Post-Treatment > Post-Treatment

I hope I'm in the right place

<< < (4/5) > >>

ALICAM:
Hi Debbi
Thanks for the welcome ! We do have many things in common, including the stumbling. With my full ear parts removed on the right I'm very prone to balance problems, especially when I'm tired (same with face too) so that with the speech problems, no wonder people think we are drunk.
I had a lot of facial exercises to do after my surgery and through out patients for about six months but doesn't sound quite so specialised as you mention. I was given a little hand held electro nerve stimulator for quite a few months but there is a debate about whether it actually does anything much, but better something than nothing. I think my problem is because of the rarity of my tumor there isn't much evidence or information about 'what to do next'. It really is difficult finding any helpful information. Thats why this site has been a Godsend to me....finally I can ask questions.
As for my eye, well after surgery it didn't close but gradually that got a lot better. I had to use the synthetic tears for a few months but I was lucky where the eye is concerned. Some mornings or in the middle of the night I wake up with very dry eye and it's painful but a few drops of eye gel sorts that out.
Thanks for the chat, Ali

wendysig:
Hi Ali,

Sorry I'm so late welcoming you to our group.  It sounds like you've been through a really rough time that was made even tougher by not having anyone to talk to.  This group of wonderful people was an enormous help to me and as you can see, we all pretty much feel the same way.  We are here to help however we can.  I consider myself very lucky but also have almost no inner ear have to agree that  balance issues can frustrating sometimes.  Just when I though the worst was over, I went to the movies the other night (the lobby was packed and probably had at least 100 milling about) just watching them made me feel completely off balance.  It also made me realize that I have avoided crowds for the last few months and have lost some of what I'd regained.  My doc always said that doing anything that makes you dizzy will improve your sense of balance.  Guess it's time to start walking in crowds again.  I also had a problem for about a month after surgery with not being able to open my eye all the way.  Happily for me, that problem resolved too.  So even though you didn't have an AN, as you can see some of us have had the same problems.  Feel free to stop by anytime -- we are here to help and support each other and you are most definitely welcome.

Best wishes,
Wendy

Debbi:
Ah, the crowded rooms... I can totally relate to that!  Nothing whacks me faster than a mob of milling people.  Add the noise level, and you have the perfect storm for bad balance!

Debbi

b91221b:
Hi, Ali...I offer my "welcome" to the many who have already responded to you.  I, too, am a "newbie"...but the friends on this site have been overwhelmingly supportive and helpful to me through rough places.  So many of our "family" here have been through so much in their own journey, and yet as a 'network', they want to support others going through the same thing.  I find myself just "checking in" from time to time to (selfishly) read, and get my own "fix" of encouragement, and understanding.  Today, I want to encourage YOU...and tell you that we are all here for you...This site has brought much reassurance to my own life...and I know it will do the same for you!  God bless you! 

moe:

--- Quote from: ALICAM on November 23, 2009, 07:12:41 am ---I am also desperate to have a full and normal smile ! I sometimes ask myself 'what would I prefer...the ability to swallow normally, talk normally or have a smile?' I pick the smile !

--- End quote ---

I understand about wanting the smile.  :-\ It was what defined me. I'm hoping for a closed lip even smile and an open lip smile would be good too!
I'm wondering if you were referring to the tendon transfer surgery, also known as the T3 procedure. That is more for people with total facial paralysis. A couple of people have had that.

I'm hoping for some sort of face lift, maybe a muscle "transposition" into the cheek area. There is a temporalis muscle transposition I remember reading about. SO much out there , just a matter of how to access the care.

For me, it all depends on the US military health care system. I'm being seen by a civilian hospital for my nerve transposition, and they haven't given me their final:
Yes, it did work, don't do anything else, or
NO it did not work, let's tweek it or have your military hospital tweek it.

Takes a long time and lots of patience but it WILL happen. I haven't given up hope. Meanwhile the acupuncture is helping.....
You don't give up hope either! As long as there's hope, life continues its path.......
Maureen

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page

Go to full version