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Two Week Post-op From Lori
I am at about 50%. I'm sleeping a LOT! GGCB! (I don't recall ever sleeping this much over such a large period of time.)
I'm still getting dizzy, which I was having problems with before, but not this bad. My headaches have probably been as much, if not more from the head cold! I have been SO congested in my head! As the congestion is easing, my head is feeling better. The “spikes” of pain I was having right after surgery when I would lift up or stand have totally eased up.
I do have to tell you, the post-op wasn't anything like I thought it would be! I really expected a lot of pain... but I didn't have it. I mean there was discomfort, but not a lot of pain. I had about 3 days between surgery and the head cold... so I thought it was going to be pretty easy. I mean, I was weak and wobbly so they sent me home with a walker, but I thought that would pass soon enough. Meds were controlling all else, and I wasn’t taking all I could have. I haven't been able to start the Home Health Care Physical Therapy yet, so I've only done the light exercises they gave me in the hospital to strengthen my legs. But all things considered, this has been a LOT easier time than I ever expected!
Dr. Di told me that people stay in the hospital anywhere from 2 - 5 days. I chose to stay from Friday (surgery day) too Monday. I DO NOT suggest leaving sooner than YOU feel ready! I only threw up twice - right after surgery. And personally, I think it was because they were trying to change my meds. I had been getting Fentanyl and they were trying to change it to Dilaudid. They finally went with Oxycontin and Valium. Viola! I stopped throwing up!
I didn't take all of the meds in the hospital. I only took one oxy most of the time (and I could have taken two, but waited to see if the other was needed.) Also, I only took the Valium a couple of times. Mostly at night to help me sleep. (I have insomnia anyway so I wanted to make sure I was getting plenty of sleep.) The nurses were very receptive to listening to how I felt and what I thought about my meds. I suppose if someone needed more than what they were being given, they would be equally responsive.
As you may have already read, I never got nervous or scared about all of this. Though I really thought I would on Thursday when I went for my pre-op or at least by Friday when I went in for surgery! All I can tell you is, I had really prayed that God would direct all decisions with regard to this and I just trusted that the surgeon, the hospital and the procedure were all through divine intervention and were really exactly what I needed to do. I also knew, without a DOUBT - that if I did not have this surgery, there was no chance at all that I would get better - or worse - my symptoms, which at this time were progressing rapidly, would only continue to get worse! Since my quality of life was already in the toilet, not having surgery was NOT an option… and I just knew that.
And years were just after effects of severe whiplash, even though the MRI showed the CM1. After three years, they just chose to ignore my symptoms and pass me from one doctor to another, tell me I was depressed, and it finally wore me down. The last three years have been hell though! I have now been off work and on disability for just over two years.]]
This was my only option... and I am SO thankful to Dr. Di for his caring expertise and for giving me the chance to have the least invasive surgery with the least chances for complications.
The only bad thing at this time is – due to the length of time I have these symptoms, and because they have gotten so bad, I could have permanent nerve damage. I am very much looking forward to my 6 month and 1 year marks to see where I am, as that should be about where I’ll be at 100%. I remain VERY hopeful that the neck/back/shoulder/arm and hand pain and burning/tingling and the headaches will ease up! I think I can deal with the rest of the Chiari symptoms! (Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pick and choose like that!?)
(You know, now that I'm sitting here thinking of all the people I need to update, I'm going to share this letter in other places... that way I can answer lots of people's questions at once! LOL! Right now, just call me lazy!)
I hope I have answered some of your questions and eased some of your apprehensions!
((HUGS)) and Blessings!!!
I'm still getting dizzy, which I was having problems with before, but not this bad. My headaches have probably been as much, if not more from the head cold! I have been SO congested in my head! As the congestion is easing, my head is feeling better. The “spikes” of pain I was having right after surgery when I would lift up or stand have totally eased up.
