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A wicked curve ball...UPDATE in OP

mbogomanmbogoman Posts: 5,222 ✭✭✭✭✭
Every now and then life throws you a curve. It may not have been the pitch you were looking for, but that doesn’t matter – it’s the pitch you’ve got. You can stand there and watch it go by and get called out on strikes, or you can hack at it and try to make contact, maybe foul it off, stay alive and get ready for the next pitch. Who knows, maybe it will hang up in the strike zone and you can drive it into the gap for extra bases. I was never one to watch a pitch go by, especially an off-speed one (I could get around on them!). If I’m going down, I’m going down swinging.

In July I got thrown one of Sandy Koufax’s best. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor – officially an acoustic neuroma. The good news was that it is benign. Doing nothing with this tumor was never a real option. It has already made me about 90% deaf in my left ear. It has been pushing on my Trigeminal nerve for a couple years and causing excruciating jolts of pain. It also has caused some balance issues as well as increasingly loud tinnitus. Even though it is a slow growing tumor, as it grows it will only push harder on the Trigeminal nerve and maybe start encroaching on the brain stem. The drugs I am using now to control the facial pain will lose effectiveness. Removing the tumor should end the Trigeminal pain for good. I will lose my hearing completely on that side and there may be some residual facial numbing, but the trade is worth it. Surgery is this Wednesday - anywhere from 5 to 10 hours under the knife. So I will be away from the boards for a time. I hope to be back in the saddle in a few weeks, but we'll see how that goes. Wish me luck!

*** Update 11/12/2013: Well, I hung in there and slapped that curve down the right field line. It cleared the bases, but I was a little too wobbly and slow getting out of the box to get any further than 1st base. Translation - the operation went well according to the surgeons. I was in surgery for 6 1/2 hours, they got all of the tumor and managed to preserve my facial nerve, so I have pretty much full control on the effected side of my face. The surgeon also said that the tumor was "smashing" my Trigeminal nerve, which was causing me excruciating pain and that that problem should be totally cured. I had a pretty severe reaction to the anesthetic and bobbed in and out of consciousness for almost 24 hours after surgery was finished (mostly out). By the end of the 2nd day I felt much better, but still very weak. I came home Saturday and am now on the long, slow road to recovery. I'm pretty wobbly and still very weak, but slowly improving. I'm also 100% deaf on that side now, but that was an expected result. I'm glad to have this behind me now and look forward to the day that I can look back on it as just another chapter.

Thanks so much for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers. I kept a stoic , optimistic face in front of family and friends, but between you and me, I was scared $h1tless
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Comments

  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    Wow that wasn't what I was expecting to read!
    Having gone through a brain tumor removal when I was 11, I can tell you that it wasn't easy, but you will pull through. I hope you have a strong support system at home to help you through this.

    Prayers going your way!
    Good Luck!!!
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
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  • s4nys4ny Posts: 1,573 ✭✭✭
    Wow! I hope all goes well with your surgery. Perhaps your surgeon
    has kept to himself some more positive outcome as a possibility.
  • goose3goose3 Posts: 11,471 ✭✭✭
    My chief had that several years ago as my captain.....he turned out relatively unscathed except for some hearing loss!

    Good luck!
  • rec78rec78 Posts: 5,829 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sorry to hear that - Good luck- May God's peace be with you. You will beat it, surgeons these days are very skilled and have the best equipment.
    image
  • Good luck. Hope everything goes well.
    Morgan Everyman Set
    Member, Society of Silver Dollar Collectors.
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  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You're in my heart and prayers now. Put a little faith in the skill of the doctor,
    …. and may the Luck of the Irish be with you, too … (that translates to " keep the will to win that fight within " )
    with confident hope I leave you this message. And for that matter, let it be for anyone suffering from any afflictions who reads these words.

    Love resides where love presides. image
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Best of luck and hope to see you back here very soon...... Cheers, RickO
  • jmski52jmski52 Posts: 23,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Put on your cletes and hit that fastball right down the middle. I wish you the best, and good luck!
    Q: Are You Printing Money? Bernanke: Not Literally

    I knew it would happen.
  • krankykranky Posts: 8,709 ✭✭✭
    Wishing you the best of success with your surgery and recovery, and that you'll be able to report a great outcome here when you're able!

    New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.

  • astroratastrorat Posts: 9,221 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good luck and I wish you as speedy and complete recovery.
    Numismatist Ordinaire
    See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sorry to hear about your medical issue. It sounds like you have a good grip on it and I'm confident you will overcome.

    Let us know how things turn out. We'll be pulling hard for you.
    Lance.
  • HATTRICKHATTRICK Posts: 2,171 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hoping all goes well and a speedy recovery. I will say a special prayer for you.
    " If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. " The 1st Law of Opposition from The Firesign Theater
  • derrybderryb Posts: 37,560 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Prayers are with you. Best of luck.
  • CameonutCameonut Posts: 7,348 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I hope all goes well and I look forward to a quick return to the boards when you are ready.

    “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson

    My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!

  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wow, that is a tough pitch, at least your're playing the game in the 21st century, the doctors' equipment and skills have never been better

    Best wishes for a favorable prognosis, looking forward to your returning to the boards in a few weeks. image

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    I am very sad to read about this image
    I wish you a quick and full recovery.
  • BryceMBryceM Posts: 11,850 ✭✭✭✭✭
    M'bogo,

    An aucoustic neuroma is a horrible thing, but if you have to have a brain tumor, it's actually one of the better ones. It sounds like you have a good attitude about it. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,888 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You are strong, you'll pull through just fine and we'll be patiently awaiting your return. Don't need hearing
    for coins and there are hearing aids that give you the sense that the sound is coming from the correct direction.
    They are designed for folks with only one ear that hears. They work well for most folks.

