Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Well, a fellow CREWBIE from Edmonton!!!! I'm undergoing treatment with

Dr.Broad and Oldring and will get another MRI in November. I'm presently out

of town but would love to talk to you. I have a son your age (that makes me

ancient right?)

How are your brothers and sisters getting checked out? Is Dr.Broad doing your

surgery? Did they talk to you at all about ABIs?

Thea

P.S. My screen name is: TheaZielke@...

[Guest guest]

Sorry, I found a typo. I was diagnosed with NF2 June 10, 1999 NOT June 10,

1990 It's a big typo .... O god it's a big typo. I wish they had caught it

ten years ago.

> Here's a crack at a bio:

>

> Vitals

> Name: Norman Michel Chartrand

> Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario

> Birthdate: March 15, 1975

> Height: 6'1 " Weight: 160 lbs.

> Hair colour: brownish Eye colour: grey

> Allergies: n/a Diseases: diagnosed Neurofibromatosis II, June 10, 1990

> Keirsey personality type: INFJ

> Marital Status: Very elligible bachelor

> Sexual preference: Alive

>

> Personal

> Favourite movies: " The Matrix " (seen it 3 times already!), " Saving Pvt.

> , " " A world according to Garp "

> Favourite Actors: Robin , Tom Hanks, Lance Henricksen

> Favourite actress: Sigourney Weaver

> Reads: E. Hemmingway, M. Chrichton, S. King

> Favourite music group: U2, followed closely by The Tragically Hip

> Also listens to: Rave music, classical, jazz, blues, hard rock, Cowboy

> Junkies

> Most important food group: ice cream, pasta (not necessarily together)

> Label: " Outdoor boy "

> Hobbies: Anything outdoors. Backpacking, Cycling, Snoeshoing,

> Fly-fishing.

> Also computers and internet. Environmentalist. Vegetarian. Social

> Activist.

> Hates: false people

> Likes: genuine souls

> Glass: Half-full

> Education: B.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Alberta 1998

> Occupation: Rehabilitation Worker

> Talents: Writer, Healer, Counsellor

> Heroes: Suzuki, Aldo Leopold, Hellen Keller, my mother

>

> Family

> Father: Marie Chartrand, died 1996 - abdominal Cancer, age 60+

> Mother: Louise Chartrand, died 1982 - Cervical Cancer, age 33

> Brother: Michel Chartrand, born November 14, 1978

> Sister: Lyn Chartrand, born August 17, 1980

> Half sister: Lynne Muyres, old (don't tell her I said that)

> Niece: Telina Muyres, born May 14, 1988

>

> I went to the University hospital on Wednesday in Edmonton for a CAT

> scan.

> After the scan they would not let me go home, because they wanted to do

> an

> MRI the following day. The C-scan showed a large mass in, on, or near

> my

> brainstem. The MRI resolved that, and showed two masses on either side

> of

> my brainstem -- the one on the right is as big as a Japanese Orange, and

> the

> left is as big as a peanut. My neurosurgeon diagnosed me with

> Neurofibromatosis type II based on what he saw. He is 99.9% sure, based

> on

> the bilateral acoustic neuromas.

>

> On the positive side, this tumor is nowhere near as bad as everyone,

> myself,

> friends, family, doctors, thought it might be. It seems " easily

> removable. "

> However, with NF II, now as a diagnosis, after learning a bit about NF

> II,

> my future is so bright I gotta wear shades. NF II seems to run like

> wildfire in my family. My mother likely had a large, unremovable

> neurofibroma. My brother and my sister are now being checked out.

>

> I undergo neurosurgery soon, and I expect a complete recovery ...

> unfortunately the doctors expect hearing loss, and facial paralysis ...

> sure

> beats death! Hearing loss I can live with. I wish it was the only

> after-effect. The one thing I can live with, have lived with, the one

> constant for the past 5 years has been hearing loss in my right ear. I

> could live with the hearing loss better if the tinnitus went away. That

> probably won't happen either.

