By Rowan

Hi All,

I am just touching base to give an update. The procedure went as smoothly as might have been hoped. The recovery has not gone quite as well as we might have hoped. The procedure has flared up the trigeminal neuralgia which makes sorting out some of the symptoms problematic. I still have pain and swelling from where the halo was mounted, and some ongoing drainage from one site. I am having decreased hearing in the left ear and some equilibrium issues. Nausea - in part likely due to the radiation and in part the equilibrium. Finally got some compazine for that so I can at least briefly get on the PC to send off some notes and check my email. There are pain issues, but I am managing them most of the time. Still fatigued as well.

I had a somewhat humorous / some what nerve wracking spell of "double hearing" - my left ear was "hearing" about 1/2 second behind the right. That has partially cleared - or the gap has gotten much closer to in-synch. Let me tell you - that was truly bizarre.

I had hoped to be back to relatively normal by today, but it looks like it may take a bit longer than that. It is hard to say what the longer term results will be. The increasing equilibrium problem is somewhat concerning, but may straighten out (no pun intended) with some time.Right now I am essentially doing nothing - kind of an enforced rest I guess. I can only read about 5 minutes at a time, same for TV. Bit boring.

I want to thank you for the supportive and encouraging notes you have sent - I have received them and warmed by them. It is my firm hope to be able to return to my contribution to the broader effort in the near future.

My gratitude and best wishes to you all.

rowan