ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: cindyj on November 07, 2009, 02:56:08 pm
-
So strange to think of this time last year - hard to believe I was rolling down that hall of windows (you House alumn know what I mean) right about now. I won't recount the story here, but a couple of links are below if any of you newbies want to read part of my journey. I couldn't find any from immediate post-op, but know my mom posted some (nausea, nausea and a bit more nausea ;) ). However, as they fall under the "first three days don't count" rule, it doesn't much matter what they said. My story is actually pretty uneventful, almost boring compared to some, but we'll call that a good thing ;)
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=8109.0
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6163.15
For the record (and you newbies), my temporary facial paralysis was indeed temporary - probably about 8 weeks or so. Yes, there is still some residual effect, but only a neurosurgeon (and a few of you guys) would be able to tell ;D
My wonky-head continues, but as most of you know, my philosophy has been that it won't get better if I give in to it and sit in the house. I did start vestibular exercises a couple of months ago to see if it can knock out the last of the seasickness. If not, oh well...tennis must still be played!
While tinnitus is, of course, annoying, the SSD is not so bad. As I think I've posted before, it gives my husband great ammo for humor. Yes, going out to dinner with friends can be a challenge, but I'm not about to miss out on it! I think less and less of it these days.
I have always been a "glass half full, things could always be worse (and they can)," kind of person. That served me well this past year, and I think most of you out here have the same philosophy. There have been SO many inspiring stories here. And, there are SO many things worse than having an AN...
To sum it all up :D, I'm fine! I continue to hang out here because you are all my very dear friends now...really (ok, now I'm tearing up). As "strong" as I am, I would NOT have made it without this forum which I found just prior to my diagnosis. From meeting Phyl and her bloke not long after my diagnosis (sure she has family down here, but I like to think she came to GA just for me, right, Phyl ;D), to my phone conversations with Donnalynn and Cheri pre-surgery that were priceless, to the conversations I've had with many of you newbies since my surgery, to my awesome hat-by-Steve, to my new GA AN buddies, the AN Book Club, and so many more...How can I fully be sorry that I had an AN?
Finally, I can not think of this time last year without thinking of Nancy (NL) who made our LA trip, a trip to remember...with some very nice memories, not just memories of surgery. You are so special to Brad, Mom and me, Nancy! And, of course, it was incredible to meet David and Mathilda out there - just unbelievable!
It has been an amazing journey to take with you guys...Thank you and many hugs to ALL of you,
Cindy (sorry this was so long :))
-
Cindy ~
Thanks for your poignant, heartfelt 1-year update. I'm delighted to learn that you're recovering so well and overcoming whatever obstacles were in your path back to normalcy, and doing so with aplomb. Kudos to you, Cindy! I also want to offer my appreciation for your kind words about the folks that make these forums what they are - invaluable, in my never-to-be-humble opinion.
You're a valued member here and we certainly have gotten as much from your presence on the forums as we've ever given to you. Thanks again and may Year 2 be even better for you! :)
Jim
-
Congratulations, Cindy! ;D
Hard to believe it's been a whole year.
Thanks for all you share here on the forum. All your fellow forumites appreciate your contributions!
Jan
-
Hi Cindy,
Congrats on your second anniversary!! Thanks for all the support that you and everyone else on this forum give. It's my lifeline right now and my support team to see me through this ordeal. I'm pre surgery on Dec. 28th in Boston with Dr. Peter Black. I hope and pray that my "an" surgery is successful and life returns to normal. I wish you all the best. God Bless!!!
Gingerbread6
-
Cindy,
So sorry for my error on your an anniversary. Congrats on your 1st anniversary!!!!!
Gingerbread6
-
Thanks Cindy!
I am pre-op and it is so great to hear success stories like yours. It give me so much hope!
Lyn
-
Woo hoo! You rocked it, Cindy! Thanks for helping me through to the other side. You're an inspiration, for sure.
