The biggest question I had for my neuro surgeon before the first tumor surgery in January 2017 was – will I be the same Zach as before?
Well, I almost am. I think for the most part mentally and personality wise, I am the same kid. I do have a little bit of short term memory loss – so yes, I may repeat things few times, but I can still read, retain information, do math and study my subjects.
No expressions or smile for now.
There are a few things that are different. I have a few more scars and after my last surgery I have paralysis on the right side of my face. I plan to have a nerve reconstruction surgery to fix my face. This has affected my ability to smile and have facial expressions – so no I am not angry. I also have a hard time talking clearly and eating certain things, and I do stumble a bit as I regain my balance and coordination. But for the most part I am good, and am the same Zach as before.
Should you treat me differently after my surgeries and what I went through the last year? I hope not. You can’t catch a brain tumor or any of my complications, I am not fragile so I won’t break, and I can do most of the same things I used to, just might be a little slower.
If you are curious about what happened, please ask me – it’s okay to be curious, a lot has happened in the last year and what ever I can share might be beneficial to you or someone you may know.