9 years post op my trans lab right sided AN. I’m out there running and biking and busy working as a Physical therapist. Life is grand.

I celebrated five years post-op in May 2025 by running my fifth marathon! I took up running after surgery as a way to improve my balance and reduce dizziness. I went from "couch to 5K" to my very first marathon in under a year. It's done wonders for my physical and mental health. This fall, I'll be running a 5K to raise money for brain tumor awareness, a half marathon in my home city, and a marathon in Niagara Falls! Life may look different than before all this, but I'm truly enjoying this wonderful journey!

6 years and striving after surgery, even with hearing loss

I'm able to ride a 4 Wheeler again! Only 2 hrs but baby that's huge! Vertigo is a lot less nausea too. I can lift 15 lbs with my an side! The flares are a lot less. Only pops and pulls every so often, weather or activity! 95% face control ! I'm off of the heavy medicine! My speech and thoughts are improving daily!

To celebrate my first ANniversary, I went to visit Emily Truell, one of the Young Adult support group leaders! It was wonderful to be able to share stories and celebrate victories. I had a very special time connecting with another AN warrior in person.

After being diagnosed with a medium-sized acoustic neuroma in October 2020, I completed 28 sessions of Proton treatment in 2021. After a career as a Podiatrist, and four years after my radiation treatment, I pivoted to novel writing in midlife. My debut novel is historical and multicultural and is being released as an e-book later this month. (April 2025). Life can never return to "the before" state, but normalcy shouldn't be the primary goal. We can all challenge ourselves during crises and push ourselves to reach our full potential, which is the theme of my debut novel.

While a lot has changed...I'm still BLESSED!!!

My 7-year ANniversary was March 16, 2024. In 2017, I had surgery to remove my 3.1 cm AN and was in rehab for 12 days. It has been a wild ride, and continues to be, but for the most part, life is good! I have talked to so many people during this journey and am happy to talk with you. If you are newly diagnosed, struggling with pre- or post-treatment symptoms, experiencing facial palsy/synkinesis, or just need a friend who truly understands, feel free to reach out! My advice would be to find support from others, seek out medical staff who are knowledgeable about ANs (both pre- and post-treatment), join a support group, have a positive mindset, and overall be kind to yourself!

February 2000 I was diagnosed in Connecticut with a large Acoustic Neuroma. Those days there were very few doctors with the kind of experience I was looking for. After consultations with three doctors in NYC, one in Boston, I sent my scans to Dr. Rick Friedman and Bill Hitselberger in Los Angeles, who by far had the most surgical experience. To me, even then, experience mattered more than anything.
We flew to LA. Surgery was successful. Complete tumor removal. No regrowth since. My life is normal with no lingering deficits. They preserved my life, and I am forever grateful.

The picture on the right is from the morning of my Translab Surgery 21 years ago (9/11/2003) and on the left from earlier this year.