ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: mimoore on February 16, 2009, 05:38:16 pm

Title: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: mimoore on February 16, 2009, 05:38:16 pm
The night before surgery. (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/aJune32008-1-1.jpg)One month post op (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/p0624-tryingtosmile-2.jpg)Four months(http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/fourmonths3-1.jpg)Eight months(http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/IMGP1837-2-1-1-1.jpg) (http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k324/amangelanna/IMGP1830-2.jpg)

Not quite there but it is coming. Notice I am wearing my bangs on the other side... no movement in my forehead, nose and no blink. I cannot smile any bigger or muscles in my neck pop out. My facial therapist says "Slow and steady wins the race". ..and I added "And a wee bit of patience", okay I lied A LOT of patience.

Believe  ;D
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: jerseygirl on February 16, 2009, 05:41:06 pm
Just beautiful! Superb progress! So-o happy for you!

          Eve
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: Jeanlea on February 16, 2009, 05:45:33 pm
What fantastic progress you are showing!  You have a nice symmetrical smile.  And it only took you 8 months.  Awesome.  I think it's from being around the kinders.  lol  Thanks for sharing them.  A picture really is worth a thousand words.

Jean
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: texsooner on February 16, 2009, 05:47:21 pm
Amazing progress Michelle. You look great. That will give a lot of people confidence that things take time and will improve.

Patrick
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: Syl on February 16, 2009, 06:12:28 pm
Mimoore:

Your smile is coming along beautifully. It's nice seening the different photos at the various stages of recovery.

Syl
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: CROOKEDSMILE on February 16, 2009, 06:14:27 pm
I'm blown away. You have come a long way! Wow.
Angie
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: nteeman on February 16, 2009, 06:30:55 pm
Mimoore,

That is fantastic progress. Your belief will take you to your goal, keep it going!

Neal
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: Kaybo on February 16, 2009, 06:33:40 pm
Michelle~
Oh my goodness - you look GREAT!!!  Snaps for you!!  So happy when I see so much progression in others and know that you won't be stuck like me forever!!  The wonderful wonders of medicine today!!  ;)

K
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: 1cANAdian on February 16, 2009, 06:36:27 pm
Hi Michelle,

That is a great photo sequence.  It really demonstrates what a lack of facial nerve cooperation looks like, and also shows that your progress is spectacular!  

Best wishes, and don't run out of patience.

Ken
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: saralynn143 on February 16, 2009, 08:20:34 pm
Hey Michelle! We are practically surgery twins (mine was two days before yours) so I always look forward to your posts to compare progress. You look great and I think your smile is a little more developed than mine. It was such a relief to reach symmetry at rest, though.

Take care,
Sara
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: sgerrard on February 16, 2009, 08:37:39 pm
Believe  ;D

You bet. It's a great post, Michelle. You are coming along well. Your student had it right, your smile is waking up. Welcome back, smile. :)

All you need now is a hat...

Steve
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: yardtick on February 16, 2009, 09:36:15 pm
Michelle,

You have come a long way.  You really look great.

Anne Marie
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: wendysig on February 17, 2009, 12:01:09 am
Hi Michelle!

Congratulations on all the progress you have made, I know this has not been an easy road for you and you  look marvelous!   I wish you continued success in your AN journey.

Wishing you only the best,
Wendy

Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: nancyann on February 17, 2009, 07:32:48 am
Michelle:  Fantastic pictures ! !   I am soooo   happy for you ! ! ! ! !
Continued healing my friend,   Always good thoughts,   Nancy
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: cindyj on February 17, 2009, 08:34:19 am
Looking great, Michelle!  Love the photos showing your progression - thanks for putting them out here.

