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Author Topic: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma  (Read 21239 times)

krbonner

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #30 on: July 09, 2009, 05:48:22 pm »
Quote from: Lilan on July 06, 2009, 02:05:20 pm
I am surprised how empowering it feels to get through this. After all, "brain tumor" and "brain surgery" are jokes, synonymous for the worst/most complicated/most delicate thing you can think of at the outer reaches of your mind! "At least it's not a brain tumor!" "It's not brain surgery!"  :o

"Empowering."  What a great word for how I feel! 

My list includes:
- deepened my bonds of friendship with some very special people
- I no longer care so much about what other people think of me.  I will be myself and they can take it or leave it.
- Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy living life.
- I've been better about distancing myself from people who always take but never give in return
- I'm very at peace with my life and how I'm living it
- All of which convinced me that I wanted a third child, and now I have my Audrey!   ;D

Katie
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diagnosed June 2005
2.3cmx1.6cmx1.4cm left AN
translab Sept 13, 2006; Drs. McKenna and Barker in MA (MEEI/MGH)

Debbi

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #31 on: July 09, 2009, 06:31:36 pm »
I would echo much of what has been said.  Lots of good things have come out of this for me, and one of the best is the many new friends I've made along the way.  It has made me re-focus on the things in life that are really important - and it has taught me that I am MUCH stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.  I take time now to stop and smell the roses and to appreciate the things in life that truly matter (and my sligtly lopsides smile isn't one of them!)  :)

I published an article a while back about the life-lessons I learned from this, so for those who didn't catch it the first time around, here it is:

http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Things-A-Brain-Tumor-Taught-Me&id=1876243

Come to think of it, I also just published an article about the funny side of facial paralysis which some of you may enjoy.

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Funny-Side-of-Facial-Paralysis&id=2517212

So, I guess I would add to my list of blessings that I have discovered my "inner writer!"

You guys are all awesome.  And, thanks Jan for starting this!

Debbi

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Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

Mickey

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #32 on: July 09, 2009, 06:54:35 pm »
 I look at everthing with much more appreciation. I try to take nothing for granted. Also trying to keep in the best shape health wise. Very nice to have met so many other nice people who can share their experiences with AN.   Mickey
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moe

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #33 on: July 10, 2009, 09:26:13 am »
Debbi,
I read your articles. very nice!!!! Funny, enlightening, entertaining and informative too. :)
Maureen
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06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

marg

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #34 on: July 21, 2009, 11:05:11 am »
I would say holding up all the other hard / scary things in life I  have to do .... and putting them in proper perspective by saying to myself  ' this isn't as hard as having brain  surgery'..... I can do this too.
 
marg
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Marg 
 4 mm  AN removed .. middle fossa   5/07 OHSU  Dr. Delashaw
AN scraped off facial nerve & balance nerve removed
 MRI  follow up showed AN gone ... thank you God
Some facial paralysis- . SSD weeks after surgery.  Trans-Ear Nov.2007 ... it really helps !

mimoore

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #35 on: July 21, 2009, 07:49:42 pm »
I am still the same person only better! During this process there are times when I have had to dig deep and I was not sure I could make it through this. I am a strong woman and the past year has shown me really how really strong I am.
Life does go on and I don't wait to miss a minute of it!
Celebrate we are here to enjoy it!
Hugs Michelle  ;D
« Last Edit: July 23, 2009, 10:42:04 am by mimoore »
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Retrosigmond surgery on June 4th, 2008 for an AN. 100% hearing loss and facial paralysis (was not prepared for facial paralysis). Size: 2.3 cm, 2.1 cm, 1.8 cm. some tumour remains along facial nerve. Pray for no regrowth. Misdiagnosed for 10 yrs.

Dog Lover

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #36 on: July 22, 2009, 10:11:15 pm »
Positive: Met a couple of really nice ladies, looking forward to meeting another one sometime in the near future, and made a good friend from the forum. Got my brother to come back into my life sooner than he probalby would have.

Don't get me wrong - I'm extremely grateful that I had the outstanding results that I did, but (maybe naively so) I never expected it to be any other way (I'm a great beliver in the power of attraction).

But that's about it. Maybe I'm being negative (and please, I'm not comparing myself to anyone else because I know others have had a lot more to deal with than I did so don't anyone take offense) but other than that, this thing sucked a year out of my life and I'm glad that it's done. Sorry.

