Hi Michelle,
I am right handed, but because my tumor was, in Dr. Bartels’ words, jammed up underneath the Cerebellum which controls coordination, is why I am…well….un-coordinated….lol. When I had my staples removed last week Dr. Bartels informed me that is also why I had such a long surgery. The tumor was “sticking� to my Cerebellum. They had to carefully dissect it. He did say it was very successful, just long. The coordination should come back with time. I’m already doing dramatically better…with typing, handwriting, shaving…..sounds silly but I couldn’t shave. Couple that with I have a goatee and sideburns; I couldn’t do the “detail� work. I shaved with my left hand the first few times and Sam had to do the detail work. As of Wednesday of last week I can do it all myself. My handwriting still needs work, and that will just take practice, but is so much better than 2 weeks ago. Typing is almost back to normal.
I feel like I had a 2 gig stick of RAM installed in me brain. My thoughts are so much more free, light, and clear. I never knew what was holding me back. I also couldn’t understand why my memory was fading. I used to have the mind of a steal trap. I never would have thought a tumor, but glad it’s out!
The eye is constantly dry and is a sore spot for me. If I use Genteal PM gel its great, but it’s the consistency of Neosporin so I can’t see. I’ve been trying to use the Genteal Severe eye gel; I just have to re-apply often. But then again….can’t see, but it is tolerable enough to read and drive, etc. Oh well…..have to keep it lubed. It does suck, bad when you get the “gritty� eye thing….not a good feeling.
I’ve been walking around the neighborhood. I started last Thursday, 2 week post-op date, with 1 mile. I walked 2.5 miles this morning. Didn’t set any land speed records, but it felt great. The undulations in the pavement feel so extreme. Walking is good practice and is helping with that sensation.
My incision is beautiful. Dr. Danner (Dr. Bartels’ partner) sewed me up and did an amazing job. The incision was never red, always flesh colored and is fusing so well. My cut is longer that most people….from my head to my ear lobe……and I am so happy to say looking great.
I am supposed to go back to work next Monday. I think I’m ready for it. I emailed my Dr. Bartels today for a go-back-to-work note. I am awaiting his response. I have a desk job, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I think I can do it, but don’t know until I try. Part of me desperately wants to get back to some normalcy. I meet with my boss on Friday and I’m sure he and everyone else in the office will be “easy� on me at first. We shall see.
There is still no movement on the right side of my face. I am only almost 3 weeks post-op so I need to be patient. I do have sensations of tightness, pulling, and creepy crawlies on my face. I assume this is a good thing. I feel like I’ve been in a fight. My face “feels� swollen. Every time I touch it, I do it very carefully as to not hurt it. When someone else touches my face, it hurts. I feel pain, so I assume that is a good thing. There are certain areas that are very numb, but I can feel touch….it just feels as if it were shot full of Novocain. I’m very self-conscious of my facial palsy, especially in public, but I just need to remember….at least I can walk, I can drive, I can feed my self, I can swallow, I can use my limbs, etc. The face not working all of a sudden is less important. Only time will tell. Did anyone else have these or similar facial sensations and how long did use of your face take to return to normal or close to normal?
Thanks for listening to me ramble…lol.
Also…..I have to add this little note because I lived with them for 9 months. I DON’T HAVE HEADACHES!!! I used to have excruciating headaches. I would call Ibuprofen “candy�. I took enough of them a day for it to be candy…lol. I am so happy to say I don’t have them any longer.
Adrian
