ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: Jeanlea on August 24, 2008, 06:53:43 pm
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I have been looking at some photos of me since my AN surgery. I'm glad I took all those pictures because now I can really see the changes over time. I went from total paralysis on the left side to being able to make a decent smile. I was surprised to notice how much change there has been between the years 2 and 3 where I am now. I'd post them on here, but I can't figure out how. If someone gives me directions, I'll post them. I know I would have liked to see something like that back when I had no movement at all.
Jean
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Jean~
That is so exciting! I am so happy for you! I would not let anyone take pictures of me for a LONG time after my surgery and I really regret that now...I would love to see how far I've come - even though I don't have the facial movement you do, I still know I have walked an incredible journey!!
WHOO-HOO for you!!
K ;D
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Jeanlea, You can go to frapper and set up a place on the map and create a gallery for yourself on their acoustic neuroma page. You can insert photos and make a link to post. You will see several posters there from this forum.
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Jean -
never used frapper, but I found this to be a very easy way to post pictures:
go to http://photobucket.com and sign up - it's free.
Once you move your photos to photobucket, it's easy to copy the image. Look for a series of boxes under each photo that say "email & IM", "direct link", "HTML code" and "IMG code" Position your mouse on IMG code and left click. A yellow box that says "copied" will appear.
Next go to the forum and create a new subject. In the text of the post, just right click with your mouse and chose "paste".
You will see a set of brackets with the letters IMG in them and the address of your photobucket photo inserted between the brackets.
If you have numerous photos to post, just copy and paste each IMG code.
If you want to check and make sure your image(s) copied correctly, just "preview" your message before you hit "post" and you should see your photo in the preview box.
Good luck,
Jan
PS - if you don't want your pictures to be large, you can resize them in photobucket and make them smaller.
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Hi Jean: I can remember back 2 years ago & your pictures have amazed me. It's been a long, rough road & you RAN thru it ! !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Hi Jean,
Pictures are a good thing (although I wanted to run from the camera). I took pictures every two week and now I take them monthly. WOW it really does help (I don't show them to anyone) and I can see how far I have come. Also when I look back I know how much better I feel. Time heals all!
I will post mine too as time goes on.
Michelle ;D
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Okay, here are my pics. I managed to put them on here, but I still don't know how to resize them.
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Jeanlea/8-9-06summer013-1.jpg) July 2006
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Jeanlea/100_0055_edited.jpg) September 2007
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Jeanlea/IsleRoyale2008006.jpg) August 2008
(http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee281/Jeanlea/webphoto.jpg) August 2009
Thanks for the help, Leapyrtwins.
Jean
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Jean, not going to resize the pics at all.. as they are fabulous to show the progress and the biggest is most definately the most awesome with the progress it shows! :) thanks for sharing these!!!!!
Phyl
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Thank you Jean. I sometimes feel quite hopeless at not quite 3 months out of surgery. It helps a lot to see your progress. You look great!
Sara
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Wow Jean!
You look fantastic! Whatever you're doing is working!
I'm so happy for you!
Lori
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Jean-
Totally awesome! Thank you SO much for sharing these pictures. For all of us with facial paralysis, this is so good to see. It also serves as a reminder that we should not get discouraged just because progress is slow. The difference between your pictures is just remarkable, although I am sure that it felt like nothing was happening.
Wow. Thanks again.
Debbi, holding out lots of hope
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hi! You really look great, I wouldn't notice your palsy if you didn't tell me about it!! Did you have an EMG? what was the prognosis for your palsy?
I don't know if some of you remember me; I am the italian girl that had the nerve graft three months and a half ago. I hope to see soon some improvements; I am waiting to post my photos too! :D
Ciao ciao!!
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Jean~
Incredible!!! ;D
Michela~
Good to hear from you again!! How are you??
