ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: leapyrtwins on June 11, 2009, 08:11:12 pm
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I just received the following email from Christina, a friend of Lilan's.
"Just heard from her aunt and am happy to report that while the surgery took a little longer than expected, the doctors said that all went well. She will be in recovery most of the next 3-5 days, but may be able to check email next week. Thanks for all your good thoughts and well wishes, I know Andrea very much appreciates it!"
Lilan (aka Andrea in "real life") asked me to put a link to her "hot date" thread in this post, so that others on the forum could follow her story. So here it is http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=9446.0
Jan
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Thanks for the update, Jan. ;)
Good to hear that Lilan is off to a good start.
Steve
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Good to know.
Thanks!
Keri
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Thanks Jan for the update. Wellness wishes continue....
Phyl
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Good news so far.
Thanks!
Moe
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I just want to add in an update that I got from Lilan's aunt (who is staying with her at the hospital) last night.
Her aunt said Lilan's facial movement is fine, though she has a slight swelling under her eye. Other than that she is just counting down the "first three days" - which seem longer than she thought they'd be!
Lilan also said that to preserve her facial nerve, they ended up doing the surgery the way she had explained it in her last pre-surgery post:
So they left the option open of doing middle fossa (best access to tumor), taking what they can, then ALSO going in translab to take care of the vestibular nerves (whack!) if that's the only safe way to reach them (I presume to avoid having to wiggle past the facial nerve).
Hopefully we'll get another update from her friend Christina or her aunt soon - but in the meantime, I just wanted to share some good news. :)
Nancy
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Thanks Nancy, great to hear she is on the road to recovery.
Lainie
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Thanks for the info NL! I have been on pins and needles!
Hang in there Lilan!!! It does get better! Alicia
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Nancy ~
I really appreciated the positive update on Lilan, as did many others, I'm sure. Thanks! It's great to know how well she's doing after all that surgery.
Jim
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Just a quick update...
I spoke to Andrea on Sunday night and she was able to walk around the floor at least once and planned to attempt another walk around before retiring. The bandage is off already! She has been running a temperature. She is glad that she is over the 24 hour hump and thinking she might be discharged on Tuesday and then off to Seton Hall until Sunday. As expected, she is tired. She sounded good on the phone.
As indicated in an earlier post, they did Middle Fossa to remove the tumor (not hearing preservation as she was only 4% in that ear) and then Trans Lab to get at the balance nerve. Her surgery was about 5 1/2 hours.
Kate
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Thanks for the update, Kate.
Wow, a 2 approach surgery, that's a new one :o
Tell Lilan to keep truckn!
Maureen
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Thanks for the updates.
~~~~~~~~ Fast healing vibes to Lilan ~~~~~~~~ :)
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Thanks for the updates Nancy and Kate.
Kate -
did I read your post correctly? Lilan actually had 2 surgical approaches? Very unusual.
Jan
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and it took half the time of what one takes sometimes! that does seem different. well, we'll all be wating to hear the details! i'm glad Andrea / Lilan is feeling a bit better.
best wishes,
Keri
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Back on the Seton computer for the first time! Am a little dizzy but more concerned about the gentleman sitting a foot away from me b/c my first shower is yet to take place, in 10 mins or so! ;D ;D ;D
So yes, to add to my unusual tumor I had the unusual approach described above. Hemangiomas start high (geniculate ganglion) so as Kate indicated MF is the way to get at them regardless of hearing. They also erode bone, and Dr. Brackmann says there was a particular sharp spot ("spicule") that would've been the long-term problem (slicing against the facial nerve). So they were able to widely decompress that area (drill away scary spikes) and also got almost all of it out. Since these are blood vessel malformations rather than true tumors -- more birth defect than anything -- they do not see them grow back. They did leave a tiny piece at one point where the nerve bends to avoid coming at the nerve too aggressively, but they've had patients at 15, 20 years and counting with no regrowth (and now there's room for it to grow if need be -- and room to radiate it should it need further treatment!) So that took care of the biggest future problem, facial nerve.
Because my hearing was so dreadful and balance/dizziness were my No. 1 current complaint, they did the labyrinthectomy separately. There was no point trying to save any hearing with it at 4%, so that way it just removes the whole issue of jiggling around the FN.
