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AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: LADavid on March 14, 2009, 06:22:53 pm

Title: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: LADavid on March 14, 2009, 06:22:53 pm
After making it through Caddy Wampus week, we now have a Tempestuous week ahead.  This week's adjective was suggested by Sara (Saralynn14).  Thanks Sara.

Starting off the week on Monday, Dusty, after a pretty long W/W since his diagnosis in July, is having surgery in Shands Hospital in Gaineville, Florida (home of the Gators).  Best wishes for a very successful surgery, Dusty.

Also on Monday, Steve "Can I Make You a Hat" Gerrard is paying the Tube o' Gloom a visit for his 18 month MRI.  Have a clean scan, Steve.

On Tuesday, St Patricks Day, it's possible that PamK from Oklahoma is having her surgery at House.  The date was sort of sketchy.  Well whatever date it is, have a great surgery Pam.

On Wednesday, Steve (Seal) was supposed to have Endoscopic Surgery at the Skull Base Institute.  But it seems United Healthcare is not cooperating.  Apparently, ANs aren't a big deal to them. Keep us posted, Steve.

Also on Wednesday, Scarlett (SML) is having surgery at Massachusetts General in Boston.  Best wishes, Scarlett for a very successful surgery and a great recovery.

And finally on Wednesday, Ernie (EJTampa) is having his two week follow-up visit.  This is funny.  It seems like just like yesterday we were joining you in the Ernie Countdown.  Have a great follow-up, Ernie.

Next, on Thursday, Jo (JoeBloggs) from Australia is celebrating her 32 Birthday.  Happy Birthday, Jo.  I know I saw an update around here someplace that said last week's surgery was successful.  Have a great recovery too.

On Friday, oHIo from Ohio, is having her first year anniversary. Congratulations. I know it's been an up and down year -- may your April visit with your doctor be promising -- especially with the Botox treatments. (For those of you who don't know, that's for synkinesis.)

And finally, on Saturday, Keri (Silver Spring, MD)may be attempting something incredible -- running a Half-Marathon less than two months after her Translab surgery.  That is really amazing, Keri.  Two months after surgery, I (and I am sure a few others) were staggering around with canes.  I know you weren't totally sure whether you would run -- but best wishes for a great run if you do.  Please keep us posted.

And that's it for this week.  Hope everyone has a great one.  Happy St. Patricks Day!

David
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: leapyrtwins on March 14, 2009, 06:56:26 pm
Wow.  After a few fairly slow AN weeks, we've sure got a full agenda.

Best wishes to everyone.

Thanks for the rundown, David.

Jan
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: NancyMc on March 14, 2009, 07:07:10 pm
Geez, Louise.  Good luck, All . . . too many to name, but near and dear to my heart, Scarlett who leads where I will follow three weeks hence.
Nancy
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Kaybo on March 14, 2009, 07:19:46 pm
Good luck & prayers to all!

K
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: oHIo on March 14, 2009, 09:31:23 pm
Thanks David for the well wishes.  Good luck to all undergoing testing and treatment.  It certainly has been an up and down year for me but I forge ahead convinced that the worst is over and the best is yet to come. 

I still have people tell me that my face looks better every day.  I am symmetrical, but my smile lost a little symmetry with the effects of the Botox.  All in all not bad for someone who left the hospital with a "6" for facial paralysis. 

MRI and follow up visits at the end of the month...all in the same day.  No time to peek at the scans and imagine anything that's not there.  Positive thoughts.

Debbie
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: wendysig on March 15, 2009, 11:03:17 am
David -

Thanks as always for the rundown on everyone's upcoming treatments and special events.

Good luck to all having treatment this week.  I look forward to seeing you on the other side.

Happy Birthday Jo!  Wishing you continued good healing too.

Keri -- If you do run in the half marathon (really an incredible undertaking at this stage) I wish you luck -- hope you have a good time!

