ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: ksiwek on November 03, 2010, 09:11:47 pm
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Hi ANA friends...
So the ABC affiliate in Los Angeles aired my story tonight. My surgery was back on 6/4, but apprently they wanted to run it for sweeps this week. Thought you all might find it interesting. They show my MRI briefly, so you can see what a monster it was...Watching the interview made me realize how far I have come in the recovery process! Things do get better with time.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=7763711
Ironically, I had my first post op MRI this week. The good news is that my brain is back to where its supposed to be and there is no sign of regrowth! Feeling both lucky and blessed. Next MRI in 6 months!
House Calls magazine also featured a story this month about my family in their fall edition. When they publish the issue online I will be sure to share it!
Best,
Kris
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Amazing story and what a great outcome! You are truly an inspiration.
Eve
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Awesome work by all. Parker is a lucky baby. You'll both be chasing each other in a year. I'm amazed at how much different I feel a year later, and have more energy than I have had in a long time. Those HEI docs are talented and we are lucky to have found their talents.
Susie
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I thought your supposed to get 15 minutes of fame. Not just 3 minutes.
Anyway, I take it you signed off on them using your MRI and home video. I guess I would too. To help others.
That reminds me I need to get my will fixed to allow my body parts to be donated to others in need and science.
Amazing real life story. If that was put in a TV show. It would rate very high on the drama scale.
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That was a cool story!!! I recognize those halls very well, having done many laps in them myself! Dr. Schwartz was one of my docs as well...My AN wasn't nearly as big as yours, but I am glad your outcome was terrific! This story should help open up our world to the general public a little bit more, and hopefully if someone was watching that and has been suffering from similar symptoms they can go seek help. Take care and thank you for sharing this with us!
Jay
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Very Cool !!!
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GREAT story! SO glad everything is working out well!
K ;D
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Very good video and really shows there can be good results under worse than usual ANs. I have a friend who says I should try to write an article for a magazine about ANs and having the surgery. That was after just the first AN. Not that good of a writer,so will pass on that one. Next Kris go for Oprah. You are close in location to her!
Cheryl R
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Thank you for sharing the video. Brought back so many memories for me - while my AN was much smaller, my diagnosis was almost exactly the same (halfway through pregnancy).
So glad to know things continue to improve for you! What a blessed family.
Katie
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Kris .....
Thanks for sharing this link. What an inspiring video and with you and Parker as the fabulous stars!!!
Thoughts and prayers for this wonderful miracle.
Clarice
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Kris:
I got teary-eyed. Your situation was definitely one of the scarier ones I've seen. Your outcome was nothing short of a miracle with the nerves being tangled up on the tumor. Not to mention the pregnancy.
Can you clarify something for me? Was your surgery done before the baby was born?
Syl
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Hi Kris,
I really just sat down and cried at this video!!! To think I had a part in getting you in touch with Dr. Friedman, and being really bossy about you going there ;) makes me really smile tonight from ear to ear.
It really feels good to help others!
I really feel so much apart of your miracle!
Thanks for sharing this!!!!
Bless you and Mike and wee Parker too !
Donnalynn
Donnalynn...
Have your received your copy of House Calls magazine? You are mentioned in the story as my friend from Canada! Yes, your phone call and support were defining moments of my AN journey!!! I am forever grateful for your selflessness and support. You are one amazing lady! Blessings to you :)
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Syl,
I ended up having to deliver my baby 5 weeks early. I was in a fast moving downward spiral from the tumor. So I had a c-section under general anesthesia and then they gave me 2 weeks to recover before the AN surgery. After having the baby, some of the edema or swelling from pregnancy reduced the pressure on my brain a bit....
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Great story Kris! Thanks for sharing it.
-Tod
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Kris:
I'm teary-eyed again. That's so much to go through.
Your baby is beutiful.
Syl
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Thanks so much for sharing this, Kris! I did see the House Calls article just yesterday - it was awesome also. Knew just who that Canadian was that they were referring to - I had a similar call from that Canadian ;) What a story you had!
