Three Years...

It is hard to believe that it has been three years since I heard those fateful words "You've got a brain tumor." I was diagnosed March 4, 2008. Three years ago, I was in a frenzy of researching and discovery. Things like craniatomies, neuro-muscular facial retraining, and bahas were completely foreign to me.

Now I am sitting here with a little digital box snapped on the side of my head, lots of titantium in my skull, a sometimes goofy smile and a few interesting scars. Holy crap. These are the things that come along in life that are completely unexpected and certainly game-changing.

As for me, I've had some ups and downs in the last 3 years, but I'd have to say that the ups outweigh the downs by quite a lot. When things like this come along in life, you really only have a few choices: you can adjust and find things to love (or at least like) about your new life, or you can sink into a vat of endless depression. Well, when I put it like that, not really much of a choice, is there? Those vats of depression are actually pretty boring. So now I just chuckle when I suddenly stumble or when I think the host of American Idol said "stink bombs" when he actually said "stage moms." And, when I get frustrated that I can't do everything I could do PBT (Pre Brain Tumor), I remind myself of all the wonderful people I've met along this journey, about the lasting friendships I've made, and about all the little things in life that have changed in good ways.

And, hell, if all else fails, I can always have a nice glass of something red - and I'm not talking fruit punch!

(B)AHA Moments

So, not quite a week into the BAHA experience and so far, I'm loving it. Yes, I'm the woman with a finger in one ear, snapping her fingers next to the other ear. It's just SO cool to be able to hear those sounds!

Today, I'll really get to put it to the test. I have to take our conspiracy theorist cat, Rocket, to the vet. Now, just as a bit of background, this is a 12 pound cat who requres two burly technicians to hold him down for a simple exam. And, did I mention the screaming? Him, not me, by the way, although maybe I ought to consider screaming myself. Anyway, I anticipate reaching up and turning the BAHA off at some point during what promises to be a very "lively" experience.

And here are few other pictures, just for fun.