Acoustic Neuromas and New Beginnings

Maxwell

Maxwell

Sometimes we need new beginnings. Sometimes new beginning are thrust upon us.

Have you ever pondered how many new beginnings you’ve had in life? We frequently focus on losses, and uninvited change. However, each of these events have also provided new beginnings. Each event starts with a feeling in the pit of our stomachs that tell us we can’t but then we do.

I have had many pets in life, and have loved them all. They delighted and frustrated me. But they have all passed on. Today I am in the midst of a new beginning with Maxwell, my new pup. I could have gotten a breed that I had previously had, but chose to get a mixture different from anything in the past.

Maxwell and I plan to have many happy years together. That may or may not happen, but I can live today and enjoy where we are now. I am still sad about the loss of each and every one of my previous pets, but I’m delighted to be at a new beginning, again.

My career spanned many years and included delightful successes as well as frustrating changes or lost opportunities. When I look back, each of those organizational or company changes brought new beginnings. I met people who I would not have known. I missed some (admittedly not all) coworkers, but made new acquaintances and lifelong friends.

I never, ever, ever would have chosen to have a brain tumor. However, going through this experience has given me gifts that I would not have received otherwise (yea, in addition to unwelcome gifts of headaches, constant ringing in my ears, single sided deafness and facial paralysis issues). I’ve seen some common threads among people who have struggled with the unthinkable and survived; even if survival meant a new life.

Compassion – I appreciate the medical community more now because I have experienced the commitment and caring that is consistently provided to people in their most vulnerable states. At times I had admittedly been frustrated by a lack of answers, but the compassion that people are capable of is humbling. The way that the Acoustic Neuroma world circles newbies into the fold with support and answers is inspiring.

Humor – Through my writing, social media groups, and speaking with people, I’ve developed a much better appreciation for not only what we endure in life but how humor always seems to keep us from going over the edge. We are happiest when we learn to laugh at ourselves and circumstances.

People – I have wonderful people in my life now who I would not have met if I hadn’t endured what I did. Friends, acquaintances on social media, and readers of my book. I’m feel blessed with the people in my life. Even as I’ve grieved the loss of people who have moved away in their lives.

New Opportunities – Each person can identify a way that their lives has been redirected. For me, I have discovered the love of writing and hearing that my words connected with a reader. Writing is something that I can do even while in pain. Perhaps lying motionless, my mind can divert to thinking of ways to describe things in words. Maybe the pain of the moment. Maybe with thoughts of where I’d rather be and how it would feel.

Courage – I have been humbled by the common thread of courage in the Acoustic Neuroma world. I think having to face an unthinkable obstacle gives us courage. I found the courage to write and blog. Sometimes I only am able to find the courage to get out of bed, but I do. Others have faced physical challenges just to show that they can. Running, skydiving, rock climbing, and biking have been wonderful progress markers for people following treatment. Graduating from walker to cane and then just plain walking takes courage for others. Courage keeps us moving forward.

Again, I address the glass half full or half empty. I, Sally Stap, choose half full and capable of holding even more. I choose to see the world as a collection of individuals seeking joy in life and not giving up.

8 thoughts on “Acoustic Neuromas and New Beginnings

  1. Suely Capiraco Arruda

    Sally o que voce escreveu me comoveu tanto se voce soubesse, pena que estamos longe uma da outra.Apesar de eu ainda nao ter passado por radiocirurgia, tudo o que sinto as vezes eh uma imensa tristeza, como nossa vida se modifica em todos os sentidos. Eu nunca na minha vida me imaginei com um tumor cerebral, isto eh muito triste soh quem tem eh que sabe, eu queria tudo de melhor para mim e ainda perdi meu marido tao estupidamente depois de um infarto fulminante, perdi minha querida irma-sobrinha do mesmo jeito com diferença de oito meses e em seguida fico sabendo deste bendito tumor. Vou dizer a voce que ele(tumor) me trouxe muitas amizades pela internet, pelos grupos que participo aqui no Brasil e no Exterior, mas a nossa vida jah nao eh mais a mesma. Apesar de tudo isso me considero feliz pois se me entregar para a depressao eu nao aguento. Desculpe o desabafo. Nos somos sobreviventes. Vou fazer nova ressonancia mes de abril e consulta em junho. Vamos ver o que vai dar. Soh peço a Deus nao ir para a cirurgia e que o tumor permaneça como esta do mesmo tamanho. Um grande abraço e que Deus lhe proteja, Ja tive varios animais, adoro, mas hoje prefiro ficar sem. Suely.

    Reply
      1. Suely Capiraco Arruda

        Bom dia, hoje preciso de um novo dia. Acordei muito ruim, muita tontura, vomito, quase nao tenho controle sobre meu corpo. Eu nao sei se isto eh relativo ao tumor ou a labirintite que se dizia que eu tenho a mais de 7 anos atras. Este neurinoma soh nos traz novidades. Um dia bem outro mal.Isto eh soh um desabafo pois sou sozinha e quando sinto isto passo por apuros sem saber o que fazer. Muito triste hoje.
        Suely

        Reply
        1. sallystap Post author

          Alguns dias são difíceis e desculpe-me se você estiver tendo um mau. Você não está sozinho quando se tem o mundo compreender o que você está vivendo! Abraços

          Reply
          1. Suely Capiraco Arruda

            Sally obrigada pelas palavras, mas soh quem passa por tudo isso eh que sabe. Hoje esta sendo muito dificil pois esta demorando muito para passar, ate agora ainda nao melhorei, mas com certeza ate o final do dia estarei melhor. Temos de ter paciencia. Obrigada pela atençao.
            Suely

          2. Suely Capiraco Arruda

            Sally obrigada pelas palavras, mas soh quem passa por tudo isso eh que sabe. Hoje esta sendo muito dificil pois esta demorando muito para passar, ate agora ainda nao melhorei, mas com certeza ate o final do dia estarei melhor. Temos de ter paciencia. Obrigada pela atençao.
            Suely

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