Tips before surgery?

[renajargon]

Hi all.  I'm having decompression surgery on March 10, and I was curious if any of you veterans have any tips.  I'm a single mom of a toddler, full time student, and have a full time job.  Everything seems pretty rushed right now, so I was curious if there are things you wish you'd known to make your experience more comfortable, less stressful, etc.  Also, any tips on recovery would be great!

[selmaS]

  Reading is one aspect watching TV is another....we need to allow our brain to rest so it heals as it goes thru a trauma with this surgery...so many jump back on line and txting etc...which I find amazing they can do it, but I really feel we ALL should take a break from it...JMHO

[renajargon]

Thanks for your input - it's really helpful to hear about others' experiences post-op.  I'm so glad you're doing better now!

[renajargon]

Thank you! I'm glad you mentioned the reading...I'll have to be careful about that.

[CM2002]

My surgery was in March 2002. I lived on another planet for about a month after surgery while my body adjusted to everything. When lying down my feet felt like they were floating, etc. I also couldn't hold my head up completely straight because the muscles in your neck are cut during surgery. All this to say that you won't be able to do much, or anything for that matter, for about a month afterwards so hopefully you have someone to take care of your kids. You certainly won't be able to work or go to school. As a single gal myself, my parents rotated staying with me (I lived in CO and they are from Texas). I couldn't have done it without them. Also, be prepared for massive headaches post-op. It was the worst part of it for me and they actually sent me back to the hospital on several occasions to get them under control. About a month after surgery I woke up and told my dad that I was back. Apparently the spinal fluid normalized and I was back on earth. Good luck to you.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum,

We are all different and how we recover reflects that as well....first u have to rest, rest and then rest some more....do not feel compelled to jump back into ur "normal" life and routines..as it can cause a set back.

Make as many meals ahead of time and freeze them...have help for around the house and ur  child...know it will take time a few months b4 u can begin to do some things again without it affecting ur recovery....

Even reading post op can affect how u recover....so,. u do have to listen to ur body...and keep in mind it also depends on what other related and non related conditions u may also have.

We do have tips for the hospital stay in the Health Pages.--http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=186

Congratulations on ur surgery date, and to have a prayer thread posted please post on the surgery date thread...