>

> I'm keeping my sanity by disengaging myself from this situation. It's

> hard

> to accept that I am going for BRAIN SURGERY. I guess I just try not to

> think about it. It's easier to deal with on an intellectual level. I

> know

> I have strong feelings about this, even though I seem pretty strong, I'm

> really pretty scared. In a way I feel a bit cheated of a normal life,

> but not when I consider what the tumor could have been -- then I am

> really

> grateful. Surgery and beyond!

>

>

>

> My homepage is http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/6079/home.html

> ...

> There is a picture of me there.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the Crew, its good to see a King fan whooo hooo !!

Regards

Adam Murdey (The " other " boy from Oz)

ajmurdey@...

http://www.rtw.com.au/adam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the crew. My daughter is 11 and also has nf2. We checked out

your web page and she says your cute. We wish u well in your sugery. By the

way where are u having it done and what technique are they using. Mari from

ny.

[Guest guest]

Whoa, I'm an INFJ also! =) Welcome !

Mark

----Original Message Follows----

Reply-To: NF2_Crewonelist

To: <NF2_Crewonelist>

Subject: Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

Date: Wed, 16 Jun 1999 11:04:47 -0600

Actually, I'm an INF/TJ -- what day I take the test determines which, but

usually INFJ.

J

Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

> From: TonyRomero@...

>

> In a message dated 6/16/99 8:35:38 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

mcdrew@...

> writes:

>

> << Keirsey personality type: INFJ >>

>

> Welcome , I'm an INTJ

>

> TR

>

_______________________________________________________________

Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I feel the same way you do. If the doctors would've found it earlier, I

still believe they could've preserved my hearing. I was deaf in my right ear

also until they found out.

Mark

----Original Message Follows----

but if I had known in '90, then maybe they could have saved

more hearing.

_______________________________________________________________

Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/16/99 8:35:38 AM Pacific Daylight Time, mcdrew@...

writes:

<< Keirsey personality type: INFJ >>

Welcome , I'm an INTJ

TR

[Guest guest]

I was thinking about that remark, and I am not sure you do; you have had the

last ten years without carrying that burden; yes, it may have offered you a few

more options in treatment, but I found out in 1990, still fighting to save what

little hearing I have left, but knowing and dealing with the NF2 for the past

ten years has been a high price. Be sure to check out your options. There was

a lady from Canada that got the ABI at House Ear Clinic and was doing fantastic;

because they do not offer the ABI in Canada, her airfare, etc was all paid for.

You might want to consider sending your scans to Dr Brackman at HEI and getting

the ABI now?? Altho I think the idea of putting it in before you are deaf has

not worked out well; Hang in there, the girl I met was hearing music again;

altho admittedly she was the best they have had, so I don't mean to give you

unreal expectations. Marie

Chartrand wrote:

>

>

> Sorry, I found a typo. I was diagnosed with NF2 June 10, 1999 NOT June 10,

> 1990 It's a big typo .... O god it's a big typo. I wish they had caught it

> ten years ago.

>

>

>

> > Here's a crack at a bio:

> >

> > Vitals

> > Name: Norman Michel Chartrand

> > Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario

> > Birthdate: March 15, 1975

> > Height: 6'1 " Weight: 160 lbs.

> > Hair colour: brownish Eye colour: grey

> > Allergies: n/a Diseases: diagnosed Neurofibromatosis II, June 10, 1990

> > Keirsey personality type: INFJ

> > Marital Status: Very elligible bachelor

> > Sexual preference: Alive

> >

> > Personal

> > Favourite movies: " The Matrix " (seen it 3 times already!), " Saving Pvt.

> > , " " A world according to Garp "

> > Favourite Actors: Robin , Tom Hanks, Lance Henricksen

> > Favourite actress: Sigourney Weaver

> > Reads: E. Hemmingway, M. Chrichton, S. King

> > Favourite music group: U2, followed closely by The Tragically Hip

> > Also listens to: Rave music, classical, jazz, blues, hard rock, Cowboy

> > Junkies

> > Most important food group: ice cream, pasta (not necessarily together)

> > Label: " Outdoor boy "

> > Hobbies: Anything outdoors. Backpacking, Cycling, Snoeshoing,

> > Fly-fishing.

> > Also computers and internet. Environmentalist. Vegetarian. Social

> > Activist.

