Stopping Back To Say You Can Have A Life And Chiari

[Lymanlady]

Hi All
I had endoscopic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, by Dr. De, Oct 20, 2009 for CM. I am now 71 years old. I run 3 miles, I garden, mow my yard, really do what ever I feel like doing. I still have Chiari. Some times my balance is a little off , I have trouble talking at times. Memory problems. I have weakness in my arms that is a lot better than it was before surgery. I think live a pretty normal life and feel very blessed.I wanted to let you know there is hope for us. We can have a good life.
My advice is to make sure you get a good NS. Do not settle for anything but the best. I came close to doing that one. Another thing as you begin to feel exhausted and moving is hard don't give into it.Keep the you muscles that you have as strong as you can. Keep moving. I pushed myself hard and never gave up. I swear that is why I have my life back.
I want to say also the hardest part of recovery was mental for me. My thoughts raced and I was up & down like a roller coaster. It felt like I would have to reach out and grab my brain and hold it so I could think. That finely got better too. Though if I am stressed I really know I have Chiari! :) Thank God I had a friend that when I got too wacked out would give me a good reaility check when I needed it. Too bad there is no good follow up after surgery.
After my surgery I was getting back my strength,vision and life at lightening speed. I think I went through Post Traumatic Syn. One day you can barely move and in two days you are up and can't stop moving, because it feels so wonderful. I didn't know how bad off I was before I had the surgery because it became the way life was. I was afraid that my new life would be taken away. I never want to go back to that bad place again. I feel so strong now I am not afraid any more. Time is a great healer.
As I reread this you can see I have Chiari as I am all over the place, but I am better and I seem to be getting better even after 2 1/2 years. That is what I want you to know.
Have Hope.. I love All Of You,
Sandy



      

[lisaob1]

no more left to say...your an inspiration...with love and best wishes x

[selmaS]

  Sandy thank u sooo much for sharing ur recovery and healing post op experience with all of us....we all need to hear positive outcomes to help give us all the hope we need to keep moving forward too : )

  Thanks again for all ur positive  kind words : )

[irislita]

Thanks for this positive update and it is great reading ur story.i needed that positiveness