ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: Road Trip Dale on November 01, 2006, 11:17:38 am
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Hi everyone, Ahoy maties, the old Road Trip has been out of the loop for a few weeks. They dropped Wifi in the area I was parked, but we've moved locations from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and now we are in Northern Texas for a few weeks. Had a slight accident on the way, had a tire blow out on the towed Jeep and ruined the fender, wheel, two tires, etc., it was a real mess, but the Rock Star Bus came through without any damage, and I've already gotten the Jeep repaired, sooooo, I'm looking for dirt roads ;D
6 months post op and I feel great. Balance comes and goes, but I haven't found anything I can't do yet, and the loss of hearing really doesn't bother me much, except in Walmart, or Restaurants. There is some type of hum in Walmart that just shuts out anything being said around me. My dear Carol hates that.....because she'll be pointing some really interesting thing and just chatting away, forgetting that shes on the wrong side (AND NO its not selective hearing :P), I do that when she's on my good side. Anyone else found that to be the case.
I'll read through the past posts to try and catch up on what's going on with all the shipmates and other poster's, just wanted to say Hi and let everyone know I'm back on line and if anyone has any questions I'll be happy to try and help. I had a great experience (at least as far as the outcome of my surgery) and will share what I know. Glad to be back.
road Trip
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Hey RTD - Happy to see you back on, we've missed you!!ÂÂ
Still waiting to be adopted by you and Carol ;)
Cheryl
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Hi Roadtrip - What a way to recuperate, travelling cross country - my kind of rehab!!!! I also have total hearing loss (on the right side), & yeah, going in restaurants, or anywhere alot of people are talking at once is really difficult, I find myself sticking my finger in my left ear to protect it - everything sounds louder in the left ear. Have a wonderful time travelling. I can't wait to start travelling again. Best to you and your wife, Nancy
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Hi Dale:
Good to see you back among us, as it were.
As another over-60 guy who had a successful AN removal and rapid recovery (now 5 months out) I enjoy reading about your trips and 'adventures'. Too bad about the Jeep.
About hearing adjustments: my wife automatically walks (or stands) on my right side, as she knows if she is on my left (my 'deaf side') she is wasting her breath, which she doesn't like to do. She also tells 'new' acquaintances who are unaware of my 'monophonic hearing' (as we call it) that, if they are on my left and if I seem to ignore them when they speak to me (it happens) it's because I'm deaf in my left ear. That usually solves any issues that can arise and if I'm alone and meet someone I want to talk to, I just turn a bit to my right side to hear them better. No problem. Restaurants and other crowded places are always a challenge for the hearing-impared (us) but so far, so good, unless - as happened at a recent (noisy) wedding reception we attended - someone across the table is a 'low-talker' and insists on having what seems (to me) to be an almost-whispered conversation with me. Fortunately, I was able to lean over far enough to catch most of what she was saying (not very interesting, at that) and was able to respond appropriately.
I don't know about you but I keep having folks I know tell me how 'good' 'I look these days. Now, I can't lie - I like hearing that - but sometimes I wonder what it really means. I did lose a lot of weight, pre-op, and while I was not fat by any means, I weighed almost 170 on a 5'7", smallish frame and now, at 140 pounds, I 'm at the weight I was 30+ years ago. Due to some shaved spots made on my head for nerve monitoring, pre-op, I had to get a re-styled haircut that I know is an improvement over my 'old' hairstyle, so that might be some of it because a lady in our church told me flat-out that my 'new' haircut was very 'youthful' and attractive. Hmmmm. Fortunately, my wife thought that comment was 'cute'. I finally asked a lady of our acquaintance what she meant when she, too, told me how 'good' I looked. She said that I smiled a lot more than before the surgery. O.K. Maybe I'm just pleased to get that bugger out of my head (well, most of it, anyway) and get my life back, as you have done. Of course, I'm not as ambitious as you are, Dale. I've traveled lots over the years, lived and worked in 3 different states and now have few peripatetic urges, but I think it's a great life if it pleases you, as it obviously does. Again, good to have you back on the forum. Take care and, as the late Roy Rogers used to sing: 'Happy trails to you'. :)
Jim
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Hi Dalie,
It is nice to meet you! (hand-shake) I'm a "newbie!" (aproaching CK soon)
I don't have a picture up but, I'm red-blonde with shoulder length hair, small frame, 5'4, brown eyes and don't weigh much except my big AN does. I thought I'd give the others an idea who they were talking with. They have discussed music lately and I didn't enter my thoughts on that. I loved your "road trip information." It was fun because, I always expect serious text when I log on here.
