My first ever post was " 7 weeks post surgery " so 7 month anniversary today seems an appropriate
time to update.
Improvement continues with both voice and swallowing. Neither is the same as before surgery and the lower cranial nerve involvement, but it can take 12 to 18 months for those nerves to come back.
I regard my ability to speak and swallow as functional if not perfect. If this is as good as they get, my throat will not be a problem for me.
My facial numbness is gone around my upper lip and the corner of my mouth, but my right lower lip and chin remain somewhat numb - though less so. Again improvement.
SSD is still something of an adjustment, especially outside - don't know for sure where cars are coming from for example.
Balance has been fine. I can jog for an hour now. As others have observed before, running a straight line is easier than walking one for me.
I still have a problem with my head when getting up if I have been sitting too long, But that is simple to prevent with a little regular movement.
In total I feel very close to how I felt before the tumor removal and feel better and better as time passes.
In 5 more months I have my first follow up MRI to monitor the 3% to 5% residual tumor left on the facial nerve and brain stem.
Again, I thank this board for providing insight into the recovery process.
