Any Advice B4 Surgery?

[xxMusicSaviorxx]

Ok I am scheduled for surgery on the 29 of march. Surprizenly i didnt have to wait a month to have the procedure. So can anyone give any advice before i go under the knife?

[thestolenolive]

Aimee’s To-Do List/Recommendations for Chiari Decompression Surgery
http://mypathtoazipper.thestolenolive.net/?p=81

[dkdean]

Thinking of you (and all others who are peeking in and prepping for surgery!).  I have not had the decompression surgery, but I did have a brain mass that was removed from my temporal lobe in December.  Here are my tips :)

**Try to relax as much as you can...very difficult to do especially with anxiety running high (I spent the day before making sure my ipod was charged and had my favorite music on it...not necessarily calming music, but my favorite tunes--I knew that on rough days I'd need to hear The Killers!)

**Have lunch/dinner with good friends/family and have fun laughing. Take some pics and print them to keep in a journal or notebook.  

**Start a journal or notebook (or a computer document/CaringBridge site) for writing things down (and having someone else take notes for you while in the hospital). It is a great refresher for things you might not remember later on and might bring some laughs (like the fact that I was yelling at my 'neighbor' in the ICU b.c he was being too loud "HEY DUDE!  I JUST HAD BRAIN SURGERY! CAN YOU KEEP IT DOWN??"...I have no memory of this--but it's good to have it written down!!).

**Trust that the surgery will go well and things will fall into place.  People will be sure that you eat.  Your job is to rest, rest, rest...which is tremendously difficult.  I said that I would've made a terrible princess because I didn't do well being waited on!!!  That said, my body needed it.  I slept and slept and then felt guilty (I have 2 small children and my surgery was in the time leading up to Christmas)...My advice--Sleep, sleep, sleep--and feel less guilt!!!  It is okay!!!!

**You won't feel like yourself, but if you are feeling especially anxious or depressed after surgery, please talk to someone about it--a parent, a teacher, a friend, a counselor, a psychologist...I started down the slippery slope and found a psychologist I really like and it's made a big difference.  I also went on anxiety medication.

**Recovery and healing takes time.  If it was foot surgery, you'd know to stay off your foot or to favor it ... it's harder to not use your brain!  Remember that your brain is always working anyway, so trying to limit the other stuff you are doing is helping it recover faster.  You will heal and you will recover!  And, you have a support group here to cheer you on!!!

Lots of luck and we are thinking of you!!!!!

And, if you'd like to msg me, I am willing to send you my CB page to look at--you can read my posts leading up to and after surgery.  That may give you some ideas too :)

[pamk5]

Thanks!  I am sorry you have been delayed.  Mine is not actually scheduled yet... but it should be in the next few weeks.  All kinds of last minute stuff happening since he is just starting to do surgeries again.  Hopefully, for both of us it will be soon.  Good luck with the court stuff.  Hang in there.

[xxMusicSaviorxx]

Well I reacently talk to the nerosurgen that was going to treat me but we hit a slight bump. He is taking a 2 week vacation in april and said he didnt want to preform surgery and take off. I understand that everyone needs a break but said that it is postpone till i dont know when. I was hoping that i get it overwith but im guess not. Now the next thing that im gonna have to face is the court day. I am glad that this will be the final time that i'll have to go to court seeing that our lil family issue should have been delt with last year.

To Pamk5: I wish you well for the sugery =)

[*Stormy*]

I'm happy to hear that you have got your surgery date so soon!! I know how horrible this has been for you and what a struggle you have been having...My advice would be to keep yourself busy enough so that you are not thinking about the upcoming date every second but also, start to learn how to relax and let your body's needs take over. Honestly, that is the biggest mistake most people make post op (myself included) we try to jump back into our lives too quickly.  So start listening to your body now and realize that it can take up to two months to full recover (though it is different for everyone). I too send you prayers and well wishes for your surgery and recovery. Keep us updated!!

Carolyn

[pamk5]

Its all in God's hands... I am sure we will both be fine.  Praying for an uncomplicated procedure and relief of symptoms for us both.  

[xxMusicSaviorxx]

i hope all goes well for you too =)

[pamk5]

I am going to surgery too in a few weeks.  I hope it all goes well.  I will watch your post to see what the others who have been there have to say.  Keep us posted.