I'm so glad to hear ("well, can't hear but, on one side") that you are doing so well.
Tell your wife, "Hello" from all of us.
Congratulations.......Palace
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Hi Dale and welcome back!!
You are only 6 months post op?  It feels like I have known you for years!!
Glad all is well with you and Carol.  Tell her I said Hi and we will see you next spring in Iowa.
Kathy
ps:  do you ever get the wonkyhead on windy days driving the bus?
Hi Palace: it is not always serious on here. Type in "speedo" on the search line and Dale comes up!!
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Oh......So that's it! You were out on the road. Well, WELCOME BACK!!!
Paul
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speedo? Hmm....type in pirates and see what comes up LOL
Welcome back Dale!
Can you and your wife swing by fl and pick me up? I soooo need an adventure! ;D
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Welcome back Dale!! You're missing fall foilage in New England... how about brining that roving home of your's up this way? Got a brunch for the AN gang on November 19 in Worcester MA.... would LOVE to have you join us *hint-hint*
Welcome back!
Phyl
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Yo Mate:
Are you going through No. CA., Santa Cruz area? (or the lovely Santa Cruz mountains?) Let us know as us Northern California bunch hang, near Stanford area which is our new home! (meaning camping out at Stanford for treatments and consultations)
BTW, I never got to see Joe Cocker and still want to see him get into The Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. He has a heart of gold. We were planning to move to his area in Colorado until this AN situation came up. We might still move there. I wish I had seem him "Rock" in his day of youth before, I lost half my hearing. *(which I have more to lose the rest on the right side with radiation at the end of this month) It isn't quite all gone yet on the right side. I probably will have to "kiss off the rest of the hearing on the right, I suppose with CK." I never saw one of JC's concerts and adore his soul with feelings from his heart. I used to take professional voice back in Los Angeles/Hollywood. I really miss my hearing for music. We have our first rain here today and it sounds different with just one side. (big sigh!) Well, I still would like to hear Joe Cocker in person but, I would have to sit up close to get the impact. He and a few other "good oldies" are still performing. Most of you people won't know who this is but, I saw Leon Russell back in early June and that is where I really noticed my hearing was off. I was sitting right next to Leon Russell and one of the very loud speakers. I have seen Yanni when I could fully hear. I appreciate all kind of music except not a total "RAP" person. I have a few of those on DVD and CD's. I'm more of a classical and rock person but, I like the band to be really talented with class. (no off the wall and weird stuff for me) The Acoustic Neuroma is the only weird thing I need to get rid of in my life.
So with that, will some of my symptoms go after six months of the Cyberknife treatment? I can't even turn my neck it is so tight. Last night I did Sonata to get to sleep, *(with the tennitis, facial pain, etc.) I awoke at midnight with my fifth night in a row, migraine headache. I took 100 mg of Imitrex and a 5 mg of Ambien. I have started my day at midnight too many days in a row and stayed up all night. I had to get some sleep. I got up at five in the morning, feeling better as you can see.........this post is way too long.
Getting offline.........ya' all have a good day,
Palace
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Palace, are you one of the "Merry Pranksters"?
Paul
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Hello Paul,
What is a "Merry Prankster?"
I'm just an *honest person* having a "hard-time" awaiting my appointments and having severe AN symptoms. I'm a "Newbie" here.
Again, what is a "Merry Prankster?" If you are serious.........does that mean you are questioning my being here? :o Sadly, I do have a big AN and I don't know what you mean or why you would even think I wasn't an AN person. You have been following and responded to my posts for awhile.
I just don't understand your last email. Would you kindly explain it to me?
Thank you for your time and efforts,
Palace
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Hi Palace,
Oh, I can't speak for Paul, but my understanding is that "Merry Prankster" is one that likes to participate in fun, mischief and mayhem. I think you misunderstand and many of us here are "merry pranksters" as it's a fun way to deal in life although health issues may bother us. Oh, please do not worry about you being here. You are now a special member of our AN family as everyone here is special! :)
I am a merry prankster and proud of it. Humor helps me in times of feeling like blech due to health! I do hope you are a merry prankster as well! It's a good thing! :)
Phyl
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Palace,
 So sorry for the confusion. Back in the early sixties there was a group of adventurous youg people that were referred to as "The Merry Pranksters" that lived in the area of California that you're in. The leader of the group back then was Ken Kesey, the famous author of two novels: "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" and "Sometimes A Great Notion". These people were on the cutting edge of the counter-culture movement of the 60s' and everything that went along with it. They were immortalized in a book written by Tom Wolfe entitled: "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test". It's a great read! In the mid-sixties they piled into a psychodelic painted schoolbus and drove across the country to meet with Timothy Leary, the Harvard Professor turned L.S.D. guru who was holed up in a mansion with his "people" tripping his brains out on lysergic acid somewhere in New York.
