On November 11, my symptoms began. During lunch at school, the right side of my face and the right side of my tongue went numb. I went to the emergency room had a CT scan and blood work. I was told that I was not having a stroke and they couldn't see anything immediately wrong with me her I was sent home and told to follow up with a neurologist as soon as possible.

 

Luckily for me, an appointment at Allegheny General Hospital opened up two weeks later. I met with the neurologist who took me through a series of tests and told me to get an MRI as soon as possible. That MRI was scheduled for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. 

 

On Thanksgiving my symptoms started to increase I was having trouble gathering my thoughts and my balance was definitely off, with me falling and stumbling numerous times that day through that weekend. That Monday I decided I had waited long enough I called the neurologist to update them on my increase of symptoms but their office voicemail was full. I decided to go to Allegheny General Hospital emergency room and see if I could find some help.

 

I was admitted and after a series of tests including multiple MRIs, spinal probes, and blood work the doctors came back just show me an image of a mass growing near my brain stem. Further testing narrow down the possibilities to an acoustic neuroma.

 

January 25th was the day my tumor was removed. I am currently in the process of recovery. Something that is more of a struggle than I expected. But with the support of my friends and family, especially my husband Tommy, I am getting better everyday.