Adrianna

Presenting Adrianna, the littlest acoustic neuroma patient ever. She's five years old and her translab surgery was about 6 weeks ago at USC Keck medical center with the celebrated Dr. Rick Friedman.

Dr. Friedman and Adrianna before her surgery

Her recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Her mother tells us she experienced no pain. As you can see, she has temporary paralysis on the surgery side resulting from the trauma to the facial nerve which occurs when the tumor is scraped away. She's recovering movement quickly. Shortly after the surgery she celebrated her 6th birthday and she is back at school now. It will likely be a year until her face is back to normal. Meanwhile, I read that her mother is helping her to be humorous about her "funny" face with the kids at school. 

Other AN people from all over the world sent her gifts and cards - there's been an outpouring of love and affection for her.

Here's her tumor - the big whitish ball on the lower half of the MRI slightly to the right. It was discovered as part of a wellness test she was given prior to starting school. Hearing is tested routinely as part of these tests and she turned out to be deaf in her right ear. Further investigation, including the MRI, revealed a very large tumor. She might have died if it hadn't been discovered, but now her prognosis is excellent.

You can read more about her story here. 

Latest photo of Adrianna studying...she's doing well at school. You can see how her face is improving.