  My alluding to you as a member of "The Merry Pransters" should be taken in the spirit of a colorful and endearing compliment - in which it was intended - and not as an insult or slight of any kind.
   Again, no malice (in the Palace) intended.......Paul
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Dear Phyl,
I guess I'm an "M.P." then!  I didn't know I was *naturally* talented in that area.  I reread my post to see what might be miss-leading.  I was hysterical laughing at my own text.  What made me laugh so hard was it is all true, what I wrote and it just sounded funny.  My grandmother was a famous poet, my mother loved to write and I, as well.  I never wrote my own songs but, maybe I should have.  I haven't laughed so hard in a year, since this AN was coming on.
Thank for the enlightenment.......laugh on,
Palace
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Thank you Palace! You should pick up a copy of Tom Wolfe's book, I think you'll really enjoy it!
Paul
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Paul,
I was going to respond to your email by saying that I put that "read," on my X-mas list. I will need this after my Standford appointments. I have the personality of Jackson Pollock and you? BTW, one of his paintings just sold for a BIG BUNCH! I only do watercolours, as you know. The JP in my watercolours comes out. People that have bought my paintings appreciate "color" (placement) which can come-off as wild. They must have that personality to appreciate them. That was an interesting post, your last one. I missed all the fun back in the sixties. I've changed and I would do my life totally different if I had it to do again. I was too "straight" for my own good. Moving *it* back to my camp.....
Regards,
Palace
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 In the mid-sixties they piled into a psychodelic painted schoolbus and drove across the country
HA HA - Were they driving the Mystery Mobile?
(http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:NGmTszpU8vlsdM:http://www.frontiermodels.co.uk/images/products/mysterymc.jpg)
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OK on the level ......
Here is what I think we can all do if we go broke and can't collect a dime, or if no person will hire us with AN problems.............pile in one of those colored "flowered" buses and start a new AN Peace movement. I haven't tried pot for my facial pain but, I have to admit..........I was thinking about it. Yeah, I was a late bloomer and tried some stuff in the early seventies but, nothing too hard. I wanted to save my brain and monies for retirement. I should have gone to concerts and that is my regret. (not that I didn't fry my brain; I don't regret that I didn't do that) Now lots of money is going with this AN thing, including my brain stem nerve. Go figure!
Bummer........have a "trippin' day,"
Palace
PS I'm not sure I have as much time as this forum takes but, you all have been nice to me and I hope I've helped others.
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Yes Palace, I sort of have the personality of Jackson Pollack as well. In fact, I am an artist as well as a musician. What's your email? Ill send you my self portrait and you'll understand, immediately.
Paul
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Paul:
I guess you could post your painting as your logo; that would be legal, right?
Oh, I can't give out my email addy because of security/virus, etc. I share this computer and remember, "I'm an honest Joe." (as in Joe Cocker) If you can change your logo, you could put up your famous "self-portrait," for awhile. Yes, I'm sure I would appreciate it, personally and others might. I'm glad to hear that you express yourself in your artwork. Maybe we could form a new AN band. I'd like to hear who does music and what instruments they play. We are real people here and have talents besides growing things in our head. It must be the talent growing out our ears. Come on other people and tell us your "out-lets" that you have for your escape from the sad AN stories. I see you people stray from the AN discussion to some more happier times and hopefully, we can make happy times in our future and share on this forum.
Stoked,
Palace
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Hi there Palace - classical piano is my passion, Claude de Bussey's Clair de lune my favorite piece. Also love love love jazz. Even though I'm an ameteur, piano has gotten me thru some tough times. As does travelling, unfortunately, I used all my sick/vacation time on the 2 months I was out with the AN, but I'm steadily gaining more time in the piggy bank. Can't wait to hit the road again.
