New member, symptoms questions.

[stevehernes]

welcome to the forum Mark. I used to feel bad about asking for help, especially with academic stuff. But after giving фcademized https://academized.com/thesis-writing-service a shot, I’ve realized that support systems like this exist for a reason. They helped me handle a challenging assignment while I focused on recovering from burnout. I finally have some energy again—and that feels like a huge win.

[Jill Marie]

Mark, Glad to hear you have a surgery date! Please let us know how you are doing before surgery and of course how you are after surgery when you feel up to it!  Jill Marie

[Mark F.]

Well how I'm doing now just over 3 weeks from the big day is very nervous.   I tell people that everyone else seems happier about me getting surgery than I am.  Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I am finally in the end game and looking forward to seeing some things improve instead of constantly in a slow decline.  But the gladness is only one of the many feelings I have.   I'm also scared to death of the surgery, worried about the outcome, and anxious about the length of recovery time.   

[Mark F.]

Today was a Pre-op appointment day.   Blood work, EKG, vitals, basically making sure I am healthy enough for surgery.   It took longer than I thought it would.  But everything was good.  Basically half a day spent there.   It's getting more real every day, only 2 weeks away now. 

[Mark F.]

Only down side so far is they told me no ibuprofen for a week before surgery.  Ibuprofen is the only thing that seems to cut the headaches down.  It doesn't eliminate them, but does make them more tolerable.  So that last week may be a bear

[Jill Marie]

Hi Mark,  I was trying to think of the things that helped me before my surgery which was over 30 years ago and yes I still remember a lot of that time very clearly.  I was hoping to be able to tell you something that may help you.  Unfortunately we found out one of our sons has cancer not long after your post about the date for your surgery so I haven't felt up to posting. I mention this because I said I hoped you would keep us updated on your progress and you did, but I never replied.

I understand your being nervous about the surgery and outcome, you've had a long time to think about it which doesn't help of course.  Everyone is happy the date is near because we see good things in your future and are looking forward to hearing that the headaches and other problems you have been dealing with are gone or at least manageable.  I'm thankfully a person that is able to get busy doing things I should have done already when I have things on my mind that worry me, that is of course after I deal with the realization of what's in store for me.  Hopefully you have everything planned as best you can now and can immerse yourself in doing projects or something you enjoy doing to keep you from thinking too much.  That of course is if the headaches allow as I read that you can't have the ibuprofen you need.  I so wish I had a crystal ball so I could tell you the outcome is going to be everything you hoped for.  As for the length of recovery time I assume you are concerned about not being able to work, it's always hard to be a patient, patient.  Are there things you can do while recovering that you wouldn't normally have time for? 

I'm glad you got the pre-op appointment done and all went well.  I will be checking the board when I can to see how you are doing just before surgery, if the headaches allow you to post.  We look forward to seeing a post from you after surgery.  Jill 

[Mark F.]

Jill,

Sorry to hear about your son.  I hope things go well for him.  Don't worry about the late reply.  What we all understand on this board is that things happen out of nowhere that we can't control that can turn your life upside down.

I'm in that last week now, and a nervous wreck.   Didn't help that I recently saw all these stories about the dangers of MRI contrast dye, and I'm sitting here thinking that I will be getting yet another MRI with contrast on the day before surgery, making 7 within the last 3 years.   

You are correct that I worry about getting back to work.   I know everyone says you're health is the most important thing, but the bills don't stop because you're not feeling well.

I have set a goal for myself that I think should be easy to achieve.  I always ran a few 5k races each year, except last year as my dizziness made running difficult and I didn't want to just walk them.   But my goal is to enter this year's Turkey Trot 5k on Thanksgiving.   I want to be able to run it the whole way, but I plan to finish it even if all I can do is walk.  I never thought walking a 5k would be considered a goal, but that's how life goes sometimes.

I stopped the ibuprofen early.  They told me at least 7 days before surgery, I stopped at 10 days before.   It's been a little rough, but not as bad as I feared, so there's a plus. 

[skier]

Hi Mark,

I want to send you a link, for some recommended "visualization" tools on a page by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. But sending links is not allowed, but if you google visualization and MSKCC you will find the page, I think.

Background: I had cancer 15 or so years before I had my Acoustic Neuroma. I had time (and motivation) to learn about different guided meditation tools, then, and I found them simple to use and incredibly helpful.

Ten minutes of guided meditation could really create calm and positive self-talk, especially before and after procedures. There's a lot of science behind it, as well.

I was able to use these tools leading up to my AN surgery. Helped me a lot! Highly recommend trying at least once.

Sending you all the best wishes for your healing!

[Mark F.]

Thank you, I'll check it out. 

[DanFouratt]

Mark, slier sent me some information before my Open heart Surgery and it did help, please read it is time well spent.