> > Hates: false people

> > Likes: genuine souls

> > Glass: Half-full

> > Education: B.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Alberta 1998

> > Occupation: Rehabilitation Worker

> > Talents: Writer, Healer, Counsellor

> > Heroes: Suzuki, Aldo Leopold, Hellen Keller, my mother

> >

> > Family

> > Father: Marie Chartrand, died 1996 - abdominal Cancer, age 60+

> > Mother: Louise Chartrand, died 1982 - Cervical Cancer, age 33

> > Brother: Michel Chartrand, born November 14, 1978

> > Sister: Lyn Chartrand, born August 17, 1980

> > Half sister: Lynne Muyres, old (don't tell her I said that)

> > Niece: Telina Muyres, born May 14, 1988

> >

> > I went to the University hospital on Wednesday in Edmonton for a CAT

> > scan.

> > After the scan they would not let me go home, because they wanted to do

> > an

> > MRI the following day. The C-scan showed a large mass in, on, or near

> > my

> > brainstem. The MRI resolved that, and showed two masses on either side

> > of

> > my brainstem -- the one on the right is as big as a Japanese Orange, and

> > the

> > left is as big as a peanut. My neurosurgeon diagnosed me with

> > Neurofibromatosis type II based on what he saw. He is 99.9% sure, based

> > on

> > the bilateral acoustic neuromas.

> >

> > On the positive side, this tumor is nowhere near as bad as everyone,

> > myself,

> > friends, family, doctors, thought it might be. It seems " easily

> > removable. "

> > However, with NF II, now as a diagnosis, after learning a bit about NF

> > II,

> > my future is so bright I gotta wear shades. NF II seems to run like

> > wildfire in my family. My mother likely had a large, unremovable

> > neurofibroma. My brother and my sister are now being checked out.

> >

> > I undergo neurosurgery soon, and I expect a complete recovery ...

> > unfortunately the doctors expect hearing loss, and facial paralysis ...

> > sure

> > beats death! Hearing loss I can live with. I wish it was the only

> > after-effect. The one thing I can live with, have lived with, the one

> > constant for the past 5 years has been hearing loss in my right ear. I

> > could live with the hearing loss better if the tinnitus went away. That

> > probably won't happen either.

> >

> > I'm keeping my sanity by disengaging myself from this situation. It's

> > hard

> > to accept that I am going for BRAIN SURGERY. I guess I just try not to

> > think about it. It's easier to deal with on an intellectual level. I

> > know

> > I have strong feelings about this, even though I seem pretty strong, I'm

> > really pretty scared. In a way I feel a bit cheated of a normal life,

> > but not when I consider what the tumor could have been -- then I am

> > really

> > grateful. Surgery and beyond!

> >

> >

> >

> > My homepage is http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/6079/home.html

> > ...

> > There is a picture of me there.

> >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/16/99 10:21:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

jchartra@... writes:

<< Actually, I'm an INF/TJ -- what day I take the test determines which, but

usually INFJ.

>>

Nice to be able to flip---I am an entrenched INTJ no matter what day it

is--(lol)

TR

[Guest guest]

Yes, I think someone else mentioined ABI to me. I'm going to see my ENT

this afternoon, and I'll ask him. I am only deaf in my right ear, the left

rings, but still hears near normal. In a way I'm glad that I didn't have to

know until now, but if I had known in '90, then maybe they could have saved

more hearing.

Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

>

>

> I was thinking about that remark, and I am not sure you do; you have had

the

> last ten years without carrying that burden; yes, it may have offered you

a few

> more options in treatment, but I found out in 1990, still fighting to save

what

> little hearing I have left, but knowing and dealing with the NF2 for the

past

> ten years has been a high price. Be sure to check out your options.

There was

> a lady from Canada that got the ABI at House Ear Clinic and was doing

fantastic;

> because they do not offer the ABI in Canada, her airfare, etc was all paid

for.

