Second Opinion & 3 days to Surgery!

[MAC2917]

Aaah. That is so weird to say! I can't say if I am terrified, or exhilarated by thought of being symptom free. Its such an overwhelming time of my life. The weather today is absolutely beautiful today, which is contributing to my good mood. Its a clear skyed and breezy 73 degrees. I am thankful for this day because I am so ruled by the weather. The waning mood is probably contributing to my good mood as well :)

So I saw Dr. Batzdorf at UCLA yesterday. He is a Chiari specialist I have read about a bit, and also the only one within 500 miles. I called him to get a second opinion. But since my first meeting with my neurosurgeon was only 4 weeks ago and my surgery was scheduled pretty soon after that I could only see him as a reassurance that I was on the right path. And that he did. After a thorough investigation of my symptoms and check up and review of my MRI's he said that he definitely reccommended sugery in my case. Scary and reassuring. He said the stay on the same path Im on and continue with my surgery on Tuesday. He said that he usually does the Craniectomy, Laminectomy and then a bipolar shrinking of the cerebellar tonsels before putting on the dura patch. My neurosurgeon, Dr. Golshani doesn't do the shrinking. But Dr. Batzdorf said it only quickens the lessening of symptoms because your tonsels slowly ascend up into the correct place eventually but this electric treatment quickens the process.
What are your guys' experiences with this treatment? Who has had this done?

I am still pretty happy with the procedure that I am going to have done though as I am confident with my NS and feel I am doing the right thing.

After our long day at the Doctors I got to go to Barnes and Noble and buy some books for my convalescence. I feel that I couldn't have picked a better time of year to be bed ridden. I got Ray Bradbury's The October Country, Stephen Kings Skeleton Crew (Short Stories), and H.P. Lovecrafts Great Tales of Horror. These are so fitting for the month of October! Such a beautiful time with the changing of the seasons and the increase of ancestral energies. Looking forward to recovering from this minor set back in my life. The learning experience to connect more with my body and the people I love has been invaluable.

I hope you are all having a good day as well. I know this experience can have so many ups and downs. I will send good energy out there to all who are one their downs. It will get better :) Imagine life without restrictions! I cannot wait.

[MAC2917]

Yeah sorry I didn't mean to sound rude!! I was just super confused. But upon re-reading it i see the flow of the conversation. Thank you for the comments!

[MAC2917]

OOOh interesting! How were your eyes effected? I haven't heard anything about eyes being effected.

[Viva001]

Aw thank you; that is so nice to hear, especially after getting knocked on my A** for the last couple weeks.  Sometimes its so hard to be upbeat!
I have to hope that this too shall pass.  
I planted peonies today--i ordered them months ago, so that I would have something to look forward to--even though I really wasnt in the mood.  But it actually took my mind off me for awhile.
Id rather feel sick from gardening than feel sick from doing nothing, lol.

Did your mom recover from both conditions?

Maybe the only perk of aging is developing a whatev demeanor?  :)

[tink_0427]

@ Viv, ur so awesome...love how u just go with the flow and make due with everything...u remind me of my Mom she has had Breast Cancer and Leukemia and she spent so much time in the hospital with the Leukemia. She just dealt with it and did what she could.
She's an inspiration and so are you!!!
We r so close in surgery dates that I love to hear how u r doing because I know we r dealing with a lot of the same things at the same time! Thanks for always lifting my spirits and being so positive!
<3 JEN <3

[Viva001]

I am reading Much less these days; it makes me too tired.  I thought that I would mourn this loss too, but Ive adapted--audio books, old time radio shows, films, watching the birds at the feeder (which I had moved on the deck).

[Sexybare]

I couldn't read pre nor post op. Still can't. I don't comprehend what I read unless I read out loud and then I still don't. I find myself reading one paragraph a million times before giving up. I have had this issue my whole life. I think its part of my cognitive issues?! Now that I know so much about chiari I def know I struggled as a kid due to it. At least it makes sense now ;) sorry to get off topic. Hope you are enjoying friends and family this weekend before surgery. It will help take your mind off it, hugs, Dana