A Personal Note
about writing this email and sharing a personal situation with you.
I’ve decided to go ahead because just like I have a school family, I’ve
come to feel that I have an “educational blogging” family and I want to
let you know why I won’t be blogging for a little while.
Back in 2001 I was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma, a brain tumor
that starts in the cells that wrap around the auditory (hearing) nerve
in the head. Now the good news is that these tumors are benign. The bad
news is that if they grow they can press on the brain stem and that is
life threatening. The other good news is that they grow slowly.
Needless to say, 2001 was a traumatic time for me as I researched what
to do about it. This was right in the midst of 9-11 so things wern’t
going well for me or my country. The Internet turned out to be a
godsend and led me to a wonderful doctor at Johns Hopkins to have
radiation. That was the least invasive treatment and I wanted to avoid
surgery at all costs. What I read about some of the surgery results scared me.
Anyway to make a long story short, 3 years later I find out that I am in
the 3-5% failure rate for radiation. I have to have surgery. Everything
I learned told me to go to the surgeons with the most experience as
this is a very delicate surgery. This time I am going to Los Angeles
for surgery on May 20th. I’ve got a good doctor. Both of my doctors do
email and respond anytime I write. I think I’m going to make that a
requirement for all future doctors.
Now, hopefully, I will do just fine and snap back in a few weeks. That
has happened to others. Others have not been so lucky and have ended up
with facial damage, problems, etc. I’m an optimist and plan to be on
the high side. I have learned that this tumor is life-altering, not
life-threatening and I will carry on.
I welcome your thoughts and prayers. I have already told the guys
that I would have been presenting with at NECC. I hate to miss my
favorite conference but I am going to take Will’s suggestion and tell
the doctor to be sure and leave the “blogging” lobe untouched!
I’m off to catch a plane to LA in a couple of hours. I’ll post again as soon as I am able.
May 15th, 2005 at 5:21 am
Hi Anne,
You poor thing, it must have been very difficult to find that out and to come to make this decision. It sounds like you’re making and informed and good decision with the surgery though and I’m sure everything will go fine for you.
Will be keeping you in my thoughts, as I’m sure will everyone whose lives you’ve touched so impressively!
James
May 15th, 2005 at 5:30 am
You are in my thoughts.
May 15th, 2005 at 6:45 am
Anne,
Wishing and praying that everything goes for the best.
Al
May 15th, 2005 at 7:50 am
Anne, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing tis with us.
May 15th, 2005 at 8:40 am
Anne, Keep the positive thoughts going. I’ve learned a great deal about blogging with children from you. Now I’m learning about courage as well. Thanks for letting us know so we can join in in the positive thoughts.
May 15th, 2005 at 9:00 am
Anne,
I never realized how much bloggers are a part of a very unique “family” until I read your post this morning and immediately felt sad by your news. I remember when my mother started blogging for the first time you left a wonderful and inspiring comment. She still talks about it. Thank you for inspiring my mother and me. We’ve never met in person Anne but the blog bond is very strong; so I too offer you my thoughts and the power of positive prayer.
-Amy Bowllan
May 15th, 2005 at 11:06 am
Dear Anne - positive thoughts and best wishes from the UK part of the ether. As Susan’s already said ˆ you‚re contributing a great example of strength of character in meeting your demons face on, head held high. This is the humanity, vulnerability and braveness that make it a community worth belonging to. Give those blogging brain cells a good rest! Will be looking forward, as always, to your future posts.
May 15th, 2005 at 11:49 am
Anne,
I’ll be praying for a safe surgery and a complete recovery. All the best to you and yours.
May 15th, 2005 at 3:21 pm
Tell the doctor to watch for the good teacher and good human lobes as well. We’ll be missing you greatly at NECC but I know you’ll be back to blogging soon. You’ve got too much good work to do! Fondly, Will.
May 15th, 2005 at 3:57 pm
All the best from north of the border. I’d like to echo Amy’s words about how sharing our thoughts, as you have done, includes us all as part of a worldwide family. I was shocked, but have faith that you will come through with flying colours.
You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers!