-
Congrats on your 1 year milestone!!!! Your outlook throughout your journey has been inspiring and you are a fabulous example of a great quality of life after surgery. I'm glad you are still an active member of the club!!!!
Kathy
-
Congrats Cindy
It was great to meet you when I was in florida. You were 4 months post op then and I thought you looked wonderful. It gave me alot of hope for my surgery.
JO
-
Cindy,
Belated congratulations on your 1-year anniversary! You are a very resilient individual and have been an inspiration to so many of us here on the ANA forum.
Best wishes,
Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)
-
Now, you see, this is why I love to be here - you guys are so great...thanks!
(Jo, was thinking about you the other day - I'll be back down in Jax Feb 20th...how about you?)
Cindy
-
Hey Cindy!
I was thinking about your upcoming anniversary all last week. You've been such an inspriation to others over the past year! Thanks for sharing the year with us, from everything from the rowing team, to the tennis, to the run!
I dug up one of your mom's post-op update threads (thanks again, Sandra!), and this one has your first "post-op post" a few down from the top. :)
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7994.15 (http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7994.15)
Happy One-Year Anniversary, Cindy - and I know it's the first of many, many more!
Nancy
P.S. - I'm looking forward to your next "vacation only" trip out west! ;) ;D
-
Oh, good work, Nancy - thanks! I noticed in several of my posts in all of those links, I kept telling y'all I had SO much I wanted to say...but, it seems I never did say it! I do remember having many, what I thought, were profound thoughts - pretty sure it was just the Decadron ::) My mind would just race all night on that stuff. Oh well, guess you'll never know what great wisdom I was going to impart to you guys!
Nancy, I do hope I get back out there one day for a non-AN related trip! We'll meet up in that Mex restaurant for that margarita!
Cindy
-
CINDY,
CONGRATS ON YOUR 1ST ANNIVERSARY!!!! ;D I LOVE TO HEAR YOUR POSSITIVE ATTITUDE! IT IS TRULY THE BIGGEST PART OF HEALING! ;) I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN SOON! I HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY, AND OUT OF TOUCH, BUT I THINK OF EVERYONE! LIFE HAS BEEN GOOD!
YOU GOT TO KEEP ON MOVING!!!!!
TAMMI
-
Hi Cindy-
Congrats on your 1-year anniversary. Love hitting those milestones! I always love reading your posts because you have such a great attitude and sense of humor. you GO girl!
Debbi
-
Thanks, Debbi! Your story was really one of the first one's I followed in the early part of my AN "journey." You were always so positive and upbeat throughout all your many ordeals with your surgery and recovery. You set a great example for me to go by! And, of course, as a recipient of your Magic Scarf, I am especially grateful to you!
Tammi! Great to hear from you! Glad to know you're busy! You're so right - one must keep moving! Do hope to see you at our winter support group meeting - we're also sort of talking about getting together for lunch sometime in the next few weeks. Watch for details when and if they emerge...
Cindy
-
Ms. Cindy! :-* Trying to play catch up with everyone but how could I not come in, give a MAJOR congrats to you on your ANniversary..... seems like yesterday you were just diagnosed and in decision mode... and now look at you! Well done!
Congrats, congrats.. and many more happy, HEALTHY ANniversaries! :-*
Phyl
-
Happy ANniversary, Cindy! You've passed the hardest milestone, congratulations and many, many more!
Brenda
-
Cindy~
Just now seeing this - what an incredible year you have had - not just surgery, but all you have accomplished AFTER surgery!! You go girl! Thanks for the ray of sunshine that you are around here! Onward and upward!
K ;D
-
From a newly annointed member of the AN community, I offer my congrats to you Cindy!! I think a lot of us newbies really enjoy seeing how life is AFTER all this crap is over and done with, what people have accomplished, whether good or bad. Gives us hope and encouragement. I will look forward to posting MY one year anniversary thing!! :)
Jay