ANA Discussion Forum

AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: texsooner on August 21, 2009, 12:55:22 pm

Title: One year for me
Post by: texsooner on August 21, 2009, 12:55:22 pm
Haven't posted here in a while, but I've been lurking some. This week I had my 1 year MRI and follow up visit with Dr. Chang here in Houston. In my case, during my AN surgery he left what he called a very small capsule of the tumor surrounding my facial nerve so as not to disturb it too much. I'm very happy to report he says there has been no re-growth and all in there looks good. He checked my balance(which he called pretty good) and said I still have very slight facial weakness, but not really that much to speak of. I showed him this new trick that I have that when I press my lips together or smile, my AN side eyelid goes down...he said that this is a little bit of synkinesis whereby the nerve is rewiring in the wrong place....it's not really a big issue and not that noticeable except by me. I also still have a little nose twitching going on, but couldn't get it to do that while in his office.

As I said before, I feel very fortunate for having the size of tumor I had with relatively few minor issues to deal with beyond the 2 month post op period. Just within the last few weeks, I've done a 100 mile bike ride(in the 100 degree weather here in SE Texas); a 10K fun run(I know that's an oxymoron to some people); vacation to Pennsylvania, including a day at Hershey Park(I did all 11 roller coasters with my kids), then sat thru a Nascar race at Pocono, then toured all the historical sites of Philadelphia and saw a Phillies game.....so I'd say I'm doing fairly well for an old dude that had brain surgery a year ago.

I'm going to continue to do some road biking for the warm months, and then will try to start running some in the fall to start preparing for the Houston marathon next January.

Would have loved to have met some of you forumites at the Chicago affair, but hopefully I can make it to Cincy in a couple of years.

Thanks again for all the support

Patrick
Title: Re: One year for me
Post by: Jim Scott on August 21, 2009, 01:41:42 pm
Patrick ~  

Congratulations on the excellent MRI report - and your extraordinary recuperative powers.  The list of strenuous physical activities you've been engaged in recently is impressive and certainly demonstrates the full extent of your remarkable recovery from AN surgery.   Having enjoyed a good recovery, myself, I can easily understand why you're pleased with your post-op life, which is clearly full.  I love to read post-op success stories such as yours, Patrick.  I think they inspire other post-op AN patients and certainly should encourage the newly-diagnosed facing surgery with  some degree of trepidation, as we all did at one time.  Thanks so much for your informative and exciting update.  May your next year be even better....and best of luck in the Houston marathon!

Jim      
Title: Re: One year for me
Post by: Kathy M on August 21, 2009, 02:38:22 pm
Congrats, Patrick, on a truly miraculous year.  You continue to be a source of inspiration to me and a reminder not to get discouraged with the detours I seem to be taking.  You're right - in the scheme of things, I'd say you're doing ok, too!  Who knows, maybe the nose twitch will result in getting a room clean, or a quick change of clothes like Samantha in "Bewitched" someday.

I will be in Cincinnati in two years so hopefully, we can meet.  I've been there way too much over the past year with my neurosurgeon, but I'm thrilled the symposium will be there.  By then, these side trips will be over and I'll be going to Cincinnati for pleasure rather than still another AN-related twist.

Did you hear the Aeorsmith concert schedule ended up being cancelled - Steven Tyler fell off the stage I guess, and that was that for the summer!  Oh well, maybe we'll catch them next time!!

Anyway - much deserved congrats on your one year milestone!!!  Do something fun!!!

Kathy
Title: Re: One year for me
Post by: leapyrtwins on August 21, 2009, 05:17:38 pm
Patrick -

Congratulations on your first anniversary and thank you for all your contributions to the Forum.

Hope to see you in Cincinnati!  You too, Kathy!
 

Jan
Title: Re: One year for me
Post by: Brendalu on August 21, 2009, 05:54:44 pm
Patrick,
Congratulations!!  Happy first ANniversary.  I have to say you have been inspiring to me.  I don't know anyone else who has accomplished so much in a year!!  Here is to many, many more Anniversries!
Best Wishes,
Brenda
Title: Re: One year for me
Post by: Brendalu on August 21, 2009, 05:55:20 pm
I didn't even get it right with the new spell check!!
Brenda

Brenda - I fixed it for you.  Jim