Wendy

Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Jim Scott on March 15, 2009, 04:22:33 pm
Thanks as always, David ~

I count 4 surgeries (2 being tentative), an MRI, a Birthday (Jo), a one-year 'anniversary' a 2-week follow-up doctor visit, and a possible half-marathon attempt 2 months post-surgery by Keri.  Wow!  What a busy week.  Naturally, I join everyone else wishing those having surgery the best outcome, a happy 'anniversary' and a very happy birthday as well as a successful half-marathon attempt for the intrepid Keri.  :)

Jim

Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: MAlegant on March 16, 2009, 11:40:40 am
Best wishes to all, and David, I LOVE the green ink!
Marci
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: TaraT on March 16, 2009, 12:48:23 pm
Good luck everybody!  Thoughts and prayers sent your way!
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Captain Deb on March 16, 2009, 03:16:14 pm
The Luck o' the Irish to all who are enterin' the Tempestuous World of bein a Postie and Happy Various Birthdays and Anniversaries!!  Best of Luck as well to our STEVE durin' his adventure in the Tube O' Gloom! I'm sendin' you this guy to entertain you during the event.

(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/drunken_leprechaun_lg_clr.gif)

I've heard he's loads of fun and will crack up all the staff whilst yer meditating away in the Tube.  Just keep him outta the pharmacy cabinet.

Happy St Patty's Day and Hugs!!

Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/pirate-smiley-12.gif)
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Seal on March 16, 2009, 04:38:15 pm
And being the good Irishman that I am, I am not to thrilled to update the fact that United Healthcare has ruined by St. Pattie's Day party with another denial.  I'm loosing count but we are either on our last one or on our way to law suit or something.     Meanwhile,  I plan to self medicate tonight as a pre-St. Patrick's Day party!    Nothing big -  just an extra glass of viognier or three.     Here's hoping that the third time will be the charm!     On a funny note, before my diagnosis in January, I was all set to join the Loyal Order of Hibernians here locally that also field a really good Irish bag pipe band.    I had to postpone my training on the pipes though this winter until I see this thing through.    Plus, my good ear is so sensitve, I'm not sure I could put up with screeching bagpipes for too long !!!!       Happy St. Patty's Day !!!
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: NancyMc on March 16, 2009, 05:53:05 pm
Aye!  The screeching bagpipes!  Those be the Highland War Pipes of Scottish variety or the Uilleann pipes of Irish ethnicity?  My son plays the fiormer, my sig o the latter, both brilliantly.
Happy St Paddy's Day to all ye!
Nancy
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Keri on March 16, 2009, 08:58:06 pm
Thanks everyone for the good wishes on the half marathon! A few weeks ago I didn't know if I'd be able to do it. I think I'll be alright... I ran 11 miles last Saturday (walked some too). This is something I've done a lot of pre-op; it's not like I decided for the New Year 'HEY I think I'll go have translab and then 2 mths later run a half marathon!' Even though I still have to drag myself out the door to run and sign up for a race to even keep the motivation to run, running has been something that has made me feel better when my head's all wonky!

If, or when,  I do cross the finish (even if it takes me a long time walking / running, I'll post a picture of me and my happy, proud 'half' smile (that is getting better)!!

Thank you again for the support!
Keri
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: sgerrard on March 16, 2009, 10:06:11 pm
Thank you Cap'n Deb, the little Irish guy must have worked, my scan was "unremarkable", as the radiologists like to say. My word recognition is back to pre-treatment, with the hearing level itself down a bit more in the low end and otherwise the same.

So, Keri, I have done all the hard work, I had to lie flat on my back for 45 minutes this morning, and then press a button when I heard a beep. All that is left is to run 13 miles and 192.5 yards. You can do that part. :)

Steve
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: anissa on March 16, 2009, 10:49:37 pm
Great news on your tube-o-gloom visit Steve! 
Best wishes to everyone having surgeries this week - Dusty, Pam, and Scarlett!
Steve, I hope you can get things worked out with your insurance. gah!
Happy Anniversary to Steve, Ernie, and oHIo!
Happy Birthday down under to JoeBloggs!
Keri, a half marathon?!  That is quite some New Years resolution  ;)  Good for you for keeping with the running.  I can't wait to see the picture of you crossing the finish line. 
Happy St. Patrick's Day all!
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: wendysig on March 17, 2009, 05:14:32 am
Steve

Congratulations on another clean MRI -- sorry your hearing levels have gone down a bit though.  Since speech discrimination has returned to pre-treatmen levelss,  does cranking up the hearing aid help?  I hope so. 