K ;D
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Yes, it did feel like there was no change from day to day. It's only by looking back over a long period of time that I see it. I started out as a 6 on the House scale. I kept looking for someone else who had shown improvement to give me hope in those early days. I did hear from some people on here that helped me. My theory was that if the nerve was not severed it should eventually come back.
I had no EMGs done. In fact, at my 6 month check up my doctor told me that my face would not come back. So even though it's not perfect now I'm happy with how much of it has returned.
I'm glad sharing these photos help.
Jean
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oh wow.......I would love to see the pictures so that I can see that improvements continue to happen even after that first and second year!
ANgie
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Jean that is amazing!!!!! Thank you for sharing. Can you give us an idea of your timeline? I know we are all different just interested in how others have progressed.
Happy days for you - a smile!!!
Michelle ;D
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Jean that is a great post, your progress is inspiring, especially since the first pic is already one year later. It is so important to know that this kind of progress is possible with time. Thanks for sharing this.
Steve
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Michele,
I got my very first movement 3 months and 6 days after my surgery. (Who says I was keeping close track of any movement?) It was just a tiny bit of movement by my nose. The pics show me after 1 year, 2 years, and now 3 years. On a daily, or even monthly basis it was hard to notice the change. With the exception of finally being able to make a smile be it ever so tiny. That happened right around 13 months. I seemed to get a lot of new movement around 18 months. I hope that this gives some encouragement to those of you who are just starting out on this extremely long lesson in patience.
Jean
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Jean -
what else can I say but VERY impressive!
The difference is tremendous. I'm so glad you were able to post these pictures - they are a great inspiration to those dealing with facial issues.
Add me to the long list of others who have said you look fantastic ;D
Jan
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Hi Kaybo! I am fine, and I am waiting for the recovery. I have had a little improvement in the shape of my face but no movement yet.
I have a date with the surgeon on October. I visited your blog Kaybo and you look great!! A great hug!
Jean, at first, when the paralysis arrived, I searched for photos of recovery. It helps a lot; it makes you have a little hope. Now I have had the graft, so I had no choice of spontaneous recovery; I am waiting for my anastomosis to make the miracle! I asked you about the EMG, because my EMG was hopeless (severe denervation) so I had the graft.
Thank you again.
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Thank you Jean! You are an inspiration!!!
Michelle ;D
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Jean: I love that you are back to 'normal' You look amazing ! ! A friend said to me today ' miracles happen', & I replied " if we make them happen"
Well, you worked hard Jean, enjoy your miracle ! !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Thanks Jean! It must be nice to see those upper teeth again! Patience prevails!
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jean your face has really improved , it gives me hope to see this after 3 years , did you exercise your face and did you use the tropical machine, you have a gold weight in your eye dont you? i cant noticed it, my eye looks really heavy with my weight in it. take carex
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Hi Anne,
I didn't do any special exercises for my face. I would massage it sometimes. Tried to make it move a lot. But there was nothing I did on a regular basis. There were no machines that I used on my face. Yes, I do have a gold weight in my eye. I think it's 1.4 grams.
Jean
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Jeanlea,
Have you had any synkenesis at all?
And do you plan to keep the eyelid weight?
Sara
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hi Jeananne, i was just going to ask about synkenesis as well, i find my bottom eyelid goes up when i try to smile.
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Hi Sara and Anne,
When I was at 18 months I went to a facial specialist for therapy. She said I did not have synkinesis. I don't believe that I've developed any since then. I suppose I'll be keeping the gold weight since I don't think my eye close by itself without. Maybe some day it will.
Jean
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Hey Jeanlea
That is awesome. Even though my issue is synkinesis, it does give me hope for the future. It's true -- improvements and changes happen at such a snail's pace that we never see them day to day or even week to week. But if you view them year to year, it does happen. This is an inspiration for all those who are stuck in the things will never get better mode. Thanks for sharing the pictures. You look great!
