Chiari Surgery in 12 days

[Maria2729]

Hey everyone,
Im new to this website.  I was diagnosed with Chiari Type 1 2 weeks ago.  I had a cine MRI which showed CSF blockage and my neurosurgeon recommended surgery.  Super nice guy in NJ who seems to know his stuff.  To make me feel better he told me he did a decompression on a girl my age and the other day she came back to show him the medal she won at the boston marathon.  BUT im so scared!! my symptoms started appearing 3 months ago as i was recovering from Mono.  I have no idea if the mono brought out my symptoms or what but i kept blaming the symptoms on the mono.  But after i had a blood test saying my epstein barr numbers were in the past infection catergory, i knew something was way wrong other than mono.  i started having dizzy spells, black floaters, tremors, whole body shakes, feeling of aunts crawling under my face and scalp. back pain, off balance.  oddly enough, no headaches (is this normal?)  so i was sent for an MRI and there is was.  Im scheduled for surgery June 14 and i am so scared.  i cry every single day.  i dont know what to expect when i wake up.  i have 2 very young kids who need their mommy and im terrified.  Reading the messages on this forum is great and scary at the same time. I cant wait to get to know most of you :)

[ShortyC17]

Hi there. I'm 31 and was diagnosed about 3 weeks ago
My daughter is 2 n boys 11 &14 I'll be having surgery the day after u and I'm scared also. I dont want to leave my daughter. Wishing u the best
All will go well

[BrunoP85]

Please An update!!? Hope I are ok?!

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.
I know how scared you are , I was scared too but had surgery in '09 and am doing so much better then I would  be had I not had the surgery......
It is possible the mono triggered your symptoms to flare and it is also possible you had symptom prior but discounted them as due to some other reasons and do not see the connection yet....

There is no way to know how you personally will do post op...BUT if you take things slow and do not try to get back to your "life" too quickly you will be fine...but rushing to get back to "normal" can cause set backs......

You will need help post op....take it slow and know you are not alone.

[Maria2729]

Thank you so much for responding. I have 2 little kids and it breaks my heart that a am  not the Mom I used to be. I fear something will happen to me and they will not have their mom.  I am just a mess over all this

[selmaS]

My daughter was older when I was DX'd and had surgery but it was the same for me going in....so, I planned on saying something in the recovery room that I knew would be a sign to her that I was still me and ok.....I knew it would help calm her fears and helped me focus on her instead of me....I did remember to say it to my hubby but he had no idea what I was saying, but she understood the message and it did give her comfort.