on the road to recovery

[MAlegant]

Hi all,
For Anne Marie--yes, they shaved a neat vertical one-inch path behind my ear, down to the nape of my neck.  I have a really cool scar, though! 

Today is day 6 and I feel about the same as yesterday, maybe a little worse.  Weaker, dizzier, a bit more pain but I had a much better night so maybe it's a trade-off.  I am ready to resume my life now, why isn't my body cooperating? How type-A is that?
Marci

[Debbi]

Patience, Marci, patience!  It's really hard for people like us to be patient with our bodies during the healing process.  All I can say is that you really have to listen to your body and give it what it demands.  As for the patience, I'm still trying to learn that one... 

Debbi

[satman]

congrats marci,sounds as if everything worked out great.
so you still have facial animation,does your eye blink and close ?
the whole dizzy, tired thing will pass,hang in there. congrats!

[cmp]

Marci--

Wow, you made it home in record time! Glad you are safely through (and yes, officially a postie!), though sorry you are still experiencing discomfort. For me, the second week got a whole lot easier, but then the third was horrible! (Partially that was because I had a doozy of an asthma attack that took several days to even recognize as such, but it was also because I was pushing myself too hard and my body was in major rebellion. So, like others here, I will counsel...be very very patient! Get lots of rest! Be very gentle with yourself!)

Re the yukky hair dilemma--I'm glad you were able to shampoo; you must be feeling a million times better. I didn't shampoo for two weeks, as per my doc's instructions, but I did use a dry shampoo on the front part of my hair (far far away from my incision), without which the wait to suds up would have been unbearable...

Hope every day finds you a little stronger...

Carrie

[Kaybo]

marci~
I will tell you what I tell everyone:  Always remember as you heal and feel better that it is OK to have the occasional "bad day" and listen to your body - don't push it!!
Sounds like you are doing great!
K

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Marci:

Don't apologize.  I was the exact same way when I got home from the hospital.  I wanted to be 'good as new' immediately, if not sooner.  I did push it a bit but with no adverse consequences.  I can't advise you to do that but I understand why you might want to.

I was driving within 2 weeks of my surgery (with my doctor's permission, of course).  I was doing routine stuff (walking, shopping) within 3 weeks and never looked back.  Sure, I got tired, but I just went to bed a little earlier and slept a little later (being retired without small children to watch has it's benefits). 

Your recovery is impressive and I think you're going to come out of this just fine.

Jim

[MAlegant]

Thanks for the encouragement gang.  I will try to be patient (write one hundred times on chalkboard) because I know it's actually the best route to recovery.  Satman, my face (right side) is numb but is still smiling and blinking, though my right eye is very watery, tmi?  Also, watching me eat is entertaining since I can't feel my chin or bottom lip and therefore can't feel food when it falls, which it does.  Very amusing.  Carrie, the shampoo was an adventure that entailed me washing with my husband holding saran wrap around the incision.  He says he can't take that kind of pressure so next I will just wash the front of my hair and wait for doc's ok for the whole head thing.  Did listen to my body today and took a two hour nap which seemed to really help.  I have also been walking around the house but still feel uneasy about going outside.  Carrie, how are you doing??  And since mine was a trigeminal neuroma do I have to leave the group?  Or do I get voted off the island?
M

[satman]

no getting kicked off here,you are a lifer!
i'm so happy to hear all the pos news,you are doing awesome.

[Omaschwannoma]

Yeah as satman states, "You're a lifer!", sorry you're stuck with us for better or worse!  Glad you are slowly improving and as kaybo says we all have good days and bad it's how we react to them that matters now.  Go with the flow, do get outside with a friend for walks to help with balance, fresh air does good too.  Slow and steady as she goes, peace!

[MAlegant]

I did take a walk this morning (husband at my side), incision shielded from the sun, and it felt so good.  Not as good as running a few miles, but getting back to that is of course, my goal.  Today is one week since surgery and I feel pretty good this morning, no pain, just an annoying whooshing sound in my head.  Guess those little voices have become a chorus.    

[cindyj]

Know it must have been great to get outside for a walk - wonderful that you are able to do that and so soon after your surgery!  Glad the pain seems better, hope the dizziness is subsiding as well.  You give great hope for others awaiting their treatment

Cindy

[Pooter]

You are WELL on your way!  I didn't get out of the house for several weeks post-surgery, so you are doing very well in my eyes (even the one that doesn't blink all the way yet ).  Congrats on doing so well.  Give it time and patience and all will be well.

Brian

[JulieW4]

Marci,

Having patience during the recovery process is one of the most difficult during this journey.  I think having patience and taking it easy is the second hardest thing, making a treatment decision is number 1 for me. 

It sounds like you are doing GREAT.  I'm sure getting outside helped mentally and emotionally also for you.  I just hate being stuck in the house.  I get so stir crazy. 

I was ready to try to pick up some shifts at my waitress job this week but after double checking with my doctors it looks like I have to postpone that some more because they both said I can't lift anything heavy for 8 weeks.  I don't know if I can wait that long, but then again I don't want to do anything that it interfere with my recovery.

Take it easy.

Julie

[MAlegant]

Ok, I think I see how this works.  10 minutes outside walking is equal to 2 hours of napping.  They shouldn't call this napping, they should call it "deep sleep so your body can heal from what you've done to it" sleeping.  What say you veterans?

[mindyandy]

Hey Marci
I'm glad to hear your doing well......WHAT A TROOPER!!!!!!