And btw, in our training for the October 12th Half Marathon, my daughter and I ran 10 miles last weekend. We have a 12 miler coming up in three weeks with a few shorter 6 mile runs in between. We're getting there.
David
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If I get to where you are, smiling but needing a weight for eye closure, I'll take it!
I am very happy for you, and hope that I will be able to make a similar report. Soon would be good.
Sara
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Sara, you will get there. I was where you are now a few years ago. I heard of others who went before me and described their new smiles. It seems like a long time for you now, but the time will fly by before you know it and you'll be smiling about it. :-)
David, good luck with your long run. It feels good, once you are done, to run that far. It gives a great sense of accomplishment. I went out and ran about 3 miles today in the heat. It was about 90. When I got home I heard from my son. He is a freshman as Michigan State University. He trained all summer to be able to walk on to their track team. Well, today he met with the coach and made the team! They said he had good times and are willing to give him some further training. Not bad for coming from such a small school. His high school has under 300 students. He was my motivation to get running. It's fun how our kids can motivate us. Have fun running with your daughter.
Jean
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Jean~
That is GREAT about your son! You'll have to keep us posted!
K
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Jean,
I don’t know how I missed this thread… until today. Wow you look fantastic! Seeing these photos is very inspiring to me… Thank you SO much for posting these for all of us.
You have a beautiful smile. Keep smiling and showing off those pearly whites! ;D
DHM
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Jean,
I've definitely noticed the progress over these last couple years. From when you used to post different profile pics. You've always been kind of my inspiration with facial paralysis. They always say the 24 month rule. Most regeneration occurs between 6 and 24 months; so i've been told. They say anything after that is luck. I'm really hoping because I had the 12/7 jump and most activty has occured between 12 and 24. I'm going on 23 and i'm scared to death that it's going to quit. Im 2 1/2 years post op and m still slowly improving. The fact that you said you've made alot of progress between years 2 and 3 is helpful cuz that's where i'm at.
Chris
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Jean,
Did you have any neuro-muscular facial retraining therapy or did your facial nerve branches just heal on their own- with time?
DHM
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DHM,
I really didn't do any formal facial retraining therapy. Shortly after my surgery I visited the bells palsey web site and looked at their exercises. I did some of those rather sporadically. My vestibular therapist also gave me a few exercises to try such as lifting one eyebrow and visualizing the other side moving. I more or less continued playing with my face in various ways to see if it would move. When my muscles felt tight on that side I would use put my thumb on the inside and my finger on the outside and pull down for about 30 seconds. I think I read that on the BP site. Basically it is coming back on its own.
I was told at 6 months that my face would not come back. In hindsight I think that was good to hear that because I didn't have any false hopes and I'm very happy with the movement that I have recovered so far.
Jean
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jeananne, did the tightness go away in time?
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Anne,
The tightness in my face comes and goes. At least the kind that hurts a little. There's always a kind of pressure in my face that I feel, but it doesn't hurt. I notice it more right before I get new movement.
Jean
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Jeanlea, have you ever figured out what causes the tightness to come and go? What helps it go away? I am noticing that when my face is tight that is when it hurts. Like you there is always a heavy feeling from the numbness I guess, it is when I have the tightness that really bothers me. Have you tried Neurotin for it. I have some but am putting off taking it. I hate to take thoses drugs because of the side effects. Karen
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For tightness I like to put a very warm/hot washcloth (be careful not to get too hot) over my face or I put my beanbag in the microwave and put it on my face and neck. This really helps me alot. I was also told that you could take a muscle relaxer from my ear specialist....This was when I was getting the thumping in my ear during part of my facial nerve recovery and the stapedus (sp?) muscle in the ear was pounding driving me bonkers and she said that Clonazepam could be prescribed for that. It is an antiseizure medication but also can be used to relax the muscles. I was on this med. for 5 years for hemifacial spasm and it does help loosen things up a bit but makes you a little sleepy and you move in slow motion until you adjust to it. If you oppose medications then I would do the heat and stretching exercises. Relaxation exercises help me too. This takes getting in a quiet room ( ha, ha....with two little kids...yes it is hard) and listening to meditation music....deep breathing....stress reduction.....and yoga. Also I try to schedule a bi-weekly massage with a licensed therapist. It can get expensive but it is worth it. Be sure to have them...of course...include the face and neck but I find that when the rest of my body is relaxed then my face and neck tend to be relaxed too. I must say I am dreading the winter...cold makes the tightness worse. Bundle up! My Dad uses those heat things that you pop and stick in your shoes for hunting to keep your feet toasty.....BUT you can pop one and stick it in your pocket and pull it out and use it on your face if you're outdoors in the cold for extended period of time. It last about 30 minutes.