> You might want to consider sending your scans to Dr Brackman at HEI and

getting

> the ABI now?? Altho I think the idea of putting it in before you are deaf

has

> not worked out well; Hang in there, the girl I met was hearing music

again;

> altho admittedly she was the best they have had, so I don't mean to give

you

> unreal expectations. Marie

>

> Chartrand wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > Sorry, I found a typo. I was diagnosed with NF2 June 10, 1999 NOT June

10,

> > 1990 It's a big typo .... O god it's a big typo. I wish they had

caught it

> > ten years ago.

> >

> >

> >

> > > Here's a crack at a bio:

> > >

> > > Vitals

> > > Name: Norman Michel Chartrand

> > > Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario

> > > Birthdate: March 15, 1975

> > > Height: 6'1 " Weight: 160 lbs.

> > > Hair colour: brownish Eye colour: grey

> > > Allergies: n/a Diseases: diagnosed Neurofibromatosis II, June 10,

1990

> > > Keirsey personality type: INFJ

> > > Marital Status: Very elligible bachelor

> > > Sexual preference: Alive

> > >

> > > Personal

> > > Favourite movies: " The Matrix " (seen it 3 times already!), " Saving

Pvt.

> > > , " " A world according to Garp "

> > > Favourite Actors: Robin , Tom Hanks, Lance Henricksen

> > > Favourite actress: Sigourney Weaver

> > > Reads: E. Hemmingway, M. Chrichton, S. King

> > > Favourite music group: U2, followed closely by The Tragically Hip

> > > Also listens to: Rave music, classical, jazz, blues, hard rock, Cowboy

> > > Junkies

> > > Most important food group: ice cream, pasta (not necessarily together)

> > > Label: " Outdoor boy "

> > > Hobbies: Anything outdoors. Backpacking, Cycling, Snoeshoing,

> > > Fly-fishing.

> > > Also computers and internet. Environmentalist. Vegetarian. Social

> > > Activist.

> > > Hates: false people

> > > Likes: genuine souls

> > > Glass: Half-full

> > > Education: B.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Alberta 1998

> > > Occupation: Rehabilitation Worker

> > > Talents: Writer, Healer, Counsellor

> > > Heroes: Suzuki, Aldo Leopold, Hellen Keller, my mother

> > >

> > > Family

> > > Father: Marie Chartrand, died 1996 - abdominal Cancer, age 60+

> > > Mother: Louise Chartrand, died 1982 - Cervical Cancer, age 33

> > > Brother: Michel Chartrand, born November 14, 1978

> > > Sister: Lyn Chartrand, born August 17, 1980

> > > Half sister: Lynne Muyres, old (don't tell her I said that)

> > > Niece: Telina Muyres, born May 14, 1988

> > >

> > > I went to the University hospital on Wednesday in Edmonton for a CAT

> > > scan.

> > > After the scan they would not let me go home, because they wanted to

do

> > > an

> > > MRI the following day. The C-scan showed a large mass in, on, or near

> > > my

> > > brainstem. The MRI resolved that, and showed two masses on either

side

> > > of

> > > my brainstem -- the one on the right is as big as a Japanese Orange,

and

> > > the

> > > left is as big as a peanut. My neurosurgeon diagnosed me with

> > > Neurofibromatosis type II based on what he saw. He is 99.9% sure,

based

> > > on

> > > the bilateral acoustic neuromas.

> > >

> > > On the positive side, this tumor is nowhere near as bad as everyone,

> > > myself,

> > > friends, family, doctors, thought it might be. It seems " easily

> > > removable. "

> > > However, with NF II, now as a diagnosis, after learning a bit about NF

> > > II,

> > > my future is so bright I gotta wear shades. NF II seems to run like

> > > wildfire in my family. My mother likely had a large, unremovable

> > > neurofibroma. My brother and my sister are now being checked out.

> > >

> > > I undergo neurosurgery soon, and I expect a complete recovery ...

> > > unfortunately the doctors expect hearing loss, and facial paralysis

....

> > > sure

> > > beats death! Hearing loss I can live with. I wish it was the only

> > > after-effect. The one thing I can live with, have lived with, the one

> > > constant for the past 5 years has been hearing loss in my right ear.

I

> > > could live with the hearing loss better if the tinnitus went away.

That

> > > probably won't happen either.