Cindy
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: Jim Scott on February 17, 2009, 10:36:59 am
Michelle:

Kudos to you for posting your series of photos that so clearly demonstrate your excellent progress in regaining facial symmetry.  Those who are dealing with post-op situations similar to yours can take heart from the obvious, real-world healing you're experiencing as you slowly but steadily regain normalcy.  Yes, the pace is glacial and often frustrating, we know, but those photos are awesome in their ability to show how AN post-op facial mobility is gradually regained.  I can't thank you enough for the courage and compassion you've demonstrated with the posting of that photo series. Bravo

Jim
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: GM on February 17, 2009, 07:02:55 pm
Thanks for posting your photo's...what a great recovery!!   It took a great deal of personal courage to post them...thanks.
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: jazzfunkanne on February 18, 2009, 03:29:28 am
you are looking great, i am seeing improvements in my face at just over two years, i am now feeling more confident to talk to people i meet in the street, where as before i would have hurried by them.
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: LisaP on February 18, 2009, 06:12:27 am
thanks for sharing your photo, for those of us in the "watch & wait" status, everybit of information is useful.  Your smile is more beautiful then ever.

thanks again

LisaP ;D
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: mimoore on February 18, 2009, 07:17:27 am
Thank you everyone. The AN experience is quite a journey isn't it?
K the internal strength the you and others with permanet facial paralysis hold is extremely admirable. No one can truly understand how much courage it takes to take the bull by the horns and live your life to the fullest. Hope is a wonderful thing and today it is possible to make facial improvements  making permanent facial paralysis better. I pray for you and others taking that journey that you continue to improve and enjoy lifes blessings.
Hugs to all - life is good.
Michelle  ;D
I still have remaining tumour to deal with... but right now I can't go there. I know though that the strength is deep inside should I need it.
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: leapyrtwins on February 18, 2009, 07:51:02 am
Michelle -

the difference in your photos is phenomenal.

Thanks so much for posting them - and congratulations on the progress  ;D

Jan
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: LADavid on February 20, 2009, 10:21:27 am
Great pictures, Michelle!  And as others have said, thank you for doing a picture progression.  It is a huge help to those who are in the initial stages to see that there is improvement.
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: MKLady on February 23, 2009, 08:49:55 am
Michelle,

Great progress.  Thank you so much for sharing!

Susan
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: MAlegant on February 23, 2009, 09:29:33 am
Michelle,
The pictures show an amazing recovery.  You look fabulous.
Marci
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: Tisha on February 23, 2009, 11:15:09 am
That is tremendous!  That is wonderful for you to share to give hope for others!  You look wonderful, look out SUMMER!

Tisha
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: lori67 on February 23, 2009, 01:26:22 pm
Michelle,

Looking good!!!  And only 8 months out!  Good for you!  You've got lots to smile about!

Lori
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: moe on February 27, 2009, 09:33:07 am
What dramatic results! I'm new to the forum. Can you tell me what kind of surgery you had? I had the 12/7 one year ago, and am not getting great results- some results, but not enough.
Maureen
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: mimoore on March 01, 2009, 03:55:33 pm
Hi Maureen,
I had retrosigmond on June 4th, 2008 for partial removal of my AN. My facial nerve was pretty beaten up but not cut. I did not have any movement for 3 months - nothing. Most of my recovery has occured between 6 and 8 months.
I hope that you find the surgery that is right for you so you to can experience movement.
Hugs Michelle  ;D
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: moe on March 01, 2009, 11:44:22 pm
BEEEAUUUUUUTIFUL!!!!!! I hope to look the same some day...... :-\
Maureen
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: msmaggie on March 02, 2009, 12:47:33 pm
That really is remarkable progress from month 3 to month 8.  Thank you for sharing your journey with the rest of us.  You truly look wonderful!  Just imagine what the 1 year mile marker will bring :D

Priscilla
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: Debbi on March 06, 2009, 09:01:44 pm
Hey Michelle-

I'm getting here a little late but wanted to say "wow!"  The progress is great!  As someone who is only a few months ahead of you on the recovery road, I know how frustratingly slow the facial progress is - many kudos to you for your wonderful spirit and your willingness to share pictures! 

Keep doing all those exercises (I need to remind myself to keep at this, too) and continue being patient and positive.  You are really looking so good, Michelle!!

Debbi, smiling (sorta) at you from NJ
Title: Re: Photo Updates ...Facial Paralysis
Post by: mimoore on March 07, 2009, 05:01:55 pm
Thanks everyone.
I am happy my face is heading in the right direction. I was told that I would not get 100% movement back. I am not sure how much movement will return but I am hopeful that I will get more.
I think returning to work and living my life has made a huge difference.
My husband and I were talking about how nice it is that we support each other on this site. Thanks for your kind words and encouragment.
Hugs Michelle  ;D