Angie
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Hi Karen,
I really don't know what causes the tightness in my face. I just noticed that it seems to happen before new movement occurs, even if it is very small movements. The only thing I take is ibuprofren. There is really little pain, just a little annoying sometimes with the tightness. I do exercise everyday with running or powerwalking. I tell myself that all the exercise causes the blood to move through my face and cause healing. I really have no idea if that is true, but it does keep me exercising everyday!
Jean
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I asked the Physio on the Bells Palsy site about tightness this is what he said,
Tension is almost always the result of how the facial nerve recovers - when the recovery takes longer than a few months, then the muscles get tight due to the nerve fibers acting "hyper", holding the muscle in a state of tension. Why this is, we are uncertain about, but it is a very common problem. That is why we recommmend massage, massage, massage, plus stretching
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Jean
Sorry I'm late for getting caught up on this thread. But I just wanted to say congratulations on your son making the Track Team. That is fantastic. What is his specialty? I ran the 400.
David
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David,
Thanks. My son is doing the long distance runs. He's just beginning so he has no certain one right now. How is your running coming along? Did you have your race yet? Let us know how you do. I'm getting a cold, but I still went out and ran 3 miles tonight.
Jean
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Jean
The Half is October 12th in Long Beach. I am starting to get a bit concerned since I've developed a painful knee. Old age. But I have over two weeks to go to ice it and nurse it back to health. I'll keep you posted.
Three miles is great. Are you still keeping the same pace that you had in the Half?
As far as your son, based on our performance in the distance races in the Olympics, the door is wide open. America could use another Jim Ryun or Steve Prefontain. It's been a very long time.
David
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David,
I'll be thinking of you on your run day. Keep your knee healthy. I'm running about a 10-11 minute mile. Not terrible fast I know, but I am still running.
My son in the Olympics...now that would be cool!
Jean
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Jeanlea,
I'm still in the 12-minute mile range and I'm finding it harder to add on to my short runs than before. Hoping it is just part of the process. Along those lines, I have the numbness and tightness as well and a little dimple on my right side that was never there before. The right side of my mouth pulls to the right occasionally. It's annoying but I'm figuring it's either all part of healing or better I'd just get used to it quick. I have a lot of pain in my face by the end of the day and am taking Zanax in very small doses because without it I would be so distracted by all these sensations, I couldn't do my job. I have very slight (but its there) facial weakness as well. Again, hoping all resolves and have taken to dressing up at work which takes the attention off my face.
Cheers,
Marci
David,
Good luck on the race; hope you are cross training to avoid injury.....
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Marci,
I'm really impressed that you have been able to start running again so quickly considering that your surgery was this summer! I run with some friends and that helps me to go faster. We all help each other. When I run alone I tend to be a little slower. My son was saying that an easy day for him was 8 miles at a 6:30 pace! I'm no where close to those speeds. lol
Is running helping your face? My theory is that all of that blood moving through there has to do some good! I saw improvement in my face in the last year and that's when I got into running on a regular basis.
It sounds like you are slowly showing improvement also. The first year or two were the hardest for me. Now I've gotten enough progress facially that I feel pretty good.