> > >

> > > I'm keeping my sanity by disengaging myself from this situation. It's

> > > hard

> > > to accept that I am going for BRAIN SURGERY. I guess I just try not

to

> > > think about it. It's easier to deal with on an intellectual level. I

> > > know

> > > I have strong feelings about this, even though I seem pretty strong,

I'm

> > > really pretty scared. In a way I feel a bit cheated of a normal life,

> > > but not when I consider what the tumor could have been -- then I am

> > > really

> > > grateful. Surgery and beyond!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > My homepage is

http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/6079/home.html

> > > ...

> > > There is a picture of me there.

> > >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Actually, I'm an INF/TJ -- what day I take the test determines which, but

usually INFJ.

J

Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

> From: TonyRomero@...

>

> In a message dated 6/16/99 8:35:38 AM Pacific Daylight Time, mcdrew@...

> writes:

>

> << Keirsey personality type: INFJ >>

>

> Welcome , I'm an INTJ

>

> TR

>

[Guest guest]

LOL at the S King fans, I just got a new one today ) I've read 4 of em in

the last month. BTW , The World According to Garp is one of my all time

favorites. )

Hugs from another youngin like yourself,

in AZ

[Guest guest]

Thank you every body for the warm welcome. A few years ago I was dealing

with abuse issues, and I found that online support was very helpful. I

thought the people in asar were friendly! I wish it wasn't necessary, but

I'm sure I'll find the NF2 crew to be valuable as well.

As I sort of mentally prepare for surgery, I've found it prudent to make a

will, etc ... I've also let my online friends know that they can get updates

on my condition from my friend Dr. Zinner (it's nice to have one

of the good guys on your side =) Her email is czinner@... I hope

you will all keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I go for my first

surgery next week.

Yes, King indeed =) No other author has scared the shit out of me,

made me laugh, and made me cry quite like Mr. King!

Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

>

>

> Hi ,

>

> Welcome to the Crew, its good to see a King fan whooo hooo !!

>

> Regards

> Adam Murdey (The " other " boy from Oz)

> ajmurdey@...

> http://www.rtw.com.au/adam

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Guy's,

Did they have the tech advances back in 1990.

..

, Man from OZ

P. S. When are you Ya.... er American's going to learn to speak English????

INFJ never heard of that word. ~()

Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

>

>

> Hello ,

>

> I feel the same way you do. If the doctors would've found it earlier, I

> still believe they could've preserved my hearing. I was deaf in my right

ear

> also until they found out.

>

> Mark

>

>

> ----Original Message Follows----

>

> but if I had known in '90, then maybe they could have saved

> more hearing.

>

>

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________________________

> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

>

[Guest guest]

Yes they did. The GK and the X Knife were around as early as 1990.

It goes to show my experiences with doctors. They're also infallible so it

taught me a very valuable lesson: always get a second opinion.

Mark

----Original Message Follows----

Reply-To: NF2_Crewonelist

To: <NF2_Crewonelist>

Subject: Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 07:29:44 +1000

Hey Guy's,

Did they have the tech advances back in 1990.

...

, Man from OZ

P. S. When are you Ya.... er American's going to learn to speak English????

INFJ never heard of that word. ~()

Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

>

>

> Hello ,

>

> I feel the same way you do. If the doctors would've found it earlier, I

> still believe they could've preserved my hearing. I was deaf in my right

ear

> also until they found out.

>

> Mark

>

>

> ----Original Message Follows----

>

> but if I had known in '90, then maybe they could have saved

> more hearing.

>

>

>

>

>

> _______________________________________________________________

> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

>

_______________________________________________________________

Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

[Guest guest]

LOL!!!!!! So you wouldn't consider 22 a youngin huh? Sooooo how old are you?!

Hugs, In Denial land AZ

[Guest guest]

hey Rick havent I seen you someplace before ? a few questions for ya:

Do you realy feel your ABI was the cause for your particular complications ?

I get mine turned on next Wed. and reallly look forward to see what sounds I

have been missing. Do you also still have the desire to get your ABI

activated ?

