Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma

[leapyrtwins]

I've been away from the forum for days now and though I was very anxious to return, I can't help but be bothered by all the negative posts lately.  Yikes!!!  Enough to make a newbie scared out of his/her skin! 

In an effort to lighten things up, let's talk about positive things that have come out of being diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma.

Here's my list:

1) met two spectacular, honest, doctors

2) got a great knit hat from Steve 

3) the tumor was benign

4) being SSD makes it easy to get a good night's sleep - just lay on your good ear

5)  the BAHA

6)  met a lot of wonderful people on this forum - most of who have been through a whole lot more than I have and lived to tell the tale - and with enthusiasm!

7) it made me realize how truly lucky I am.  So much in life is now trivial.

Pleae add to this list with your own positives.  And let's remember why we're here people - to help and support each other; not scare others away.

Jan

[ppearl214]

Hey Jan!    Countdown is on for CHI and hoping the bail money has been raised for me and Captn Deb


Great thread... I thought we did something like this a LONG time ago but too tired to dig up the thread, so will add to this as well:

1.  Thankful it was benign and treatable
2. Oh, the folks from this forum that I have met face to face, even in the UK. I've been honoured to be able to travel to different cities to meet so many AN'ers.
3.  The guidance given to me by so many others that were treated before me..... my true mentors on these forums and their help have just been so very appreciated by me.
4.  Steve's hat (gotta agree with that one, Jan! )
5.  I knock on wood that I am doing as well as I am for my AN situation.
6.  If anyone is going to keep me on my toes, its you all! The best exercise I could ask!
7.  the marvels of medical technology have come SOOO far since 30 or 40+ years ago. We are all so lucky that medical advances have and are available to us, regardless if surgical (docs now doing endoscopic) or radio (CK, Trilogy, etc).
8.  Compared to other medical ailments out there, oh, we are SO very lucky!
9.  Chasing Jan and Lori around this site!
10.  The friendships made here.... too many to count, too many that are so very appreciated and most of all... the love and support given by so many.

How's that Jan?

Phyl

[leapyrtwins]

Excellent!  Let's keep the ball rolling.

I'm actually a "maybe" for the symposium now - might be stuck in San Diego working.  Hope not, but should know for sure real soon.

I'd definitely miss you and the Captain though - among others 

Jan

[ppearl214]

well, if you go to San Diego, please go to the Coronado Resort for me and enjoy a beverage out back by the pool/beach, will ya?

Ok, added my positives... keep the ball rollin'.....

Phyl

[moe]

Okay, how about
1. I'm blessed to be alive !
(apparently mine was pretty bad).

2. Definitely don't swear the small stuff

3. I Enjoy nature more


Unfortunately, a lot of people who continue on the forum do so because of long term side effects which can truly impact  their lives and are a pain in the #@$!! (I'm one of those ) Those posts are usually different ones for the "newbies". Remember we are supporting all ANers in whatever journey they are in and I for one am going to be in it for the long haul, it seems. And every day is NOT happy for me. If the newbies or whomever reads those posts, ah well, it's a wide open forum and that's their choice I guess. We need to support everyone I guess.

The threads that I have been on all seem to be OK. I like to support the newbies.

Maybe we "scare" others away without realizing it. We're just giving honest answers to questions. Hopefully I didn't inadvertently scare someone.

Anyway,
I'm SO glad to have found this forum to help others and to see that there are others who have the same issues as mine. It makes it so much easier for me just getting through the days. I trudge on, that's all I can say!
Happy day!
Maureen

[Adrienne]

*Have greater empathy for people with conditions or ailments that I've never heard of.  Because EVERYONE has the potential to be the "me" (as in "it can't happen to ME").  Now I know it does!
*Will NEVER take my health for granted again
*Love the Canadian Health care system even more.  Full treatment and not a dime (taxes, of course).
*Have gone through hell the last year (both with my husband and lung cancer, and me with an AN).  If I can survive a year like this, I can do ANYTHING!
*I'll remember that no matter how bad a situation seems when first presented, it is possible to get to the other side and be happy again.  Time (and surgery LOL) heals wounds.


Thanks.  Feeling so happy and positive these says, and happy to pass that along!

Adrienne

[CHD63]

a) looking at life with a whole new appreciation of what I have
b) finding I have many dear, helpful friends
c) basking in the wonderful power of prayer
d) learning it's OK not to be "perfect"
e) learning to be patient, not only with myself but with others
f) enjoying life in the present rather than trying to change the past or hoping tomorrow will be better

...... and I could go on and on

Clarice

[lori67]

Well, you guys have already mentioned most of the things I would have mentioned, but I think I can add a few....

 - giving Phyl lots of exercise "halo-hopping"
 - the best knit hat I've ever had
 - learning to live in the moment and not always be looking ahead to what comes next
 - the compassion and support of people I've never even met
 - definitely - not to sweat the small stuff
 - learning to take care of ME - not just the kids and everyone else
 - learning that there are much more important things in life than material things
 - learning how to gracefully and tactfully remove negativity in my life
 - learning how to not feel guilty about others helping me
 - letting those I care about know that I care
 - and... my new motto - just because I may be in pain, doesn't mean I have to be one.

Lori
p.s.  Oh, and I've learned a lot of new words from Jim!   

[saralynn143]

Great thread... I thought we did something like this a LONG time ago but too tired to dig up the thread

I think the last go-round was positives about facial paralysis. http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=7057.0

As one of your adopted step-children without an acoustic neuroma, just let me say how thankful I am to have found a place for information and support about facial paralysis. It is a less common surgical risk for the brain surgery I had, so the ANA forum has been a godsend for me.

Keep posting -- anything and everything -- the good, the bad and the ugly. God knows we all need support now and then, and there is no telling how each experience may turn out to be valuable, either now or for those who come later.

Sara

[Kaybo]

This is a great thread, Jan...I really have to think about this because for me, this was a LONG time ago and hopefully, many of the positive things have become a way of life for me...

Still pondering...
K

[Keri]

this is a great subject. i too will ponder it.
there was another 'similar yet different' thread that i also intended to post to a couple of months ago, but didn't get around to it. it was entitled " ?? something beginnings / happy endings" or something like that. pretty sure it ended with 'happy endings.'
i hope you get to go to the symposium, jan.
i'll show up tomorrow with my positives.
keri

[sgerrard]

?? something beginnings / happy endings

Happy Endings/New Doors: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6260.0

It was started by Debbi in April 2008, and revived by me on her 1 year anniversary.

As for me, I get to knit those hats and mail them to people and have nice things said. Can't beat it. 

Steve

[kenneth_k]

Futhermore, a great excuse for buying a Nintendo Wii to do balance exercises

Kenneth

[suboo73]

Hi Jan!

So many great things have already been mentioned.
How about the internet, this WONDERFUL group of people  , and information, information, information!

I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to be in touch with others say 10 or 20 years ago.
The forum is GREAT!  I am grateful to all who have or will contribute.

Sincerely,
Sue

[tenai98]

What more can a person add that hasnt already been said.  I'm alive, I can walk and talk maybe not perfect but hey I'm alive. And yes a perfect excuse for a WII and the Fitness. I acquired mine before surgery. Now I try to do 30 to 60mts a day and I've lost 8 lbs wooohoooo....
I was terrified when I first read a few threads on here theb I continued to read and read I mean many a hours and when I went in for surgery, I was calm. Normally I am nervouse with stuff like this but not this time. So calm that my blood pressure was normal...Its usually a little high. But now I love life and live for me.
JO