About a year ago I was diagnosed with a small acoustic neuroma. (I am now 69. My doctor said the median age is 71, and they do not like to operate on older people.) My doctor suggested it best to wait and watch it since I do not notice symptoms yet, except for some gradual hearing loss in my right ear and ringing in my ears. Living one day at a time and trying to enjoy each day has been my goal. When necessary, the doctor suggested radiation therapy, which can cause it to become cancer in 2 % of cases. I am not at all enthused about any kind of surgery, especially on my head. I am really hoping for a new kind of treatment, such as immuno-type therapy where you take a pill, and it goes to the tumor and shrinks it or makes it disappear. Some doctors are now using it for cancer tumor treatment with some amazing results.

I just wanted people with acoustic neuroma to know you are not alone, and I know it is like sitting on a time bomb and is quite nerve racking. I try to keep busy and not dwell on it. We can try to find some talented doctors, pray for a cure, and hope for the best. Good luck to you all!

I also have two small thyroid nodules that the doctor is watching; the larger one checked was benign. Thank God! Last month I had an attack of acute pancreatitis and was in the hospital four days, three on an IV. They could not find out exactly what caused the problem but thought a gall stone traveled through my pancreas. Now I have tendonitis in my right foot from going up and down 14 steps too much. (My daughter recently had a breech C-Section and could not climb up and down her stairs for several weeks.) For over the past year, it seems I just get one problem paid for and get another. Hopefully, it will not get any worse this year. I am still feeling pretty good, though - even with all of my medical problems.

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