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Author Topic: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment  (Read 4467 times)

salamander

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One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« on: June 06, 2009, 02:19:22 pm »
Hi everyone,

I am now just over 7 months since surgery.  The doctors lost the signal from my facial nerve at the end of surgery, but said it was intact.  I was House Brackmann Grade VI after surgery.

This week I have a TINY movement upward of the corner of my mouth when I smile slowly with my lips closed.  Yippee.  It is very small, but definitely there.  Of course, I am now constantly practicing and looking in the mirror.  It is amazing how thrilling something like this is for us ANers!!

Smiles to all (well, kind of),

Samantha
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2.9 cm right side AN;
Retrosigmoid/Sub-occipital surgery 11/08;
SSD(w/tinnitus), facial weakness, dry eye, eye weight, headaches.
Some movement of face at 7 months

Jeanlea

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2009, 02:38:56 pm »
Samantha,

Great news!  I can understand how thrilled you are with a tiny movement.  After surgery I was a grade VI also.  Now I can smile.  It might be as big as before but it is definately a smile.  I still am finding small improvements, like when I flare my nostrils there is a tiny bit of movement.  Hope this is the beginning of many more movements to come for you.  Thanks for sharing your good news.

Jean
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translab on 3.5+ cm tumor
September 6, 2005
Drs. Friedland and Meyer
Milwaukee, WI
left-side facial paralysis and numbness
TransEar for SSD

nancyann

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2009, 03:11:55 pm »
Samantha,  I am so happy for you ! !   This is wonderful news ! !
I never got movement back,  so I can imagine the thrill you must be feeling !
(I had the T3 done & am very happy with the results,  but MOVEMENT,  this is
a big thing ! !).

Continued healing my friend,
Always good thoughts,   Nancy
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2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

Kaybo

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2009, 03:32:26 pm »
Samantha~
SO GREAT to hear - I am so excited for you!!   ;D

K 
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Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

moe

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2009, 03:33:32 pm »
I too am happy for you :)
You have proof that there is function, albeit small, and that is a great accomplishment.
Keep practicing, moving, exercising those face muscles!
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

Adrienne

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2009, 04:07:47 pm »
I can imagine what JOY that would bring!  CONGRATS!  VERY happy for you!  Hope it continues on an upward trend!

Adrienne
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3.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm AN, left side.  Diagnosed Feb. 19th,2009
Retro Sig surgery with Dr. Akagami and Dr. Westerberg on May 26/09 at Vancouver General Hospital
SUCCESS! Completely removed tumor, preserved facial nerve, and retained a lot of hearing. Colour me HAPPY!

saralynn143

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2009, 05:39:59 pm »
How well we know what huge accomplishments these little movements are. I noticed a tiny movement by my nose at three months, and like you, a movement at the corner of my mouth at six months. At about nine months I saw symmetry at rest.

I am so excited for you. Keep us posted so we can continue to celebrate with you.

sara
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MVD for hemifacial spasm 6/2/08
left side facial paresis
 12/100 facial function - 7/29/08
 46 - 11/25/08
 53 - 05/12/09
left side SSD approx. 4 weeks
 low-frequency hearing loss; 85% speech recognition 7/28/08
1.8 gram thin profile platinum eyelid weight 8/12/08
Fitted for scleral lens 5/9/13

dmseibert

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2009, 06:34:40 pm »
WOO HOO!!!! ;D  I know I am waiting for that day to come for me. CONGRATS!!!  I am almost 3 months post-op now and noticed movement at the side of my nose about a week ago... Hope everything keeps getting better for you!!!!
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mimoore

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2009, 06:30:26 pm »
Oh Samatha!
What a wonderful thing! Keep it coming!
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO for you.
It's like Christmas morning - what a gift.
Michelle  ;D
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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.

arkansasfarmgirl

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2009, 11:49:15 am »
Yay for you!!!
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lori67

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2009, 12:10:39 pm »
Samantha,

That is a BIG accomplishment!  Great news!

It is funny that we get so excited over something most people take for granted.  I remember the first time I noticed some movement, I came running out of the bathroom, yelling for my husband.  He thought something was wrong - I just was so excited that something was finally moving.  I've learned to tone down my enthusiasm a bit so he doesn't have heart failure every time I notice something moving!   :D

Lori
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Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Jim Scott

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2009, 04:19:38 pm »
Samantha ~

Yes, even a small movement is a big accomplishment for some post-op AN patients -and we celebrate that accomplishment with you!  Congratulations!

Jim
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4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

4cm in Pacific Northwest

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Re: One SMALL movement; one BIG accomplishment
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2009, 09:16:38 pm »
Great news!
DHM
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4cm Left, 08/22/07 R/S 11+ hr surgery Stanford U, Dr. Robert Jackler, Dr. Griffith Harsh, Canadian fellow Assist. Dr. Sumit Agrawal. SSD, 3/6 on HB facial scale, stick-on-eyeweight worked, 95% eye function@ 6 months. In neuromuscular facial retraining. Balance regained! Recent MRI -tumor receded!
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