My Silver Anniversary

[keithzx12r]

Hi everybody. I've just had my silver (25 years) anniversary of my surgery to remove three neuromas from the left side of my head. My op was carried out by Chris Adams at The Radcliffe Infirmary in 1987.

I was in a pretty poor state for quite a while with head pain, loss of balance, total deafness on the left, facial palsy etc. I was one of the early BANA members but over time let my membership lapse. I was pleased with the support I had at the time despite BANA being a fledgeling charity.

I had my own motorcycle shop when I was diagnosed, my ill health post op caused quite a few problems with the business being quite small with only six staff. The Bank weren't a lot of help either.

But this is all behind me now I am retired. I have the residue of problems, still can't hear on the left, my palsy improved to where a lot of people don't notice it till I laugh, the balance problem persists but didn't stop me racing quarter mile standing start sprints on my 1200 Kawasaki till I gave up aged 73 to be able to look after my wife.

So I have adapted to life post op and console myself that there are a lot of people worse off.

In closing I pestered my GP for a scan because I have thumping in my right ear when in bed, if I lay on my left I can't hear it but on my right its quite unpleasant. Anyway the scan showed some scar tissue and the audio nerves on the left are jumbled up but no sign of any more growths = whoopee!

Keith

[Hidden]

Oh wow Keith - it is so good to hear some positive feedback so many years after treatment.....and for 3 ANs!....now that is plain greedy. Glad to hear the scan showed no more problems...

[backstagemum]

A very encouraging post, Keith. Lovely to hear from someone now successfully years down the line from such huge surgery. Great to know you've reached such an advanced age too (a whole year older than I am!) and that you have such positive memories of BANA. All the very best to you and your wife.

[keithzx12r]

My blog was going on a bit so I curtailed it. The three neuromas were on nerves 7,8 and nine, might have been 8,9,10, not sure now. Anyway after the op I had great trouble swallowing, kept coughing the food back out my mouth, down my nose etc. Upshot was in three weeks I went from 13 stone down to 10 and a half. When I returned home most people were quite shocked being as I was a fit, active 50 year old before. Turned out my larynx is paralysed on the left and oesophagus also. Had to learn to swallow on the right side only so still catches me out sometimes. Trick is to swallow with your head turned to the left closing off that side of your throat. Going back I attended a Kawasaki new model launch about two months post op at Hendon aircraft museum. I felt unwell whilst there and a certain Paula Morse came to my assistance, she was the wife of another Kawasaki dealer. I heard some years later she had contracted a neuroma and had been on the committee of BANA. I wonder if anyone remembers her or knows how she is now. Keith

[keithzx12r]

There is a bit more to add to my blog. I'd been home from hospital about a month. That evening I had severe stomach pain and headed for the kitchen sink in case I was sick. Next thing I knew I woke up on the floor with my wife bending over me. Apparently I had suffered a fit. When I got up I realised the contents of my bowel had transferred into my jeans - not nice and quite a quantity! I made for the shower and had a early night. As you can imagine my wife was very concerned being as we lived out of town on our own. Next morning I rang my GP - he said "fits quite often occur after brain surgery!". It would have been nice to be forwarned. Thankfully there was no recurrence of that problem. Bye for now! Keith

[keithzx12r]

So much has happened in the last 25 years sometimes I find I have forgotten things. About 12 years ago, say 12 years after my op I started to get spasms in my left forearm. The forearm and hand would go rigid like Igor in that horror movie. It kept happening so my GP sent me for an EEG? scan, when they fix a load of wires to your head to get readings from the brain. Their only conclusion from the test was maybe I was having micro fits causing the spasms. After a year or so they passed off and now happen only at very rare intervals. Bye for now.

[zoe8]

Nicely explained. It's indeed an art to stop new visitors with your attractive writing style. Truly impressive and nice information. Thanks for sharing.

[cosmeticsurgery]

But this is all behind me now I am retired. I have the residue of problems, still can't hear on the left, my palsy improved to where a lot of people don't notice it till I laugh, the balance problem persists but didn't stop me racing quarter mile standing start sprints on my 1200 Kawasaki till I gave up aged 73 to be able to look after my wife.

[keithzx12r in reply to cosmeticsurgery]

Why is my post credited to "cosmeticsurgery"?

[Humour-tumour]

Hi Keith, your encouraging blog and informative message gave me a lot of comfort and reassuring I am not the only one to suffering. I  congratulate your well being and happiness . With best wishes  Humour tumour who is recently diagnosed AN and waiting to see Neurosurgeon.

[keithzx12r]

Thanks for your message and hope your meeting with the neurosurgeon goes well.

[SJa2020]

Dear Keith - CONGRATS! And thanks for the encouraging & positive vibes in your posts.

Wow still racing with the Kawasaki! I always wanted to do that (go racing on a Bike) but my balance was never good! I love driving my car & feeling the curves & speed in the road. That’s what I was feeling bad about - not being able to drive & not hearing my children’s voices oh yes or being able to sing! Such simple things in life!

It’s v reassuring to hear of all the stuff you have been thru & look 25years (+8 = 33 years!!) Regards to you & all in your life!

[keithzx12r in reply to SJa2020]

Thanks so much for your nice message. I gave up racing my Kawa 12R when I was 77. I crashed soon after the launch when the bike got away from me leaving me battered and bruised with two dislocated thumbs. Happy days with a long and successful career. It was so good to get your message - chin up, I know it can be difficult at times. K

[SJa2020]

Thanks. Have the 1st of the tests from tomorrow let’s see what it reveals. I can feel it’s serious stuff but will wait for the Drs to tell me. Take care & thanks!