OK, so if I finally followed Jan's instructions correctly, I should have a picture. So I know that this is not the BEST picture...I could have a bit more symmetrical smile and hopefully (fingers crossed), I will be able to wear make-up on the AN side soon, but this picture means a lot to me because for the 1st time in almost 13 years I thought "I really kind of LIKE that picture!" I guess that is a milestone...& I wanted to share it with y'all because I figured some of you would understand it more than anyone else. I had my eye weight taken out about 3 weeks ago and I am wondering if I am going to need to have another put in. The plan was to let my eyelid heal completely and then start over: however, I am only using one drop of Systane a day and Refresh PM at night - just like I was with the weight!! I am very pleased about how it looks too. I'll let you know what the Dr. says tomorrow...
Also, I really didn't tell anyone, but I have been having headaches for a while and my shoulder was really hurting. I've tried EVERYTHING (new dinky purse, no weights at the gym) and cut everything out with that arm. It took me a while, but I finally realized that the ONLY other time I had shoulder pain like that was right before my AN was diagnosed. I had HORRIBLE shoulder pain and nothing would touch it - it was because my brainstem was so displaced from the tumor. Anyway, I guess I was really kind of frightened, but I already had a Physical scheduled so I waited to talk to my Dr. then. He ordered an MRI of the brain (w/ & w/o contrast, of course) and also the neck. I didn't get the results until a week later when I finally called (the Dr. went out of town and the nurse was supposed to call). All that happened with my Grandmother & I guess I just didn't want to deal with anything else - I figured no news was good news. It was - NO CHANGE since my last MRI in 2004. Whoo-Hoo! They sent me the MRI reports and apparently there is something wrong with my neck but I can deal with that (probably a little rehab).
So, you may be asleep by now because this is a LONG post, especially for me, but just thought I'd let you know what has been going on in my world!! ;D
K
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: ppearl214 on October 15, 2008, 08:50:00 pm
Kay, just as gorgeous as I thought the updated pic would be! Simply gorgeous... and yes, Dave looks great as well! :)
xo Phyl
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: msmaggie on October 16, 2008, 07:27:41 am
Good news from you, Kay! I know it must have been scary waiting to hear back, and I know you spent more than a little bit of time in prayer :) I had a "frozen shoulder" a few years back and had to have rehab for it. It loosened up over time and I now have complete mobility. Good luck with your prognosis. The picture is lovely and you look happy...and your hubby is adorable! You are an amazing person--upbeat and living life to the fullest. You inspire the rest of us.
Maggie
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: mimoore on October 16, 2008, 07:30:38 am
Kay you look GREAT! Thanks for the update. I am so excited for you. It must be so exciting for your children too. I know that anytime someting happens to my face the family celebrates. I just saw pictures of me from thanksgiving and thought yikes no more pictures so I totally get that you are happy with this picture of you and your hubby. Are you taking pictures every month to see progress? Glad to hear you eye is not being a pain for you. Hope it is healing well. Thank you for all of your support with my internal eyelid weight, it has meant so much. Michelle ;D
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 16, 2008, 10:13:14 am
Kay -
I'm glad the instructions worked!!! YEA!!! I love it when people post pictures ;D
You and Dave look so happy - and you both look wonderful ;D
Sorry to hear about the shoulder and neck pain, but very relieved to hear your MRI was clean.
Where's Capt Deb with that dancing puppy???
Jan
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Kaybo on October 16, 2008, 05:57:16 pm
Hey Everyone! Thanks for the sweet words! Just a little update...I went to the Dr. today for a check-up on my eye. The vision is a little better - still comes & goes. I think that can be contributed to not using salve during the day. I am not really concerned about total vision anymore anyway - I have gone so long without it & do just fine. He said that as long as it didn't get red that I could continue to stick with the drops during the day. I don't think I ever really got him to understand that I ONLY use them ONCE/day!! I will be really watching it b/c of the cold weather season and heater use coming up. He did say that my eyelid had healed so I can try make-up - YEA!!! Basically a 1st since I had my AN surgery so long ago!! Has anyone used the new Systane Ultra? I had a sample and it seems to be working OK...
K ;D
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: LADavid on October 16, 2008, 06:37:14 pm
Kay, that is so cool. What a wonderful picture. You look great I remember those pics immediately post the T3 that looked like you got in a ring with Mike Tyson -- only you still had your ear -- and I thought, how can this be a good thing? This picture is the good thing. Congratulations! David
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: saralynn143 on October 16, 2008, 07:00:58 pm
Nice, Kay! I am still camera shy. One of these days, though, one of these days . . .