I do have to tell you, the post-op wasn't anything like I thought it would be! I really expected a lot of pain... but I didn't have it. I mean there was discomfort, but not a lot of pain. I had about 3 days between surgery and the head cold... so I thought it was going to be pretty easy. I mean, I was weak and wobbly so they sent me home with a walker, but I thought that would pass soon enough. Meds were controlling all else, and I wasn’t taking all I could have. I haven't been able to start the Home Health Care Physical Therapy yet, so I've only done the light exercises they gave me in the hospital to strengthen my legs. But all things considered, this has been a LOT easier time than I ever expected!
Dr. Di told me that people stay in the hospital anywhere from 2 - 5 days. I chose to stay from Friday (surgery day) too Monday. I DO NOT suggest leaving sooner than YOU feel ready! I only threw up twice - right after surgery. And personally, I think it was because they were trying to change my meds. I had been getting Fentanyl and they were trying to change it to Dilaudid. They finally went with Oxycontin and Valium. Viola! I stopped throwing up!
I didn't take all of the meds in the hospital. I only took one oxy most of the time (and I could have taken two, but waited to see if the other was needed.) Also, I only took the Valium a couple of times. Mostly at night to help me sleep. (I have insomnia anyway so I wanted to make sure I was getting plenty of sleep.) The nurses were very receptive to listening to how I felt and what I thought about my meds. I suppose if someone needed more than what they were being given, they would be equally responsive.
As you may have already read, I never got nervous or scared about all of this. Though I really thought I would on Thursday when I went for my pre-op or at least by Friday when I went in for surgery! All I can tell you is, I had really prayed that God would direct all decisions with regard to this and I just trusted that the surgeon, the hospital and the procedure were all through divine intervention and were really exactly what I needed to do. I also knew, without a DOUBT - that if I did not have this surgery, there was no chance at all that I would get better - or worse - my symptoms, which at this time were progressing rapidly, would only continue to get worse! Since my quality of life was already in the toilet, not having surgery was NOT an option… and I just knew that.
And years were just after effects of severe whiplash, even though the MRI showed the CM1. After three years, they just chose to ignore my symptoms and pass me from one doctor to another, tell me I was depressed, and it finally wore me down. The last three years have been hell though! I have now been off work and on disability for just over two years.]]
This was my only option... and I am SO thankful to Dr. Di for his caring expertise and for giving me the chance to have the least invasive surgery with the least chances for complications.
The only bad thing at this time is – due to the length of time I have these symptoms, and because they have gotten so bad, I could have permanent nerve damage. I am very much looking forward to my 6 month and 1 year marks to see where I am, as that should be about where I’ll be at 100%. I remain VERY hopeful that the neck/back/shoulder/arm and hand pain and burning/tingling and the headaches will ease up! I think I can deal with the rest of the Chiari symptoms! (Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pick and choose like that!?)
(You know, now that I'm sitting here thinking of all the people I need to update, I'm going to share this letter in other places... that way I can answer lots of people's questions at once! LOL! Right now, just call me lazy!)
I hope I have answered some of your questions and eased some of your apprehensions!
((HUGS)) and Blessings!!!
:-) Thanks for the update.
Please, Please, Please don't overdue it these next few weeks. I did [yes selma warned me but ....] overdue it a few times and every time the pay was not worth what I did accoplish. Just take it easy for the next few weeks, mons depending on how your body reacts. Your mind will tell you that you are fine long before you body does. Don't listen to your mind, it will be feeling great relief, but your body has been through the ringer.
BTW- yes, I appear to have some long lasting nerve damage as well. Am expermenting with some more natural approachs to try and help with that but no provable results just yet.
Keep taking care,
Wolf
Please, Please, Please don't overdue it these next few weeks. I did [yes selma warned me but ....] overdue it a few times and every time the pay was not worth what I did accoplish. Just take it easy for the next few weeks, mons depending on how your body reacts. Your mind will tell you that you are fine long before you body does. Don't listen to your mind, it will be feeling great relief, but your body has been through the ringer.
BTW- yes, I appear to have some long lasting nerve damage as well. Am expermenting with some more natural approachs to try and help with that but no provable results just yet.
Keep taking care,
Wolf
Lori
LOL you are not lazy..just sane!! Thank you so much for updating us! I heard through FB that things were not going well and I was worried about you, so I am so happy that you are feeling a bit better.
