near any danger of dying. We see this happen on this forum; newly diagnosed AN patients - sometimes with very small, easily treatable tumors, almost paralyzed with fear that they are either going to die within weeks or 'become a vegetable' now that they have this AN thing in their head. Yes, we can and do reassure them this is not the case but you can see how 'AN tumor equals rapid death' rumors can spread.
This is the issue that motivated some of us, including myself, to question your on-camera statement that you only had two weeks to live. We aren't doctors but we try to keep our statements factual and tend to question anyone with an acoustic neuroma tumor that seems to be exaggerating any facet of their condition, if it cannot be medically verified and has the potential to frighten other AN patients unnecessarily. We all know that an acoustic neuroma tumor is serious and definitely
can kill you, if left untreated. That is a fact. You likely
were in danger of imminent death, but your unambiguous comment (in the video) of having
"two weeks to live"' just seemed to be a bit over-dramatic, and our collective comments reflected our skepticism. I can say without hesitation that I regret any misunderstanding that may have been generated by any of the comments made here relating to that particular issue ("two weeks to live") of the video as we admire your courage and splendid recovery from a very serious, life-altering medical crisis that we've all shared, in one way or another.
Our best wishes as you continue to recover and pursue your dreams, Renee. We wish you well.
Jim 
