Today marks one year since my surgery. What a year it’s been! In the Acoustic Neuroma community,  we call this an “ANniversary.” It’s hard to believe a year ago I was in the middle of an 8 hour surgery to remove a brain tumor…crazy! I’m thankful that’s behind me. 

Nothing really new to report. I’ve decided not to get the bone conducting hearing aid right now. We are thinking about a different hearing aid option and might consider bone conduction down the road. I’ve started seeing a pain management doctor for headaches and I think that’s where I need to be. We have added some medications and done one nerve block so far and will do a few more to see if that helps with pain. I’m optimistic about this! I see 3 different physical therapists every week to help with balance and pain management. I love my PT’s, they have become like family🩷  I’ll continue with this for the foreseeable future. We have our one year follow up and MRI at Vanderbilt next month and will have yearly visits there and MRIs to ensure no tumor regrowth. 

Earlier this week I rode my bike for the first time since surgery. I’ve never been a big bike rider but I had a goal to try to ride and challenge my balance  before the one year mark. It took a little more concentration and focus, but I did it! (Around the driveway😂). Not having a balance nerve on one side is a tricky thing. Everyday activities like walking up and down stairs and navigating through a crowd now take more brainpower than before. This is something that will improve with PT. 

This year I have been really thankful for the people in my life…the ones I see every day and the ones I see less often. I couldn’t have gotten through this without you all. There have been some really hard times and there is still some road to go, but this situation has given me a perspective that I never would have had otherwise. I’m sure there is so much more the Lord will teach me. He doesn’t bring us through hard times for no reason. I think sometimes we just may not always see it clearly until later. I believe the Lord has a plan and a purpose for us all. My prayer is that I will be able to share how the Lord has molded my heart and mind through this trial, with others. It isn’t for nothing. I have no doubt that the Lord’s plans are so much better that mine could ever be. He promises us His plans are best 🩷 

“ Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me”