I was diagnosed in Sept. 06 and had surgery just before Christmas at the age of 38. I am writing this because after I was diagnosed with AN I jumped on the internet to learn all I could about my condition. I was able to look up a lot of good information about what was going to happen surgery wise but not about the human aspect of the surgery. Was I going to have headaches, how soon would I be back to a fairly normal routine, etc. Everything I read was negative, negative, NEGATIVE!! It really frightened me some of the testimonials. I am a positive person and my experience with my surgery has been good and I want to share with you that it is going to be OK.
My surgery was the Trans Lab because I had severe hearing loss, it was 5 1/2 hours at Loma Linda Univ Med Center here in Calif. While in the hospital I had to have a second surgery for the CSF leak coming out of my nose. After 6 days I was discharged to home. The first week I was weak and dizzy. I walked with the assistance of a walker and needed help getting out of a chair because of the abdomen incision hurt. The second week I was walking with only assistance from my husband. I had to have another surgery because my abdomen had a very large blood clot that needed to be removed. Minor surgery and I am glad I went ahead with it because I have healed much faster. The third week I was walking by myself outside and around the house. I was even attending my graduate classes twice a week, my husband drove me. The fourth week I started driving around my town. Now, six weeks later I am driving on the freeway and at night. Not too much because I tire easily from concentrating so hard and looking around. I did have Bells Palsy the second week but went away after 2 weeks. Now that I did not like because my face froze and my eyelid would not work so I had to really protect it and I still tape it shut at night.
Even though I had to have 2 extra surgeries from complications I have done exceptionally well in my recovery. It has been six weeks and I am almost back to my normal routine. I have come to the conclusion that the more I am active the less imbalance I have. Each week that passes I am getting better and better. I have had an awesome support system with my family and the prayers of my church family and this is what has sustained me. My outlook on life has changed. I do not take for granted anything and do not let the little things bother me. I think the main reason for my recovery is that I went into the surgery with a positive attitude. I faced my condition head on and I conquered it one week at a time plus I am starting student teaching in February and that was a motivating factor. I do not want to postpone. As of now my plans are full steam ahead to start next week Feb. 5. God Bless!!