Jean
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Jean,
I figure the running can't hurt the healing process and since it is my psyche that needs the most help at the moment, I know it's helping my state of mind. By the way, your face looks fantastic! How did you put those pictures in the body of your message? I can't seem to figure it out.
All best,
Marci
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Marci,
Go to page 1 of this thread and read how Leapyrtwins told me how to put photos in my post.
Jean
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Wow Jean Im so impressed, what did you do to get back your facial movements???
Im dying to know
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Lisa,
The biggest thing I did was to let time pass. While it was passing I did a lot of talking and eating, just using my facial muscles as much as possible. In the beginning when I had no movement at all, I would lift one eyebrow and move the other side with my finger. I watched my face a lot looking for movement as I moved the good side. I would also squeeze my cheek between my thumb and forefinger (one inside my mouth and one of the outside) and pull down towards my mouth. I read that on the Bells Palsey site. I also massaged the bad side myself. Just quick massages every so often. My attitude was that since the nerve was not cut, it would come back, albeit ever so slowly. I never had an EMG, but I've always felt the twinges. I still get them and am still seeing small improvements. It helps to take photos on a monthly basis and then look back over the years. It's the years that really show the progress.
Good luck to you.
Jean
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Jean,
Do you have any synkinesis - at all?
DHM
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None at all that I can detect. I went to a facial retrainer in June of 2007 when I was just beginning to get a smile and had some movement. She said I had no signs of synkinesis. I am thankful for that.
Jean
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It is amazing to know how our body works, Jean you look great!!. My husband liked to take pics of me to see my progress, I didnt like that, but he was right!! it really helps!!, fortunatelly my recovering was fast and now at almost 1 year after from my "trip at the operation room", my face is almost like before. I can smile and laugh normal. Sports really help!!! I run everyday 7-8 miles, 5 days/week, in fact, I started back to run 1 month after my surgery!!!
Gloria
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You are an inspiration, there are many of us who have felt down and out. Seeing your pictures was amazing, it gives me hope that one day i'll be able to smile. At the moment my face is like photo 2. Yes I will start taking photos every month to see the results. Yeah no high tailing for the mountains when the camera comes out.
Running can help guess I'll have to start jogging on the treadmill again speed up recovery. I'm trying to remeber why I stopped now I know why my leg had its own rhythm. Going to also start weight training so I can have some big guns..he..he..Self esteem was at a all time low, but doing these things make you a little bit stronger..I use to rely solely on my husband to get what I wanted at stores. Thats not an issue, I ask for things myself, I speak slowly so that they understand the first time, usually its no prob.
I will start snapping with my camera asap once every month..Well see you later. Thanks for posting those photos..
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Gloria proof again that getting your heat rate up is a great thing for recovery. What was your timeline like? When did movement start for you and how did it progress? I have an eliptical and hate it, I am going to sell it and get a tread mill and get my heart pumping. Well I kind of do that I teach kindergarten and that in itself is a workout.
Michelle ;D
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Michelle,
My face was dropped completelly, I looked like a monster, but:
1 month after : I went back to run and work (driving).
45 days: I started to feel movements close to my mouth, similar when you pull your skin, after that time, everyday I felt movements.
3 months: I had a pretty good smile
4 months: I could close very strong my eye (no patches anymore)
5 months: I said Good bye to eyedrops, got many exams about my vision and the result was excellent!!!
6 months: Got an MRI, it showed that the tumor was resected completelly . Thanks God!!!!
11 months: MY FACE CAME BACK!!!! I met my friends, they didn't know about my AN travel and they did not notice anything wrong onto my face.
Michelle, I need to tell you that I had:
12 sessions of facial theraphy
12 sessions of Balance theraphy
8 sessions of acupunture....and...
I run everyday..
My balance is good, now, at almost 1 year after the operation I can tell you that the time pass fast and I remember that bad time just like a nightmare.
