ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: another NY postie on January 01, 2010, 05:10:15 pm
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Happy New Year to all! Today, New Year's Day, is day 100 of my post surgery (I know this because, as I sat in my hospital bed on day 3, unable to watch TV or read or do much of anything, and decided to count days post op on my pocket calendar. I was amazed that my day 100 fell on New Years Day and I decided at that moment that I would be “recovered†(a relative term I now understand ;)) by day 100 and start my New Year off with a new beginning.
I have not posted a tremendous amount since those first couple of weeks because I have been very fortunate to have a remarkable recovery, in that it has been unremarkable in terms of complications. I wanted to post a picture of how far I have come in 14 weeks. This says it all!
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad312/ccamroberto/week14-6.jpg?t=1262387114) (http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad312/ccamroberto/week14-7.jpg?t=1262387697) (http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad312/ccamroberto/week14-9.jpg?t=1262387772)
Yep, post 14 weeks to the day, I skied for five hours! I had no idea if I would ever be able to ski again and I did – in fact it felt, dare I say, fairly normal! I am amazed that I have come so far in such a relatively short time.
For someone with a small tumor, who tested only 32% loss of vestibular function pre-surgery, my balance recovery has been swift. I had very little dizziness after surgery, could ride in a car day 5 post op with no problem, and was star pupil in vestibular rehab. I went from jogging (albeit slow) at week 7 to biking at week 11 to skiing at week 14. Of course, not every moment is perfect and I do have an occasional wobbly moment, but it all seems to pass and I feel really good.
I wanted to post this to let those newly diagnosed who are wrestling with the myriad of options and all the potential, and often debilitating, risks and side effects, that there are many who have the surgery and have equally or better recoveries. I do not know why I have done so well – part luck, part perseverance, part finding the right doctor for me. I know that the prayers that sustained me through the research phase and carried me through my surgery and healing were invaluable.
Hearing remains my challenge. It is funny sometimes what I can “mis-hear†and I still am not comfortable in noisy environments, but like everything else, it gets better each day. I know that I will end up with one of the bone conductive devices at some point.
The depth of concern and support that I have felt from people on this site has been amazing. I am doing my best to pay this forward and help those who are just beginning this journey. There have been many blessings from getting this AN, and one of them has been gratitude and perspective on my life. So from the bottom of my heart, wherever you are on this journey, let 2010 be the year of new beginnings for us all!
Cheryl
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Cheryl ~
Thank you for your exciting, inspiring progress report on your 100th day post-op. Congratulations! Thank you, too, for your kind word for these forums as well as for your own contributions.
You're appreciated and valued, here. A great 2010 to you, too! :)
Jim
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Thank You Cheryl. And Happy New Year to. You have done fabulous and it makes me very happy to see your smiling face as you clearly enjoy your ski day!
oops...fixed your name.
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Cheryl,
Congratulations on your continuing speedy recovery! I remember that when I met you at the NY/NJ luncheon in November I could scarcely believe you had had your surgery so recently, and it appears that you've continued to return to "normal" by leaps and bounds.
This is so encouraging to the newly diagnosed out there on the forum -- there are many of us who get through the treatment with minimal issues. Unfortunately this doesn't happen for everyone, but remember that there are many AN patients who never post on this forum. They have their surgery/radio treatment and move on.
Hope you'll continue to feel fine and will investigate a BAHA (or something else) when the time is right.
Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)
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Awesome, Cheryl! Thanks for posting those pics - looks like so much fun and great encouragement for the newbies and recent posties around here...and for us not so newbieish also!
Looks like you're on your way to a great New Year :)
Cindy
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I have not posted a tremendous amount since those first couple of weeks...
Yes, but now you have posted pictures, which makes up for it. We love pictures. :)
100 days seems like a good milestone to document. Maybe we should make that a new tradition, so we have F3D and 100D.
You are looking good there on skis, congratulations on a great recovery.
Steve
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Awesome, Cheryl. :)
Lets definitely keep this post handy for those who are worried about the after effects of brain surgery!
So happy for you!
Maureen.
Love the pics
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VERY impressive, Cheryl ;D
Congratulations!
Jan
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Hello Cheryl,
So glad that life is treating you well! You inspire much hope for the rest of us! Gee, 14 weeks and skiings??? I wonder if that would happen for me too?? Oh, wait I have never skied before, so probably not! Congratulations on such a great recovery, may your blessings continue!
Jackie
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Cheryl,
All I can say is....WOW! You are an inspiration. Congratulations on your recovery. You're a trooper!
Lyn
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So happy for you and your accomplishments you truly are an inspiration to both pre-ops and post-ops, cannot wait to see what is next.......
Regards,
Pat
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Way to go Cheryl. Great to "hear" about your strong recovery and returning quickly to your active life style. Keep it up.
Patrick
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Wow, I am impressed and sincerely happy for you. Your recovery has been remarkable. Looks like you are going to have a great year!
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WOW, Cheryl .....
That is the ultimate in vestibular therapy! Congratulations on a major accomplishment!
Clarice
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Hey Cheryl, looks like you are doing awesome!! I can't wait to be at the 100 day point! :) I'm at day..ummm, 25....and so far it's hasn't been bad, but impatient for things to get back to "normal". That was a good PSA for all the newbies, I know I valued everyone's post experience (especially yours!) , as it helped me decide what I to do on mine. Take care and have a GREAT New Years!
Jay
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So happy for you, Cheryl! What a great way to celebrate New Year!
Eve
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FANtastic!
Amazing recovery! I DO like to read about these sorts of outcomes.
DHM ;)
P.S. I know Cheryl to be HIGHLY intelligent because she is wearing a ski helmet. Excellent role model of inspiration she is ;) ;D
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hi Cheryl!
Someone from the forum forwarded me a link to your post and I was happy to look at the pictures and learn that you are fine. You also reminded me that on the NY it was 101 days since my surgery :) How's it working out with the kids? I am almost unable to say where the sound is coming from anymore... hope I am not gonna get attacked by a bear in the woods or smth. like that - I'll be careful.
Anyways it was great lo learn you were doing great! Happy 2010 to you, your husband (David?), of course, to Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Schwartz and everyone else on the team of doctors and nurses to whom I am thankful for my outcome. Happy New Year to everyone on the forum - it helped me a lot to tackle the problem and come out with a solution which is right for me!
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Cheryl,
Thanks for posting! I'm inspired that I, too, can make a good recovery.
Eli.
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Cheryl,
All I can say is WOW!! What an inspiration to all of us. Thank you so much for posting the great pics.
Lynn