ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: Darin on July 06, 2009, 06:13:00 pm
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(I decided to create a new topic, if I should continue the same topic, let me know. I thought it'd be less confusing this way.)
Whoa. What a ride! I am really glad my fam was able to post for me, as the last 6 days are kind of a scary, messy blur. I haven't been able to sleep really at all in the PM, so all the days are just a big long blob. It's like just some long, spacious time period of being in the hospital. This is day number 6. Amazingly, dizzeness was not the biggest issue. I would say physical fatigue, and the mental/emotional aspect of 'feeling' like you're never going to recover is. Sitting in the dark, at night, with a sore body, not sleeping, and a loud, puking roommate for 3 nights post op sucks. Sucks bad.
I am starting a petition on moving F3D to F5D. I ate eggs for breakfast on day 5, helped with a shower, and when I thought I turned the corner, my body had other plans. My roommate and I had a friendly vomit competition. Yet, about 36 hours later, I feel amazing. I went for 4 walks today, plus some phyiscal therapy. I was EXHAUSTED after the AM busyness. I had a PT visit, OT visit, a walk, 1st bowel movement(yay!),a speech theripist visit, PA visit all before lunch!
Well, this is my first online venture, and my eyes are getting tired. There have been some unforseen compliciations. I was on a only-thickened beverege diet for a day, due to weak swallowing. My voice is weak still, but am tiny improvements I think today. It's above a whisper now, which is helpful. But my eyes are still getting tired. so i gotta go.
Thanks everybody so much for commenting/praying/discussing etc. It is great. - Darin
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Darin,
Welcome to Postiehood! You've done it! :) Please get well soon and take it easy... "day by day, inch by inch...."
Great to hear from you! Get some rest!
Phyl
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I don't know what to say other than Congratulations!
You'll probably start feeling better quickly. There is usually rapid improvement in several areas in the first few weeks.
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OK, Darin ......
You are now a Postie and you have turned that awful corner of the F3D (F5D????). Now you should see slow but steady improvement. Welcome back to the land of human beings!!!
Keep us updated and we hope for your homegoing shortly ..... then you should see a burst of improvement, just getting home.
Prayers continue.
Clarice
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congrats! ;D
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Darin,
Sorry about the unforeseen complications, but you do sound good. Rest, heal and listen to your body and don't overdo. I hope you are feeling even better soon. As Wayne said, the first few weeks, you'll make amazing progress, especially if you dont try to push too hard.
Sending healing vibes your way,
Wendy
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Darin,
Funny story about the vomit competition! Ughhhh :(
I like your sense of humor.
You are doing fab= on the computer already.
So the f 5D don't count...
Interesting how we all have our own little stories to tell.
Take it easy, listen to your body. It'll tell you when you are overdoing it.
U R doing GRRREEEAT!
Maureen
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Darin,
Welcome back, I am now 12 days out and can say that I really feel good. Yes, the exhaustion comes on fairly quick and you just stop whatever it is you are doing and rest. Had alittle sit back over the weekend with a case of Bell's Palsey. It does get better. I feel for you and the sickness. I had more dry heaves than vomitting,only because there was nothing in my stomach to come up. Now though that is behind me. My taste buds are still really messed up and nothing taste like I know it should. Sucks, whne something really sounds good and you know how it should taste and you put that first bite into your mouth and wham that's over.
Hang in there, everyday is an improvement. They told me to walk, walk, walk, I do and I'm a bad drunk. A friend says I need to give leasons on how to walk drunk without the need to drink. That's an idea.
Patty
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Welcome to postieland. I myself am 3 month in postieland. As others have said b4, rest walk, rest and more rest....it take time. For me it was the first two days...but no vomiting....no headaches, ....no double vision....No medication other than reg tylenol, but let me tell ya , I felt like my body was weighted down by cement blocks...HHHMmmm I dont think the mafia is after me...lol Again welcome to postieland...it gets better day by day
JO ;D
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Darin -
glad to have you back. You've been through quite a bit, but sound like you're moving in the right direction.
