Christmas Vacation

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I am all over during Christmas,which is nice because I get to see everyone. Unlike Clark Griswold from Christmas Vacation,where everyone comes to his house. Now that I'm around family more and not driving it makes me wish I lived much closer to everyone.
Christmas Vacation is a great time for me to do things I don't have time for while taking classes. This break has not lived up to the excitement I had for it yet.I should give it more of a chance though.I wanna get my degree as quick as I can with still keeping an acceptable G.P.A. I am thinking about grad school actually! I will see if I change my mind. It will keep me busy while I attempt to get a job!

Anyway, a break will be nice. Like I said, I can spend more time other things,like rehab. I am much more independent on the walker now,but that is not enough! I am determined to get the wheel chair out of the house! Sitting down will not improve my balance! My old therapist mentioned forearm crutches a long time ago and I have decided to start using them very soon.
More time on my feet will translate to better balance and get me closer to a HUGE goal for me... a cane.
During break I will also be having some surgery on my left eye. Yes,more plastic surgery.This surgery is outpatient and done under a local anesthetic. I am sooo ready...My eye is always watering,I get water in it when showering,it sometimes gets scratched when I put clothes on, or take them off and my eyeball won't dry out which is kinda important...ha....I have that done Tuesday morning!

Glicogene Study

I almost forgot about my blog.
Anyway, I am participating I'm an international study called the Glicogene:Brain Tumor Linkage Study http://www.gliogene.org/ "The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of genes that may point to a higher risk of developing a glioma. Researchers will use new gene mapping techniques to study how high-risk factors are passed on through a family's genes and increase the risk of developing gliomas"
I am pretty positive that tumors don't run in our family,but I think these studies are very important. If in any way I can help with studies to get rid of these damn things(tumors)...I will! If you have a health issue and you are asked to participate in a study, I highly recommend you take part.

Busy Beaver!

It has almost been two months since I updated this blog! It would be nice to have time for Facebook or blogging, but I don't. That is fine though. I have been way to busy with other things.
I have been busy going to class, studying,reading, Dr's and rehab when I find time (not going to rehab, I do not like @ all) I guess I have to get used to it though. Trying to balance rehab,school,family,friends,watching football...HA! hobbies & etc is not an easy task. I like to stay on one topic when I update this blog, but bare with me.
I am taking only two classes and for me that's plenty! I can say I'm never bored & I have only worked out two hours in the last three weeks...I love eating,so I'm worried about chubbin out! Anyway, I went for my M.R.I. last and saw my neurologist last Tuesday. It was clear! 2.5 + years later and I'm tumorless! 

On Thursday of last week I saw my plastic surgeon (sounds hilarious to me). The Dr did this simple test where you tap on your check to see if you/I feel anything. Well, I did! I was so happy! It is not always 100% the nerve will work. It is nice to know it's working so soon, which is even better! Looks like I will get a new cheek after all! 

I should be smiling again this time next year!

"Knowing is half the battle"

I saw G.I. Joe Friday with some buddies that I used to have epic G.I. Joe battles with(we lost a lot of good men). We have been waiting for this movie for twenty years and we were sooo ready.
It is strange how when you are a little guy and when it comes to G.I. Joe's, all you care about is if you get to win the battle in the end or not.
Similar to the old corny Public Service Announcements at the end of every G.I. Joe episode where the characters would really try to sell the "Knowing is half the battle" idea and they would give us "kids" tips to stay safe or aware of surroundings. The way I live my life now is by that old saying..."Knowing is half the battle"... that had only a small percent of relevance as a child. I am 99% of the time aware my surroundings now. I have to be.In rehab,school...everything in life is waaaaaaaaaaaay different now.
Thanks General Hawk!

Success!

The 2nd try for surgery went well! The Dr had to take a bit of a more aggressive route. Instead of only having to use 5 inches of nerve from my calve area, he had to take over 12 inches. Which leaves me with a nasty scar! It would have been nice If the nerve between my lip & cheek were large enough to connect the nerve from my lower leg, but that's not the case. He had to go from my sideburn where the facial nerve starts to branch out under the parotid or (salivary gland). The part of the jaw that sticks out like a ball by the ear. The Dr took out some of my parotid gland and my cheek swelled up like a softball. Not exaggerating...It was gross. This should do the trick for now. I have to wait 9-13 months and after the nerve is biopsied to see if it is firing, I will get a new cheek...well, that will come from my body though. Either some of my inner thigh or my trunk area.
Now I wait, but I am starting to become an expert on waiting!