I posted my pic in my profile, but now i see that it is not appearing, I dont know what I did wrong, I will find out and will try to post again my pic.
I agree; kindergarten is a big exercise!!!!
Take care,
Gloria
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Thanks Gloria,
I love to hear others timelines. I think it is important for others while reading yours to note that everyone is different and will recover at different timelines. I feel like I am at the "monster stage".
When did you start your facial therapy? Oh and I am so curious about accupunture. When did you start that? Do you really think it made a difference? I have started getting movement around my mouth that I can see when I pucker (at 78 days) and since then nothing. I go for a facial assessment this Friday and want to ask all about exercises and accupunture. Better get my list ready (must be a teacher). hehe
Thanks again for going into so much detail.
Michelle ;D
Oh to post your photo you need to upload it to photo bucket. Then copy the direct link address and post it. PM me if you need help - I am a dork but everyone has helped me and I just did it on my four month update.
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Gloria,
Did you wake up from surgery with complete facial paralysis or was on delayed onset?
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CROOKEDSMILE, I woke up with complete facial paralysis, I asked for a mirror, my husband hided all of them.
Gloria
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Dear Michelle,
I started facial theraphy 1 month after, but right after the surgery my husband used to make soft massages.
after completing the 12 sessions (1 session every other day), it means 2 months ather the surgery I felt that I was improving but not as much as i would like, so I decided to take accupunture sessions everyday for 25 minutes. I should get more sessions of accupunture but I need to travel so I had to stop.
I can not tell you what really helped me, I thinks it was all that I got, i just felt that I needed to do something. The doctor told me that I dont need nothing and the face would come back automatically, just soft massages everyday, but I could not just keep waiting.
Gloria
I am trying to set the photo, thanks for your help.
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I wanted to check in to give hope to all who are stressing over facial recovery.
4 years post surgery, my face is improving.
I saw a facial retrainer and had botox.
I am considering going back for the botox since the dimple in my chin is back.
I avoid cameras and hate pictures but finally included one in my profile.
I finally added bangs to my face which greatly help with the lines which appear on 1/2 my forehead.
Keep the faith.
Mary
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Thanks, Mary. I think your picture looks nice. How long did it take you to see your first movement?
Sara
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Mary,
Thank you so much for sharing your photo. I also think you look wonderful. It is so encouraging to know that as far out as four years there is still improvement. I had a doctor tell me this week that it's been six month so the nerve probably won't recover. It was just very matter of fact as if he was saying "too bad, ballgame over, you'll never get better". He was actually nicer about it than that, but he still offered no hope. I need to give him this web address so he can see for himself that throwing in the towel at six months is not the answer!!
Susan
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I had a doctor tell me this week that it's been six month so the nerve probably won't recover. It was just very matter of fact as if he was saying "too bad, ballgame over, you'll never get better".
Do NOT believe this! ... 14 months and my brow just started showing some movement ...
6 months is a "ball park" average ... it is really a 3 months to 3 years range...
DHM
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THank you DHM! Fortunately he was not my surgeon. But he will make recommendations and report his findings to the surgeon. I'm so glad I talk to ya'll about this before seeing the surgeon.
Susan
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Sara,
It's hard for me to recall the first movement. I had a son who turned 1 approx 6 weeks after my surgery and I had a birthday family party for him. I have pictures of myself and my face still looked "stuck" I would say the first couple of months, I had a little movement. Today I can almost pull up my upper lip evenly to expose all my top teeth. That wasn't the case before.
I try not to smile too big on the bottom so I don't have the crooked smile. My eye is looking pretty good when I smile. It doesn't close like it used to. It still looks smaller but hey, it probably always was like that.
:)
I think visualization is helpful. At night, I practice deep breathing and imagine my face releasing. I have a definite heavier crease on the right side. I feel like I sleep with a constant clench. Massage definitely helps. Also, warm cloths.
Best of luck.
