{{SelmaS, PLEASE delete my other erroneous posts... my finger kept hitting enter and I wasn't ready... this is the same message, just with an appropriate title. I tried to remove them, but it wouldn't let me. THANK YOU, LOVE!!!}}
Hello to all of my wonderful blessings! Yes! I mean you!!!
Surgery went well. Dr. Di did endoscopic decompression with C-1 laminectomy. He did dura splitting as opposed to completely opening the dura and therefore having to do a patch. He said my surgery went perfectly and there were no problems and no leaks. I can't remember if some of this was already passed along, so bear with me, but he said that even though my "tonsils" were only 5.5mm and 6mm, they were really fat and were pulsating down into my C-1, which was causing it to piston into the C-2. He sees a good outcome for me, but is concerned about the fact that I have been symptomatic for 12 years without treatment. I could very well be faced with permanent nerve damage, but we'll see.
Yesterday was the day I did the most. PT came in in the morning. Though I had been up a bit with assistance, I hadn't walked a whole lot and hadn't braved it on my own. I had to have someone or something to hold onto as I was too unsteady on my own two feet. The PT ended up ordering me on a walker for a while. Also, home healthcare will be coming tomorrow to follow up with some PT and check in on me.
After PT, I had a little bit of an upsetting incident at home I had to deal with (but shouldn't have had to), so I was pretty upset for a bit and it took about three hours to get my head back into line. Once that got better, I got to take my first shower and get all the "gunk" out of my hair. Then we made the trek home. The 6 hour drive took us only about 7.5 hours this time. For a part of our trip, we were driving in a torrential downpour. After a reminder from someone else about the barometric pressure change, I'm sure that added to my discomfort.
Today has been so-so. In all, I actually feel better than I thought I would after this type of surgery, so I can't really complain! I had a really good evening on Sunday evening... and I'm looking forward to more times like that. I certainly wasn't 100%, but I felt ok physically, but really good in my spirit... and that was just really refreshing!
I want to add some encouragement to all of you out there who are nervous or scared. I NEVER got scared. I remained calm with regard to this surgery right up to the moment. (Now there was a different situation with regard to me and IVs... but that's another story! LOL!) I had such a peace in my heart and soul that I can only attribute to the following things: #1, I prayed for peace and for discernment in all decisions, by my doctor and myself... and I had faith that these prayers would be answered. #2, I knew that I had the two best doctors (for me) that I could have - Dr. Di and the Almighty Healer who was right there guiding Dr. Di's hands. Again, I had complete faith in them both. The last thing, I had pretty much reserved myself to shortly after realizing finally that the Chiari was my problem. I knew in my heart, after having progressive symptoms for over 20 years (and 12+ years since it was first diagnosed as a "benign finding"), that this surgery/treatment was the ONLY chance I had at slowing this progression and HOPEFULLY alleviating some of my symptoms.
As far as surgeries go, my shoulder decompression surgery was WAY worse than this. I truly expected to feel like I did the first 24 hours after surgery for quite some time. But I didn't! Friday was surgery. After the first 24 hours (Saturday), the worst pain I experienced was intense pressure and pain in my eyes, and I had to shield them from the light. On Sunday morning, I still had the eye pain, so I asked for all of my meds... went to sleep for about 4 hours... and when I woke up, it was just gone! I was amazed! Later that day, I was laughing with my roommate, and then her family when they came in. I felt pretty good, all things considered!
Monday was a little different. My head and neck hurt when I woke up, had PT, then I had a little incident from home that was upsetting and I had to deal with, so my headache came back a bit stronger. I took my meds and after about 3 hours, it calmed back down, so I decided to go ahead and go home... knowing the car ride was going to be taxing. And it was. We had a 6 hour straight through drive that took us only about 7.5 hours this time :) During the trip we ran into torrential downpours... so the change in barometric pressure I'm sure didn't help me.
Today... I'm doing ok - and again, all things considered - I feel better than I expected to feel by now. I'm waiting for a call from Dr. Di's office, as I am having problems with my tongue. Could be thrush, or maybe Sjogren's Syndrome, as my eyes have been bothering me too. Home healthcare will be here tomorrow, but I don't know if they'll deal with it. I may have to go to Dr. House, my pcp, tomorrow or Thursday for a check on it.
Well, that is the full scoop (and way more than I'm sure you wanted to know) about me :) I just wanted to put everything out there for those of you who are still considering and/or facing surgery. Please do yourself three favors.... BELIEVE in your doctor, TRUST in your faith, KNOW this is the beginning to something better for you... maybe a LOT better, maybe just a LITTLE better, but BETTER nonetheless.
Thank you all for your support, assurance, and your prayers! You are all very precious blessings in my life!
Love, ((HUGS)) and blessings to you all!