I went through the whole nausea/puking thing for 6 days, but had forgotten about the voice "issues". I didn't sound weak, but did a great imitation (unintended) of Mickey Mouse for 4 or 5 days. While I was frustrated by this, my family found it highly amusing - which, truth be told - helped me a lot. Sometimes finding humor in recovery is a great thing ;D
I found that I made progress, though sometimes very small, each and every day post op - and after I was released from the hospital, the progress got better. Sometimes it will be two steps foward and one step back, but you'll get there. Patience!
Best,
Jan
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Great news Darin!
I can hardly believe you are posting after 6 days, I am pretty sure I felt like crap and the last thing I could do was post- good for you.
Each day gets better.
Michelle ;D
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I had F4D -- then improvement was rapid, not even every day but every 12 hours. You'll have the same now, I'm sure! Welcome back!
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Hi Darin,
So glad you're home and done with the not so fun roomate situation!
I think when you can start walking a bit and getting out (but still resting) things really do start to look up.
Your family did a great job posting!
Take care,
Keri
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Hey Darin
Congrats!!! Sorry to hear about the complications (and the barfathon with your roomate) but it sounds like you are on schedule with most issues. I am now just past 1 month postie. I certainly didn't feel like going on the computer after just 6 days...that's awesome. My B.M. issues lasted about 2 days longer than yours did also. Things will slowly, but surely get better for you. I didn't get my voice back or even feel like talking to anybody until day 8 or 9. Also, keep up the walks. I started walking as early and often as possible and at the 1 month mark I took a 4 mile walk (had to shorten it a little the next day as my quads were a bit sore). :P
Good to hear from you
Joe
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Hi, Darin ~
It's always great to see the first post from a AN surgical patient that is starting the recovery process. Welcome back 'postie'.
Although you've had a few bumps in the old recovery road, you seem to be in good spirits. That's a positive sign! I recall (from 3 years ago) how the time spent in the hospital seems surreal. The wild swings of feeling great and feeling awful are not uncommon as your body adjusts and starts to recuperate from what was pretty serious surgery that is traumatic to your body. Believe us, it really does get better. Honest. :)
Jim
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You sound great! Glad to hear it. Welcome to the "other side". :-)
I'm 6 weeks out now, and feel pretty darn good! The fullness in my ear lasted about 4 weeks (kept wondering if it would subside. It does, but it just takes time!)
Hope your healing continues to go well!
Adrienne
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Glad to hear things are going well. Sounds like we might have had the same roommate...but I just plugged the good ear and slept... ;D
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I've made it to day 2 at home, day 9 overall. It was funny reading what I posted a 3 days ago, because I 'foggily' remember posting something. I'm surprised it was spelled mostly correct! My mom made me blueberry pancakes today for breakfast at 11AM. I could definetly get used to someone making me breakfast at lunchtime ;)
It difficult to get comfortable at night, my neck muscles are so sore from the incision, not moving etc. It's really difficult to move my head left to right, and up to down. I like moving my legs and arms, but not my head!
Like Lilan said, it's amazing the progress you can make in not just a day, but 12 hours. From just post-breakfast to post-dinner the same day there seems to be things that are more manageable. I'm walking (slowly) around the house today without a cane! That is incredible to me, considering 4 days ago I was shuffling along with a walker at the hospital. It really seems unreal.
The big post-op issue for me is facial paralyis. Both doctors told me the nerve responded 'extremely well' to stimulation right before they closed me up during surgery. They said it must be due to the swelling, but they are really surprised that it's as severe as it is. I have no movement on AN side, and I keep my eye lubed up at night, and have the pirate patch for night, and sometimes during the day. The eyelid almost closes, but it stings when I take a shower, so I know there is some sort of a gap.