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The first four days (F4D) were the worst thing I've ever experienced, but after that it's amazing how you make big strides every 12 hours or so. Back to Seton yesterday, not sleeping great but best sleep yet last night with no lovely nurses checking my vitals! The hosp experience was great for me, I was very comfortable (to the extent possible!) and I really enjoyed the nurses -- they were mostly Filipina and my favorite moment was one asking me if I'd "had a bowel movement yet --- POO-POO?!??" :D :D :D in a singsong voice. That was the first time in days the concept of laughter even crossed my mind!
I was very scared too. I was brimming tears when they wheeled me into the OR. (Dr. Anaesthesia soon took care of that.) I felt confident in the drs., the plan, mentally, but I still wished that I had never heard of any of this and that me nor anyone ever had to go through it. :( The next day in Crit Care the scheduling nurse was busy arranging staffing carefully for the next day b/c they were doing surgery on a 4-yr-old. >:( So that moved my mind of my own misery some.
I was extremely dizzy the first couple days, couldn't even sit up for 24 hours! But then the strides came. Based on what Dr. B said about the bony spike near my FN I think it was best to take care of this now. I am grateful to be safely past the medical trauma of the surgery itself so it helps for those big worries to lessen.
btw LANancy is so great as you all know. Having her nearby has been such a help. On Day Two I asked my aunt to call her to buck me up a little, on Day Six she went and bought us Lean Cuisines and pudding cups. LADavid was great too and you could've knocked me over with a feather when I heard Lainie's voice on the phone and she has a British accent! Our lovely California blonde!
Off to shower. Thanks so much to all and more as I can!
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Hi Lilan,
Thank you for the interesting details. I wish I had known more about my AN!
I'm so glad you get the shower - hope it feels wonderful. Most of all, I'm glad you're doing so much better.
When do you return home?
Keri
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WOW, Lilan, you have made amazing progress in 6 days from all of the involved surgery! Glad you are doing so well. Don't try to do too much ..... be sure to rest and let your body heal!
Clarice
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Great to hear from YOU and to know you're recovering over in Seton! Yes, isn't it amazing how quickly things start to get better once they do finally start getting better! Enjoy your treks through the tunnel, but take it easy...and nap!
Cindy
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I hope I'm not too late... ;D Sit down during your shower and don't make it too hot in there!!! Day 7 is when I fainted 90 minutes after my shower :) So glad you are feeling good - ish - :)
It is amazing how quickly our bodies can recover from the trauma!
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Hi Lilan,
Wow, that is some kind of surgery! Glad to hear you are doing well. You thought a shower would be great, wait until you finally get to wash your hair :D
When you're better, I'd like to find out more juicy details about it. Perhaps I'll PM later.
Your fellow He-Man,
or should it be He-Woman?,
Carolyn
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Lilan ~
Thanks so much for the interesting and informative update. I share your elation with the strides you've made in these few days post-op and trust you'll continue with a rapid and amazing recovery. :)
Jim
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Hi Lilan,
Thanks for keeping us posted and providing us with all the details. I am glad you are doing o.k. and your way to recovery.
Vivian
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The first four days (F4D) were the worst thing I've ever experienced
So what you are saying is that the day of surgery does not count as one of the first three days that don't count. :D
It is sort of cool that you had a hemangioma and got the exotic double surgery approach with scary bony spikes and all. Can't say I'm jealous, though. I am glad to hear that the fifth day turned out much better and that you are starting to feel good again and are on the way to recovery.
Take it easy and rest up.
Steve
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Hello again! Love having the forum full of understanding, kind souls who get it to report to!
I had great appts with the docs today. My stitches were removed and I'm clear to fly home on Sunday as planned. I was up and functional for six straight hours, which was a first! (Alicia, they warned both me and my aunt repeatedly about taking not-too-hot showers! Maybe you were fresh on their minds! :D)
They gave me a scrip for vestib rehab once I'm home to speed compensation up though I am already much, much better. I'll have to adjust to SSD, but since I was down to 4% I think I must've partially adjusted already. As for my face, they graded me an HB 1 today (though I think it's a teensy weaker on that side, maybe it should be 1.2 or something, but that may only be b/c of the stiffness and swelling around my ear and jaw that are making me movement-shy and creaky.) All my vitals are great, fever gone for days, incision healing nicely.