Jason
May 15th, 2005 at 8:08 pm
Dear Anne, Please know that my prayers & peaceful thoughts are sent to you and for you; I’m also sending a deep penetrating; eradicating force to remove all traces of this neuroma in total & for good! Thanks for your encouraging sharing & your positive spirit; I will ask my special prayer partners to help me pray for you as well. With all good wishes;
Camille Bodden (Amy Bowllan’s mom)
May 15th, 2005 at 8:57 pm
Keeping you in my thoughts. Sending positive thoughts and support your way -
May 15th, 2005 at 9:04 pm
Dear Anne, For a long time now I have looked forward to the day I might meet you so I could give you a hug and thank you for the tremendous encouragement and insight you’ve given me into teaching and working with children. Now more than ever I wish I was with you to give you that hug. May g-d grant your doctor the skill and talent to see you through this ordeal without incident and may your recovery be swift and trouble free. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
May 16th, 2005 at 12:16 am
Dear Anne, I know you, your optimistic outlook, and caring nature well. I have no doubt you’ll sail through this and very shortly be back blogging and sharing so much with all of us who care so very much for you.
Love and a big hug, Sandy
May 16th, 2005 at 5:37 am
Dear Anne,
I’ll be praying for your recovery.Optimist will be blessed and finally be a winner of life!
I occasionally read your words when searching for English-learning web sites.I’m a Chinese university student,majoying in scientific English.Maybe I’ll be an English teacher in the future.
Blogs are beneficial to learning language,culture,as well as teaching people to appreciate life.Here I realize another merit–uniting.May these prayers could support you spiritually.
Best wishes
May 16th, 2005 at 5:37 am
Dear Anne,
I’ll be praying for your recovery.Optimist will be blessed and finally be a winner of life!
I occasionally read your words when searching for English-learning web sites.I’m a Chinese university student,majoying in scientific English.Maybe I’ll be an English teacher in the future.
Blogs are beneficial to learning language,culture,as well as teaching people to appreciate life.Here I realize another merit–uniting.May these prayers could support you spiritually.
Best wishes
May 16th, 2005 at 10:08 am
Anne,
I “met” you through a link from Will’s blog, and linked your blog from my blog as a resource for educators. I feel as though I know you…I guess bloggers are family! I’m glad that the Internet has helped you find the best doctors. My thoughts will be with you.
May 16th, 2005 at 10:09 am
Best of wishes through this difficult time, Anne. I have only just come across your pages and hope you get back to blogging with us again ASAP. We’ll be with you the whole way!
May 16th, 2005 at 10:09 am
Best of wishes through this difficult time, Anne. I have only just come across your pages and hope you get back to blogging with us again ASAP. We’ll be with you the whole way!
May 16th, 2005 at 10:11 am
Thanks for sharing your work and this personal challenge. Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery.
May 16th, 2005 at 2:08 pm
Good luck, and best wishes. Hoping you have long days and pleasant nights.
-Joe
May 16th, 2005 at 2:32 pm
Many positive thoughts being sent your way, Anne. I had hoped to look you up at NECC this year. It’ll just need to be San Diego in 2006, instead!
May 17th, 2005 at 12:19 am
best of lucks!! :))
May 17th, 2005 at 10:03 am
Dear Anne, Just read about your situation and had to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. You have been such an inspiration for me these past two years and I have appreciated every encouraging and supportive email that you have sent, so it is only fair for me to offer my get well wishes to you.
“You meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. But sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget. Those are your ‘friends.’” –Anonymous quotes
Speedy recovery Anne……..
Michael
May 19th, 2005 at 4:17 pm
Hello Anne. Just heard your news and wanted to wish you all the best at this difficult time. You have given so much to all of us educational bloggers, and although I have never met you, your generosity and encouragement and wisdom has inspired me as it has so many others. Wishing you a very speedy recovery too…
May 20th, 2005 at 6:51 pm
Hello, Anne. After comments you’ve posted in the school blogs for my class, I’ve been visiting your blog frequently to read. But I’ve been lacking, and Bud was gracious to write a post to come visit.
I hope everything goes wonderfully. You’re in my prayers and those of others I’m sure. Best of luck. I want everything to go well. Already looking forward to having you back. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
Cheers.
Elle
May 24th, 2005 at 10:45 am
Anne, my thoughts and prayers are with you. You were a major influence on me as I began blogging and podcasting, and I will anxiously await word of your recovery.
Steve