I first experience with “wonky head” was while training for a marathon back in 2015.  While cooling down from a long run (18 miles), I experienced a weird balance issue and it scared the crap out of me!  As an 55 year old experienced runner, I had never encountered this sensation before.  I tried to ignore the sensation but it lingered on long after my cool down.  A week later, after my regular Doctor could not find anything wrong with my ears, I went in for my first MRI….. the first of many over the past 10 years….. and it was a week later while I was being put under for removal of a HPV growth on my uvula that the doctor looked at my chart and said “I see you have a brain tumor”.  And that’s how I found out about my Acoustic neuroma!  When I woke up from the minor Surgery,  in my semi conscious state, I started to ask questions because I thought the anesthesia had me hallucinating.  No I was not… he did say “brain tumor”.  Over the next 3 months, I found out there are not a lot of Doctors in my area that knew anything about Acoustic Neuromas.  You can read about my journey in the “Radiation” thread….

I managed to finish my training at that time and ran 2 marathons that fall…. that was the last time I was able to train/run due to my “wonky head”.  My vertigo would come and go at times leaving me unable to walk a straight line without holding on for help.

The good news… I started training again 2 months ago and today I ran 3 miles on my treadmill with zero wonky head… not once in the last 2 months.  It’s a long way from my 70-100 mile a week I used to do… but it’s a start.

Life is like a bank account, you make health deposits when things are good knowing that at some time in your life…. you need to make withdrawals.

Exercise every day!!

by the way…. who invented the MRI scanner, was it a torture chamber expert?

Sunnydaze,

I am glad it it is going well for you, we need a break in this weather for golfing. I agree with you about feeling fortunate.  Take care and keep on getting better.

Dan

How is it going with the sports now?

Hi All,
I just got the results of my first post-gamma knife MRI, about 7 months after the procedure, and I'm waiting to see the doctors next week.  I haven't had any symptoms so far or signs that anything is wrong.  My tumor has enlarged by 1-3mm in all directions, which I know can be expected at this point due to swelling.  What worries me is on the MRI report the radiologist wrote "Intralesional low T2 signal foci likely reflect intra lesional hemorrhage".  I looked at the MRI myself, and can see that portions of the tumor are dark on the T2, which I'm assuming is what the radiologist is referring to.  I can see some dark spots in the pre-gamma knife MRI as well, but they are larger now.  Has anyone seen this on their MRIs or know if it's something I should be worrying about?

thanks in advance,
Rumen

You are definitely not alone! I had a lot of the same feelings you’re describing about my spouse. Before my diagnosis, I felt he was mostly annoyed by my vertigo episodes since I was stuck in bed for days and sometimes had to miss work. After my surgery I did not feel one ounce of compassion from him. He was physically there, but took a role of “getting things done.” All I wanted was some kind words and loving touches. We also have always had communication issues for our entire marriage. I found that some counseling helped us learn what we need to feel loved and cared for. We had to have some difficult conversations, but luckily we seem to be learning and healing together. I’m hoping this can continue. Something I did learn from this experience is you can’t get upset at someone for not acting how you think they should. You must forgive, for your own mental health above all. Next time I would have surrounded myself with my mom and sister. I have learned that my husband shows love by doing things. I’d probably give him a list and say thank you. This has definitely been a learning experience. I hope things worked out for you guys. Let me know if you have a minute.
Sincerely,
Elyse