I really wonder about the head cold thing, if it is really a cold or a side affect of the surgery? The reason I ask this is that exact thing happened to me about a week after surgery and I have heard of several others that have had that happen as well. When I told my NS that I had got a horrible head cold right after surgery, he seemed a little concerned as well. It seems very coincidental that it happens to so many of us. It was a really tough thing to get through for me too so I sympathize with you!
As always, you are so inspiring and positive!!
I hope that you don't have permanent nerve damage, it is a fear that I am living with as well. But all in all, whether I do or not, I am still so thankful that I got dx and was given the chance by having the surgery. Plus, I can walk a lot better now so that is definitely a plus!!
Take care of yourself and keep resting! xx
Carolyn
LOL you are not lazy..just sane!! Thank you so much for updating us! I heard through FB that things were not going well and I was worried about you, so I am so happy that you are feeling a bit better.
I really wonder about the head cold thing, if it is really a cold or a side affect of the surgery? The reason I ask this is that exact thing happened to me about a week after surgery and I have heard of several others that have had that happen as well. When I told my NS that I had got a horrible head cold right after surgery, he seemed a little concerned as well. It seems very coincidental that it happens to so many of us. It was a really tough thing to get through for me too so I sympathize with you!
As always, you are so inspiring and positive!!
I hope that you don't have permanent nerve damage, it is a fear that I am living with as well. But all in all, whether I do or not, I am still so thankful that I got dx and was given the chance by having the surgery. Plus, I can walk a lot better now so that is definitely a plus!!
Take care of yourself and keep resting! xx
Carolyn
Thank you both! I am doing nothing BUT taking it easy... no choice at all! LOL! And as far as my Facebook post, I hope it didn't cause your concern. I was trying to let ppl know that I was doing good from surgery, but sick - and that was why I wasn't online very much so you all DIDN'T worry! (I guess, from your response and some others, Carolyn, I didn't do a very good job of that. I will, for now, blame that on Percocet and Valium... my family find this to be an amusing combination for me! :)
You know, funny you mention the head cold thing being common. I had to call Dr. Di's office about four different instances after I got home, in as many days. Of the four, it was this one that had him wanting me back in the CC ER. I couldn't get back to CC that day, so he had me go to a local ER and have the ER doc call him immediately before they did ANYTHING. Dr. Di ordered MRIs with and without contrast and a CINE MRI (that apparently the hospital really doesn't do, but the tech had done before, so they "attempted" and were apparently successful, as Dr. Di didn't have me go elsewhere for it.) Very interesting!
I have been on Mucinex (regular, not DM!) and Vistaril (which my NL had put me on long ago to help with the headaches), along with the Percocet, Valium and Gabapentin since my ER visit. My head, as I said previously, is finally breaking through the congestion, but not completely... and I don't recall a head cold ever lasting this long. So your comment makes me go, "Huh?!"
Just a thought for everyone... and perhaps something to add to the post-surgery list... if there is one. And if there isn't... maybe there should be!
Hugs and blessings to you all!
Lori
You know, funny you mention the head cold thing being common. I had to call Dr. Di's office about four different instances after I got home, in as many days. Of the four, it was this one that had him wanting me back in the CC ER. I couldn't get back to CC that day, so he had me go to a local ER and have the ER doc call him immediately before they did ANYTHING. Dr. Di ordered MRIs with and without contrast and a CINE MRI (that apparently the hospital really doesn't do, but the tech had done before, so they "attempted" and were apparently successful, as Dr. Di didn't have me go elsewhere for it.) Very interesting!
I have been on Mucinex (regular, not DM!) and Vistaril (which my NL had put me on long ago to help with the headaches), along with the Percocet, Valium and Gabapentin since my ER visit. My head, as I said previously, is finally breaking through the congestion, but not completely... and I don't recall a head cold ever lasting this long. So your comment makes me go, "Huh?!"
Just a thought for everyone... and perhaps something to add to the post-surgery list... if there is one. And if there isn't... maybe there should be!
Hugs and blessings to you all!
