update with questions

[jennylynch]

im doing well i think. Pain is quite bad but i am trying to only use half a pain pill when needed because i cant swallow them still. It's like the back of my throat is all swelled up when i try to swallow. when i eat i need to have tiny bites because i choke on it.. it seems to come and go.. dinner and breakfast are the bad times. not a problem with drinking though.  I had surgery on wednsday i lost one staple already. I am due to have them out a week from wednsday. I have alot of redness in 4 or staples and burning pain in them. i am hoping its not infection. He never gave me care instructions. I didnt even think to ask either because i was so relieved to go home. my nurses were so rude i called my mother to come up at 6am after my surgery because i needed help to go to the bathroom adn they would never come get me up.. I am a little worried about infections and hope that the snow storm we are getting right now does not affect my visiting nurse and physical therapist from coming tomorrow. I have not seen either yet but oh man am i ready. if neither come i will call the dr but i think they are closed for presidents day. i hope not.. im a bit worried i dont want to get infection in this site. i had infection in all my c-section and my hysterectomy sites.
Other then that i am sleeping pretty well actually alot better then i thought i would. its hard for me to get to the laying position but my fiance helps me by putting his arms behind my shoulders and slowly easing me down. I went back to my first original pillow and i lay on my side that hurts the most which is the left with a huge overstuffed body pillow that i added two bags of fluff in before surgery. getting up is rough too but yet again i have the fiance for that too. I have not been sleeping as much as i should or resting i am sure i should be doing alot more of it. i haven't been doing nothing so strenuous just sitting on the computer playing games and playing the wii with the kids. I did go outside yesterday for a short walk to jsut get out of the house while it was still beautiful weather out and it was nice.
Sorry so long just want you to know im doing as well as possible. still a little tipsy but could be meds too.... pain in head is still really high but i think its getting better

Questions I have still if you may know...

did they use like a vice grip on your head to keep it in place.. i have really sore spots in the front of my head on about the same spot on each side?

did u have to do any cleaning to your staples?

Did you keep it covered all the time?

How long til you could shower?

Did you ever have a kinda of yellow drain from your ear? it was kind of like my ear was draining but a lighter yellow color? only did it for a couple hours and nothing since..

Any information would be great thanks

Jenny

P.S.
I hope to hear about my mri tomorrow for the TCS

[jennylynch]

i do have very very small infection in one staple.. it's nothing big.. things are well though my symptoms are darn near gone.. still tired and worn out but i know i just had a major surgery and have to take it easy... Mazie.. im glad i could inspire you if there is anything i can help with let me know.. i was shocked by my diagnosis and how fast it all progressed but i say as of now and im very new into my decompression i am so glad i had it.. im coming back to the old me slowly...

oh and as for playing the wii i promise i am doign it easy i sit in my chair and play mario i dont have to shake it lol.. kind of like playing the old nintendo game of mario.. promise im trying to do it all so easy...

[Mazie1209]

Jen, I too, am from michigan, ur story inspires and scares me both!! Soo good to hear the positive! I'm still trying to decide if I should get the surgery! Keep us updated!
Mazie

[Mazie1209]

Is the swallowing issue common after this surgery?
Mazie ~

[LisaM46]

I went for a check up at about 8 days post-op.   My incision site (staples) looked red, so my drs put me on antibiotics so I wouldn't end up with a complete infection.  I would call the dr. if I were you... better safe than sorry.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time, but I'm happy to hear your fiance is there for you.  Be careful - maybe you're doing too much too fast.  If you  still have staples in and you're playing WII with your kids, I would have to say you're jumping into it too fast.  Take it easy so you don't set yourself back.  Shaking that WII controller is not going to be good for your brain!
Lisa

[jennylynch]

i was on meds in the hospital before ad after.. i opened and left the bandage off for a bit. my aunt is a RN and told me to let it air for a bit until morning but to cover it when i sleep so nothing gets caught on the staples.. im scared though it really hurts...

Did anyone's jaw hurt after surgery

[pamk5]

Hey Jenny,  I am sorry that you are having issues.  I would most def have those staples checked sooner than later.  Are you sure when you got discharged they didnt give someone printed instructions?  That seems really odd if they didnt.  The drainage from your ear is concerning too.  I am glad that stopped but I would mention it.  

I havent had surgery yet so I cant tell you my experience.  Most of the time sutures/staples should be kept dry.  So probably taking a shower is out of the question.  I am sorry you had a bad experience in the hospital.  I know I would have been ready to come home too.  If that ever happens again...send someone to administration to make a complaint.  I had to do that when my dad was in ICU.  Talk about a quick change in attitude.  We were treated like VIP's after that.  

If your nurse doesnt show tomorrow and they are closed call and speak to the doc on call.  I definitely wouldnt wait to speak to someone.  Did they give you antibiotics?  

Keep us posted on what happens.  Sending prayers for a speedy recovery.  

Pam

[catkline]

I'm so sorry you had such a horrible stay in the Hosital.  That is just not right, not after brain surgery, not after any surgery.  I wish I could answer your questions but I have not even been seen by a NS yet.  I think you need to have those staple sites checked though.  I had the same thing after my c-section.  I hope things continue to be positive for you.  You will be in my prayers.