I will have an MRI in 6 mos., then assuming all is well the first time or two they will start spacing them out further. They removed so much tumor and bone that they said the fragment they left behind could grow to 5x its current size before it would be applying any pressure to my facial nerve (and these pretty much never grow). Dr. Brackmann actually almost let the word "guarantee" pass his lips before remembering doctors can't say that ;D, but both he and Dr. Semaan, the fellow/resident(?) who did the hemangioma paper and spent a lot of time with me, said I should basically be able to put it out of my mind in terms of any worries about it. Their study covered patients for 15-20 years to date and they are counting on me to go at least 30 years without any regrowth, so in 28 years, on Dr. Brackmann's 100th birthday, I plan to send him a photo of my 60something self then and thank him again! ;)
(Actually, I told him I'll be thanking him sooner, in Chicago in August!)
So all in all today was a great, great day and I'm truly grateful. There will I'm sure be challenges ahead but seeing this week in the rearview mirror is a great relief.
There's something to be said for being able to go to the potty unaided, too! ;D ;D ;D
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Congrats on the great reports from the docs today - and for staying up six hours straight! Based on both, I'm sure you'll sleep great tonight! :)
Nice way to celebrate your "one week post-op" milestone. ;D
Nancy
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Lilan,
So glad to be reading the posts of how you are doing better by the day and now knowing that you are able to fly home must give you a sense of elation!
It's like walking on cloud 9 when you know you survived brain surgery and the important nerves are intact.
Take it easy, lots of rest and naps and foods that sound good to you.
Congrats on rock'n it!
Maureen
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Lilan,
congrats to you and sending wellness wishes your way. See you in August in Chicago.
Speedy recovery to you!
Phyl
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Lilan:
I am new to the site and have read your posts with interest. Best wishes to you in your continued recovery!
I have facial nerve hemangioma (1.5cmX 1.5 cm X 1.4 cm) that was present on MRI as far back as 1997 however, all imaging that I had done between 1997-2008 was read as normal. I currently am at HB 2-3 and have moderate hearing loss ,pulsatile tinnitus and intermittent vertigo and oscillopsia.
I am currently in watch and wait mode; with surgery planned when either there is facial paralysis progression or tumor growth. I have been told that when the hemangioma is removed my facial nerve will be cut with complete facial paralysis and complete hearing loss as the results. Since I have had facial nerve weakness for so long I also was told that the the likelihood of facial nerve regeneration is poor.
Your story gives me hope that there may be another option. I will be sending my CT results to House for consultation.
BestWishes
Stacey
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Staceyann, I had a facial neuroma removed in 2006 at Univ of Iowa. We knew ahead it probably was one and my neurotologist said he would then take some nerve from by the ear and graft in if the facial nerve had to be severed. It was and the graft was done. We knew it would be several months before improvement and it was. I do not have complete movement but enough my face looks ok at rest. I have eye closure. Still some times of some dryish eye but good most of the time. I feel very lucky that was able to do this. It might be something you can ask your dr if he has done as in hearing others I don't think alot of drs do it. I have NF2 and so far 3 tumors removed and so hope no more. The other 2 were ANs. Good luck with your situitation!
Cheryl R
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Cheryl:
Thanks for the good advice!
Stacey
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Stacey, please keep me posted as you talk to House -- ask to look over their new study -- and see what they have to say about your case. We're making He-Mans the "in" thing this year around here, aren't we ;) HeyCT is right there with us.
Thanks everyone for the continued support. Just arrived back home from L.A. a few hours ago, and hitting my sofa is heaven (with my Tivo, as alumns of Seton TV will understand) ;D. My dogs were sure happy to see me. Lots of time to catch up on computer in the coming weeks and lots of thanks to all of you!
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Hey Lilan,
I'm so happy to see you're back posting from home with your happy pups! Hope you had a good flight home!
It was wonderful that you felt good enough to spend your last day in LA the same way you spent your first - out to lunch at The Grove. And you looked so great - no one there had even the slightest idea you had brain surgery nine days earlier. ;)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3646338370_b0bb753d89.jpg)
One happy postie, 6-20-09
Though I wish you would have never had the reason that brought you to LA in the first place, I was really glad we had the chance to meet. And I'll be looking forward to getting together again in the future - when there's no surgery involved. ;) ;D
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3645531237_817e2f6105_m.jpg)
(Here I am saying good-bye to a very relieved Lilan...or Li'l AN :))
Keep us updated when you can.
But in the meantime - enjoy your sofa, the TiVo...and the naps,
Nancy
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Such beautiful women to give as inspiration.......an let's not forget the hansome Bob, he's on another thread ;D
Anne Marie ox
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Looking VERY good, Lilan! ;D
Thanks for posting the pictures, Nancy!
