Life Inspires Me

I’m having shunt placement surgery in Ann Arbor today.
I’m nervous because it’s another surgery.
Further surgery may be necessary.
I’m trying really hard to muster up enough courage to not cry.

It’s ok to cry.
It’s not ok to keep bottling up these emotions.
It’s human nature to act on emotions.
I’m not going to worry about the future because it hasn’t happened yet.
Focus on the now.
Hope for the best and prepare for the unexpected.

Courage differs from recklessness in coming from a strong mature assessment. A reckless person has not anticipated the likeliest of consequences; a courageous person has, and is ready to face any eventuality that might arise, even the ones that cannot be foreseen.  -Anonymous

Courage at its best!

Happy belated Valentine’s Day!

My whole schedule has been turned upside down because of the head pressure and shunt surgery on Wednesday. The poem below is a favorite of mine. The puppy below is who i’m searching for after I recover from this surgery.

Peace, love, rock on!

Jess

I began searching for you, not knowing

how foolish that was. True lovers don’t meet

somewhere out there, but are in each other all along.

Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273)

Puppy love??

Dear Family & Friends,

2010, this year is the start of a new decade of endless possibilities, and yet another chapter of our lives. Over the span of the last two decades I have overcome my fair share of medical obstacles.

It has been over 15 years since the first time my head rested on the operating table for surgery to have remove a tumor.

10 years since I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a benign genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow throughout my central nervous system.

10 years since my first brain surgery to remove the larger of the bilateral acoustic neuroma’s compressing my brain stem, leaving me completely deaf in my left ear.

2 years ago I decided to give up the rest of my hearing with the removal Acoustic Neuroma on the right side that had been causing intolerable head pressure.

Are you ready for new medical obstacles to overcome with me??

I’m out of remission; both acoustic neuroma’s have grown back and are compressing my brain stem. There is fluid trapped in my brain that needs to be removed with the placement of a shunt. The head pressure is intense, and it’s affecting my quality of life. I’m having surgery again. The dates are being finalized right now, but need to happen within the next 6 months. Over these next few months I’m going to continue to keep my head held high and be inspired by life! Thank you all for your support over the years.

All the best & my love,

Jessica Stone

Last month went by way too fast!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the New Year, but so many things were crammed into last month that my head is still spinning trying to register what all went on. Birthdays, Holidays, and even though I promised myself I wouldn’t I started reading 3 new books last month too. I had an appointment at University of Michigan the first week of December for my Cochlear Implant, and after the appointment my mom & I stopped in the mall to honor our tradition if going to H&M since it’s next door to Dr. Z’s office.

I found this photo hidden in a file while cleaning up my desktop today, which was taken while at the mall. The woman standing next to me in the photo seriously embodied bliss. Her cheerful smile alone made me feel at peace like I had just run into a close friend I hadn’t seen in awhile. Her hugs were so welcoming along with the scent of her perfume; which instantly made me think of my Grandmama (pronouced: GRAND-MaMa) I know that sounds nuts, but I believe that some people walk into your life to motivate you become a better person.

To the lady in red, thank you for the reminder to be inspired by life!