Day One - Say Hello To My (Not So) Little Friend

Hi All;

Well, it seems the Creator has chosen a particular path of learning and discovery for me.

As most of you know, I suffer from tinnitus – “persistent ringing in the ears”, a condition brought on by years of playing music. My right ear has gotten worse lately, and I decided to get my ears checked a couple of months ago at the Canadian Hearing Institute. These tests included one called an ABR (Automated Brain Response), which confirmed that my brain was not receiving the signal from my right ear. Dr. Wade recommended we do an MRI to determine whether or not there was anything physical ‘blocking the signal’ between my right ear, and my brain.

He called me at work yesterday and sent me to Sunnybrook Hospital to meet with Dr. Chen who reviewed the MRI results with me, and confirmed some disturbing information. I have a brain tumor. Sounds so weird when you say it, almost like some bad cliché’ in an even worse movie – starring me! It’s not small either, measuring 6CM across. 3CM is cystic, meaning soft, and the other 3CM is solid growth. His differential diagnosis is something called Acoustic Neuroma. My only option for treatment is surgery, which I think will be done in January.

Some good news: It’s not Cancer, it’s been growing for perhaps 15 years, and I haven’t had any symptoms. Also, It’s not involved in the brain tissue. In other words, it’s a mass growing on the surface of the brain, but not into the tissue.

Some not so good news: It’s gonna be about a 10-hour surgery. Because of its size – (anything over 3CM is considered large), there are some “compulsory deficits”. (Don’t you just love DoctorSpeak?) 1) I will be permanently deaf in my right ear. 2) I will have to re-learn balance functionality – the best-case scenario for balance recovery is 2 months. 3) There are other risks, but the most likely for me that the facial nerves on the right side of my face will be affected. Dr. Chen told me that there is a 70-75% chance that the nerves on the right side of my face will 100% paralyzed. This kind of a tough one on me, because as you all know, I’m a bit of a vain bastard.

I don’t think anyone knows what the post-op outcome will be until surgery. Positivism counts for everything. Theresa and I are in good spirits, and I’m determined that I will be a record breaker in terms of recovery.

I wanted to let everyone know at the same time. I’m going to do as much research as I can. Please send the White Light my way, and if you pray, please don’t pray to Benny Hinn. There’s something about that guy I don’t trust, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Much love to all,
John Lalley