Nancy
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Dear Road Trippin' Dale........Classy Nancy and Apollo Pauly,
We didn't forget you Dale as, this is your topic. As for Classical Nancy........I love jazz also but, not progressive jazz for me....I used to go to The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach for my jazz fix and Paul.......you could forward the picture by the forum choice. (without using the actual email yourself; I have gotten private posts aready, from this forum without actually giving out my email address. I don't know if it will forward attachments, though. I don't usually open foreign attachments. I would love to see your painting, though. Thank you for your time if you try to send it. (or maybe you are busy changing it to a logo)
My face hurts more than yesterday but, I'm trying to get by on nothing.....no pills, no wine, no nothing but, your humor right now. It is hard as, some pain days are worse than others. I still don't know why that is. Does anyone? Is this AN moving around and off the nerve area somedays or is that possible. I know it can as it grows at least that is what a doctor told me.
Thank you for those who share their tallents. I took seven years of piano but, haven't played for years. I haven't ever owned my own piano. I had private lessons when I was young and lived at my parents house.
Put music in your life while you have *some* hearing left........
Palace
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Crazycat,
 I read recently that the Bus is slated for restoration. I doubt that Ken Kesey would approve, everyones been Off the Bus for several decades. The psychedelic paint job is a bit faded from it's former glory, see http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10792061/from/RL.5/
Regards,
Rob
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Hey Palace, it's never to late to go to a rock concert. You aren't that far from me, I'll pick you up on my way to The Who concert next week.
I'm a post-op AN graduate of Stanford ;)
Cheryl
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Yes Rob, I saw something not too long ago about that.
Poor Kesey though. He died a few years ago from liver cancer.
Paul
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Cheryl,
It is too bad I have a series of appointments lined up or I'd join ya for the LA road trip. I have many of The Who DVD's. (put up on big screen in our home entertainment room) The tickets are over five hundred dollars for a seat close up for AN people to hear. 8) That is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost I will pay for my AN adventure. Years ago, I could have bought several homes for what is coming financially for me soon. You all know what I'm talking about. Party hardy.........and live for the moment. HAVE FUN! We might meet someday as, it sounds like you are a neighbor to me.
Broke in No. Ca.,
Palace
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I'm here....no worries Palace, I just like to start the treads and then see where they head off too. I picked up a cold the other day, which was a real shock since I haven't had a cold or the Flu, etc., in over three years, ever since I got out of Kansas City, its polution, and being around the plague ridden grandkids all the time ;D, but it just jumped up and bit me. Must be the bigger bugs in Texas.
For those that don't know and may care, Carol and I live year round in our 40' mansion on wheels and tow a tricked out Jeep Liberty behind us. We gave up our stick house about 4 years ago and hit the road. After 30 years in the Army, going through several conflicts, and 10 years in the Corporate world, we decided we weren't having any fun, decided to go see what I spent all that time defending, and I'll tell you it was worth every moment.
By the way just for informational purposes we, Carol and I, are from the Northern California area. She's from Modesto, and I was from Marysville/Yuba City. Most of our family (with the exception of two of our kids who live in Kansas City) still live in the Northern California area. Anyway, I love the conversations......
RTD
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RE:
They were immortalized in a book written by Tom Wolfe entitled: "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. It's a great read! In the mid-sixties they piled into a psychodelic painted schoolbus and drove across the country to meet with Timothy Leary, the Harvard Professor turned L.S.D. guru who was holed up in a mansion with his "people" tripping his brains out on lysergic acid somewhere in New York.
****My book is "in" at the library and I have to go pick it up today.
Thank you again for the reading recommendation,
Palace
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I may be dating myself, but the bus was called "Furthur" and you were either "on the bus" or "off the bus"--Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test still one of my favorite books!!! Yikes!!
Welcome back RTD and Co.!!
Haven't you just loved the Buffett Concerts on Radiomargaritaville?
Have you got a copy of "Take the Weather With You" yet? Two of my all time favorite covers--"Silver Wings" and Elvis Blues" are on it.
Also new full length concert DVD--Live at Wrigley Field--bout time!!!
Capt "Parrot Head" Deb 8)
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Hi Road trip.
I would really like to know more about travelling around USA in an RV or( motorhome as they are called here in UK )
I am 58 years old 18 months post GK and my husband and I keep a sailboat in the Chesapeake Bay which we use for about 3 months of the year but would love to explore more inland by buying a motorhome at a good price and selling it in
the end of our trip . Would it be Ok to send you a personal E Mail to discuss the matter in more detail?
Regards Kat