Living social, for Kelly Stafford, means posting occasional updates on her status after brain surgery in April. "I want to be transparent and truthful about this entire process," she says.
"I am getting back to my life, and enjoying my husband's off-season with him," Kelly Stafford posts Tuesday with this. (Photos: Instagram)
In the latest post Tuesday, the wife of Lions quarterback Matt Stafford tells 222,000 Instagram followers:
It's been two months since the scariest day of my life. I'm gonna keep it short and just thank you again for all the prayers. I am doing amazing.
There are things that will never be the same, but they are things that with each day, I notice less and less. My new norms are now just my norms.
So thank you again. I am getting back to my life and enjoying my husband's off-season with him, our [three] little ones and my entire family here in Atlanta.
A 12-hour operation at the University of Michigan Health System on April 17 removed a noncancerous brain tumor called an acoustic neuroma.
"I want to be up-front and honest," she says May 28 with this post-surgery shot.
In a longer status summary with three "before" and three "after" photos, the 39-year-old posted a day after Memorial Day:
I have weakness on my right side. Might look slight to others, but it's very noticeable to me.
I have to wait 6-12 months to know whether this will be permanent or not. This is a VERY GOOD result from surgery. It's just a "slight difference" [but] in a face you've been staring at for 29 years can be a big difference to you.
I wish I could tell you it didn’t bother me, that I haven't cried about it.. But I want to be transparent and truthful about this entire process, the good and the bad. And to be honest I’m extremely, EXTREMELY insecure about this.
I see it in my eyes and in my smile. Every time I laugh, I cover my mouth because that's when it's most noticeable, that's when I'm most vulnerable.
Although the difference is slight, it changed my smile. I feel the weakness when I pucker to kiss my husband and when I try to make kissy noises to my girls. My right eye doesn't close all the way and, therefore, I have learned how irritating a dry eye can be and how important it is to carry eye drops in every purse.
If this is permanent, I know eventually I will be OK with it. I may sound superficial with this post and don't get me wrong, I am so grateful that I am here and healing. But I want to be up-front and honest.
For anyone going through any type of facial weakness, just know you are not alone and if I find anything that helps, I will for sure share.
On another note, my balance is improving every day and my good days are greatly outnumbering my bad. I'm getting back into my routine and it feels so good. I'm beyond thankful for that and in the end, I know getting back to myself on the inside is all that really matters.
That frank flow of openness draws more than 32,300 "like" hearts in three weeks.
Matt Stafford, 31, and his wife -- University of Georgia sweethearts who married in April 2015 -- are raising three daughters: 2-year-old twins Chandler and Sawyer, and 10-month-old Hunter.
-- Alan Stamm
Earlier coverage:
- Kelly Stafford Shares Progress After Brain Tumor Surgery, May 3
- A Week After Brain Surgery, Kelly Stafford Ends up in the Emergency Room, April 24
- 'A New Life:' Kelly Stafford Is Home After 12-Hour Brain Surgery, April 21
- 'Beyond Grateful:' Kelly Stafford Feels The Love And Thanks Online Well-Wishers, April 9
- 'Pray for Matthew:' Kelly Stafford Reveals She'll Undergo Surgery for Brain Tumor, April 3
