Jeepers ~
As the posts prior to this one have demonstrated, life after AN surgery can be a bit of a struggle, but - barring any
serious complications - you should be able to resume your normal life after a few months. You have to remember that you're going to be coming out of a very complicated surgery that lasts anywhere from 5 to 15 hours (mine was just under 9 hours) and involves opening up your skull and, in my, case (retrosigmoid approach), moving the cerebellum, which is
extremely delicate work. All this takes a toll on your body. I slept for most of the 24 hours after I was released into ICU, then I slowly gained enough strength to sit up in a chair for a few hours at a time. Within days, I felt strong enough to walk the hospital hallways (with my wife by my side - but not assisting me). That was approximately 4½ days after my surgery was completed. I was released from the hospital 5 days after I had been admitted. I felt fine and stopped at a nearby diner (with my wife and son) to have a stack of delicious pancakes that I had been thinking about for days. My little 'reward'.
I was very fortunate and didn't suffer any complications from my surgery. The FSR treatments I underwent 3 months later were entirely uneventful. I drove to and from all 26 of them, a 60-mile round trip (my wife accompanied me). During my first week home from the hospital I mostly sat in a recliner and read or watched some inane TV show to pass the time. When I wasn't doing that, I slept. I also had a VNA PT lady that came to the house and put me through various balance exercises. I hated those but was dutiful in my daily 'workout', under my wife's benign but careful supervision. After 3 visits, the PT lady declared me no longer in need of her services. I stopped the dreaded exercises within a few days but did a lot of walking and sought out uneven surfaces. I probably walked at least 2 miles per day, which for me, was a lot. It all helped. Today, my balance is very serviceable. I do feel I've lost a bit of stamina but I attribute that as much to aging (I'm 66) as the consequences of my surgery and radiation. I no longer attempt any heavy lifting. I'm fit (my BMI is 21) - but hardly athletic. I 'm retired but I get out almost every day I'm a Deacon in my church and I do all the housework because my wife is physically unable to do it, although she cooks (very well, too) and does the grocery shopping. I have to admit that I was already SSD when I had my surgery (I waited that long) and so, there was no adjustment to make with my hearing. Frankly, if this is my 'new normal', I'm good with it.
I wouldn't stress out about the 'what-if's' of your surgery. Of course it's a risk - but so are most important things in life. I usually advise those contemplating AN surgery to hope, pray and expect the best outcome (this is what I did) but be prepared for the possibility of some complications afterward. They are usually mild, but as you realized, there are simply no guarantees of outcome with this surgery. Radiation is certainly less invasive but carries it's own risks and aftermaths, so I wouldn't assume radiation is a panacea but simply another approach with it's own pluses and minuses. Ultimately, it's your decision and you have to be satisfied with it. Positive thinking is recommended but don't try to 'balance' that with negative thinking or you'll run the risk of becoming distraught, which is not a place you want to go. Know that many people, including me, are rooting for you and stand ready to help and advise whenever you ask.
Jim