    Be sure you get to a Miracle Ear or Belkin or such afterword and find out what your options would be. The
    sooner you manage the loss in one ear the better the results will be.

    It's part of the full recovery....

    Be well,

    We'll be praying for a speedy return to full health!

    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,720 ✭✭✭✭✭
    good luck

    graded silver coins (NEED TO SELL ASAP)
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    https://photos.app.goo.gl/7bPCP787VCZCCKb67

  • zippcityzippcity Posts: 1,268 ✭✭✭✭
    Best wishes on a speedy recovery.
    Save our Country. Positive BST: Collectorcoins- Mariner020648- profharoldhill- coppertoning- agentjim007- cucamongacoin- ElKevo- mercurydimeguy- Utahcoin-AJAAN-AUandAG- surfinxhi- ZoidMeister- TwoSides2acoin- JimTyler-
  • DRUNNERDRUNNER Posts: 3,894 ✭✭✭✭✭
    All the best!

    Drunner
  • AhrensdadAhrensdad Posts: 2,583 ✭✭✭
    Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
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  • nagsnags Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    Stay strong and keep the positive attitude. You're in my prayers.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good luck!
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,289 ✭✭✭


    << <i>M'bogo,

    An aucoustic neuroma is a horrible thing, but if you have to have a brain tumor, it's actually one of the better ones. It sounds like you have a good attitude about it. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. >>



    Yep, there is a silver lining to having one of these tumors as Bryce suggests. Keeping a positive attitude thru the whole healing process is important. It's just a timely thing, it'll be over a little bit down the road. We'll see you back on here in no time. Sending a prayer up for you.
    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
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  • I just had my first surgery in Jan and it was a major open heart one. The Dr. these days are amazing with what they can do. You will pull through this and be all good very soon. Have you looked in to a hearing implant? As stated previously have that support network set up. Most importantly listen to the Dr.s and nurses even though you may not want to. When they tell you to walk do so etc.... This is very important to recovery. My hopes and prayers are with you.
  • LukeMarshallLukeMarshall Posts: 2,016 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thank you for posting, and I admire your tenacity to be able to face this curve ball head on.

    We are all behind you here...

    image

    It's all about what the people want...

  • MICHAELDIXONMICHAELDIXON Posts: 6,568 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My prayers are with you!
    Spring National Battlefield Coin Show is April 3-5, 2025 at the Eisenhower Hotel Ballroom, Gettysburg, PA. WWW.AmericasCoinShows.com
  • panexpoguypanexpoguy Posts: 1,239 ✭✭✭✭✭
    God speed!
  • goldengolden Posts: 9,972 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Our prayers are with you.
  • This content has been removed.
  • ClosedLoopClosedLoop Posts: 1,077 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Good luck!
    Thank G-d it is benign. Glad something can be done about it, it won't be easy but hard isn't bad either. A good surgeon can make all the difference in the world. Keep us posted! >>



    This +1image
    figglehorn
  • KyleKyle Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good Luck!
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  • TPRCTPRC Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good Luck. Stay positive and we will look forward to your speedy return to the Boards!

    Tom

  • SamByrdSamByrd Posts: 3,131 ✭✭✭✭
    I can echo what has been said by others you are indeed strong and of great courage. You and your family are in my prayers.image
  • NewEnglandRaritiesNewEnglandRarities Posts: 1,139 ✭✭✭✭
    I wish you the best of luck and a very speedy recovery. That is a very scary situation, but Im positive you will get through with flying colors! Looking forward to seeing you post here very soon!
    New England Rarities...Dealer In Colonial Coinage and Americana
  • MsMorrisineMsMorrisine Posts: 35,046 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm sure you'll do even better than even the twitter Ipo!

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • GotTheBugGotTheBug Posts: 1,708 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good luck and a speedy return to good health....
  • nwcoastnwcoast Posts: 2,884 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Amazing work is done on these with new technologies and skills!
    It sounds like you've got a great attitude and handle on this thing.
    The odds are stacked in your favor!
    Best wishes and looking forward to your return!!!
    One day at a time and better ones ahead!

    Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014

  • LindeDadLindeDad Posts: 18,766 ✭✭✭✭✭
  • Everything's going to be all right.

    We'll be here when you get back.
    Let's try not to get upset.
  • coinnutcoinnut Posts: 1,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Best of luck and a speedy recovery. My son had a brain tumor removed three years ago which was causing him to lose his eyesight (not to mention the daily migraines). He made a complete recovery and was back to work in no time.
  • SNMANSNMAN Posts: 1,411 ✭✭✭
    Good luck with the surgery on Wednesday and a speedy recovery.

    Looking for you to post in a few weeks

    I will say a prayer for you.

    v/r

    snman
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  • JustacommemanJustacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Best wishes and speedy recovery…………..MJ
    Walker Proof Digital Album
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  • JazzmanJABJazzmanJAB Posts: 1,027 ✭✭✭✭
    All the best to you.
  • sparky64sparky64 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have a sister who went through the same thing, so I understand your concerns.
    Best wishes, thoughts & prayers.

    "If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"

    My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress

  • 1tommy1tommy Posts: 3,019 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wish you the best on Wensday and a Speedy recovery. And look forward to your future posts..............tom
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=UayFm2yCHV8
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  • TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,804 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good Luck, hope all goes better than expected and wish you a speedy recovery.
    Trade $'s
  • I hope for you the best
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,495 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You have all my best wishes for a speedy, comfortable, and successful recovery - we will miss you on the boards! image
    Charmy Harker
    The Penny Lady®

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