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Lynne Anne Farrington Langham

 

My BEAUTIFUL & wonderful mom was recently diagnosed with acoustic neuroma.

 

What is an Acoustic Neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma (sometimes termed a vestibular schwannoma or neurolemmoma) is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that arises on the eighth cranial nerve leading from the brain to the inner ear. This nerve has two distinct parts, one part associated with transmitting sound and the other with sending balance information to the brain from the inner ear. The eigth nerve, along with the facial or seventh cranial nerve, lie adjacent to each other as they pass through a bony canal called the internal auditory canal. This canal is approximately 2 cm (0.8 inches) long and it is generally here that acoustic neuromas originate from the sheath surrounding the eighth nerve. The seventh or facial nerve provides motion to the muscles of facial expression.

 

Tumors range from small to large; mom’s is the largest. She will most likely lose her hearing completely in the left ear – but we are praying that this may not have to be the case. She has a constant ringing in her head everyday, headaches, and some days facial pain. As it says about the tumors are normally benign, technically, doctors can’t be sure of this until they are able to go in for surgery. Our family has been directed to go to a doctor in San Antonio for the surgery, it is the closest best equipped for this type of surgery. The doctors in Amarillo think that having the surgery in San Antonio will be more of a success and requires less risk factors although further away from home, Guymon, Oklahoma. We are constantly praying for perseverance and guidance throughout this whole process. She has an appointment with one of the doctors in San Antonio on the 24^th, no new information will come until then. Right now she is HOPEFUL and she shows everyone daily how STRONG she is and how much FAITH she has that the Lord is going to take care of her and our family through this journey.