I learned I had a 3.5 cm tumor on August 3, 2005. Two days later I met with my surgeons. They wanted to do surgery soon since the tumor was pressing on my brainstem. I had surgery on September 6, 2005. As a result of my tumor being so sticky I ended up with facial paralysis and numbness. My facial nerve was still intact, though. When I left the hospital eight days later my face was totally paralyzed on the left side.
Just over three months after my surgery I noticed the tiniest bit of movement. It has steadily, but ever so slowly, been increasing in movement. Still can’t smile yet. I’m hoping that someday I will.
But on the positive side…I began to get out of bed in the hospital after three days. My first steps were kind of wobbly and I tired quickly. Then they had me going to therapy in the hospital. I did well enough that they decided to let me go home instead of moving me to the rehab floor. Apparently that was their original plan.
When I came home I went to see a physical therapist closer to my home. He gave me exercises to do that were just right for me. I did whatever he told me to do and sometimes more just to show off. Lol
It all paid off. It wasn’t long before I was up to walking 3 miles a day again.
Now I’m at the point where there if very little, if anything, that I can’t do that I used to do. I recently returned from a trip to Isle Royale National Park. It’s an island in Lake Superior. While I was there I went on a 5 mile hike on the narrow rock-filled trails. The trails went up and down hills, over rocks and tree roots. Part of the trail is on boards about 12 inches wide. I had no problems balancing on them. I also went out on the boat with waves about 4-5 feet. Too windy to go out too far, but I had no more balance problems than anyone else around me. I even went kayaking with no problems and wading on the rocks near shore.
It’s been nearly a year now. My life has changed, but in many ways it is still the same. I’m back teaching (well as soon as summer vacation is over). I can do the same physical things that I used to do. My stamina is good. My balance is at 95% even in the dark. I have no headaches. I was worried about that. I really feel for those that do and those with balance problems.
If it weren’t for not being able to smile or blink I would be pretty much the same as before surgery. Except for the hearing I no longer have. But most of the time I don’t even notice that it’s gone. All in all, I’m happy with how things have turned out. It could have been so much worse. I have learned that while facial paralysis and numbness is not the outcome I was hoping for, it is not the end of the world and my life goes on just as well as it did before all of this.
Hope this might help someone.
Jean