[Guest guest]

some abi work can dibilate you, ask me, I have a tracheaa tube and ubes

in the gut for feedings. Can't walk well and had stroke, think about it

carefully.

[Guest guest]

Fight to save that remaining hearing; I have had a debulking, and am still

hearing, tho I know it will not be forever; It is an option, but means more

surgery. Marie

Chartrand wrote:

>

>

> Yes, I think someone else mentioined ABI to me. I'm going to see my ENT

> this afternoon, and I'll ask him. I am only deaf in my right ear, the left

> rings, but still hears near normal. In a way I'm glad that I didn't have to

> know until now, but if I had known in '90, then maybe they could have saved

> more hearing.

>

>

>

> Re: New Member (jchartra@...)

>

> >

> >

> > I was thinking about that remark, and I am not sure you do; you have had

> the

> > last ten years without carrying that burden; yes, it may have offered you

> a few

> > more options in treatment, but I found out in 1990, still fighting to save

> what

> > little hearing I have left, but knowing and dealing with the NF2 for the

> past

> > ten years has been a high price. Be sure to check out your options.

> There was

> > a lady from Canada that got the ABI at House Ear Clinic and was doing

> fantastic;

> > because they do not offer the ABI in Canada, her airfare, etc was all paid

> for.

> > You might want to consider sending your scans to Dr Brackman at HEI and

> getting

> > the ABI now?? Altho I think the idea of putting it in before you are deaf

> has

> > not worked out well; Hang in there, the girl I met was hearing music

> again;

> > altho admittedly she was the best they have had, so I don't mean to give

> you

> > unreal expectations. Marie

> >

> > Chartrand wrote:

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > Sorry, I found a typo. I was diagnosed with NF2 June 10, 1999 NOT June

> 10,

> > > 1990 It's a big typo .... O god it's a big typo. I wish they had

> caught it

> > > ten years ago.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > Here's a crack at a bio:

> > > >

> > > > Vitals

> > > > Name: Norman Michel Chartrand

> > > > Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario

> > > > Birthdate: March 15, 1975

> > > > Height: 6'1 " Weight: 160 lbs.

> > > > Hair colour: brownish Eye colour: grey

> > > > Allergies: n/a Diseases: diagnosed Neurofibromatosis II, June 10,

> 1990

> > > > Keirsey personality type: INFJ

> > > > Marital Status: Very elligible bachelor

> > > > Sexual preference: Alive

> > > >

> > > > Personal

> > > > Favourite movies: " The Matrix " (seen it 3 times already!), " Saving

> Pvt.

> > > > , " " A world according to Garp "

> > > > Favourite Actors: Robin , Tom Hanks, Lance Henricksen

> > > > Favourite actress: Sigourney Weaver

> > > > Reads: E. Hemmingway, M. Chrichton, S. King

> > > > Favourite music group: U2, followed closely by The Tragically Hip

> > > > Also listens to: Rave music, classical, jazz, blues, hard rock, Cowboy

> > > > Junkies

> > > > Most important food group: ice cream, pasta (not necessarily together)

> > > > Label: " Outdoor boy "

> > > > Hobbies: Anything outdoors. Backpacking, Cycling, Snoeshoing,

> > > > Fly-fishing.

> > > > Also computers and internet. Environmentalist. Vegetarian. Social

> > > > Activist.

> > > > Hates: false people

> > > > Likes: genuine souls

> > > > Glass: Half-full

> > > > Education: B.Sc. Environmental Biology, University of Alberta 1998

> > > > Occupation: Rehabilitation Worker

> > > > Talents: Writer, Healer, Counsellor

> > > > Heroes: Suzuki, Aldo Leopold, Hellen Keller, my mother

> > > >

> > > > Family

> > > > Father: Marie Chartrand, died 1996 - abdominal Cancer, age 60+

> > > > Mother: Louise Chartrand, died 1982 - Cervical Cancer, age 33

> > > > Brother: Michel Chartrand, born November 14, 1978

> > > > Sister: Lyn Chartrand, born August 17, 1980

> > > > Half sister: Lynne Muyres, old (don't tell her I said that)

> > > > Niece: Telina Muyres, born May 14, 1988

> > > >

> > > > I went to the University hospital on Wednesday in Edmonton for a CAT

> > > > scan.