Jan
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And you looked so great - no one there had even the slightest idea you had brain surgery nine days earlier. ;)
Isn't that the truth!!!! You look wonderful Andrea.
Kate
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Nancy, meeting you was a very large silver lining on this cloudy year and I know we will keep in touch! Maybe I'll have a followup MRI out there sometime even -- or heck -- just a true vacation! :D
To everyone who has posted on here, or on the forum in general, during those dark, slow moments of the early days in the hosp I don't know what I would've done without the mental picture of all of you in mind! Just knowing so many people get through this in good spirits was such an inspiration. My friends and family are flabbergasted with how great the forum was -- how supportive, and how well-prepared we all were for the symptoms, recovery, House, Seton -- it was just hard to imagine how much more stressful it would've been not to have such clear ideas of what to expect. :-* :-* :-* to everyone!
As for the F4D in my case (maybe because my surgery ended at 7 p.m. or so, so the first day was over just with the operation itself), I think the thing is that "days" mean nothing to you at that point -- time was passing for me in about 2-min. increments! I felt like I'd suffer the worst mental and physical 10 hours of my life, then look at the clock and it'd be just 2 minutes later :o :o :o :D :D :D So I may call it the F2880, the First 2,880 2-minute increments. Not very catchy, I admit. :)
Being home is great. I finally got nearly 8 hours of sleep overnight, way more than I'd had yet. And lots more activity at home, even trying to keep it gentle, which is sure to improve my function. The flight went well and wheelchair service through the lines is the only way to go! I don't think I would've done so well standing standing standing and trying to push through crowds, etc. But with the wheelchair service it went fine. I emptied what was left in my wallet tipping the wonderful, cheerful women who navigated us through both airports!
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Hey, Lilan! Great to hear you're home - isn't it wonderful! So glad you were able to spend time with Nancy - didn't it make all the difference in the world having met her prior to surgery. She and David and Lainie are really providing a great service out there! I did the wheelchair thing at the airport also - yes, the only way to go!
Keep us posted on how you continue to recover - congrats on being a postie!
Cindy
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Welcome home! I understand how good it is to be home! It is nice to break the hospital/seton routine. I hope you continue to make great improvements everyday! I can't tell a difference day to day anymore, but I sure can week to week - so you have a lot of bright days ahead. Enjoy these do nothing but rest days. Take care, A
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Lilan ~
Congratulations on a very successful surgery. You look absolutely terrific! Thanks for the very kind and sincere words about the members of this site and the forums. We're all pleased at your outcome and we want you to have a smooth and rapid recovery so, take it easy and post as you're able....and enjoy your postie' status! :)
Jim
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Lilan,
Wow that was fast! Home and resting. You did marvelous. Keep it slow and steady......
I'm sure the airport people were wondering why this pretty woman needed a wheelchair!
Take the good days and the bad days in stride. Baby steps, but you know.
Let us know how you continue to recuperate.
Maureen
Those were very sweet words about the forum. I agree!
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More kind words! Love it! :)
I think the trained eye can look at those pictures and see how stiff my neck is. LOL. Dr. House was more worried about my neck than anything else -- he was coaxing, cajoling and teasing me into trying to move it to the left -- I said it felt like granite. I could not move it a millimeter for a couple days. Now I can move it 90 degrees again but it sure took awhile to get there! ;D
I remembered two things to follow up on that have come up on here:
They did not make me remove my fingernail polish after all (thanks Dr. Stefan!) :D ...
and at 10 days out, my first night back home, I spent the night alone with no problem! I know some posters who live alone have wondered how that goes. Obv. it's individual but I felt quite ready for it, knowing I have a good friend a few doors down just in case. It was very restful to just be home alone with the dogs again! First time I'd gotten anywhere near 8 hours of semi-uninterrupted sleep.
If you live with people, great, but if you don't, I think you kind of play hostess a bit if the overnighters are "guests," and I was relieved not to have to do that at first, to just let down and relax into my usual routine. That's one thing I loved about Seton -- I was no more in charge of running the "household" or knowing where things were, etc., than anyone else and could really just chill. :P
I hope I'll have no major news to report for a long, long time :D but will try to clean up any loose ends about tidbits of advice or my progress as they occur to me in the hopes that it helps others! I am so happy we have at least three he-mans (actually, we're all she-mans) posting here now -- that's three more than I was able to find any info on a year ago when I first heard that word!
