I made it to the other side, I'm a bit unsteady, but I made it

[kimberly]

Hi Melissa!

I was thinking about you last night - wondering how in the world I would have done it with 2 kids that first few weeks of being home.  I take my hat off to all the people here who are parents and have to balance family life with recovery after coming home. 

I too lost a few pounds and nothing tastes right to me, not sure when that turns around but I'm assured it will one day be normal.  Most things taste like ocean water.  The good part of this is that you can eat all healthy foods, some that you may not have enjoyed before and they will most likely taste exactly liike the junk food you used to love!    There are a few things that taste kinda normal to me - they are grapes, oranges, apples, jello, popsicles - it would be interesting to find out what other people have eaten that seems to taste close to what it should.  Let me know if you find some other foods that are worthy of tasting! 

Wishing you the best!

Kimberly

[leapyrtwins]

Hi Melissa!

I was thinking about you last night - wondering how in the world I would have done it with 2 kids that first few weeks of being home.  I take my hat off to all the people here who are parents and have to balance family life with recovery after coming home. 

It's definitely best to have help - family, friends, neighbors, etc - post op for the first few weeks if you can arrange it.  I know it was great for me to have a family member move in with me and my children; and my children are much older than Melissa's.  It's also an added bonus when the children decide to be fantastically behaved like Melissa's 

Ocean water is a good taste analogy - lots of stuff I tried post op tasted like sure salt.  Hopefully this won't last too long Kimberly.

Jan

[calimama]

Hey Melissa,

With a 14.5month old daughter and heading for surgery on Monday, I was curious about how you are managing. I dont think Cali is old enough to understand anything (esp why i won't be able to pick her up 
but i expect she will like the bed movement too!   

If i can lose 11lbs, i would be super happy! I still have that extra 5-8lbs post baby that i could happily lose. Trying to look on the bright side!

Trish

[Kaybo]

Trish~
Not a time to TRY to lose weight, but I bet you won't even think about it & it will just come off!!  I would have the protein shakes ready like many suggested!
I will be praying for you and your family!

K

[Sammict]

Hi Melissa

It's so encouraging to hear how well you are doing. I too have a little one and i think about how she is going to handle it. But i think kids are alot tougher then we give them credit.

Thanks for the update I hope you continue to have great progress with your recovery. Keep us updated.

Thanks Sam

[Yvette]

Congrats! Now, nap, nap, nap!!!

Blessings, Yvette

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

Can you give us an update?

[Melissa778]

Feeling WONDERFUL at a bit over 5 weeks.  Back to work part time.  My vestibular issues have subsided, I really don't mind the SSD as much as I thought I would.  I feel wonderful....no headaches, some minor tinnitus that I didnt' have before, btu other than that I am GREAT.  I go for my MRI in August and they will then decide when to do the Gamma Knife for the remainder of the tumor that they were unable to get.  I worry that because it was such smooth sailing overall with surgical recovery that the Gamma will be my downfall.....Crazy I know

Melissa

[Debbi]

Melissa-

SO glad to hear you are doing so well and with virtually no complications!  You are a true success story!  Hopefully some of the the folks who are in early days of diagnosis will read your story and be encouraged.

I can't comment on the GK, but I am sure you'll get some good comments from others here who've gone through it.  I can't remember, is it the same surgeon who did your translab for the GK?  Can you talk to him about any specific concerns re post radiation issues? 

Again, Melissa - I am just thrilled to hear about your recovery!

Debbi

[leapyrtwins]

Melissa -

all I can say is "YEA" 

You sound like you are doing great!  Congratulations!

Jan

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

Yahoo!

[lori67]

What great news!  You sound like you're moving right along in your recovery.  I hope post-GK goes as smoothly, if it's decided you need it.  It would be even better if you didn't!

Lori

[LADavid]

Melissa
Sounds like everything is going great.  Congratulations.  I admire the decision that your surgeons made to leave some of the tumor behind and not damage the facial nerve.  I wouldn't be facing two years of Physical Therapy now if my surgeons had made the same decision.  You may have some downside from the GK but nothing compared to what could have happened with microsurgery from what I have experienced.  Keep up the good recovery.

David

[wendysig]

Meloissa -
Im glad to hear you're doing so well.  It's great news that you have no major issues from the surgery.  Hope GK goes well for you too.

Wendy

[lacey7]

Melissa -
Glad to hear how good you are doing!  I've been following your recovery.
My surgery is in 3 days, and I hope I do as well as you have.
Congratulations.
Lacey