> > > > After the scan they would not let me go home, because they wanted to

> do

> > > > an

> > > > MRI the following day. The C-scan showed a large mass in, on, or near

> > > > my

> > > > brainstem. The MRI resolved that, and showed two masses on either

> side

> > > > of

> > > > my brainstem -- the one on the right is as big as a Japanese Orange,

> and

> > > > the

> > > > left is as big as a peanut. My neurosurgeon diagnosed me with

> > > > Neurofibromatosis type II based on what he saw. He is 99.9% sure,

> based

> > > > on

> > > > the bilateral acoustic neuromas.

> > > >

> > > > On the positive side, this tumor is nowhere near as bad as everyone,

> > > > myself,

> > > > friends, family, doctors, thought it might be. It seems " easily

> > > > removable. "

> > > > However, with NF II, now as a diagnosis, after learning a bit about NF

> > > > II,

> > > > my future is so bright I gotta wear shades. NF II seems to run like

> > > > wildfire in my family. My mother likely had a large, unremovable

> > > > neurofibroma. My brother and my sister are now being checked out.

> > > >

> > > > I undergo neurosurgery soon, and I expect a complete recovery ...

> > > > unfortunately the doctors expect hearing loss, and facial paralysis

> ...

> > > > sure

> > > > beats death! Hearing loss I can live with. I wish it was the only

> > > > after-effect. The one thing I can live with, have lived with, the one

> > > > constant for the past 5 years has been hearing loss in my right ear.

> I

> > > > could live with the hearing loss better if the tinnitus went away.

> That

> > > > probably won't happen either.

> > > >

> > > > I'm keeping my sanity by disengaging myself from this situation. It's

> > > > hard

> > > > to accept that I am going for BRAIN SURGERY. I guess I just try not

> to

> > > > think about it. It's easier to deal with on an intellectual level. I

> > > > know

> > > > I have strong feelings about this, even though I seem pretty strong,

> I'm

> > > > really pretty scared. In a way I feel a bit cheated of a normal life,

> > > > but not when I consider what the tumor could have been -- then I am

> > > > really

> > > > grateful. Surgery and beyond!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > My homepage is

> http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/6079/home.html

> > > > ...

> > > > There is a picture of me there.

> > > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey in AZ,

I thought you just had a birthday.So how long are you going to consider

yourself a " youngin " ?

I think your in denial:),face it Mich your getting old.

Love ya, " handsome " Jimmy

[Guest guest]

Rick, do you really think it was the abi that caused the problems, or would

the an removal have possibly caused the stroke anyhow? I want an ABI, but

not at the price you are paying. Marie

S. Skyer, Jr. wrote:

>

>

> some abi work can dibilate you, ask me, I have a tracheaa tube and ubes

> in the gut for feedings. Can't walk well and had stroke, think about it

> carefully.

[Guest guest]

mate,

The day the Ya.......Americans speak English, ie. Aussie, is the day they

win the World Cup Cricket !!

And as for INFJ, isn't that Aussie bush for I Need Fig Juice, I got that off

Albie Mangles, fair dinkum !!!

Adam, the big kid from Oz

[Guest guest]

They had the tech, IN AMERICA,but the assies er uh aussies didn't get

around to stealing it till about 95.

Aparently the assie er uh aussie scientist were stil baflled by the

toaster.

Jimmy

[Guest guest]

Ah ok,I confess 22 is young.I'm 28 but my body is aging in dog

years(ha).Still I'm gorgeous.

Jimmy

[Guest guest]

I have problems swallowing.I've had a double barrel trach. since 92,and

a peg tube,for meds since 98.Nobody has ever mentioned the stroke thing

to me.I have been considering an abi.Ever since I joined the crew, I've

been hearing good things anout abi's.You've really given me something to

think about.like you said " I'm just protocal to them " .Thanks for the

info.

Jimmy

P.s. do your Dr.s' plan to get you eating again?You may not think it

possiable,but it would be with a d.b.trach and alot of therapy.I started

on ice chips in 92 and I eat whatever I want now.