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We love sending kind words :)
What a blessing to be home and get 8 hours of sleep uninterrupted!
Every day will be a little different. You may feel GREAT one day, over do it without realizing it, and then the next day feel like doo doo.
It's like a little roller coaster ride of emotions and body aches.
Rest and keep up the great work.
Maureen
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If there's a Laziest Person in America contest, I have my entry fee ready and plan to win! :P
Weather was super-hot this week and I spent lots of time lounging in the air conditioning. I went to a friend's for dinner one night, and had a friend over for dinner last night (takeout) -- went out for one lunch out and one mani/pedi -- and a few short walks -- and that was about it all week! :D I really wanted to get past that two-week mark and avoid the heat! But just being at home I'm doing so much more -- very light housework, dog care, etc. -- a lot more movement than I was getting at Seton.
Just one more day of steroids, tomorrow. Slept really well last night, probably the best yet. And Monday I start my vestib therapy, so then I'll have 3x/week appointments to get to and that will almost make me feel "busy" ;D I think I'll be driving soon, but kind of want a second opinion maybe from the therapist. Overall I feel more like I'm suffering a lack of confidence/ease with movement more than any actual problem, so I'm thinking the exercises will help a lot to build that up in a safe place.
I still have a tennis ball on the side of my head -- a bump of fluid that needs to settle away -- now almost paved over by hair already (which also feels rather tennis-ball-like at this length!). With my combover, it's not even visible (so people probably wonder why I'm so darned slow on the street)! I'm also not moving my head around normally -- my neck doesn't feel as stiff but I seem to be trying to hold my head very still/stable so my movement is not natural.
All in all starting the vestib will be the next big step! Hope everyone is enjoying summer! 8)
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We all have a free ticket to be lazy for AT least 4 weeks!
After all, we had brain surgery.
Sounds like you are doing great.
Keep up the good work, and driving -well, stick to the side streets and see how you do.
Slow and easy. You may find that the vestib therapy makes you more tired at first, but I guess time will tell.
Enjoy your summer.
I live near Seattle and this is MY time of year. Beautiful
Maureen
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Well, today is my three-week anniversary so I have one more week to justify total laziness then! :)
The first day of vestibular therapy I almost passed out :o It was really warm in the room we were in, and we did baseline testing that induced dizziness, and before long I was like, "I'm going to throw up or pass out right now!" The doctor laid me out on a massage table with ice packs on my back and front and within a few minutes (during which I was pouring sweat -- and I'm normally freezing all the time) I was fine. Had a friend come pick me up and spent the rest of the day on the sofa in front of the AC. It was a confidence-jarring experience though. That was Monday.
On Wednesday, I went back and we started with some actual gaze retraining and balance exercises. I did so well she gave me the "most improved" award for the week. Which was made up, but I'll take it :) I felt GREAT the rest of the day -- it gave me a lot of energy and much more confidence in moving. Last night with friends on walk they noticed I was walking much quicker.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, today I'm more tired and even a bit headachy again! (Hence, sitting around lurking on the forum and elsewhere online all day long!) But the doctor told me exactly what you did, that it might wear me out a bit at first, and now that I think about it, it's not too bad by now, esp. now that the Advil have kicked in! So maybe it was more just this morning after that infernal motorcycle woke me up.
The therapy felt SO good though. It really did seem to stabilize my eyes and got me experimenting with a lot more types of movements in a safe environment. Now I'm "off" till next Monday when I have my next appointment, so that's plenty of time to "recover" and be ready for more! I am glad you all have told me to expect the "ups and downs" so they don't rattle me.
Moe, glad you are enjoying beautiful weather. Here in Chicago, it's like October. :D (But given that I'm not doing so well in the heat, I can't complain! The doctor said right after anaesthesia you may well be a little slower to regulate your body temperature.)
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Happy 3 week anniversary. I thought that would be the magic number when I'd just start feeling great again! I was feeling more normal, but still up and down on the days. It's great that you're doing rehab and getting around more. And your picture looks great!
How hot is a heat wave in Chicago? I guess it beats severe cold and wind in the winter, but the heat gets to me too. Fortunately, here in the DC area, we have a pretty nice day.