Best wishes,
Wendy
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: ppearl214 on March 17, 2009, 08:44:05 am
GREAT news Steve!  Another successful radio treatment... love to hear it!  So, if I talk, you will say you can't hear me as well?  You know the jibber-jabber I do... so, you can just claim hearing deficit, much like my bloke does ;) :)  Seriously, congrats! :) Truly!


As for the rest noted on this week's list...... wellness wishes to all having treatments this week.. congrats to all those achieving onward and upward and great "feets" that I certainly could not do! :)  And most of all.... be well all!

Phyl
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: lori67 on March 17, 2009, 08:58:51 am
Now this week is definitely a caddy wampus one too! 

Safe surgery/happy birthday/congratulations/good luck/happy running/happy St. Patrick's Day and a "give 'em heck" Seal!!!  I hope that covers everything.

Seal, good luck on the bagpipe lessons!  I had a friend who was taking lessons last year - she had to stop because she lived in an apartment building and the neighbors thought she was torturing her cat!   :D

Lori
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: moe on March 17, 2009, 09:16:32 am
This is great. Does David do this every week? Keep us informed of the AN happenings?
I'm still finding out all kinds of stuff-you guys are great!
SEAL-So sorry to hear about the United Healthcare insurance problems. My irish genes would be screaming! ARRGGHHHH :'(
Love the leprechaun, Capt Deb
Luck o'the irish,
Maureen
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: texsooner on March 17, 2009, 09:22:54 am
Keri, I think it's awesome that you are even attempting to do a half-marathon only 2 months after AN surgery. You're an inspiration.  I know about the signing up for something as motivation...I do the same. Good luck

Patrick
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: NancyMc on March 17, 2009, 10:04:47 am
Quote
Seal, good luck on the bagpipe lessons!  I had a friend who was taking lessons last year - she had to stop because she lived in an apartment building and the neighbors thought she was torturing her cat!   Cheesy

I just purchased electronic bagpipes for my son so he can practice in Edinburgh (where he attends Uni) without driving his flatmates out.  These use headphones, so no one hears the sound but the piper.
And Seal, I feel terrible about what you're going through.  Why can't we just have global health care coverage?!
Nancy
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Jim Scott on March 17, 2009, 04:03:11 pm
Steve:

Congratulations on another 'unremarkable' MRI.  Although we're all unique, sometimes it's good to be 'unremarkable'.  :)

Jim
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: leapyrtwins on March 17, 2009, 05:32:54 pm
This is great. Does David do this every week? Keep us informed of the AN happenings?

Yes, he does.  And he does an excellent job of it too!  Thanks, David  ;D

Congratulations Steve.  Great results  ;D

Jan
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: LADavid on March 17, 2009, 07:25:33 pm
Great news, Steve.  You survived the Tube O' Gloom.  That's pretty cool news about the unremarkable scan too.

Happy St Pats Day.
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Keri on March 17, 2009, 09:31:00 pm
and Steve, in response to your post, the next time I sit in the MRI tube o' gloom for 45 minutes, you'll then run the half marathon? We'll switch off!

Glad you're results were unremarkable.  Thank you for all the help you are for all the people here on this forum!

Keri
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Captain Deb on March 19, 2009, 09:47:31 am
Another moniker for Steve--"Unremarkable Steve!" I hope the Irish bloke didn't spill any beer on the Tube controls and fry any of the gizmos, causing you to have to spend any more time in there!  Frightful! Yikes!

Run like the wind, Keri, run like the wind...............


A pox on United Healthcare, them scurvey sons o' bilge rat's arse warts!!

Hugs to all,

Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/pirate-smiley-12.gif)
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: Pooter on March 19, 2009, 04:06:04 pm
Congrats on the clean MRI, Steve!  You deserve a homemade hat... oh wait, you have one.  ;)  Congrats!

Regards,
Brian
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: leapyrtwins on March 19, 2009, 05:13:50 pm
Congrats on the clean MRI, Steve!  You deserve a homemade hat... oh wait, you have one.  ;) 

Well then, in honor of Steve's clean MRI, I think he should knit you a hat, Pooter  ;)
Title: Re: This Week (3/15) in the Tempestuous World of the AN
Post by: lori67 on March 19, 2009, 07:07:15 pm
Hmmm.. for some reason I seem to think Brian is more of a tiara-wearing guy!  Maybe Steve could knit a hat and sew in some rhinestones!

Lori