ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: nteeman on January 24, 2009, 02:38:43 pm
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Greetings all:
I just wanted to post something before my surgery. I have been occupying myself with chores and being with my wife and kids, trying not to think too much about Tuesday's events. I got a real short haircut today so managing my bandaged head won't be as much an issue. As far as I can tell everything is set and ready to go (insurance, disability, etc.) While I am pretty good during the day I must admit that I haven't slept well for a while. In a way I still can't believe this is happening to me. I just try to keep myself focused on the recovery and not think about the operation. I set mental goals for myself - wake up in recovery room - get from ICU to regular room - go home. I plan to keep focused on the next step as I go through each part of the process. I'll have my wife email Debbi with my progress.
Tonight I'm planning to treat myself to a Chinese Food dinner. Tomorrow some more chores then on Monday, the night before, I plan to watch my 8 year old son's wrestling team practice -- it is very entertaining.
Wish me well and all kind thoughts are appreciated.
Neal
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Sounds like you are right on track with what you are doing. Having goals was so important during my journey. I have said this a bunch of times, but before you know it - it will be a week later and you will be on the mend. Remember that you are not alone, roll with what is going on and let things work themselves out. Please post what is going on and I will pray for your speedy recovery. Keep us updated.
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Good Luck Johnny! Everything will be fine and many prayers are with you. Mickey
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Good luck!Looking forward to hear about your journey.Get plenty of rest & remember its O.K. to ask for assistance.
Cindy
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Neal,
Best wishes as you approach your surgery date! It sounds as though you're doing all the right things to prepare for it by trying to stay focused on other things and looking ahead to the recovery stage. Since you'll be asleep during the operation, you don't even need to think about that part of the process! I hope that you'll remember all the encouragement from the New York lunch group a couple of weeks ago and will rest assured that we'll still be cheering you on.
Thoughts and prayers will be with you and we'll look forward to your updates!
Catherine (JerseyGirl2)
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Neal:
You're on the right track! Staying relatively busy before surgery and focusing elsewhere is always a sound strategy. Setting goals is what I did and the strategy worked out well.
The surgery will have you 'asleep' for however long it takes and pretty tired and 'groggy' immediately afterward. Assuming you have no real complications, having the anesthesia eliminated from your brain and body may take a day or more, then you'll begin to feel better. Sitting up in a chair was my first 'accomplishment', post-op. Then, walking the halls (with my wife by my side) was the next. By Day 3 I began to feel relatively normal and was able to eat, a somewhat major achievement, considering the quality of hospital food. By Day 4 - out of the ICU and in a 'regular' (semi-private) room, I still tired easily but was becoming anxious to go home. By the late morning of Day 5, the PT nurse made me demonstrate that I wouldn't fall down the stairs and could navigate by myself. That having been accomplished to her satisfaction, my doctor's assistant (also a neurosurgeon) signed off on my discharge and I was enjoying brunch at a nearby eatery with my wife and adult son by noon that day. Once home, I slept a lot but slowly regained my strength and was pretty much ready to resume my normal life within 10 days of my discharge. My doctor gave me permission to drive two weeks after my discharge and I never looked back. My recovery was quite rapid and within a month of my surgery I was doing pretty much everything I did prior to my hospitalization. The fact that I'm retired likely helped - no job to deal with - but I don't lead a sedentary life, by any means.
Not every AN surgical patient has the same experience and 'your mileage may vary' but with a successful surgery and absent any serious post-op complications, with your goal-oriented attitude and family support, you should do well. In the meantime, know that many, many people who know what you're going through are sending you good thoughts and including you in their prayers. :)
Jim
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Hi Neal,
Keeping yourself occupied in the days leading up to your surgery is the best medicine, in my opinion anyway. Watching our eight year old's wrestling team sounds like a fun. I'm sure you will be very good hands on Tuesday. You know you and your famiily will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Hi Neal,
Your story sounds familiar. I was so busy right up until surgery that I really draw a blank about what happened during that time. I didn't remember conversations I had w/people, but I remembered everything from the moment I woke up after the the surgery. I think I was in hyperdrive. Don't worry...you will have plenty of time to rest after the fat lady sings!
Priscilla
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Neal,
I'm wishing you all the best. Stay strong.
Joe-
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Neal,
As my mom has always reminded me.... "this, too, shall pass...."... and the time will go quick and keeping yourself busy until then sounds like a good plan. We're cheering you on and before you know it, "Postiville" will be here for you! And we'll still be cheering you on!
Hang tough!
Phyl
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Best of Luck, Neal! My thoughts and prayers are with you as you get to postieland. Staying busy and getting mentally prepared for the next chapter is what I've done and it really helped me so much! Gave me some peace of mind, some relief from the endless "whatif" head game I played with myself 24/7, and paid off. My surgery was 1/13, the 3 days post-op are but a blur, and I'm on my way back!
Let us know how you're doing when you can - or even better - have someone be your spokesman so we can keep tabs on you. Keep doing what you're doing! I think by all the responses from this group, you see that you're right on target!
Kathy
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Neal,
Good luck with your surgery! I will have you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sue
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I know how you're feeling my surgery is tomorrow - Yikes! Emotions running strong. The waiting I believe is the hardest part. Just hitting me hard now. You'll be great and we will both be recovering together.
Jen
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Neal,
I am sending you good luck vibes from frosty Ohio. Soon it will be over and you will be on the road to recovery.
All best,
Marci
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Good luck to you, Neal, as you "head" towards surgery. I do hope it all goes smoothly and that your recovery is uneventful. We love uneventful and "no drama" around here. Boring is a good thing.
Take care,
Sue in Vancouver, USA
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Neal -
best wishes for an uneventful surgery and a swift recovery. Put yourself in the hands of your very competent doctor(s) and you'll be fine. The best advice I can give you post op is to just take things as they come. You really don't know what you'll encounter, but try to keep a positive attitude. You'll also find that patience helps a lot.
You'll be in my prayers on Tuesday. Is someone going to let us know how you do?
Jan
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I thank you all for your kind thoughts and words. I just finished my last pre-surgery workout and look forward to (slowly) resuming my routine (I row on a Concept 2 rowing machine 30 minutes a day) as soon as possible. I am keeping busy but will check in again tomorrow evening.
Thanks again,
Neal
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I think another person is also having surgery tomorrow. You are on the prayer list for your surgery and recovery. Remember to stay strong and all the stress will soon be done. Please keep us informed. Prayers from Florida....
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Neal,
Cheering you on from Los Angeles...you will have a lot of prayers on Tuesday. We look forward to hearing about your adventure on the other side!
Linda