Author Topic: I had a stroke  (Read 7967 times)

ppearl214

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7451
  • ANA Forum Policewoman - PBW Cursed Cruise Director
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2008, 05:15:13 am »
*runs in... gives Brenda MAJOR hugglez..... aims Queenie Beanie in Brenda's direction and coaxes her into some healing Beanie "toots" :).... runs back out*

xoxoxooxx
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

Omaschwannoma

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 777
  • Life is a journey, not a destination
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2008, 06:52:06 am »
Sending hugs for you Brenda, very sorry you are dealing with this problem of doctors on top of your diagnosis of stroke.  Wishing you a "quick" recovery.
1/05 Retrosigmoid 1.5cm AN left ear, SSD
2/08 Labyrinthectomy left ear 
Dr. Patrick Antonelli Shands at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
12/09 diagnosis of semicircular canal dehiscence right ear

wendysig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1937
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #17 on: October 24, 2008, 04:07:39 pm »
Brendalu,
I came across this thread again and was wondering how you are doing.  Hope things are looking up.

Best wishes,
Wendy
1.3 cm at time of diagnosis -  April 9, 2008
2 cm at time of surgery
SSD right side translabyrinthine July 25, 2008
Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Extremely grateful for the wonderful Dr. Choe & Dr. Chen
BAHA surgery 1/5/09
Doing great!

Brendalu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Smile..it makes everyone wonder what you are up to
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #18 on: October 24, 2008, 07:32:37 pm »
Wendy,

Thanks for asking!  My right side drags a bit more than it did prior and my speech slurs a bit more than it did before.  My speech has been a problem since the AN removal, I seemed to slur and mix words up when I got tired or stressed, now it just comes naturaly!  I feel good, so I think that is what really counts and I added three more meds to my daily routine!  Swallowing is a problem, but hopefully the new exercises will help that!
All in all I am very lucky!!

Brenda
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

leapyrtwins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10826
  • I am a success story!
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #19 on: October 24, 2008, 07:34:04 pm »
Brenda -

sorry to hear you're having some issues, but as you say, all in all you are very lucky.

Hang in there,

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Kate B

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 743
    • AN World
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #20 on: October 24, 2008, 10:31:17 pm »
Brenda,
A stroke... oh my..was it a hemmorage or a blockage?

Are you comfortable now with the neurologist that you're seeing?  Can you get a second opinion? 

The only way I know how to get through difficult times is to keep moving forward and putting one foot in front of the other..

All the best,
Kate

Kate
Middle Fossa Surgery
@ House Ear Institute with
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger
November 2001
1.5 right sided AN

Please visit http://anworld.com/

wendysig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1937
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #21 on: October 24, 2008, 10:40:14 pm »
Brenda,
All things considered, I agree hat you are lucky and you certainly have the right attitude.  Are you going for PT -- it might help your right-sided weakness and speech problems.  With all the claims for different things most us put in our insurance companies must come to dislike us for using so much of our benefits -- most people just pay and pay and go for an annual pysical, if that.

Best wishes,
Wendy
1.3 cm at time of diagnosis -  April 9, 2008
2 cm at time of surgery
SSD right side translabyrinthine July 25, 2008
Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Extremely grateful for the wonderful Dr. Choe & Dr. Chen
BAHA surgery 1/5/09
Doing great!

Brendalu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Smile..it makes everyone wonder what you are up to
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #22 on: October 25, 2008, 05:31:03 am »
Wendy,
I have been working with a speech therapist for the past three years!  I did PT the first six months after my An.  It didn't help my balance at all.  I am trying a new PT, but my PCP says that sometimes they do more harm than good.  They have the no pain no gain attitude and that isn't  the way to go with some folks, especially AN/stroke folks.  She says it should be slow and easy, so she hand picked this PT gal.  I still can't ride my bike  ( I can't balance it) and I rode everyday prior to An surgery.
I drop things easily from my right side too, but I know it will be better.  I am not a quitter.
Brenda
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

wendysig

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1937
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #23 on: October 25, 2008, 06:33:15 am »
Brenda,
Glad to hear you are going for PT -- that means you are doing all you can do and will eventually get better.  I agree with your doc - slow and steady often wins the race -- it just requires a mountain's worth of patience.  This whole experience has been a lesson in patience for me and I'm sure it has for you too. ;D

Best wishes,
Wendy
1.3 cm at time of diagnosis -  April 9, 2008
2 cm at time of surgery
SSD right side translabyrinthine July 25, 2008
Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Extremely grateful for the wonderful Dr. Choe & Dr. Chen
BAHA surgery 1/5/09
Doing great!

