Back after Surgery

[blondeballerina07]

I had surgery on August 10th at Barrow Neurology Clinic in Phoenix. Just a quick recap prior to surgery I had the headaches constantly, I had tremors in my arms legs and face, I was unable to walk, I have not had any sensation in my feet since August of 2009, memory loss, had numerous occasions of blacking out and seizures. My last mri before surgery showed a 31mm herniation, a 98% blockage of csf, and I had basilar invagination (the bone on my first vertebrae was literally stuck into my brain stem). Anyways my surgery took eight and half hours and I had a very rough night my first night out of surgery. The first thing I remember in the recovery room was not being able to do anything with the right side of my body the nurse called the resident over and soon a huge crowd of people around me talking about no breathe sounds on my right side no feeling and no movement, I began to panic as I have always been anxious and thank goodness they were quick to give me something to calm me down and I don't remember a ton after that. From what my best friend has said they did a ct right away and brought me back to recovery after apparently begging them to let her come back because no one was aloud into the recovery area they finally let her. That night I had a chest tube put in and was later taken for an mri before being transferred to the neuro icu. Thank goodness it was ruled that the problems were because of swelling in both my brain and spinal cord, and that all of the hardware was in the right place and nothing had moved. I spent 5 days in the neuro icu unit and I remember very little from that stay, other than a nurse I had on the first day and the last day tell me that when I was brought to the icu that she was very worried about the outcome but felt much better about my progress. I thought to myself that was not bad news at all and how thankful I was that I don't remember most of the icu from what I told it was a very rocky road. The monday following my surgery I was transferred to neuro rehab where I spent 12 days doing three to five hours of therapy a day. At first I was very reluctant to this as I had managed to get along just fine at home on my own when all these doctors were telling me I was crazy and referring me to psychologists as the days went on I began to appreciate the therapy not only did it give me something to do to get out of my room I was starting to learn to walk again, it was the everyday things that have been so difficult for the past two years they taught me how to do much more efficiently. I was sent home in a wheel chair which was a very tough adjustment for me at first because again my thought process was I was managing to get myself around on my own without the doctors help as they all told me I was crazy and now they don't want me doing anything for myself, it was very frustrating. Now that I am home with my new fashion accessories as all my friends call them (my neck brace, leg braces and hot wheels) I am doing physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy three times a week, nine hours total. I can't wait to finish this road and continue on with my life. I look forward to my next triathlon, and dancing again.

I think my favorite part of this whole story was my first day in the neuro rehab unit (I was still on drugs and don't remember this) I told my physical therapist I was going to do college nationals for triathlons this year and that nothing would stop me. This happened as I was unable to stand or walk and she quickly put that I wheel chair bound unless I was in therapy with assistance. Apparently after my appointment and fitting me with afo's the physical therapist, the orthopedic guy doing the fitting and one other physical therapist had all joked to each other that they would be happy and call it a success it I ever walked again and if I ever did another triathlon they would be right beside me at the starting line. The second week I was there they admitted this to me as I proved to them I was determined and I would not only walk again but I was going to do the triathlon before leaving they all made the promise that they would be there next to me and gave me their personal contact information and told me to update them and give them the date of my first race and they will be there!

Glad to say after my first week I felt better than I have felt in years. I was off pain medicine completely and ready to get back to my life. I left the hospital being able to feel my feet, no numbness or tingling, not headache, no ringing in my ears all os my symptoms have worked their way out accept for the walking which is coming back but what can I expect it has been a year and a half since I have been able to walk normal. I am truly blessed to have this straightened out and to be on the road to recovery. As of now I have had one trip to the er and the swelling my brain and spinal cord are taking longer than expected to go away but the surgeon thinks that with adequate time everything will return to normal and better than prior to surgery. I am so sorry about the length everyone just so much to share!

God Bless!

[*Stormy*]

Wow!! What a story....I am sooo glad that the outcome is a good one!!

I knew it would be a tough road with all the different procedures they would be doing and length of time the surgery was going to take. You are a tough girl and so positive....what an inspiration!!

I pray that you will continue to see improvements and that you will make that triathlon, if not this year, then next!!

Take care and keep us posted on your progress!
Carolyn

[redkim]

Congrats on becoming better each day.  I know how exicted you are to be feeling better, but please be careful not to jeoperdize your surgery.  As they say it's an investment.  I too was active before surgery (not to your extent), with exercising and figure skating. A day before my one year anniversary I did my first ice skating competition and placed 2nd in my category (very entry level) and did another competition a few weeks after, also placing second.  I skate 1 x a week now when I feel up to, there were things I did have to give up because I can't do as much as before.  I still take art classes at a small studio and my friend wants to start ballroom dancing.  I have to say one of the most difficult things is walking, it usually gives me a headache, running is out of the question for me, it always gives me a headache.


Take it easy, you might feel good, but you're body is still healing.  Again congrats on the great progress so far.

[selmaS]

Hi...sorry I don't have time to read this but sooo happy to have u back!!

Add this to ur journal in ur profile page : )

I will read this later.

take care and rest

"selma"