Acoustic Neuroma
Four M.R.I.s later, I understand that while it is not a diagnosis anyone wants, as far as brain tumors go, mine is as good as it gets - Adrienne Brodeur
image by: Dazdraperma
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Despite the Losses, So Much Gained
Dude was a doctor who wanted to leave medicine. We met almost 20 years ago, when he applied to a writing fellowship program at the movie studio where I was an executive.
When I called him with the good news, he jumped up and down and screamed into the phone. Then he told me he didn’t hear anything after the word “accepted.” “To me,” he said, “you just sound like an angel.”
No one had ever called me an angel before.
Months later, Dude moved to Los Angeles. In the beginning of our professional relationship, I would give him notes on his screenplays.
Our personal relationship happened later. I was a 26-year-old black woman from Georgia, and he was a New York Italian…
Resources
New Studies Link Cell Phone Radiation with Cancer
The non-ionizing radio-frequency (RF) radiation that cell phones and other wireless devices emit has just one known biological effect: an ability to heat tissue by exciting its molecules. Still, evidence advanced by the studies shows prolonged exposure to even very low levels of RF radiation, perhaps by mechanisms other than heating that remain unknown, makes rats uniquely prone to a rare tumor called a schwannoma, which affects a type of neuron (or nerve cell) called a Schwann cell.
Literal Balance, Life Balance
Four M.R.I.s later, I understand that while it is not a diagnosis anyone wants, as far as brain tumors go, mine is as good as it gets.
A Brain Tumor Doesn't Define Me
No one is ever ready to receive a brain tumor diagnosis. A brain tumor diagnosis is life changing. Each person's experience will be different, but there is a similar sense of fear.
Acoustic Neuroma - Vestibular Schwannoma
Diagnosis of Acoustic Neuromas... Diagnosis begins with an audiogram. The hearing ability of each ear is evaluated. The evaluation may indicate loss of hearing and speech discrimination. Imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and computed tomography, or CT, scan can highlight acoustic tumors. MRI is preferred because it can clearly define acoustic neuromas, even if they are small. An auditory brainstem response, or ABR, test may also be performed. An abnormal result of the ABR test can imply possible diagnosis of acoustic neuroma. However, an abnormal result of this test should be confirmed by a subsequent MRI.
Finding a Healthy Balance–Treating Acoustic Neuroma
Think about all the little movements you make throughout the day: Hopping out of bed to get to a meeting. Bending over to pick up your child for a hug. Adjusting your gait to the uneven terrain on your favorite jogging trail. Scooping up a ball to throw for Fido.
Finding a New Normal after Acoustic Neuroma: Craig’s Story
Craig Straus was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma after he experienced hearing loss and a loud ringing sound in one ear. MSK surgeons Samuel Selesnick and Cameron Brennan removed the noncancerous tumor, and today, Craig is getting used to a new normal with hearing loss in his left ear. He comes back to MSK once a year for an MRI.
How Big Wireless Made Us Think That Cell Phones Are Safe: A Special Investigation
This article does not argue that cell phones and other wireless technologies are necessarily dangerous; that is a matter for scientists to decide. Rather, the focus here is on the global industry behind cell phones—and the industry’s long campaign to make people believe that cell phones are safe.
Multifactor Influences of Shared Decision-Making in Acoustic Neuroma Treatment
Non-elderly acoustic neuroma patients with larger tumors, growing tumors, significant hearing loss, and worse headaches are more likely to pursue surgical resection rather than active surveillance. Psychological factors such as quality of life, depression, and self-esteem do not seem to influence decision-making in this patient population.
My Acoustic Nemesis: Life Before, During, and After an Acoustic Neuroma
If you have been diagnosed with having an Acoustic Neuroma this book offers a unique first-hand account of the days, weeks, months ... and years post-operation and what you might expect as part of the recovery process.
My Acoustic Neuroma Journey
When I found out that I had it I didn’t really know what to think or feel, and I definitely didn’t know what to expect. As is the usual protocol these days I turned to Google for some insight into it, and inevitably came across some of the ‘worst case scenario, horror stories,’ which I tried to ignore.