Keri
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Keri, thanks! Let's see, we've been around 90 some days since I got home, and humid. It wasn't quite that hot earlier this week -- probably in the 80s -- but the place is more of a storefront type of building with light air conditioning, vs. a super-freezing office tower! Right now it's only in the low 70s and cloudy and I don't even have the AC on.
Climate is certainly not this city's strong point! :)
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After surgery I noticed that many/most familiar female voices (be it real people or on television) sounded like Chipmunks (as in "Alvin and the") (not the squirrel-like animal). And a few males ones sounded distorted, too.
LANancy assured me she had the same thing post-surgery -- and as a choir singer is very alert to tone and pitch -- and it went away within a few weeks. (Of course as a skeptic, I wondered if it really went away or if she just got used to the new sounds. LOL)
But I can say that yesterday I suddenly noticed that the voices were normal again. So it took just over three weeks for me.
I also haven't updated on the swollen tennis ball on the side of my head -- it was not improving day to day at all, just staying the same, then suddenly last Sunday, at just over two weeks, it was gone! My friends who visited my Friday I think were almost a little disappointed at how little I have to "show" for my surgery -- just a little "GI Jane" spot on my head when I lift my combover. :D Not very dramatic at all at this point!
On that note, I realize these updates are dull and incremental at this point, but still feel committed to having a nice long thread that may answer questions for future information seekers -- so am continuing to update with that in mind. ;) It may be meaningful to a future poster with a tennis ball head.
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Yep, You are paying it forward for some unknown newbie! That is so helpful, because as time passes, some of the details fade.
Kate
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Lilian,
I'm very impressed you're already posting! Glad to hear that you are doing so well. I hope your recovery continues smoothly and that you're home soon. It sounds like you've got amazing docs who did a pretty fancy dance with your surgery and a great outcome. Take care, rest and heal. Listento your body, it will let you know what you're up to doing.
Sending healing vibes your way,
Wendy
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as time passes, some of the details fade.
Kate, from your lips to God's ear! I sure hope they do! ;)
Wendy, thanks for the good wishes! I'm home! My surgery was June 11 so I'm at almost a month out already -- can't believe how time flies even when doing a whole lot of nothing! I'm very happy with how they handled it -- ask me again in 10, 20, 30 years to be sure! -- but right now it seems to have been the right way to go -- no complaints but fatigue!
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I think the details are helpful to others as well, Lilan. I'm glad the tennis ball head thing resolved!
Keri
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Although I deny any clinically significant cognitive problems ;D -- this morning I took my dog's medicine. :D
I got her pill out but she wasn't immediately around, so I set it on the counter and took a shower (with full hair wash and deep conditioning -- still a notable event at almost one month out) :D
By the time I made it back into the kitchen, I assumed the pill that was "out" was one of mine, and swallowed it down. :o
After calls to the vet, doctor and poison control, it was determined that it was no big deal -- a very mild bit of an antibiotic that is used in humans at much higher doses.
I'm not even "on" anything anymore but vitamins and Advil -- but better start using my daily pill holder just to keep it all straight! LOL! The little things (like a shampoo) require so much mental energy that I seem distracted from certain other things!
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You made me chuckle Lilan. You wouldn't believe all of the crazy things I do and I am on lots of things. Sometimes I just have a melt down and cry and my family things that is even funnier. Oh the ups and downs, but I would sooner laugh than cry.
Take care,
Anne Marie
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I am still laughing at your post lilan!!! I have said "they told me the surgery did not affect me cognitively, but I'm just not sure" so many times!
Here's my stupidest story ... I was carrying my cell phone, picked up some dirty beach towels, draped them over my arm, and went in the laundry room. I started the water, put in the soap and towels and closed the lid...then...Where is my cell phone?? I looked and looked for it. I do not remember leaving the laundry room. After starring in the quickly filling machine for a few minutes - I stopped the water, pulled every wet towel out, and reached in the machine with water up to my arm pit to feel the bottom - no phone. I put everything back in and eventually found my phone in the other room. Did I feel dumb!
Not sure my brain is working as quickly as it should, but it usually provides a ton of laughs! All is well, hope your weeks continue to get better and better!
Alicia
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and I'm glad you didn't wash your cell phone. it's generally not good for them!
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I am glad everyone got a giggle out of my dog medicine story! ;D I am getting a lot of mileage out of that one. :)
It's five weeks today for me! Feeling good -- still some random days when I don't leave the sofa though! But I'm sleeping very well at night now -- usually I don't even wake up once.
