Well truthfully I would want it
all back.
But hey -
![Undecided :-\](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/undecided.gif)
I cannot go back and my daily motto is
"Keep moving forward"Is the cup half empty or half full?
![Grin ;D](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/grin.gif)
Since my AN I have learned to lip read, made the most wonderful ANA buddies, met amazing people in the field or neuroscience… and my learning curve has gone
way up.
Before this tumor I never would have a considered a career path into library science. It was the hearing loss, hyperacusis, and facial movement impairment that made me choose from moving from a fine arts high school teacher vocation to the thinking about being in the library vocation. It was buddy "Jeff", of the Château Deaf post, that pointed me to that vocation as he went from fine arts teacher (Band) to librarian. (Such and inspiration of courage he is!)
Unless this experience happened I would never have discovered how much I love working in a library… or reading & researching neuroscience so much. (This brain plasticity stuff is fascinating!)
I have grieved what I lost – yeah- but I
cannot go back. The eye weight may help. Baha and cochlear implants can help, plastic surgery too – but hey I
cannot go back.
Baby I am
moving forward. It is the best way to keep moving on with your life and maintaining a positive
![Smiley :)](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif)
attitude.
I am not necessarily thankful for that big ole tumor and the pain and grief it caused (not just me but my family) - but wow have I had an
amazing experience from all of this! And what an awesome bunch of people I connected with- that I otherwise would not have.
Regardless of the loss of: blink, hearing, outward smile and now additional hyperacusis and tinnitus...I am still the same person smiling on the
inside. And you know… the ANA folks I am meeting at meetings and here on the ANA- they really make me smile. What awesome characters they are -which shine from the inside out - !
Think of Fiona in the animated movie- Shrek 2. She had the opportunity to go back to her picture perfect princess fairytale self- and she chose to stay as an "ogre" because she was encountering so many more sincere, honest and genuine people who accepted her for the content of her “character�... Not her looks and abilities.
Choosing not to go back and to “keep moving forward�
DHM
P.S. Oh and “Satman Super 8�
![Kiss :-*](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/kiss.gif)
who started this thread- you ARE one of those special ANA buddies that I SOOH cherish. Keep moving forward buddy.
Keep moving forward! signed
your “4�- the other half…
![Wink ;)](https://www.anausa.org/smf/Smileys/classic/wink.gif)