Four Year ANniversary

[Jeanlea]

Today marks four years since my AN surgery.  I spent some time visiting my parents.  My dad has been recovering from complications from prostate cancer this summer.  He's finally on the final road to recovery.  Since I spent a lot of time taking him to various doctor appointments this summer I had a lot of time to reflect on my own road to recovery.  I'm thankful for the amount of recovery I have.  I still have some lingering facial issues, but each year they get less noticeable.  With the help from my TransEar I've adapted to the SSD.  My balance hardly ever bothers me and I have no headaches, both of which I'm very grateful. 

I didn't really know how to "celebrate" this day.  I did spend part of the day sitting outside in the warm sunshine reading a good book. 

Oh, and I have a new hobbie.  I decided to become a wino  so I bought some good wine that I drink a glass of each day.  Gotta have hobbies.  It goes well with the frozen cookie dough in my freezer.  Anyone want to come and join me?

Jean

[nancyann]

Hi Jean:  Congratulations on your 4 year mark.  Sounds like you celebrated just as it should be.
Do you still get yearly MRIs ?    I'm thinking of skipping this year (I can't getit  with contrast anymore b/c I had 2 hives develop on each thigh 2 years ago).

Wishing you continued healing & happy days !   Okay,  pass the wine !
Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[4cm in Pacific Northwest]

Happy 4th AN Anniversary JEAN!!!
Oh yes life is to be celebrated. Ok I cannot stand the taste of wine since surgery nevertheless I will bring a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir since you are committed to be a wino (tease)…

I remember the day I was SOOH depressed with the facial palsy and thought I was alone with no one who knew what I was going through…. Then you posted your photo to prove, years later, recovery still can happen. Thank you.

Well you are 2 years ahead of me.

Congrats to you on this special day.

4 Cheers to you.
Hip Hip Hooray... Hip Hip Hooray... Hip Hip Hooray.... Yeah JEAN !

DHM

[saralynn143]

Hi Jean! I will be happy to join you in a toast to your anniversary this evening. I have a glass of dry red maybe 2 or 3 times a week ever since I could drink from a glass again. (I just couldn't handle wine through a straw.)

Cheers!
Sara

[leapyrtwins]

Good for you, Jeanlea.

On both the 4 year milestone and on becoming a "wino".  Both wonderful things in my opinion  

Jan

[Brendalu]

Happy ANniversary, Jean!

I think drinking a glass of wine each day is a wonderful hobby....you could also take up making wine!  I used to help my great-great aunt make dandelion wine each summer!  Frozen cookie dough, hmmm, you and my grand daughter!!  I found a wine barrel online called the Redwagon and it keeps wine fresh for up to 40 days!  You might need that if you are only drinking one a day!  I will lift my one a day to you in a toast to celebrate this crazy ride we have had.................Did you hear the "clink"!!
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Hugs,
Brenda

[ppearl214]

Jean.

MAJOR congrats to you! I can't believe its 4 yrs already and what a journey you have ridden.  You KNOW I send the hugglez and major congrats to you!  Cookie dough, sun and yes, the occassional glass of beverage of choice sounds like a terrific way to celebrate. 

Continued wellness wishes to you (and those around you).  Like you, I can't believe its 4 yrs already. Seems like yesterday.

Hugglez!!!!!!!!!!
xox
Phyl

[Cheryl R]

Jean,  Doesn't seem like it has been 4 years already and do wish you a Happy Anniversary.  I am glad to hear you have continued to improve with the face as that helps how we feel so much.                                I was wondering if your kids were still going to MSU when we were there to visit our daughter before the symposium.           Hope you can make the anniversary a week long event!                                          Cheryl R

[MLB57]

Jean,

How wonderful to be 4 years "clean" of your AN!!  You are fastly approaching the "it's gone forever" mark and I am so happy for you!!!  We ALL are hapy and cheeering and yes, some of us toasting with our glass of wine to your continued good news!!

Best always,

Mary (aka Grammy Mary)

[moe]

Congratulations on your 4 year mark, Jean!
I will toast you with a glass of whatever wine I have! And my XOCAI chocolate, which is healthy chocolate, BTW.From Belgium, no additives.
Also glad to see you continue to have improvement after 4 years, since I am 3 years out and there is still hope.

Funny thing, my life was so topsy/turvy during the whole ordeal, I don't even like to think about my anniversary!    My surgery was June 13, I think, 2006. Isn't that weird?  (I flew into WA from TX to have the surgery, then back to TX- military geographic separation-  long story, but not for this thread. I need to check my record next time I have an appt! My husband and I still argue about whether the surgery was a Monday or Tuesday, and I swear it was  Monday, he says Tuesday........ weird.)

Anyway KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK JEAN!
Maureen

[Jeanlea]

Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes.

Nancy Ann, I'm on a two year schedule for MRIs.  Next spring sometime.

DHM, I'm glad I could do a small part to help cheer you up.  I wish we could meet someday.  You seem like an amazing person to me.  Everyone here is awesome.

Cheryl, I have two children still at MSU.  My daughter is doing her student teaching this year and my son is a sophomore in mechanical engineering. 

Maureen, healthy chocolate you say??  Now I like that.

I'm going back to soak up this wonderful September sun and warm days before they disappear.  We are so far north, parts of Canada are south of us!

Jean

Jean