Getting on my nerves

On Tuesday I had my first of what I thought was two operations.
I was very confident going into this surgery and was more than ready. I was crackin jokes and giving nurses the "rock" or "fist bump" all the way till the gas put me under!
When the incision was made between my lip & cheek the Dr found out the nerves were much to tiny to connect/graft my "sural" nerve or calve nerve (one of them).So......I was stitched up and that was it...Awesome...Not exactly... it is extremely disappointing ,but a large amount of hope still remains.
A plan B will take place on June 30th! The Dr will cut in the crease by my ear & sideburn. The facial nerve begins to branch out @ that area, so he will have a bigger area to work with. Yeah, I have to get my face carved up again,but that's fine by me. I will take a few inconspicuous scars over what I have currently! Besides, it is a plastic surgeon!
When the 30th is here I will be very ready...wish me luck!

Speed Racer

The Speed Racer thing is a joke,but I did do some driving!...in a parking lot. Its a start though. I have been thinking about driving alot the last few weeks. I know that physically I will be able to drive in the future,but will my eyes let me? My depth perception is poor and my eyes move up & down which make it almost impossible to lock onto objects and follow them...especially when objects are moving. That is a problem. I will stick to my eye exercises and time will tell.

Evey thing with me is time...time,time,time. I never thought things would take this long. Speaking of taking a long time. I am finally putting more weight on my right leg and my balance has gotten better! I have demoted the gait belt and I'm starting to finally walk to the dinner table without anyone!
Slowly,but surely.

Weekend Update

I haven't given an update on myself for a while.

School is going great and summer is almost here,but I feel that I could keep going with my schooling in order to play "catch up" if you know what I mean.

Therapy/rehab is also going well. It is nice knowing that after 2+ years I still have a long way to go. My hips, back(muscles around my spine?) are weak as well as some of my core (waist to top of ribs) Once these muscles are more stable I will walk more steadily. 

Just think...if your balance is poor and your body ( especially hips) move in ways you don't want it will throw of balance even more...right. Once these areas are stabilized I will move around better...That's what I am working on now. It will take a while,but what hasn't with all this?!

Take 1

At long last my first surgery is set! I waited 7 weeks for approval from insurance!

June 2nd is the date and I cannot wait! The sooner I have  the first, the sooner I have the 2nd. It will be 9-12 months,but that is ok with me!

Short post...I will be back very soon.

Light at the (not even half way point) of the tunnel

Today is the day. Two years ago I had my surgery. Time goes soooo fast. At two years and being in my condition staying positive is not easy by any means. But, recently I have found a few things to help me out!
When I walk my pelvis is titled which causes my right leg to not put much pressure on the ground (I have talked about this) An Idea from a fellow Masskicker made me consider a weight on the ankle in order to keep it on the ground and it works great! When I lose balance it tends to be to the left. With the ankle weight keeping the leg more firm on the ground I float back toward my right and stay much more straight when walking. I am hoping my leg eventually learns to carry more weight without the weight. As therapists and Doctors would call it...neuromuscular memory. It is motivating also that after two years I also have some other new exercises/things to work on. I have a loooooooong way left.
Last Monday was judgment. The verdict is in. That Doctor I saw in Indianapolis is the one who will do it(surgery).That is if insurance approves it. This Dr was more experienced with this surgery and he made me feel comfortable.
Here is what he wants to do.

1- He (the Dr) will make a small incision between my lip & check on that "smile" line of my good side. Then he will take a nerve from my calve area & run it under the skin to my bad check. Nerves grow very slow.(2 hour surgery) So after 9-12 months!! (sucks) once it grows through,then he will do step 2.
2-The Dr will make an incision from the top of my ear,down my side burn & then under my jaw to about my chin! Then he will use my inner thigh muscle to replace the saggy cheek & then hook up that nerve.
I left feeling so great. I honestly cannot remember the last time I was so happy. Yes, another surgery,but it cannot come soon enough!!!

Judgment Day.

Monday is judgment day. I see one last surgeon in Indianapolis and then I make a decision. It is pretty crazy,but I am gonna go through with surgery for the left side of my face.
I will admit it. I am way more worried for this then brain surgery.lol! Probably having something with me knowing a large amount of info on this and what to expect. Unlike my brain surgery in which I was told I would be riding my bike and back in school Fall of 07. Uhhhhhhh, whatever.Anyway, It will be tough choosing for major surgery,but I must.
Still cannot believe I am having Plastic surgery...haha!
"Ill be back" much more soon then last time I posted.

New Year & New Ideas

Happy New Year everyone!
The new year is here and that means time for change and bringing in the new. 2008 was a year full of positive and very negative things and events. Traditionally 1 out of 10 people actually follow thru with new year resolutions. That is sad. Some people are scared of change. One thing I do know though is one of the only for sure things in life is change. I guess you have to want to change and become a better person.Well, I do. I have a few things I would like to change about me. I make a to do list everyday. I want to live the saying "seize the day". I don't know exactly what that saying means, haha but my take is like this. The old saying "don't put off for tomorrow, what you can do today". I like that. I interpret it as simply getting everything done that is possible to on that list of mine. I also have some other ideas including my recovery,school etc. I am definitely ready for 2009.