A survey: How about if we all "grade" how our AN affects our life everyday?

[Dana]

Hi everybody,
When talking to new ANers, we all couch our advice to acknowledge that everyone and every AN responds differently to different treatments (including wait and watch).  This morning it made me think that perhaps we should do a survey to 'add up the numbers' to see how much each of us has been affected by our AN + AN treatment.  I'll put summaries up every week or so.

In a reply, post the size of your AN (or if you have NF2), what treatment you've had if any, when you had it, and a "grade" on how it affects your life everyday from 1 to 10:

1 - no affect
2 - minimal (eg a little hearing loss, a little tinnitus)
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 - total disability (can't work, severe deafness, severe change of life)

I'll start:
1.5 cm, GK July 2007, 3

Dana

[Jeanlea]

Dana, this should be interesting to see the results.  I had a 3.5 cm tumor removed by translab in Sept. 05.  Even though I have no hearing in one ear, slight tinnitus, still some facial paralysis and numbness I would still grade the everyday effects on my life as a 2.  There is very little that I'm unable to do.

Jean

[Nicole222]

Hmmm............This is a toughie .

My AN was 3.5 cm and I had it romoved on 5-9-08.

I'm still recovering, having headaches and fatigue, and I'm also SSD.

So, I'd say--at this point--about a 5 or 6.

[Jim Scott]

Dana:

Kudos to your creativity.  This is an innovative concept.  I'll play.  Here goes....


4.5 cm.    Surgery (Retro) 6/06 and FSR (26 zaps) 9/06 -10/06  No complications.  Grade: 2.

SSD, negligible balance deficiency, slight dry-eye and low-grade tinnitus.  All easily surmountable or ignored.  Life is good. 

Jim

[Debbi]

Hi Dana-

Cool idea!

2.0 - 2.5 cm
Surgery - translab - on 4/30
Still recovering, but would rate life as a 2 or 3!

I'm SSD on the right side and have facial palsy, intermittent balance issues, but - as Jim said - all surmountable!

Life IS good!!

Debbi

[sgerrard]

8mm AN; CK Sep 2007; grade 2. Tinnitus, hearing loss. Carrying on.

Steve

[Mark]

2 cm AN

treated by CK November 2001

I think it might be of further interest to do the life quality score in terms of  pre-treatment and post treatment

for me it is a 2 before and still is today

Mark

[shygirl]

1.8 cm
translab- 8-11-07
grade: before   1
          after    6


chronic headaches, SSD w/  LOUD tinnitus, balance issues.  Life is good -- though i could do without the headaches


shy

[ppearl214]

wow Dana! Great idea!

Ok, I'll play.

1cm Left AN, Cyberknife radio April 2006... grade is a toughie... I'll say 2.  Minimal hearing loss in AN ear, occassional "wonky head", some balance issues (but my Chiari does it as well).  Yeah, I'll stick with a 2.

Phyl

[fbarbera]

2.6 cm right side AN
CK in August 2007
Still recovering but as of now Mostly Grade 2 and sometimes Grade 3:  Balance issues and as Phyll says, occasional "wonky head"

[Catflower]

2.5 cm.  Removed via trans occipital approach 4/17/07.  Pre treatment grade 1.  Post treatment 3.  My biggest challenge is the balance issues. I still have the wonky head especially in crowded places.   I recently got a BAHA so the SSD isn't an issue now.

Linda

[waypoint]

I'll respond.  
I had a 2.4cm AN on the left side. It was removed via Retrosigmoid on Oct 1, 2007. Grade before was 1. Grade after would be 3 becuase I did lose my hearing completely on the left side, did have tinnitus but its manageable, still recovering from facial paralysis on left side (60% back). Balance has returned to preconditions.  I just wish this scar would heal.  After 9 months, its still tender down around my neck where the neck turns alot.

[Kaybo]

right AN - size of "man's fist"
Translab 12/1995
Before: better than a 1!!
Now: I'd say 2 - have some limitations but have adjusted and have a very fulfilling wonderful life!!  
(SSD, paralyzed face, eye weight, tire easily, balance issues - esp. when tired - but have learned to live LARGELY with all!!)

K  

[Joef]

grade 3 !

no headaches or anything disabling .. more of an annoyance... facial and eye issues top the list

[Omaschwannoma]

Before 5
1.5 CM retrosigmoid 2005
Grade 8-9
February, 2008 labyrinthectomy
Grade 1 (even though I am deaf left with tinnitus in both ears and hearing loss in serviceable ear)