:)
Mary
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Hi there Jean: Just have to say again, your pictures are wonderful ! ! These are pictures of a natural progression, - paralysis to movement - beautiful !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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i love those pictures you have on pg. 1
it really does give hope seeing someone look great like that. i was thinking of having t3 surgery but looking at those pictures makes me second guess that decision. i am at almost 2 1/2 years and i have noticed some small changes, i got tired of doing the physical therapy so i havent gone, honestly i notice more changes now than i did w/ p. t.
does your eye blink? again, you really do look great
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Amaguarda,
I'm glad that my pictures give you hope. Is your facial nerve intact? Mine was not cut during surgery, just severely squashed apparently. lol I did not have any real facial therapy. I met with a facial therapist once after a year and a half, but that was it. I just used my face a lot. I am a teacher and went back to work after 8 weeks so I get a daily facial workout talking to my students. No, I do not blink normally. I can close my eye and open it though. I run which helps with the blood flow to the face. I don't know if it really makes a difference or not, but I tell myself it does.
I added you on my yahoo messenger.
Jean
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"I do not blink normally"
I am 8 months post op and do not blink normally either. I can tell it is trying to.
Does the normal blink ever return to someone who has experienced facial paralysis?
Hoping praying that my blink returns. The eye is a pain in the @$$. I am becoming very discouraged with my eye.
Michelle :'(
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Michelle, what's the word on an eyelid implant? Weren't you on a waiting list for the first of the year?
Sara
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Hi there Michelle: You're only 8 months post op, you still have a couple of years of healing to do...
your nerves are still 'waking up', & it takes the eye area the longest time to come back.
you're still on the road to recovery, patience, patience (there's that word again !).
I am so happy for you that your nerves ARE returning ! ! WHOO - HOO ! ! ! ! !
Continued healing my friend, always good thoughts, Nancy
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Michelle;
DON'T GIVE UP!!! Your face will come back, just be patience, remember step by step !!!. Time pass fast. It has been only 8 months, try to blink us much as you can although it doesn't blink normally, that helps!!!
Gloria
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GLoria and to anyone else this pertains to....
Was your paralysis considered immediate and complete meaning nothing worked when you awoke from surgery? Did your blink ever return to normal? Blinks fast, etc. Is your smile a little weaker?
Any exercises that you recommend and are you still seeing progress?
Angie
It's weird....I have a little smile but it doesn't come easy and natural. Does it ever get strong enough that you can just smile without so much effort?
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Hi Sara, Nancy and Gloria,
I had an appointment to have a lower lid tuck and a weight put in on January 30th (three months after my consultation), the same day I had an EMG and it showed that my eye had started to regenerate. While I waited for the surgery the lower lid tightened up (not 100% but pretty close) and I can close my eye with a 2mm lag. It looks almost the same as my good eye except my brow sags a bit and the obvious, it doesn't blink. I still tape it at night and really I am quite used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore. Soooooo I thought how would the weight help? The other factor was that I really did not want more surgery. I am scarred for life- literally and figuratively.
Hindsight is 20/20 and I feel that I should have been offered the weight right from the start. I woke up with facial paralysis and the eye has been and still is the biggest pain in the @$$. I would recommend getting it right away...the nerve usually does not start regenerating until 3 months and still can regenerate 3 years later. Sticking it out was dumb and I suffered unneccesarily.
I have been a bit bummed about my eye because I feel that there is a bit of a race. Can my face regenerate and can I enjoy my face looking a wee bit more 'normal' before I need to deal with the remaining tumour? If the remaining tumour grows I will be faced with how to deal with it and the possiblity of losing facial function again... temporarily or permanently . I try hard and am coping fine but honestly if I had to go through this again it just might kill me (wow writing this is really helping me face my fears) I am afraid.... not so much about dying anymore, but more about losing the quality of life that I enjoy and struggled so hard to get back after surgery.
