Hi, Helen:
I'm glad you visited the site, although I'm sorry you have a reason to do so.
Your AN is very small and so, watching and waiting is not unreasonable. However, if you're experiencing symptoms as you've described, I would assume the tumor is encroaching on the facial nerve. As others have noted, we can't know this for certain, but it is very likely growing and as it does, more nerve damage is quite possible. The prudent thing to do is start planning on either surgery or radiation treatment, depending on your doctors advice and your preference for these respective treatments. Your doctor will give you medical advice and of course, you'll make your own decision on what to do from this point on.
I would consider trying to move up the date for your scheduled MRI scan and if it shows that the tumor has grown, search for a surgeon you can feel confident with and schedule surgery or radiation, if you prefer and your doctor agrees. The point is that your symptoms are not likely to improve. That means the growing AN tumor is impacting delicate facial nerves that take a long time to heal, once compromised. In some cases, especially regarding hearing, the nerve damage is irreversible, as we can collectively attest.
I hope your AN has
not grown, but waiting to address it won't help the ultimate outcome. As for age, I was a healthy 63 when I had my large AN surgically cut down, then radiated. The result was outstanding. Because of the small size of your AN, I would surmise that radiation may well be the recommended procedure used to address it. As you know, radiation is non-invasive and much easier on the body than surgery. Although it can manifest some of the same complications as surgery, CSF leaks, infection and other risks are minimized.
Again, your physician and your own preferences will ultimately determine the path you take but whatever that may be, know that you'll always receive support here. Don't be a stranger.
Jim