MaryBKAriz

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 539
  • Weldon (my ROCK!) and me
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #24 on: October 25, 2008, 09:20:40 am »
Brendalu.

I am so sad you are dealing with this. Have you seen a new doctor? I know you will progress well with your gutsy attitude. We all are cheering for you. I am sending a big hug!

Mary 8)
Diagnosed March 24, 2008, 1.1cm, right side, "Goldie" - small but mighty!! :-(
Hearing, lottsa balance problems and a few facial twitches before CK
CK June 2, 2008, BNI in PHX, Drs Daspit/Kresl, side effects,steroids helped. Getting "sea legs".
Apr 2012 - Still glad I chose CK

MAlegant

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1295
  • 50th birthday party pic
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #25 on: October 27, 2008, 11:15:13 am »
Hey Brendalu,
Also cheering you on!!
Marci
3cmx4cm trigeminal neuroma, involved all the facial nerves, dx July 8, 2008, tx July 22, 2008, home on July 24, 2008. Amazing care at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

Captain Deb

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3316
  • Phearless Phyll and Captain Deb!
    • Captain Deb
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #26 on: October 27, 2008, 03:30:36 pm »
AAARRR, Miss Brendaluwench (Sista Iron Bess Flint)
If that new Physical Terrorist o' yers harms ya in any way I will personally sail to Texas and kick her a$$ and that's a promise!

Big Hugs!!!

Capt Deb
"You only have two choices, having fun or freaking out"-Jimmy Buffett
50-ish with a 1x.7x.8cm.AN
Mid-fossa HEI, Jan 03 Friedman & Hitselberger
Chronic post-op headaches
Captain & Designated Driver of the PBW

Larry

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1464
  • Scallywags Rule
    • Chronologer of the PBW
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #27 on: October 27, 2008, 11:46:21 pm »
Brenda,

just spotted this thread.

glad to hear that you are on the mend. You seem to be an amazing lady with a terrific resolve given what you have been through.

keep fightin'

laz
2.0cm AN removed Nov 2002.
Dr Chang St Vincents, Sydney
Australia. Regrowth discovered
Nov 2005. Watch and wait until 2010 when I had radiotherapy. 20% shrinkage and no change since - You beauty
Chronologer of the PBW
http://www.frappr.com/laz

Brendalu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Smile..it makes everyone wonder what you are up to
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #28 on: October 28, 2008, 04:56:59 am »
Thank you all so very much!

First off, the speech therapist thinks that my speech will improve a little, but she says that she wants to run and another PET scan (I don't know if the insurance will go along with another, because they are very expensive, but we are giving it a shot)  She thinks that my brain is misfiring information when I am tired and under stress.  We all know that there is gonna be a certain amount of stress in our lives, but too much has different affects on different people.
I have warned the PT that I bruise easily and might want to work at Heartbreakers (for those who don't live in the area that is a strip club)  The pole may help my balance and I outa make really good money because they will be all laughin at the old lady in the g-string!  No more stuff I fall off of!
I am taking things one day at a time and my family is being very supportive of it all!
I really, really appreciate all of you and your kind words and prayers.
Hugs to all,
Brenda
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

ppearl214

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7451
  • ANA Forum Policewoman - PBW Cursed Cruise Director
Re: I had a stroke
« Reply #29 on: October 28, 2008, 05:36:55 am »
I really, really appreciate all of you and your kind words and prayers.

Running in to give the MASSIVE huggles as well, Brenda!!!!!!!!!  :-*  :-*  :-*  Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo
Phyl
"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"