Author Topic: Having a bad day  (Read 11278 times)

Upstate

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Having a bad day
« on: November 07, 2012, 02:14:50 pm »
I've actually been feeling better lately, both physically and emotionally.  I went grocery shopping this morning and was placing the grocery bags in the trunk of my car, reaching into the shopping cart, bending down to grab items under cart etc. 3or 4 times doing this, I lost my balance and fell.  I was so embarrassed.  I got into my car and burst into tears-had a meltdown in a parking lot. :'(  I hate my AN!

CHD63

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2012, 02:23:31 pm »
Hi there .....

So sorry for your fall ..... and your meltdown.  Many of us can attest to similar feelings when something like this happens.

A couple of my falls have been outside, with others watching ..... they were absolutely the worst times of this whole journey.  Just wanted to scream at everyone, "I have not been drinking!!"

I sincerely hope you were not hurt in the fall.  I have slowly learned where my vulnerable situations are ..... leaning over, changing directions too fast, standing up from sitting and walking too soon, etc.  I know now to compensate for my missing balance by making sure I keep a hand on something stable when leaning over, etc.

Many thoughts and prayers.

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

Brewers7

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2012, 02:59:36 pm »
I have felt the same way, Clarice.  Only I have been worried that a jury will think that I am drunk while I am prosecuting a drug case.  :)
Translab surgery 12/15/2008 followed by CSF leakage repair and 3 additional surgeries for MRSA of the brain (NOT typical) SSD,  facial and vocal cord paralysis, numerous reconstructive surgeries, Transear 12/2010

alabamajane

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2012, 04:33:11 pm »
Hi upstate,,
I can relate to the meltdown,, I am I year postie and have slight balance issues still,, like Clarice said I have learned where my vulnerability is so try to avoid too many situations on my own and always hold onto something,, I even take a grocery cart even when going for one or two items just to hold onto it!

I was getting out of car just yesterday and wobbled as getting up curb and this guy looked at me and said something like "need a hand ?" And I just know he thought I was drinking or something just the way he said it even though he was just trying to be nice.,,,,,, I wanted to just get back in car but was afraid I might FALL off curb so didn't dare try that in front of him,,,thanked him and went on in store humiliated,,,,,,,

My AN and resulting surgery have turned me from a once very sociable, people person into a very introverted more silent person,,not something I am very proud of but has been hard to turn it around,, maybe more time.

Brewers7,, don' t know HOW you stand in a courtroom and try cases with some of the issues you have dealt with,,,good for you !!! Hang in there Upstate,,,count the good days and try to laugh at the bad ones,,,,,easier said than done some days,, huh???   Jane
translab Oct 27, 2011
facial nerve graft Oct 31,2011, eyelid weight removed Oct 2013, eye closes well

BAHA surgery Oct. 2014, activated Dec. 26

Jill Marie

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #4 on: November 08, 2012, 12:37:21 am »
Thanks so much for posting about your meltdown, I'm having one right now and it helps to know that others have them too!  It sounds like it's not just about falling or being embarrassed about falling, it's one of those times where you have had enough of dealing with the AN and need to let the emotions flow so you can pick up the pieces and make tomorrow a better day.  I hope tomorrow is indeed a better day and if/or when you come across a similar situation like you had today please remember that there are a whole lot of people here that understand what you are going through and are here to listen and support you.  Take Care, Jill :)
Facial Nerve Neuroma removed 6/15/92 by Dr. Charles Mangham, Seattle Ear Clinic. Deaf/left ear, left eye doesn't water.

Upstate

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #5 on: November 08, 2012, 11:02:36 am »
Thank you for all your kind words, I needed that!!! It's been really cold here in the northeast and I think I was just trying to hurry to get out of the 20 something degree temperatures... Big mistake.  And luckily I wasn't hurt, not physically anyway.  Strange thing though; I stumbled AGAIN last night carrying a laundry basket. I am wondering what the heck is going on????  I do have my MRI tomorrow as it's been over 8 months since GK and see Dr. on Monday.  Don't know if it is just stress knowing it's that time of the year again.

PaulW

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2012, 03:31:26 pm »
Radiation does take its time. I noticed you had Gamma Knife 8 months ago..
Hang in there things do get better.
10x5x5mm AN
Sudden Partial hearing loss 5/28/10
Diagnosed 7/4/10
CK 7/27/10
2/21/11 Swelling 13x6x7mm
10/16/11 Hearing returned, balance improved. Feel totally back to normal most days
3/1/12 Sudden Hearing loss, steroids, hearing back.
9/16/13 Life is just like before my AN. ALL Good!

Dee-dee

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2012, 06:31:11 pm »
Yesterday I went to accept a prize that my brother, who lives in the midwest,  won for one of his paintings in New York.  As I wobbled up to the microphone I heard someone in the audience say "she is drunk".  I was mortified and all of the wonderful things I meant to say and how proud I am of my brother just flew out the window.  I am still sitting here upset over it. I cried all night, with only tinnitus to keep me company.

But knowing there are others out there, especially on this site, who understand, gives me strength.  Hang in there.