I have balance therapy twice a week and have improved a ton! I have my formal retest next week, but the doctor is thrilled with my progress (though doing things while standing on foam is very challenging -- not so good at that!). I'm driving again, too, so now I drive to my appointments! Which is saving me a lot of money in cab fares!
I'm down to three Advil a day most days now, four at most. I can tell if a "twinge" comes on that I need to take one, almost always before any true headache starts up. I am having a little more incision pain as the nerves regenerate and numbness wears off, but it's not awful -- just a sudden, stabbing or itchy/tingly pain that lasts for like a second, maybe three times a day. Just enough to remind me it's there!
So far I've been comfortable with my one-sided hearing. I went out to a restaurant a couple nights ago (in high heels for the first time!), sat outdoors and had no trouble hearing my companion. There were a couple times I had people repeat things but not noticeably so, no more than anyone else might do in a bustling setting. I do want to train myself to say "Pardon me?" or something a little nicer than "WHAT?" all the time, LOL. Actually I think I say "What's that?" right now.
Things I hope and trust will still improve:
1) Stamina! Especially in any kind of heat -- I still feel warmer quickly than I'm used to, and that drains me even more when I try to do much that's not in AC!
2) I still have a "feeling" in my ear that I want to go away! The fullness has dissipated a lot, but a bit more to go.
Things I look forward to that time will definitely cure:
1) Incisions being healed! I am using Mederma on them and they are healing nicely. Note, the phys ther doctor said to also use a 30 sunscreen on the exposed ear ones (aka not covered by hair) to further minimize visible scarring.
2) Being comfortable sleeping on left side again at some point!
I am starting work on Aug. 3, so I need to start getting organized for that! aka, clothes, finishing up any paperwork or tasks I need to do, etc. I have gotten much less done the last month at home than I thought I would! But I knew I needed to use this time to focus on rest and rehab!
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Great update, Lilan :)
You are progressing very nicely.
A couple of more weeks and then "back to work." Hey recuperating from this type of surgery IS work!
Good luck with that.
Stamina will continue to increase.
Ant hopefully the feeling in the ear will GO AWAY.
May come with the SSD.
Unfortunately, I'm still trying to pop my left deaf ear which has a feeling of fullness. :o I've just gotten used to it.
Enjoy the rest of your recup.
Maureen
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Lilan ~
I appreciate the update and celebrate your steady progress toward normalcy. I think that most of your current healing issues will be transitory and you should be doing even better in a few more weeks. I can empathize with your complaint about the lack of stamina. I had the same deficit post-op and even now, 3 years out, I still don't have the same level of stamina I used to. However, I'm probably much older than you and I believe that's a major factor in my case. I assume your stamina will steadily increase as you recover, although it could take some time.
A little over one more week to rest and get ready for a return to work. Enjoy it! :)
Jim
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Hi Lilan,
I could have used a laugh today and you gave me one. I am glad you are doing o.k. and have a sense of humour about it. Keep up the good spirits.
Vivian
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Wow, it's 8 weeks tomorrow for me since my surgery! Time has just flown.
My energy level has increased a lot in recent weeks. I returned to work Monday and have been leaving the office around 3, so it's almost a full day and going amazingly well!
I'd say I'm about 80% of where I want to be overall -- hoping there are still some subtle improvements to come to make up most of the rest of that! -- but with working, driving, dog-walking -- all in all I feel like I'm back to "normal" activities and feeling really good!
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This summer has been like two weeks long. It's ridiculous how fast it flies by.
Good to hear that you are doing better and better. Keep going!
Steve
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Great to hear from you and hear you're doing well! Back to work and all! Good for you!
Keep in touch,
Cindy
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8 weeks ! Wow!
What ever happened to the loud motorcycle on your street? (was that you??) If it was someone else, blame it on my brain surgery.
Keri
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Steve, yes, it has flown by! I believe you will be in Chi next week; if so, we will likely meet then at some point!
Cindyj: Thanks!
Keri: Yes, it was me with the menacing motorcycle noise! For some magical reason, he found a new favorite parking place and that totally solved the problem. Where he was before was right outside my bedroom window, which angles against my neighbor's house and creates a noise canyon/echo chamber! After a couple weeks of it (when I was complaining on here ;) ), he banded forces with another cyclist and they almost always park "together" on the corner, across the street -- it's just far enough away that I barely hear it anymore. Yay!