Sara
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: lori67 on October 16, 2008, 09:18:54 pm
Kay - you look absolutely fantastic! Dave, so do you.... ;)
I'm glad the MRI was good. Sorry to hear you still have a pain in your neck... but, you know..that happens!! :D Seriously, I'm glad it's just something that can be fixed or dealt with without requiring another hole in your head. I can come down and give you and your mom group PT sessions. I was talking to my mom the other day and she said everything on the left side of her body seems to be broken and I said everything on the right side of mine seems to be the problem so we figured we can cut ourselves in half and make one whole functional person! Maybe you might have to do that too - your legs and your mom's arms.
Keep smiling! Lori
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: NL on October 16, 2008, 09:32:03 pm
Kay,
You look wonderful! You and your hubby make an adorable couple! Both of you look so happy - the joy just jumps off the screen! (I'm with Jan - I love it when people post pics. David - we're waiting for those half-marathon photos. ;))
Congratulations on the clean MRI, too.
Nancy
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: wendysig on October 17, 2008, 06:48:42 am
Hi K!
I love the new pic of you and Dave -- you both look fabulous and happy! I'm sorry to hear about your neck and shoulder pain and hope that physical therapy will fix you right up. I can kind of relate because I had terrible back pain for weeks after I got out of the hospital. If you have one of those massaging body pads, that might help too and I found heat was great too. I hope you're soon feeling like your usual self but even better. :D
Sending you a giant hug, Wendy
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Omaschwannoma on October 17, 2008, 08:57:07 am
Hey pretty lady! Thanks for sharing your story I found it lovely and keep loving yourself as it shows through in pictures!
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: CROOKEDSMILE on October 20, 2008, 03:55:05 pm
Wow Kay. That's all that I can say....is WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! Love, Angie
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Captain Deb on October 20, 2008, 04:06:23 pm
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Debbi on October 21, 2008, 02:31:59 pm
Kay-
You look absolutely fabulous! I can't believe how great your smile looks - and how happy you and Dave both look. You went through such H*** after your T3 surgery, but it looks like it was worth it.
Sorry you are having pain. I can sympathize as I am continuing to fight neck/shoulder pain. Hot compresses do help, at least temporarily. Hopefully some PT will help, too.
hugs comming your way from Debbi
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Kate B on October 21, 2008, 09:06:43 pm
\but this picture means a lot to me because for the 1st time in almost 13 years I thought "I really kind of LIKE that picture!" \K
It is a fantastic picture K!!! ...Most important is that you feel good about it:-)
Kate
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Kaybo on October 21, 2008, 09:10:17 pm
Thanks guys for all the sweet words!
Cheri- We were at the Fall Festival at our church...
K
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: lacey7 on October 22, 2008, 10:26:51 pm
Kay, You look absolutely amazing!!! I LOVE the picture, and you and Dave look soooo good together!! It's so easy to see how happy you two are!!! ;) It's great that you can see that too. You have been thru so much, and I'm proud of how far you have come. I don't like to hear that you are in pain......and I hope you can find the cause soon, or that it will go away. You are a GREAT person, and help sooooo many people here. Please take care and here are some hugs () () () Lacey
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Kaybo on October 23, 2008, 07:39:49 am
Lacey~ Thanks for the kind words...we are happy...we, of course have our struggles and problems, but we lean on the Lord & on each other. I have committed to trying to help people here and with my blog and Dave is very supportive of that!
Have a great Thursday! ;D K
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: MaryBKAriz on October 25, 2008, 09:25:52 am
WOW Kay!!!!
You look absolutely adorable! I am so happy for you. Such beautiful progress after your 13 years of waiting. Have you tried the eye make-up? Bright blue is out now ;)
A big hug being sent your way.
Mary 8)
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: LisaP on October 25, 2008, 12:29:17 pm
Kaybo
you look great!!!!!!
LisaP ;D
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: calimama on October 25, 2008, 08:11:49 pm
Kaybo...
Almost never check this "folder" (AN community) but glad i did tonight as it was nice to see your wonderful photo and feel your positive energy. You look great, happy.
more good things,
Trish
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: wendysig on October 27, 2008, 07:05:32 am
Hi K, Just wanted to say again what a great picture is is of you and Dave! I also wanted to ask how your eye is doing now that it's been a while since you had the eye weight removed. I remember you saying you weren't sure you'd need another one.
Wendy
Title: Re: This & That from Kaybo...
Post by: Kaybo on October 27, 2008, 07:30:42 am
Wendy~ My eye is doing great! I had to call the doctor back last week b/c I noticed it was kind of swollen. It looked like I had the weight in again! I had worn make-up so I thought that had caused it but he said it was starting to do that when I was in Thursday (neither the nurse nor I had noticed it yet). It is all part of the healing process. I wore full eye make-up (no mascara on bottom lashes of AN side) to church yesterday and it was great - no problems! I find that late at night, when I should be ready for bed, & I am staring at the computer, it will get a little red but I just put the Refresh PM in for the night and all is well! Thanks for asking!