Cindy
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Very cool! Nice story, great outcome, brave patient. Darling baby boy, too! And yeah, you had a monster in there. Wow. So glad for a happy ending.
Sue in Vancouver, USA
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Kris ~
Thanks for sharing the ABC TV video - starring you! Not only do you have a fascinating AN story with a happy ending (healthy baby , AN-free mom) but you've helped publicize the problems brought on by an acoustic neuroma. Well done! :)
Jim
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Wow, Kris! A celebrity in our midst ;D
Wonderful story. I passed the link along to a doctor we know ;)
Can't wait to see the printed article.
Jan
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Awesome Kris! I also shared the link on FB with my friends. They all know what I have been through so I thought the education from your journey might give them a new appreciation.
(thanks to the Capt for posting it as well)
Liz
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What a great video, about you and Acoustic Neuromas! Glad I watched it.
Neal
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Touched my heart! May God bless you going into a beautiful future, Mickey
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Thanks everyone for the kinds words! I told the PR rep for House that they can use my story however they see fit. I told them that it is more than worth my time to raise awareness about ANs, hearing loss and of course my fantastic docs ;D I know that they are actively working on other media outlets. I will be sure to post anything that comes up!
Donnalynn, I can mail you a copy if you PM me your address. Otherwise you can call House and request a free copy. You can sign up to begin receiving the newsletter (free) going forward as well. Let me know! On a side note: You always say the sweetest things...but know that you really shaped my journey and happy ending. You know the emotional roller coaster I was on and talked me off the ledge several times. You could never know just how much I appreciated the support during the most stressful and scary time of my life. Not only did you support my whole family, but you helped arrange support in LA...from Canada!!! I can honestly say that you are one of the most amazing women I have had the pleasure to know in my life!
Jan! I see Dr B next week to see how my BAHA wound is shaping up. I will ask him if he got a chance to view it...he (like it or not :P) will be a part of any update to my story!
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Kris -
I don't think Dr. B will mind being part of any updates on your story.
From what I know of him, I think he'll be honored.
Please give him my best when you see him ;D
Jan
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Great Story! Thanks for sharing.
You know I have chatted to many women, who also had AN tumors, who testify they have had multiple miscarriages in their past... I think the brainstem being impacted may have much to do with it...
Only 2 of my 8 pregnancies made it to full term. (Nevertheless 2 beautiful kids I have) I wonder if there have been any studies on this...
You and you baby are just beautiful. Very touching story.
Thanks again for posting.
DHM
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Kris,
That was a great story. My brother lives in Bakersfield, CA. and had never heard of acoustic neuromas or of the House Cliinic. I had been researching and read about House. I told him what I was finding. I had thought of going to House, but living in West Virginia, my husband and I hoped to find something closer. (Which we did and I will be having translab Nov. 16 in Pittsburgh, Pa.) Anyhow, the strange thing is, my brother e-mailed me and said they got a House magazine in the mail and your stoy was in it. He copied it and e-mailed it to me. I read it with great interest. You really went through a lot and I am so glad things are going so well for you. It was just so weird that he got that in the mail at this time when I just found out I had one. Good luck to you from now on. I looked at your pictures of Parker and he is adorable.
Sandy
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Y'a done good Kid. Sweet baby boy...
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I must add this post to those to visit when at library as slow connection giving me nothing ...
education of the public as to what ANs are can only be good for us all ... glad your story has been told ...
beautiful baby and beautiful mom ...
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I posted the link on facebook, too--such a great story and Dr Rick was my doc, too. Congrats on your little bundle of joy!
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/pirate-4.gif)
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Kris
Congrats for helping to bring a face and voice to AN's...... well done! :)
Phyl
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I am sorry I thought I had responded to this it was truly a beautiful ending... and such a precious picture and of you and your baby...
Best Wishes,
Pat
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Great to see the positive. So glad it all worked out so well for you!