I don't have a certain 'date' to be back at work by, I left it open ended. That is a huge help, not having to stress about that. All things considered, I am very blessed and happy things turned out the way they did. CT scan showed no tumor left as well!!! When my dad drove me home from the hospital, I stuck my arm out the window like I was a little kid flying. It was so incredible. It's like the feeling you get when you take a really long road trip, and you finally get home, except multiply it by a couple million times. Talk to you soon - Darin
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Darin .....
So glad you are home and doing very well. Little by little, step by step .....
Clarice
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Sounds great Darin. Believe me, it keeps getting better as time passes. ;)
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Darin
Glad to hear everything is going well for you.
Your paragraph on the facial paralysis/eye issues could be cut out and pasted under my name. Everything you experienced, so did I, right down to the pirate patch(I used it from time to time for the first week and a half). The only difference is that my doctors told me pre op that I would have the facial paralysis for 6 months to a year. Of course everyone progresses at a different pace, but I am optimisic because I started to get the slightest movement around the corner of my mouth at 3 weeks post op, and it seems to be improving slightly day to day.
Also, there is a lot of info under the 'eye issues' and 'facial issues' sections under the ANA discussion forum.
Milk those breakfasts for as long as you can ;D(mine stopped coming after 2 1/2 weeks).
keep up the progress.
Joe
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Ditto on the ditto Joe said... i too had a facial nerve that 'responded well to stimulation' then decided to take a break and do nothing after surgery. I didn't expect the facial / eye issues at all. I've found a lot of help int he eye issues / facial issues section. Because of the lube, ointment and all that, I haven't done the taping thing with my eye. And now (5 mths post) it's closing more. It tears on its own as well (it just starts tearing sometimes when i eat) so i guess it's keeping itself somewhat moisturized, so i don't have to put drops or gel in as much. my mouth still feels weird, but to most people now, my smile looks pretty normal.
I'm glad you're improving. Blueberry pancakes sound great! That certainly must help!
Keri
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Hi Darin,
Scary stuff eh? Sounds like you're heading in the right direction. Keri had good advice a lot of great reading on the facial area if this site. Ask lots of questions no sense reinventing the wheel we are here for you.
Welcome to the other side, feels great to move forward and appreciate all life has to offer.
Michelle ;D
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Hi Darin...Glad to hear you are doing well.....did you read the post from your brother in-law about you waking up n rubbing your fingers together by your ears....i really had a good laugh...becouse he was oblivious to what you were doin.
Baby shampoo will help w/ the stinging of your eye in the shower. :)
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Hi Darin,
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but I know you said you eye stung in the shower. I use swimming goggles and they work great!
I have also stuck foam on my sunglasses (see eyewear). This gaget has helped me return to my regular activities outside without any worry of my eye.
Michelle ;D
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Hey Joe - When I went to the grocery store for the first time today, I purchased some of my own pancake mix, anticipating the day when the offers stop. Thanks for the heads up.
Cin605 - That was really funny reading about my impromptu hearing test in ICU. Once I read about it, I do remember doing it! I remember being unsure of the results though. Funny, funny stuff though. My whole family had a good belly laugh.
Mimoore - I actually tried my swimming goggles out. It's so tight on my incision, but I think it'll work better when the scar continues to heal. Baby shampoo is something I'll have to get though. 'Garnier' is just too tough.
I went out for lunch for the first time, it felt SO nice to look at a menu and enter civilization again. I had a burrito and took FOREVER to eat it in tiny bites, but I was in no hurry. It's not like my couch has loneliness issues or something. I walked back and forth on my ten foot long deck about twenty times today, tomorrow I think I'll try the sidewalk! Going thru learning how to walk again really makes you appreciate the little things! Bye for now - Darin
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Darin- Nice name. I just recovered from AN surgery(right side 3.3 cm)- almost 2 months post op. I just turned 29 yrs old. I too have facial palsie on my AN side- HB grade 5 I believe. Life is normal now outside of the palsie- I drink and party and get wasted just like b4 ;D My doc's told me 6-12 months to recover since my nerve was intact and had some stimulation but not much after surgery... I can move my AN eye brown down but not up and can also close my eye with effort- I know what your going through.
Darren