Dee-dee
2.3 cm AN.   Hearing loss and other symptoms. Gamma knife 2011.

PamJ

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2012, 04:43:58 am »
Hi Upstate I know exactly how you feel it was our 45th wedding anniversary 2 weeks ago and we went away for a week, unfortunately the first morning there I feel getting out of the bath and cracked my ribs, I ended up in tears and wanted to go home.  I was so embarassed when I had to tell the owners that as I fell I pulled the towel rail out of the wall.
March 2011 - Acoustic Neuroma translab surgery
July    2011 - Tarsorrhaphy surgery
June   2012 - BAHA abutment surgery
July    2012 - Tarsorrhapy reversed
Sept   2012 - BAHA (Pronto Pro) fitted
Sept   2013 - Diplopia Surgery
April   2014 - Platinum chain surgery

MDemisay

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2012, 07:35:19 pm »
Dear Upstate and Others,

I thought it was just me! Boy I realize from you guys that falling and being embarrassed about falling are just part and parcel of having an AN! I must have the most experience falling though after a while you learn to control the way you turn and get more handholds involved so you don't hurt yourself as you go down! Falling is never pleasant and it happens mostly at night to me but I take precaution and travel around with a flashlight. You see I have a special circumstance...I cannot afford to break my right arm any more because the last time I did it they stuck a titanium plate in it, so if I fall on it again it will come through my skin! And yes at the very beginning of my falling carreer in 1995 I fell out of the shower and broke 4 ribs of course there were no handholds, bars or shower mat in the shower! Be careful with yourselves! You must learn to adapt carry less support more use a cane wobble less!

1974 - Dr. Michelson  Colombia Presbyterian removal of 3 Arterio Venous Malformations
2004- Dr. Sisti  NY Presbyterian subtotal removal of 3.1 cm AN,
2012 - June 11th Dr. Sisti Gamma Knife (easy-breasily done)"DEAD IRV" play taps!
Research, research, research then decide and trust in God's Hands!

pmcollings

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2012, 05:00:42 pm »
Hi !

I fell at the grocery store parking lot after I returned the cart to it's little home. I too was sooooo embarrassed !!! 
 I did this BEFORE my surgery.  I think we will have our good days and our so called 'bad' days.  You did great to go to the grocery store.  That in itself is a huge step.  I'm 4 weeks post op and it wears me out. 
I also think it is ok to cry and get it out.  You have been through a lot.  You are doing really good.  It will just take some time. 

Big hug to you !!!

Cheers ,
Pam
Diagnosed 5/2012 - 2.0cm
Translabsurgery  10/30/12. 
50 % hearing loss before op.  Total hearing loss after.  Partial facial paralysis
Surgeons - Dr Craig Kemper and Dr. James Kemper. Austin, texas

ewchisek

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2012, 01:14:07 pm »
Hi. I'm feeling the same way. however, I was just diagnosed, yesterday.. i can barely navigate this site. I do not even know where to get started.  my Dr played this diagnosis off like it was not a big deal and told me i would just live with the dizziness.  I am scared. I do not know who to contact or where to go.  I live in Michigan.  can anyone help?

pmcollings

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #12 on: December 04, 2012, 03:02:34 pm »
Well it is a big deal.  You might want to get a second opinion.  I live in Texas so I can't help but I would start researching this site and look for specialists.  there might be support group up there too.  This forum has been very helpful to me.  It IS very scary.   I am 5 weeks post op and am feeling better but it really is a big deal.  You are not alone.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask me.  I would be more than happy to help any way I can. 

Pam
Diagnosed 5/2012 - 2.0cm
Translabsurgery  10/30/12. 
50 % hearing loss before op.  Total hearing loss after.  Partial facial paralysis
Surgeons - Dr Craig Kemper and Dr. James Kemper. Austin, texas

chloes mema

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2012, 01:00:23 pm »
EW
My doctors did the same thing to me, played it off as nothing.  One doctor told me since AN's are normally slow growing, something would kill me before the AN ever became a problem.  Well, it wasn't slow growing, I had cyber knife six months after I was diagnosed, and, yes, life goes on.

It's a very scary time when you've first been diagnosed but the more you read about it, talk about it, & remember the better.

I'm not in MI so I can't help there but I suggest you read as much as you can on the ANA site, try to find a support group, look at as many of these different postings as you can (there are a tremendous number of well informed people that will share their knowledge with you), & see as many doctors as you can till you find the one you're comfortable with. 

We're hear to listen, support, help, chime in, & just be there for each other.  ;)

Good luck.

Karen
Diagnosed October 2011
Oct '11-9 X 6 mm left ear
Mar '12 - 1.25cm
Tinnitus, imbalance, and mild dizziness (ditsy)
My AN = Annoying Nuisance
Jan'12 W&W
May'12 CK completed
Oct'12 hemifacial spasms
Dec'19 It's back

ewchisek

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Re: Having a bad day
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2012, 10:01:30 pm »
thank you! i can honestly say this is surreal to me.  It is very hard to comprehend and the unknown is even more scary.