Lori
Hi Lori! Its so good to hear from you! I'm sorry you got the head cold thing, but glad its finally breaking. Oh, and i saw your fb post about the trip to the local ER, and i'm SO SORRY you had to deal with that kind of dr right after surgery! And dont worry about sleeping so much, if thats what your body needs then do it! Loves and Big gentle (((HUGS))) and You're still in my prayers! Blessings ~ Shannon
LOL..I guess you are when you don't really get a choice!! Just remember that when you do feel like getting up and moving around, bury that temptation to catch up on things. Don't worry..we were just wondering what was going on but I totally understand why you couldn't write about it :)
The head cold thing..yeah it was the longest head cold I ever had as well. I think it was at least two weeks and I have never had such bad congestion up in my head like that..it was too far up even to blow out my nose. I sent my DH running to the drug store for some decogestants only to find out I couldn't take them b/c of my thyroid meds...I was not a happy camper. So I spent most of my days hanging over a bowl of Vicks vapor rub in steam...trying to inhale it in. I am glad to hear that you are feeling a little better now though!!
Take care and thanks for the update!
Carolyn
Ps(We will have to ask Selma about the post op list, I'm not sure but it would be good to have one)
The head cold thing..yeah it was the longest head cold I ever had as well. I think it was at least two weeks and I have never had such bad congestion up in my head like that..it was too far up even to blow out my nose. I sent my DH running to the drug store for some decogestants only to find out I couldn't take them b/c of my thyroid meds...I was not a happy camper. So I spent most of my days hanging over a bowl of Vicks vapor rub in steam...trying to inhale it in. I am glad to hear that you are feeling a little better now though!!
Take care and thanks for the update!
Carolyn
Ps(We will have to ask Selma about the post op list, I'm not sure but it would be good to have one)
Dear Lori,
I am so happy to hear that your surgery went well, and that you are home resting. I have heard such great things about Dr. Di and his incredible endoscopic surgery. It is just amazing to me, and a true blessing. I will pray for your speedy recovery.
Barb :)
I am so happy to hear that your surgery went well, and that you are home resting. I have heard such great things about Dr. Di and his incredible endoscopic surgery. It is just amazing to me, and a true blessing. I will pray for your speedy recovery.
Barb :)
I didn't get the head cold thing but did go through several days of cold, hot, cold hot grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr thinking back that was one of the worst. I just couldn't get comfy one minute I"d have fever the next minute I felt hot as the dickens.
Anyway, good to see you posting. Know you'll have a ways to go but hopefully you are on the upswing now. Resting gets tiresome real fast! But gotta do it....
wolf
Anyway, good to see you posting. Know you'll have a ways to go but hopefully you are on the upswing now. Resting gets tiresome real fast! But gotta do it....
wolf
I love and appreciate you all so much! I just have to say that! The "family" that we have here is irreplacable! Thank you!
Tonight I am back to the insomnia... either that, or my body is just finally coming out of hibernation! LOL! But I AM lying down and I AM resting! I'm being a good as I can... and I'm sure I'll sleep a bit at some point. No worries!
Blessings!
Tonight I am back to the insomnia... either that, or my body is just finally coming out of hibernation! LOL! But I AM lying down and I AM resting! I'm being a good as I can... and I'm sure I'll sleep a bit at some point. No worries!
Blessings!
Thank you so much for posting this. The only thing I'm worrying about for the surgery is the pain of recovery. Seeing your post, and how well you're doing (minus the trip to ER and cold) has really alleviated the little trepidation I had left!
Stay doing well!
Stay doing well!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi Lori...so glad to see that u r doing better...and for the head cold issue...I had a runny nose for such a long time right after surgery...I noticed it in the ICU!!
I really think our sinuses r affected not just by chiari itself, but by the surgery.
BTW Lori...I still go back and forth btwn sleeping and insomnia.....and on May 28th I will be 1 yr post op.
"selma"
I really think our sinuses r affected not just by chiari itself, but by the surgery.
BTW Lori...I still go back and forth btwn sleeping and insomnia.....and on May 28th I will be 1 yr post op.
"selma"
Reading this is really inspiring how you looked at the entire situation with a good attitude. Look forward to reading more of your writings.
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