ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: MZB475 on October 09, 2010, 01:34:04 pm
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A friend just sent me this link and I had to share it with everyone. just an amazing way to "rethink" our ANA's. Enjoy!
http://www.ted.com/talks/stacey_kramer_the_best_gift_i_ever_survived.html
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MZB475 ~
Although Stacey Kramer delivers a poignant message about the 'gifts' a brain tumor can 'give' you, I'm afraid that not everyone has the same kind of outcome, support system and ultimately, her positive view of the experience. However, her message is commendable and the 3-minute video worth a look.
I've moved the thread to the AN Community forum which is more appropriate.
Jim
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I wouldn't call my Bob a 'gift', but I do feel it is the best thing that could have happened to me at this point in my life. But I would not wish the experience on anyone else.
-Tod
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While I don't think I would call an AN a "gift," I've found many positives on my AN journey (mostly people-related) and I think it's important to remember those, especially on those days when things are not so great. I commend her for sharing her story and found it inspiring myself.
Denise D.
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My acoustic neuroma was definitely a gift - and I've referred to it that way numerous times.
I've often told my neurotologist that I truly believe I was "gifted" with an AN for some very specific reasons - and that as a result of that gift it is my "job" to help others with ANs and with hearing issues.
It's one of the reasons I became a Cochlear volunteer and one of the reasons I advocate for BAHA and CI candidates. It's also why I'm on the ANA's WTT list, why I donate money to the ANA, and why I've chosen to sponsor ANA symposiums. It's why I'm doing the HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) Walk to raise funds for a pediatric audiology program. It's also why I stick around the Forum.
Life is what you make of it - and my AN provided to me that I needed to make more of my life. I view it as kind of a wake-up call from someone up above.
Jan
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Life is what you make of it - and my AN provided to me that I needed to make more of my life. I view it as kind of a wake-up call from someone up above.
Aye-men, sista..... why do you think I'm still around to help those around me when I really don't have to? My AN (and other ailments), to me, are certainly not a gift, but most definately a wake-up call to grab life while you can, do for others as sooooo many have been here to help support me (including MZB475, the originator of this post :) ) and life is what you make of it.
Phyl
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That was an uplifting video clip. She is so blessed to have all that support.
As Jim posted:
"not everyone has the same kind of outcome, support system and ultimately, her positive view of the experience"
I can relate to that.
I joined the ANA forum so that i can help others going through the "gunk." and be part of a support group. You name it I've had it (except for headaches, wonkyness)
But personally and truthfully, this tumor has robbed a part of me that I miss a lot. My spunk, joi da vie, and ability to hear and sometimes even think clearly (oh yea the tinnitus/facial paralysis too) have taken a nose dive.
I am a strong person and am still on the mend, 4 years later, with more fun to come and keep on truckn.
I'm hoping that i can some day refer to this thing as a GIFT and really begin to be of service to others. :)
Still truckn,
Maureen
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Have to agree with you, Jan. While certainly not a gift I had on my wish-list, I think I've gotten more benefit from the AN than I would have the Lambourghini I've been asking Santa for for some time now. :D
I have definitely learned to slow down and take time to smell the roses and to take nothing for granted. I'm not sure what else would have taught me that. God knows there were enough subtle messages along the way, but apparently I need more of a straightforward kick in the pants.
Yes, there are things I could do without, but I'm alive and well and able to watch my kids grow up, and that, in itself is the best gift ever. And being able to lend a little support to someone who has been presented with a similar "gift" makes me realize that someone had a reason for giving me my "gift". It really helps me to keep things in perspective like nothing else has before.
Thanks for sharing this, MZB
Lori
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My AN changed my life. I was backed into a corner because of it, and it spurred me to action and am now in school, with the goal of studying fine art. Though I've been a very talented and productive visual artist all of my life, I have lacked academic training, which has kept me from full expression of what I do better than anything else.
The AN brought tumultuous change into my life, and in a short period of time, taught me what is important. Yes, it has been a gift that continues to give - it has been a catalyst for remarkable transformation of my self...
Support from friends has been wonderful. I am closer to many people than I was before, as they see my optimism and this has a positive effect on others.
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Gift? For me it was more about clarity of what my life had been and a hard look in the mirror. At the time I was married to a very emotionally and verbally abusive husband for 10 years. The day I came home and told him about my AN was very illuminating. I recall his words as if it was yesterday... 'oh great now I'm going to be stuck having to take care of you.'. I truly believe God gave me this gift/clarity so that I could finally see my ex for the character he truly was. The next day I told him that I'm strong enough to go this alone and that he had no place in my life anymore. Four years later I am remarried to an absolutely wonderful man and we have a great family life. It may not have turned out that way without the AN news that shook and woke me up.
