Happy New Year everyone!

[Denisex2boys]

I can't say as I am 'looking forward' to what 2008 will bring me as well as a lot of us here that will be facing treatment of some sort or another - but my resolution for 2008 is to gain more knowledge, offer support and HEAL from this AN!

While I am nervous and scared I am sure that my journey in 2008 will be much more bearable with all of you to 'hold my head high'!

Thank you and God Bless!

Cheers!

    Denise

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Denise...and a Happy New Year to you, too!

We wish you all the best for 2008 (and your upcoming AN treatment). 

Last year at this time I was six months post-op and two months post radiation.  I had spasms of localized head pain and was still a bit shaky when balance was involved.  Now, 18 months post-op, the head pain is totally gone and my balance is about 90% of what it once was.  I consider myself fully recovered.  My doctor does too and he is elated with my outcome.  I've adapted to the few tiny lingering effects of the AN, surgery and radiation, which are invisible to others and barely a handicap.  I pray that your AN will be taken care of with minimal residual effects in 2008 and that you'll be posting about your rapid recovery a year from now.   

Jim 

[Charlotte Lady]

I too hope and prayer for speedy recovery for each and everyone of us. 

So I will raise my glass at midnight and toast our future...for better or worse, it's ours live and enjoy.

Happy New Year, my fellow ANimals

Donna

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

2007 is a year I will never forget … but sure would like to, 2 major surgeries within 6 months of each other in that year… oy ya ya – what a year!

I am happy to sweep that one out the door knowing that I am improving now. (Denise healing does happen!)

Welcome on in 2008! Here’s a toast to healing and recovery.

Happy New Year to my AN family!

Cheers,

4

(Hey I am not drinking alcoholic bevies yet but my taste for coffee has returned. Thanks to my AN buddy Lorenzo I am wired on Peet’s coffee this New Years Eve)

P.S. Donna… re "fellow ANimals" that is TOO hilarious!

[yardtick]

Here's to 2008.  The years are flying by.  In two years I will be celebrating a very big birthday.  I shudder thinking about it!!!  I hate being a January baby. 

I see the specialist in nine more days.  Our main discussion will be nerve graft.  I've come to accept the fact I need it.  I'm hoping and praying by the time I hit that major milestone in my life I will have recovered and when I smile the left side of my face will be in working order.  OH SIGH, this has really kept me up at night but I am ready for it......not the birthday, but the nerve graft

Wishing all of my AN family a very happy 2008. 

ANne Marie

[marg]

Happy New Year to all as we start 2008. 
     My hope and prayer for all of us is that by Dec. 31, 2008 we are all much further along in our AN recoveries and life is much much better than it is today.  I am so encouraged by reading of others who (a year or 2 after treatment) are doing so much better than they were just a few weeks or months out. 
     Today is a 'wipe out' day for me .  I had 2 migraines in the last 8 days ...  makes a total of 7 for 2007 instead of the usual 1 a year ( I know that doesn't sound like much for those of you who get the brainwreck ones.....but it is a lot for me).  Hoping 2008 is better on that end of things too. Mine are more connected with stress and I don't seem to handle it as well since AN surgery.... so will try to find new ways to get stress relief .  Life doesn't seem to cut us any slack with it's demands and responsibilities.... just because we have AN  issues to deal with .  All the major stuff goes on - elderly parents needs, adult children needs, demanding work needs, household chores and paperwork needs, and of course the emergency things that come up  on a regular basis.  It also seems that the 'stuff' I let go during 2007 (my year of the AN monster) is now screaming at me to get taken care of...a bit overwhelming.... Oh... maybe that is some of the stress too....
      Sorry, didn't mean to bring a negative tone into the 'Happy New Year'.  All in all, it is great to be alive and tomorrow will be a better day than today. 

May you all have a great 2008 ...
     Margaret

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

Marg (ole AN buddy)

You need a sandwich generation hug and some teacherly understanding. Big ole HUGS being sent your way. Know you are not alone in this.

I have been just an observer in classrooms recently – and I do not know how you do it. I struggle to figure out from which student the questions were coming. I was never one to make the kids raise their hands- but now I will. (During the whole classroom visit I kept thinking “How and earth does Marg do this?!�)

You got AN buddies here – know this. I plan to head up the I-5 this next month to the Canadian border –and visit our various aging parents. Of course providing there are no more floods or Tornados- (yes folks there was a bizarre tornado in Washington State this week.) I will be sure to stop your direction and meet with you for lunch …and give you a big ole Canadian bear hug.


Hang in there ole buddy!

Cheers,

4

[marg]

Thanks 4.... It's so good to hear from you.
Margaret