No Smiles for 40 Years

I lost my life at 22 years old due to a large acoustic neuroma brain tumor which was discovered by my ENT doctor and Neurologist right after I had completed my undergraduate studies in Ohio. I was headed to graduate school, but soon realized I wasn't going anywhere except to surgery. I thought it was water lodged in my ears because I swam daily. People sounded muffled on the phone if I held the phone to my left ear. And I had had headaches but never really paid much attention after taking Tylenol. I was rushed into MRI, angiogram, and head X-rays which revealed the large tumor lodged on my facial and hearing nerve which had to be removed due to the enormous size. I knew I would lose my hearing, but my doctors said they would try to save my facial nerve. Unfortunately, they were unable to save my facial nerve which left me with facial palsy, facial paralysis and unable to smile or close my left eye. No rehab helped. I didn't recognize myself anymore and felt like a freak. It was an emotional battle every day, not wanting people to stare or ask questions about my face. they would ask did I have a stroke, was I in a car accident, all kinds of questions, that I did not want to answer, but felt obligated some times to explain I had a brain tumor. So at 22, I lost my life and became isolated, a hermit. I searched for 40 years to find a doctor who could at least give me some facial expression on my face, but there was NO one who would touch me. That is until I found Dr. Jose Barrera in San Antonio Texas. My first appointment with him, I had prepared myself for the no I can't help you, good luck answer, but to my delight and surprise, he was a god send. He told me he would give me a Mona Lisa smile. I was shocked and cried, I had hope. Not only could he give me a nice expression on my face he could actually help my eye close by implanting a weight to close my eye lid. I few years prior I was told I was going blind due to acute angle closure and had surgery to repair that issue. Most people do not know all the complications a brain tumor gives you. Your eyes get dry and when you cant close them naturally it causes dryness to the cornea, thus damage starts to occur. I had to tape my eye closed at night. Of course i didn't do it all of the time, and I paid for it dearly. You lose your equilibrium and you lose yourself. I prayed to find someone to help me just fix the face. Dr. Barrera is proficient, knowledgeable, and mostly compassionate. I went from appearing to having a stroke to smiling. A 360 turn a round. My face hasn't totally relaxed but with the Physical Therapy and different mind set I am on my way to being happier. Am also getting an implant to be able to hear again. I wished I had found Dr. Barrera years ago, but I am sure glad I found him now anyway. Acoustic Neuroma tumors are benign but if you let to sit , they grow into major problems and death if they are not removed. I was in the hospital for 17 days, but now they have new technology and you may not have hospital stays like mine. I spent have of my stay in ICU, due to the left side of my body being paralyzed. I am grateful for Dr. Barrera . If you are ever told you have a brain tumor do not wait, get it out. Find a specialist who knows what they are doing and has the expertise needed. Blessings to all, I hope I shed some light to you.