Surgery Scheduled

[laratterman]

Well, today's appointment with Dr. Di was even more than I expected. I will be having endoscopic brain surgery for my Chiari Malformation on April 2nd at the Cleveland Clinic. I am scared, and cautiously optimistic. Please pray that I will remain healthy so there will be no needs for delays (...my insurance ends on April 10th.)

Praises that Dr. Di made room for me in his schedule.  I prayed for guidance in decisions last week and so much has happened!  God is good!!!  Thank you all for your prayers!!!

To all of you wondering about "Does Size Matter?", well, Dr. Di seems to see it from our eyes.  5mm can be more symptomatic than 20mm... so in answer to the question... NO!  Size does NOT matter!

Blessings!

Lori

[laratterman]

Shannon,

YAY!!! I am so happy for you!  Hopefully we can both get "fixed"!  Not sure I would be as "anxious" if my insurance wasn't running out.  ;-)

With regard to Vitamins... I take a product called Emergen-C every day.  It is Vitamin C and minerals.  When people around me are sick, I add an Airborne/day.  More if I'm feeling like I'm getting sniffles or something.  Either way, I usually ward off anything that other ppl get... except, like I said, once a year, I'll get one good cold/flu, but it typically lasts less time than most ppls.  

I would talk to your doc about it, as it has to do with anything else you might be taking especially, but the Emergen-C you can get at Trader Joe's, Walmart, and I believe CVS and Walgreens are carrying it now too.  It used to be <$5/box, but now I think its up to around $7.  Not a bad price.  You can put it in water and it tastes good, but I typically put it in OJ, as I use the orange flavored.

Best of luck to you!!!

Blessings!

Lori

[shanmomof3]

Hi Lori! So happy you got some answers and found the right dr for you! I wish you all the best! We both got good news on the same day ;) you'll have your surgery before me but i'm waiting for personal reasons ... school and DH's dj business is already booked til mid may. I like the airborne idea though, i think i'll try that too! My dad already told me to start taking vitamin C! Lol I know if your like me its just a relief to have a dr that understands! You and your family are in my prayers my friend! (((HUGS))) Shannon

[laratterman]

Re:  Good things heard about Dr. Di... Me too!  I am cautiously optimistic right now.  Hard to get real revved up on having this surgery, but not willing to give in to life as I now know it either!  LOL!

Thank you so much for your prayers!  And, if I may, please pray that I stay healthy!  Any delays will mean I don't get the surgery, as my insurance runs out on April 10th.

Blessings!

Lori

[mikeysmom1995]

Hi lori,
Many prayers to you and your family. I've heard good  things about dr. Di.
Barb

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I see u r going to take ur wife to Dr Di...there r several members here that have gone and like Lori were well pleased.

I hope u will share ur story with us and ur experience with Dr DI.

Glad to have u as part of our chiari family here, sorry for the reason u had to seek us out.

"selma"

[lesamptyme]

Thanks for your quick response and info....I will write you again and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers too!
Steve

[laratterman]

I was very impressed with everything we experienced at CC and with Dr. Di!  He and his staff were very "to the point" and kept me "on track" when I was answering the questions and during the exam, but were also very ready to listen and answer questions.  I think you will be blessed by this experience!  (That will be my prayer for you!!!)

Also, if you have to travel to CC, we stayed at the Comfort Inn at 18th and Euclid.  The hospital's medical concierge recommended it (it is MUCH cheaper than the one's there on campus) and the staff was wonderful there too!  There are several places close that are very good to eat too!  The hospital's rate at the CI is only $68/night + tax... just FYI.

Please let me know if you have any further questions!

Blessings!!!

Lori

[lesamptyme]

Good luck with your surgery! I am new to the community and just posted a note when I read you are seeing Dr Di at the Cleveland Clinic. My wife and I will be there to see him in 2 - 3 weeks and were curious about your impressions of him.....we need to do something urgently as my wife is in constant pain. Thanks for any insights!
Steve

[laratterman]

I added me to the surgery list right after I posted my message.  Steve will probably do my updates, though not 100% sure right now.  Logistically, this is not easy, as I know many know.  Cleveland is a 5-6 hour drive from where I live.  Fortunately, Dr. Di will do this on a Friday though, so I will be in the hospital over the weekend, and if no problems, will probably be released on Monday.  I do have to go in on Thursday though, for all of the pre-op testing.  (I'm really praying for NO colds/flus and no UTIs!  I have managed to be free of them for some time now... knock on wood!!)

I think I will be dosing myself with Emergen-C and perhaps a once/day of Airborne.  I took these daily when I was working in a huge office of more than 1000 ppl and managed to avoid all but about 1 flu bug/year.  I will pray for the same results now... and that that ONE bug won't catch me at the time of surgery!  LOL!  (If it has to get me... bring it on now!)

I have another Chiari pal who had her decomp done with Dr. Di.  She woke up from surgery sans symptoms!  (She did have pain at the incision point, but all else was alleviated!)  She was symptom-free for three years and has just started having some recurring symptoms... but hey, I've dealt with most of these symptoms for 15+ years and I have been able to manage them for all but the last two years.  If I can get three years free and then start back at the beginning, I'm all for it!

ChiariWolf, let me know if you have any advice/info to add with regard to Dr. Di!  Good, bad or indifferent!  Also, did you have endo?  I know he did the other surgery prior to 2003.

All, basically, the endoscopic procedure is less invasive. He also does not open the dura unless absolutely necessary.  It doesn't "open you up" as far, so it doesn't leave you as suceptible to as many problems (ie: CSF leaks), infections (ie: meningitis), etc.  (In a nutshell, this is what Dr. Di explained.)  I just sounded to me like a much safer way to proceed.  No one WANTS to have this surgery... but at least we have choices when we have to.  I just liked this choice for me.  I will know more after the fact, of course... and I will keep you all posted!

BTW - I don't have a syrinx, so we don't have that to contend with, unlike so many of you... just FYI.

Thank you so much for your prayers!  I fully trust in the power they have... and right now, they are the only thing keeping my nerves in check!  LOL!

Blessings!

Lori

[*Stormy*]

Good luck Lori!! I am interested to hear if there are any differences post-op from having an endoscopic procedure. That is such a great advance!! Take care of yourself and get lots of rest to boost your immune system.

Carolyn

[rod44]

Hi Lori, I hope things go smoothly, I pray your surgery goes to plan and is a success. Please keep us updated :)


Ray

[selmaS]

Lori....so glad to hear u r in good hands and that the dr was willing to get u in b4 ur insurance lapses.

ChiariWolf had his surgery with Dr Di as well.....

Remember to post on our surgery date thread along with who will be posting updates on u!!

Sending prayers for no cancellations or set backs and of course an uneventful surgery and recovery .

Godspeed
"selma"