Many thanks for a strong welcome to a warm community of friends--it is very much appreciated.
I'd like to answer a few posts:
1 Jan: With respect to the BAHA device, I must confess that prior to my diagnosis, I was unaware of the specifics other than to know that it was a hearing aid device when the cochlea was no longer functional. It seems to have several advantages over the CROS in a head to head matchup. I found an interesting journal article on this topic that directly compares both devices. You can copy and paste the link below to check out the abstract.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12544032?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed_Discovery_RA&linkpos=1&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
Also, thanks for the tip about the calender.
With respect to the tonsillectomy, in hindsight, I do think my ENT jumped the gun. However, if he hadn't performed the tonsillectomy, then I probably wouldn't have pursued the diagnosis of AN. You see, it was about 4 weeks after the tonsillectomy that I experienced the vertigo and hearing loss (but it only lasted a short while). I was convinced that it was a complication from the surgery, which is the only reason I contacted the ENT. I know myself, I would most certainly have blown it off if I didn't think the two were connected. I am now, in hindsight, grateful as this was caught while still small.
2. Sue in Vancouver: I live in southern Oregon. A medium sized town called Medford. It's about half way between Portland and San Francisco. Nice place to live, but it is growing too fast. Thanks for the tips about the photos, I'll check it out. With respect to the nomenclature of "Acoustic Neuroma" vs. "Vestibular Schwannoma" it is annoying. I tend to use the more customary name, Acoustic Neuroma, but I cringe a little while saying it.
3. OMG16: Sounds like it was a rough road for quite a while. I would be interested in the details of your story, if it's not too personal. I love your positive attitude.
4. Jim: You have quite a story and series of events that led to your luck. You know what they say, "it's better to be lucky than good," at least in Blackjack. Sounds like you had a great team of doctors and nurses working on your behalf to deliver a comprehensive treatment to your situation. We're very lucky that some individuals have devoted so much time and effort to deal with our diagnosis. By the way, you have a knack for writing. Ever given it any thought?
5. Arushi: With respect to physicians and their thought process about making a diagnosis, there are a few things to bear in mind. In medical school and residency, physicians are taught to look for patterns and to try to have all of the patient's symptoms fit neatly into one single diagnosis. They actually have a name for this it is called "Ockham's Razor". In reality, what occurs is one of two things. Patient's either neatly fit into a certain diagnostic pattern or they fall out. Physicians, like all people, vary in their ability to deal with the unknown, as it is uncomfortable. You will find docs who enjoy the challenge of a diagnositic dilemma and those who are put off by it. In my own practice, I look at it as a puzzle. Sometimes all the pieces come together nicely and sometimes they don't--those are the cases that ultimately are the most satisfying as it challenges your abilities and forces you to dig deeper. With respect to our particular diagnosis of Acoustic Neuroma, this is one of the most difficult diagnosis for multiple reasons. First, for every case of AN that a doctor diagnoses, he has seen hundreds of patients with vertigo, headache, dysequilibrium and hearing loss. Until our medical system allows for an MRI for all patient's who have any or all of the clinical signs of AN, we are stuck in the current algorithm. The diagnostic clue that gets the attention of docs most is unilateral hearing loss of sensorineural origin. Until that happens, you are misdiagnosed with 'labrynthitis' or 'benign positional vetigo' or 'otosclerosis' or a 'middle ear infection' or 'mastoiditis'. I'm hopeful that with the advent of more and more MRI centers, this diagnosis will be made earlier and earlier. Most experts note that they are seeing cases of smaller AN's. I hope this trend continues.
6. Phyl: Thanks for the "wellness wishes". It is appreciated.
7. Kimbo: You're right about the humor aspect of all this. It truly keeps us sane while facing down some difficult circumstances. I also think it sets a good example for our friends and family who are watching us go through this. Someday, they will likely be experiencing a significant medical diagnosis-one way or another. It is then that they will remember how you got through your difficult diagnosis.
8. Marci: You're right about the "fresh outlook on life". I've found myself enjoying every waking (and sleeping!) moment. I'm 42 and figure, with good odds, I'm about half way through life. I've done some things well and other things, not so well. I have made good choices and some bad ones. For the second half, I'd like to work on making better choices. After the diagnosis sunk in, I had this moment of clarity like nothing I've experienced before. I found myself knowing, with certainty, what was important in my life and what was simply window-dressing. There was no grey zone--simply important or not. The important things were all the classic ones, family, friends, relationships. But I really knew it. Things that lost all importance included material items, money issues and inconsequential bad feelings. It was so strange, generally I tend to see shades of grey, but this time it was instantaneously clear. That's gotta be positive...