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Eight weeks and back to work! So glad to hear you're doing well!
Hope you have fun hanging out with lots of forumites next week! (And take some pics!) ;D
Take care and keep up the great recovery!
Nancy
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Lilan ~
Congratulations on your splendid recovery! If you're this good after only 8 weeks, imagine how you'll be in a few more months! I'm 3 years out and my AN experience (symptoms, tests, surgery, radiation, recuperation) seems like something that I dreamed. My balance isn't 100% but the 80-85% that I have is fine. I'm not planning to do any tightrope walking in the near future. My stamina isn't what it was but, frankly, nothing is when you get to be my age. I can do everything I really want to do and enjoy my life. I can tell you have the same attitude and with your excellent recovery, you should. Thanks for keeping us updated. May you only move onward and upward. :)
I'm pleased to learn that the motorcycle guy that was tormenting you with his raucous, early-morning start-ups found a new parking place and your problem was taken care of without a lot of acrimony.
Jim
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A belated thanks to Jim and Nancy, too! :)
I am just updating my thread for posterity to report that at 11 weeks out tomorrow, I now feel better than I did before the surgery. Wayyy less dizzy, and less fatigued as well. Not perfect, quite -- but that thought just keeps springing to mind: I feel better than I have the whole last year! Lots more energy for sure.
Probably some of that is having the decision-making done, the surgery over, and all that stress off my back! But it's amazing how fast we heal!
I am having my two-month re-evaluation at balance therapy next week and expect to "graduate." I went bowling at a rock-and-roll bowling alley where they turn out the lights and run a disco ball -- very loud music, too -- and broke 100 each game ;D -- that was the best balance exercise I've had since surgery I think! (And for sure the most fun.)
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Lilan .....
You are one great success story!!! Thanks for the terrific update. You bring hope to many others out there in the decision-making process!
I cannot imagine bowling successfully ::) (unless Wii bowling counts!), especially with the lights out and a disco ball flashing, to say nothing of the loud music. WOW!
BTW, it was terrific being with you at the symposium.
Clarice
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And don't forget you had a two-fer surgery! Two for the price (or cause) of one!
I'm so happy for you!
Maureen
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Clarice, thanks! Was a pleasure meeting you and your hub and I hope you enjoyed your trip!
Moe, hee! The bills would not indicate it was 2-for-1 pricewise, LOL. But I know what you mean. :D My poor head, violated twice in one day from all different directions!
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Lilan~
HEY! Just thought that I should let you know that I wore my hair CURLY - didn't straighten it - & didn't just throw it back in a high pony today!! Thought you would want to know i was a "curly girly" too!! ;D
K ;)
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Time files yet more -- I'm almost 5 months past surgery and today was my birthday!
It was definitely different having a birthday right post-brain-surgery. Less worrying about numbers, more "happy to be alive to see another one!" :D
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HAPPY DAY, sweet friend!!
K ;D
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Lilan -
times does fly. Can't believe it's been 5 months already ;D
Happy Birthday. 21, right???
Jan
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I was trying to claim 17, but not sure that's going to fly.... ;D
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Very happy birthday to you!
Cindy
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Happy Birthday to you!!!!
It was definitely different having a birthday right post-brain-surgery. Less worrying about numbers, more "happy to be alive to see another one!" :D
I agree! (Another unforeseen perk of brain surgery! ;) :D)
Nancy
(And Cindy - Happy one-year anniversary tomorrow! ;D)
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Hi, Lilan ~
A combined Happy Birthday/5-month surgery anniversary! So glad to learn that your recovery is continuing apace. :)
Jim
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Happy Birthday and Happy Five Month Day!
Steve
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I had my 6-month MRI today!
All went well. It was loud, but only half a loud as last year. ;) LOL.
I drove the MRI tech crazy because I was curious, not about the results, but about how my skull looks. She was the rule-following type and refused to tell me anything no matter how I asked. (Which I thought was unreasonable, since I wasn't seeking a hint on the results -- more just morbid curiosity about my skull!) (Which I already know has a hole in it!) So each time she'd fight me off with a boilerplate answer, I'd say one more time, "But you can see I had a hole in my skull, right?"
No comment. ;D She'd be great in the CIA.
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Glad it went well! Hey, I have a "curly" picture under "Merry Christmas from Kaybo"
K ;D
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Now that's what I expect to see! :D A curly girlie!