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WOW,What a great story FLsunshine! Funny though you don't need anyone to "take care" of you,but you are now blessed with someone to share the rest of your life with, with its ups and downs.
Congratulations on your happier life :)
Maureen
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FLsunshine - I love your story, and your courage - thanks for sharing!
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Calling it a “gift†and crafting a very good marketing story is just the way that lady has chosen to deal with her situation. We approach good and bad news differently, our reaction is sometimes due to cultural conditioning, or often it is in our genetic make up.
Doc Friedman at the House clinic noticed how people fair after the operation is very much dependent on their personalities. Those with the “glass is half full†outlook on life seem to do a lot better than those who are the “half empty†sort.
A lot of people have often said how I am always so lucky in life. I seem to land on my feet no matter what happens. I think I can safely say any person having the need to be on this site is hardly what I would call “lucky†but I always remember the old Confucian proverb, “Those with a lot of luck do not have everything, they just make the most of what they have.â€
My Glass is half full view of this whole AN lark ? I am so glad and “lucky†it struck me and not any of my family or friends.
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I think I can safely say any person having the need to be on this site is hardly what I would call “lucky†but I always remember the old Confucian proverb, “Those with a lot of luck do not have everything, they just make the most of what they have.â€
My Glass is half full view of this whole AN lark ? I am so glad and “lucky†it struck me and not any of my family or friends.
SO true! My glass is half full, (usually) and I honestly think other family members or friends would be in a different place if they have had to deal with the things I have dealth with, and continue to. So I am "lucky" it is me and not them! ::)
My progress with my follow up procedures is just sooooo slow, being in the military system, but it is coming together. The Gift that keeps on giving....
Maureen
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I agree with the idea that personality plays a big part in our recovery. Worse things can and have happened in my life, and I've come through all of it well, because that's who I am. Whether her story is seen as a marketing tool, or a valuable message for us to learn from, I think this speaker is telling us to look for the good side of things. And that's a good message that's worth repeating!
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I think Bennie may have been a gift too ... I slowed down for a minute or two to absorb the news then went on with life ... after surgery a great deal changed but I plowed on even when I didn't feel like it ... I have learned a lot about the people around me by the noting the people who are no longer around me ... fair weather friends who when a problem arouse disappeared ... who needs them if they are not there when you really need them ... I have always been a very patient person ... that has been tested and wins most days ... even when moaning and groaning here about hearing , headaches , bad doctors , insurance etc ... I go on ... even when I maybe should slow down ...
I have learned that many who need a helping hand or friendly ear at times of crisis don't get it and try to help there as I can ... have always helped with causes that mean something to me ... now more into that ... Relay for Life , Heart Walks , St Jude’s ... and I am teaching my girls (not just the ones I gave birth to but my girl scout troop) to be more aware of those around them ... people have problems and if we can help some way we should ... be it the stuffed bears and pillow cases we made for the children’s ward at the hospital or the money raised for a local man with not insurance suffering from lung cancer ...make a difference where you can
this forum has given me more support than I have gotten from people around me and has shown me that people do care ... we are a select group and few people even know what an AN is , so not sure how to react so many retreat and avoided me … this has changed some since they have learned that aside from the wobble and inability to speak in clear sentences at times , I am still Me …changed but for most part Me
and I learned kids are great ... not just mine ... when school started back I got more hugs and high fives from the kids at school than I can count ... I had kept the AN and secret and very few people knew ... the night before my surgery , one teacher who did know emailed the whole school email list which includes parents on the email update list and asked for prayers ... I didn't know she did this until after surgery and people called ... parents told their kids and word passed I was OK … when school returned in August I was swamped by kids with hugs and high fives and questions …with my new balance issues being only a month our , this became a time I had to sit down and let little ones crawl all over me and older ones stop to squeeze a hand or give a high five or hug my shoulders … it was a bit embarrassing but felt good to …just knowing that these kids who range from great to driving me nuts cared … after hugs came the requests to see the scar ;D ...kids ... what can I say
I am still learning to except what I can no longer do as I once did and finding new ways to do them …just bought a walking pole that looks like a ski pole … $13 at Wal-Mart in sporting goods …it has a spiked tip instead of the flat tip on my walking stick … going to attempt walking down hill with it , something I can’t do with out tumbling … not talking gentle downhill but steep hillsides on farm … will take husband along to put my hand on his back as a guide down if needed if the pole doesn’t work …
For me , my AN has been a gift , a hindrance or annoyance …but mostly a learning tool