Cathy
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Cathy
9mm x 3mm Left Side AN
Mid Fossa Aug. 21, 2008
Dr. Gantz / Dr. Woodson
Univ. of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
No facial issues, hearing saved, I keep active and feel back to normal.

moe

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #37 on: July 22, 2009, 10:45:01 pm »
I like honesty ;)
It was hard for me to answer this one too!
How about a new thread-things that suck about having an AN.
Do you want me to start?????
Maureen ;)
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06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

yardtick

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #38 on: July 23, 2009, 10:39:25 am »
I'm right behind you Maureen  ;)
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Sept 8/06 Translab
Post surgical headaches, hemifacial spasms and a scar neuroma. 
Our we having fun YET!!! 
Watch & Wait for more fun & games

Dog Lover

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #39 on: July 23, 2009, 09:25:11 pm »
Maureen!!

LOL! THAT would be a LONG thread!!

Cathy
« Last Edit: July 23, 2009, 09:27:31 pm by Dog Lover »
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Cathy
9mm x 3mm Left Side AN
Mid Fossa Aug. 21, 2008
Dr. Gantz / Dr. Woodson
Univ. of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
No facial issues, hearing saved, I keep active and feel back to normal.

Sue

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #40 on: July 24, 2009, 07:06:45 pm »
Good thing about having an AN:

Meeting a lot of great people on this Forum

Being a part, however small and sporadic, of the Goode Ship Princess Batty Wench

Having something interesting to talk about when somebody wants to talk about medicine/illnesses, as in "I have a tumor in MY head, so what's your problem?"

Finding out my family still loves me and puts up with my problems....at least so far!  (like saying, what? all the time.  I'm sure THAT gets old...I"m trying to not do that so much)

Knowing that it isn't terminal - priceless...


Hang in there my friends,

Sue in Vancouver, WA
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Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
My Blog, where you can read my story.


http://suecollins-blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/hello.html


The only good tumor be a dead tumor. Which it's becoming. Necrosis!
Poet Lorry-ate of Goode

Syl

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #41 on: July 24, 2009, 07:46:01 pm »
The best thing of all is the humor that accompanies our chats about ANs. I also like being able to blame my mistakes or brain farts on my AN. I'm too young to have a senior moment. I'm not blonde so I can't have a blonde moment. I have AN moments.

Syl
« Last Edit: July 24, 2009, 07:49:48 pm by Syl »
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1.5cm AN rt side; Retrosig June 16, 2008; preserved facial and hearing nerves;
FINALLY FREE OF CHRONIC HEADACHES 4.5 years post-op!!!!!!!
Drs. Kato, Blumenfeld, and Cheung.

ppearl214

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #42 on: July 25, 2009, 05:53:38 am »
Quote from: Sue on July 24, 2009, 07:06:45 pm
Being a part, however small and sporadic, of the Goode Ship Princess Batty Wench

oh, we thrive, our dear PoetLorryette! We thrive..... as we search the waters for sea monsters and my dinghy thingy and cures for Laz's and the Capt'n's headaches.  I think we need to plunder and pillage some more chocolate sauce for Matthew McConneghy! :D

signed,
the cursed... oh, forgetaboutit! :D
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"Gentlemen, I wash my hands of this weirdness", Capt Jack Sparrow - Davy Jones Locker, "Pirates of the Carribbean - At World's End"

cin605

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #43 on: July 25, 2009, 03:03:41 pm »
I really like that chocolate sauce idea... ;D
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2cm removed retrosig 6/26/08
DartmouthHitchcock medical center lebanon,N.H.
43yrs old

Vivian B.

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Re: Positive things about having an Acoustic Neuroma
« Reply #44 on: July 25, 2009, 05:57:55 pm »
Positive things about an AN

I am no longer caught up in things that have little or no meaning at all. I take one day at a time. If I am up to doing something I do it, if not I simply say no. I no longer try to please everybody, I stop and think how will this affect me? My older brother who I haven't spoken to in almost two years is back in my life. I understand him much more than I did before. I no longer stress out at work. I still take my work seriously but do not get stomach aches at the end of the day.

Maureen, I do understand what you are saying. Although this may have changed us for the better, it does not take away the stress we received from it and try to fight our anxiety each day to keep positive. However, we were fortunate enough to find this forum so that we can share the good and the bad. I am greatful to my daughter everyday for finding this forum for me.

Vivian
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CPA AN(most likely meningioma) 1.6cm by 1.5cm by 1.9cm diagnosed early March 09. Watch and Wait.
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