I'm enjoying this forum very much and realize what a ride I've been through. I never really had a chance to get support through the whole process and have always wondered, "When do I get my meltdown?" Well, i don't think i'm going to do that but a recap and you'll understand. Bear with me- It was one of those "God you've got to be kidding!" parts of my life.
1. Husband transferred to Bremerton WA Oct 05. I stayed in Corpus ChristiTX with 3 teens so one could finish h school and another starting college in San Antonio. Had been feeling like doo doo for years. Dizzy, almost dehydrated, just recently noticed left sided hearing loss when using cell phone. Tinnitus x 20 years, after an ear infection. Couple of work ups through the years, but never an MRI. You had to be practically dead to have one, as they were new 10-15 years ago.
I decided to ignore the symptoms for many years while being the supportive wife/mother/nurse/military spouse.
2.Hubby transferred-prompted me to go get that hearing test. Ringing worse.
3. ENT doc -not military did audiogram. Had MRI because of left sided hearing loss. February 06
4. No word about the MRI. Figured it was OK. Made my
own appt with ENT doc -remember I said civilian doc. End of March 06
5.I'm working, doing home health visits. Stop in for my follow up that I scheduled.
He had not seen the result of the MRI until he slapped it up there on the screen. NO ONE had informed him of a huge AN pressing against this pt's brainstem.
6. I'm sure he just about dropped dead. He said well there's something here and you're gonna need brain surgery. My first response was "Well, no wonder I've been feeling like doo doo!" I'm using nice words.
7. He called in his staff and gently scolded them about not being informed of this MRI.
8. I was in tears, when I left. They said "Have a nice day."
9. Tried to call my husband in WA. He left cell phone at home. Meanwhile, getting ready for a trip to K.C. for my dad's 80th bday. Got a hold of hubby at 10 pm, told him the news, flew to K.C. for the party. Didn't tell anyone other than 2 sisters. Great party.
10. Got the run around with the surgery. First in San Antonio-Wilford Hall. Great surgeon. Kept putting me off on the date. All those active duty people.
Finally said July 5th. HELLO I have this huge tumor smashed against my brain stem!!! Can we do it a little sooner?
11. Found a doc in WA at Madigan Army. My hubby is an occupational medicine doc, and just that week signed off a back to work permit for a woman who had an AN removed by the same surgeon I would have. So basically she was my only support during this time. She emailed me on her ordeal, and how she recovered. I thought no big deal. I'm a nurse- just get this thing out. Didn't really think of the ramifications. Too busy.
12.We had coincidentally bought a new home in WA since I would be moving up in 2 years, so I traveled to WA in June 06, kept the 2 older teens at home who were working. Neighbors were great, sister came for one week. Recovered in beautiful cool WA.
13. Other kid stayed with gparents in Longview, WA.
14. Had surgery June 14 or so. Glad to be alive. Lost 2 pints of blood, due to the bloody nature of the thing. They were amazed I didn't stroke out... (Thanks God).
Hearing/facial nerve cut. Headache from heck for 6 weeks. Went through about 3 bottles of narcs. Finally weened myself off to Tylenol and Motrin.
15. Back to surgery-Day after surgery decision to stitch the eye shut then and there with a pretty cotton ball thing.
16. Tarssorphy a couple of weeks later. Home to TX in 6 weeks with tarssorphy to be a single mom with 3 teens. Did GREAT. