Just sharing my experience

[Shan1014]

Please go to  www.mymediabandit.com/ , which is my website where I have written about my 4 month stint with AN. I shared what I went through,  prior, during, and after hospital stay. I just know that I had no idea what I was in for and wanted to share. I also have a blog if you have any questions. Thanks.

[sunfish]

Wow! What an impressive MRI, and not in a good way!  Great read.  I had cyberknife to a 1.4 cm AN the week after your surgery.  I still struggle at times to get back to normal - two steps forward, one step backwards.  I don't like the blood pressure meds, they make me sluggish.  And my vision is kinda messed up.  Here's hoping you continue your progress!

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Shannon - and welcome! 

I read your 'AN story" on your website and it brought back some memories of my own hospital experience, back in June, 2006.  I had few complications and was discharged within 5 days of my surgery but many of the things you mention in your account rang true, i.e. the head bandage removal, ICU neurological testing every hour, the excitement of moving to a 'regular' room and the advantage of having company - an advocate, if you will - with us most of the time.  My wife filled that role for me and did it without hesitation or complaint.  I'll always be grateful to her for that. 

I'm sorry your recovery has been slower than you would wish but I'm pleased to learn that you are progressing toward normalcy.  It takes time but you will be back to normal and although we all carry some deficits post-op (mostly minor) I doubt you'll lose any cognitive ability.

I took the liberty of fixing the link in your post to take the reader directly to your website without having to cut-and-paste the address. 

Jim 

[Sue Vogel]

Thanks for sharing your story and picts.  I did a lot of journaling through my own ordeal and logged quite a few picts as well.  It's nice to look back and see how far I have come since surgery.  Keep up the good recovery.

SUE

[cin605]

Holy Moly...Yeh....That was a big one!Great blog.Congrats on success!

[LisaP]

thanks for sharing your story, keep us posted on your journey.


LisaP

[satman]

I just read your story and I must say "brings back memories".
Hang tough and keep up the progress.
congrats on the postie status. 

[skamper]

Wow, your blog was quite impressive, so sorry you had to go through so much.  That must have been an awful hospital stay.  I can't imagine throwing up after a head surgery.  I got lucky in that I never got sick after mine.  Keep us posted on your recovery and keep up the good job on the walking and exercise.
Susan

[kiwi]

Wow thanks for sharing your story, it brings back memories.

I'm so amazed at all the care you get in the USA.  I guess its because your insurance covers it.  I had surgery roughly a week after you for a tumour nearly the same size, the differences being I was on our public health system.  I had one MRI and one CT in Nov/Dec, took another 2 weeks after diagnosis to see an ENT and three months to get surgery.  I never had another MRI before surgery and was only in HDU for 17 hours before being moved to a normal ward.  The 2nd day after surgery the doctors forgot to even come and see me!  When I say doctors that means others that were in the surgery room but not the one that actually performed the surgery - I didnt see him again till my CSF leak surgery in May at which time we discussed my original surgery for a few moments.

I am not complaining about my surgeon at all, he was wonderful and my life is completely back to how it was. I have no issues with anything but my face but I guess I am just sooooo jealous at the level of care you get there overseas.....our attitude over here seems to be  - ok we have got the tumour out now harden up and get on with it.  You re very fortunate in the USA.

Jacqui

[Lizard]

Thank you for sharing your journey...the pics of course are eerily familiar, especially throwing up, I did that A LOT for the first couple months after..not so fun! 
Take care,
Liz