ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: mimoore on February 16, 2009, 05:38:16 pm
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The night before surgery. (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/aJune32008-1-1.jpg)One month post op (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/p0624-tryingtosmile-2.jpg)Four months(http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/fourmonths3-1.jpg)Eight months(http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/IMGP1837-2-1-1-1.jpg) (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/IMGP1830-2.jpg)
Not quite there but it is coming. Notice I am wearing my bangs on the other side... no movement in my forehead, nose and no blink. I cannot smile any bigger or muscles in my neck pop out. My facial therapist says "Slow and steady wins the race". ..and I added "And a wee bit of patience", okay I lied A LOT of patience.
Believe ;D
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Just beautiful! Superb progress! So-o happy for you!
Eve
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What fantastic progress you are showing! You have a nice symmetrical smile. And it only took you 8 months. Awesome. I think it's from being around the kinders. lol Thanks for sharing them. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
Jean
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Amazing progress Michelle. You look great. That will give a lot of people confidence that things take time and will improve.
Patrick
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Mimoore:
Your smile is coming along beautifully. It's nice seening the different photos at the various stages of recovery.
Syl
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I'm blown away. You have come a long way! Wow.
Angie
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Mimoore,
That is fantastic progress. Your belief will take you to your goal, keep it going!
Neal
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Michelle~
Oh my goodness - you look GREAT!!! Snaps for you!! So happy when I see so much progression in others and know that you won't be stuck like me forever!! The wonderful wonders of medicine today!! ;)
K
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Hi Michelle,
That is a great photo sequence. It really demonstrates what a lack of facial nerve cooperation looks like, and also shows that your progress is spectacular!
Best wishes, and don't run out of patience.
Ken
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Hey Michelle! We are practically surgery twins (mine was two days before yours) so I always look forward to your posts to compare progress. You look great and I think your smile is a little more developed than mine. It was such a relief to reach symmetry at rest, though.
Take care,
Sara
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Believe ;D
You bet. It's a great post, Michelle. You are coming along well. Your student had it right, your smile is waking up. Welcome back, smile. :)
All you need now is a hat...
Steve
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Michelle,
You have come a long way. You really look great.
Anne Marie
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Hi Michelle!
Congratulations on all the progress you have made, I know this has not been an easy road for you and you look marvelous! I wish you continued success in your AN journey.
Wishing you only the best,
Wendy
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Michelle: Fantastic pictures ! ! I am soooo happy for you ! ! ! ! !
Continued healing my friend, Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Looking great, Michelle! Love the photos showing your progression - thanks for putting them out here.
Cindy
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Michelle:
Kudos to you for posting your series of photos that so clearly demonstrate your excellent progress in regaining facial symmetry. Those who are dealing with post-op situations similar to yours can take heart from the obvious, real-world healing you're experiencing as you slowly but steadily regain normalcy. Yes, the pace is glacial and often frustrating, we know, but those photos are awesome in their ability to show how AN post-op facial mobility is gradually regained. I can't thank you enough for the courage and compassion you've demonstrated with the posting of that photo series. Bravo!
Jim
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Thanks for posting your photo's...what a great recovery!! It took a great deal of personal courage to post them...thanks.
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you are looking great, i am seeing improvements in my face at just over two years, i am now feeling more confident to talk to people i meet in the street, where as before i would have hurried by them.
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thanks for sharing your photo, for those of us in the "watch & wait" status, everybit of information is useful. Your smile is more beautiful then ever.
thanks again
LisaP ;D
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Thank you everyone. The AN experience is quite a journey isn't it?
K the internal strength the you and others with permanet facial paralysis hold is extremely admirable. No one can truly understand how much courage it takes to take the bull by the horns and live your life to the fullest. Hope is a wonderful thing and today it is possible to make facial improvements making permanent facial paralysis better. I pray for you and others taking that journey that you continue to improve and enjoy lifes blessings.
Hugs to all - life is good.
Michelle ;D
I still have remaining tumour to deal with... but right now I can't go there. I know though that the strength is deep inside should I need it.
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Michelle -
the difference in your photos is phenomenal.
Thanks so much for posting them - and congratulations on the progress ;D
Jan
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Great pictures, Michelle! And as others have said, thank you for doing a picture progression. It is a huge help to those who are in the initial stages to see that there is improvement.
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Michelle,
Great progress. Thank you so much for sharing!
Susan
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Michelle,
The pictures show an amazing recovery. You look fabulous.
Marci
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That is tremendous! That is wonderful for you to share to give hope for others! You look wonderful, look out SUMMER!
Tisha
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Michelle,
Looking good!!! And only 8 months out! Good for you! You've got lots to smile about!
Lori
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What dramatic results! I'm new to the forum. Can you tell me what kind of surgery you had? I had the 12/7 one year ago, and am not getting great results- some results, but not enough.
Maureen
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Hi Maureen,
I had retrosigmond on June 4th, 2008 for partial removal of my AN. My facial nerve was pretty beaten up but not cut. I did not have any movement for 3 months - nothing. Most of my recovery has occured between 6 and 8 months.
I hope that you find the surgery that is right for you so you to can experience movement.
Hugs Michelle ;D
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BEEEAUUUUUUTIFUL!!!!!! I hope to look the same some day...... :-\
Maureen
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That really is remarkable progress from month 3 to month 8. Thank you for sharing your journey with the rest of us. You truly look wonderful! Just imagine what the 1 year mile marker will bring :D
Priscilla
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Hey Michelle-
I'm getting here a little late but wanted to say "wow!" The progress is great! As someone who is only a few months ahead of you on the recovery road, I know how frustratingly slow the facial progress is - many kudos to you for your wonderful spirit and your willingness to share pictures!
Keep doing all those exercises (I need to remind myself to keep at this, too) and continue being patient and positive. You are really looking so good, Michelle!!
Debbi, smiling (sorta) at you from NJ
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Thanks everyone.
I am happy my face is heading in the right direction. I was told that I would not get 100% movement back. I am not sure how much movement will return but I am hopeful that I will get more.
I think returning to work and living my life has made a huge difference.
My husband and I were talking about how nice it is that we support each other on this site. Thanks for your kind words and encouragment.
Hugs Michelle ;D