My Acoustic Neuroma Story
What follows is a personal account of my dealings with finding out I had a brain tumor, and ultimately surgically resolving the condition known as Acoustic Neuroma or Vestibular Schwannoma. I’ve attempted to write this in as near real time as was possible. In that way, I think you will get more of the raw emotions and reactions to the emerging situation than if I simply had recounted the tale in retrospect.
My brain tumour will be removed this week, and I can be thankful
Living with a 42mm acoustic neuroma behind my right ear has brought the good things in my life into sharp focus.
Photoshopping the Pain Out of a Memory
I retouched an old photo of my mother to get rid of the deformity she hated—but my feelings about the end result were more complicated than I’d expected.
Trojan finds her balance despite rare type of hearing loss
Doctoral candidate copes with vertigo thanks to USC physical therapy faculty members.
You’re the One in 100,000: An Acoustic Neuroma Story
Peter has some advice for others confronting an acoustic neuroma. Educate yourself and understand your options, get in the best shape possible before surgery, and be brave — “this is so doable,” he says.
Despite the Losses, So Much Gained
I was found to have a 2.5-centimeter acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor of the nerve connecting the ear to the brain; it occurs in about 2 of every 100,000 people. Unbeknown to me, I had already experienced 50 percent hearing loss in my right ear, and my facial nerve had been engulfed by the tumor. Removing it would be difficult. Half of my face could become paralyzed. This was highly specialized surgery, and my doctor said I was blessed because the best surgeon was only 15 minutes away; he was the Michael Jordan of neurotology.
The 5 Most Important Questions to Ask an Acoustic Neuroma Specialist
A common symptom of an acoustic neuroma is single-sided hearing loss and/or ringing in your ear. However, other symptoms can be associated with this tumor include unsteadiness, dizziness, facial numbness or tingling. This complex tumor can often go undiagnosed for years as they typically grow at a slow rate of 1.0 mm annually. These tumors can have a significant impact on your quality of life and therefore understanding the diagnosis and treatment options is critical.
Acoustic Neuroma Association
ANA provides information and networking support for newly diagnosed acoustic neuroma patients.
BANA
Our Vision is a world in which Acoustic Neuroma is no longer a life-changing experience. Our Mission is to be a trusted, impartial and reliable source of information and support.
Me and My Acoustic Neuroma
The neurologist reassures me but arranges a scan. She phones MRI and they can fit me in straight away. I have my scan and realise, because they need a second scan with contrast, that they have found something in my head. I am a professional but in those few minutes become a worried patient. I think the worst: what type of brain tumour, how large and where is it?
Schwannoma Survivors & Schwannoma Fighters
Schwannoma Survivors & Schwannoma Fighters is a public facebook page which assists those battling Schwannomas. Please post only that which you are comfortable sharing.
Vestibular.org
As an alternative to conventional surgical techniques, radiosurgery with a gamma knife or linear accelerator may be employed to reduce the size or limit the growth of the tumor.
The Brain Tumour Society
Acoustic neuroma (also known as a vestibular schwannoma) is a low grade brain tumour accounting for 8% of all primary brain tumours. They tend to affect adults between the ages of 30 to 60. Vestibular schwannomas are slow growing and are rarely life threatening. This type of tumour grows along the eighth cranial nerve in the brain, also known as the acoustic or vestibulocochlear nerve.
MedlinePlus
Acoustic neuroma can be difficult to diagnose, because the symptoms are similar to those of middle ear problems. Ear exams, hearing tests, and scans can show if you have it. If the tumors affect both hearing nerves, it is often because of a genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis.
Microwave News
October 6, 2013 U.K. Acoustic Neuroma Link Fades Away The research group at the University of Oxford that reported a link between long-term use of a mobile phone and an elevated risk of acoustic neuroma (AN) in May now says that it is no longer there. In a short letter to the International Journal of Epidemiology (IJE), the Oxford team advises that when the analysis was repeated with data from 2009-2011, "there is no longer a significant...
NORD
An acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma, is a rare benign (non-cancerous) growth that develops on the eighth cranial nerve. This nerve runs from the inner ear to the brain and is responsible for hearing and balance (equilibrium). Although there is no standard or typical pattern of symptom development, hearing loss in one ear (unilateral) is the initial symptom in approximately 90 percent of affected individuals.
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