ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: m4guzman on November 12, 2010, 09:22:59 am
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Hi all
For those of you who don't know me, I had mid fossa about 18 months ago and was left with no hearing, wonk headed and facial palsy. My face has improved about 60 70 percent. (my left corner of my mouth does not move)
Last month I went to see a neurologist who told me that my face will never come back and that I should just get used to it.
He took all the hope away from me in 1 second. I cried for about an hour and then I decided that he was wrong. I am not
giving up so easy! So . . . I am heading to go see Jackie Diels next Monday!!!! She has an unexpected opening.
I am going for 3 days. I will try to take some before and after pictures.
wish me luck!
Marybeth
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This is so exciting, Marybeth!!! I know you are going to be really happy you did this, and I think Jackie is going to prove that neurologist WRONG. Jackie will take lots of pictures while you are there and she will email them to you if you ask her to. Wow - so exciting!!!!
Debbi
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I'm so excited for you Marybeth! Obviously that unexpected opening means luck is already with you.
Sara
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Keep us posted. I am considering a trip north too.
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Good for you!! Best of luck.
Grace
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Wisconsin in winter. Dress warm.
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Great news, can't wait to see the pictures! And another point for team never give up!
Liz
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Marybeth ~
Congratulations on taking this giant step to normalcy! Jackie Diels is famous for her successes with AN patients (ask Debbi). That you used an insensitive doctor's negativity as the impetus for your decision is admirable as well as ironic. I wish you great success in Wisconsin!
Jim
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Good Luck! Jackie is the best in her field I trained with her for almost 4 years, One 2 day trip a year. She helped so much. Karen
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Never give up am still getting movement after nearly 4 yearsx
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Thanks everyone for all your Well Wishes.
I am back! And so is my HOPE! I am very very Happy! I can not say enough about Jackie. She is just wonderful. She is everything
I thought and more. The best part about Jackie is that she understands! She listens to what you have to say and then she explains it to you.
My main concern when I went out there was that the left side of my mouth did not move when I smiled. She showed me that it does
actually move only the chin and neck muscles were pulling the corner of my mouth down to look like it was not moving. Yea!
Any one out there with facial palsy should go see her. Don't Give UP! There is hope!
I spent 3 days with her and it was great because she was training another therapist. The first day jackie proved to me that my face had lots of
movement. By looking at me you would have thought I had little movement. Jackie examined my facial movements by looking and taking pictures. then she gave me exercises to do. Not bad. I went back to my room at night and practiced. The next day we spent going over some new
exercises and some coordination movements. This is to help with the synkenisis. This is harder then the exercises because you have to concentrated
really hard. the third day we spent going over everything that I learned.
I am going to work hard to make it work. I am so excited. I will ask her to send me the pictures.
My Hope is back!!!
Marybeth
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Marybeth ~
I'm delighted to learn of your success with Jackie Diels. She is a blessing to many. Regaining hope is crucial to our well-being and now, you have that. Congratulations!
Jim
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Hi Marybeth-
I was so glad to see your post - been thinking about you this week! So glad that your visit with Jackie went well - sounds like my first visit with her. I, too, thought that my mouth wasn't moving, but learned that it DOES move, it was just being pulled by surrounding muscles. If you stay with the exercises, I promise you that you will see HUGE improvements with the way your mouth moves.
Keep working the exercises and stretches - and if you get discourage, call me and I'll cheer you on!
Sending you a BIG hug!
Debbi
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That is amazing. So glad you didn't just listen to him!!!
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Great news! I am so happy for you.
Grace
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Go! Go! Go! You will be soooooo happy you did.
My surgeons told me the same thing, but after attending an ANA mtg and hearing Jackie we decided to try her. I was just up there (during the blizzard-LOL). If you're willing to work with her she will help you tremendously. She's the best!