It is what it is...why me? Why not me? This is my reality and I refuse to hide my head in the sand. I want to face this head on and at times it is tough. We all have our issues...and I feel sharing mine will help others feel not so alone. I know that this forum has been extremely helpful in my recovery. I am blessed.
Michelle ;D
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Hi CROOKEDSMILE, the answer is yes, after the surgery I awoke with complete paralysis, my blink is normal now, In the mornings I try to blink as much as possible to keep lubricated and exercised my eye, I can blink 99% similar to my right eye.
MICHELE, CROOKEDSMILE and anyone: the first months I was thinking I will be like that forever, but as many people here in this forum is recovering, I am another proof of that, just it takes time, the process is SLOW but our faces come back. Yesterday I was collecting photos in which you can see my recovery, if you are interested please send me your personal email address and I will be glad to send you.
:)
Gloria
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Hi there everyone: Michelle: It is so good to know that your face/movement is coming back. & Gloria, that yours is back !
& Angie, your pictures are beautiful, your movement has been on the recovery road !
As you guys know, I had nothing from surgery on, so for me the eye weight is a MUST ! It stops the 'skeleton' look, allows me to blink
when I squeeze my eyes shut. I continue to use Refresh PM 24/7.
I have thought about 'what if the tumor comes back ?' I already know I would want radiation instead of surgery - couldn't go thru that
again. I know others went the surgery route 2, 3 times - I don't have that strength. & yes, Michelle, it is a scary thought .....
So, 2/27/09 I have my 'pyrex tube' surgery to stop the tear buildup in my AN eye, hopefully that's it - for surgery, for awhile.....
Oh, Michelle, hang in there & 'wait' on the continued facial return, after a few years, if you need it, I would definitely get a 'brow lift' - I had it done
so I know how you feel. & everyone, whatever we need done to give us a more symmetric appearance after 'mother nature' has done all she can (Jean has allowed this to happen), go for it. I know I will continue to need my non - AN side botoxed, filled, whatever, to keep it looking as young as my paralyzed side !
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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I have to share what happened with me today. It was our Valentine's Day party at school and the students shared Valentine's with each other. One student put each child's class picture on the envelope along with the name. So I got one too. I was mentioning to one of my students that I didn't like my picture. She said, "Why? It looks nice." I replied, "Yes, I guess so. At least I'm smiling. A couple of years ago I had my picture taken and the principal told me to smile nicely. My students told him, 'She can't smile.'" My student looked at me like I was not telling the truth. I told her, "No, really. A couple of years ago I couldn't smile." She seemed so surprised because she sees me smile now. Guess my smile has made some good progress. That was the best part of my Valentine party.
Happy Valentine's Day to all of my AN friends,
Jean
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Jean~
What a GREAT story and SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad you have made so much progress!!
K ;D
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Hi Jean,
That is such a wonderful story.
Yesterday one of my kindergarten students said "Yipeee your smile is waking up!"
Life is good.
Michelle ;D
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Jean:
You're always quietly inspirational - and much appreciated around here. Thanks for that poignant story - and congratulations on your ever-widening smile! :)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Jim
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Since I've got a new pic I decided to compare it to the one I took at this time last year. I can see some continued improvement and it will be four years in early September. I posted the pic on the first page of this thread as an addition to my other pics.
Jean
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Hi Jean, you continue to be my inspiration. I'm glad you posted the new pic. Looking good!
Sara
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I went back to page one to look...
Jean you look just FAB!!!! Thanks so much for sharing this- it gives me hope.
DHM
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Jean- You look so good! And, yes, I agree that yellow is definitely "your" color. Thanks so much for updating this!
Debbi
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I'm so glad to see your pictures, I will have my two year anniversary next July, and just today I had some strange feeling on my upper lip, it feels fuller for some reason, now I know that there's a lot of room for more recovery. THANK YOU FOR POSTING YOUR PICTURES...U BRING HOPE TO OTHERS!