My AN Experiences Starting 20 years Ago !

[Maverell]

Hello, My name is Maverell,

I posted this topic the other day but it disappeared. So here it is again.
 
Back in 1988 I was diagnosed with having an acoustic neuroma. What happened over the next few months dramatically changed my life. It is only now that life is getting back to normal ! Nearly 20 years later.

Apart from the surgery and its side effects, my whole life was disrupted. I suffered and still do to some extent, with mental health problems, and this resulted in me being medically retired from work.

My whole story is told here http://lifechanginglife.blogspot.com
The narrative is too big to post on this forum.

You will also see a newsreel of the some of the latest AN related news.

Please read it and if you are diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma try not to have the same experiences as me !!  I am happy to say that the treatments available now are much better than they were, but in some cases the surgeons knife is the only thing that can save your life.

Feel free to add your comments to the blog entry.

Take care and good luck
 
Mav

[HeadCase2]

Hello Maverell,
  Welcome to the forum.   From your blog, I can see that you've had a rough time with AN.  Stay strong.
Regards,
  Rob

[Patti]

i thought i noticed it was gone.  it was great to read though a painful experience for you.  i wish you the best.  patti

[Jim Scott]

Note: Maverell's original post was deleted at the direction of the site administrator due to a peripheral issue.  Maverell was promptly informed and indicated his acquiescence.  His messages are welcomed and I'm pleased to see him here.

Jim

[Maverell]

Thank You Jim for the welcome. My main reason for sharing my experiences is so that new patients can see how far treatments and support mechanisms have improved over the years. I just wish I was born 20 years later than I was

[jazzfunkanne]

am glad things are looking up for you nowx

[fbarbera]

Mav, Thanks for your sharing.  Life can sure throw some curveballs our way, right? 
Hope you are enjoying every minute of your retirement.  Blessings, FB

[sgerrard]

I just wish I was born 20 years later than I was

If I had that kind of wish, I think I would just start all over.  

This time your post appears to be a keeper, so welcome to the forum. I hope your retirement goes well.

Steve

[Maverell]

Thanks Steve, its good to be alive, and I mean what I say in my blog, I am really happy here in Thailand. But I have to go back to the UK for two weeks in October . I am dreading the cold weather   The move here was the best thing I could have done under the circumstances, I recommend it for those who have no real ties in their home country !

[Omaschwannoma]

Your story humbles me, I bow to your spirit and am glad to hear your spirit shows through with a positive attitude as this can only help others who have a similar experience! 

[LADavid]

Wow, Mav.  My sympathies.  Procedures and knowledge have definitely changed in those 20 years.  I believe if I had read this post without having any other information, I would have opted to forego the surgery and lived with my AN.  Unfortunately, outcomes -- at least physically -- can still be the same.  But there is a better understanding in dealing with them.

Best wishes

David

[Maverell]

Well David, had the information that is available now been easily accessible 20 years ago I would definitely have checked out all the options. I was given one option, surgery. Having read the posts on this forum there seem to be many highly experienced specialist AN surgeons in the USA. Something the UK never had 20 years ago.

What was it like in the USA 20 years ago ??

[wendysig]

Hi Maverell,

I have to say reading your story made me feel very sad for you.  It seems that your experience was a lonely one without any real emotional support and once again make me realize how very fortunate I have been. You obviously had a very tough time and did not have the kind of support most of us have had.  I am thankful every day for finding this forum.  The people here have made a real difference in my life.   I don't know what the experience of having an acoustic neuroma 20 years ago was in the US, but but I do know Gamma Knife was also an option then.   For those of us who have been treated recently and in the past few years, thiings have changed enormously from your experience.   There are some people in this forum who were diagnosed with acoustic neuromas as many as 20 years ago and were unfortunate enough to have regrowths.  Perhaps they will share their stories with you.  You sound like you are at least conent now and I'm glad to see that. Had  I discoverd I had an acoustic neuroma 20 years ago I don't know what I would have done,but I'm certain my life would be at least a little different.  I wish you happiness and inner peace.

Wendy

[Maverell]

Thanks Wendy, I appreciate what you say.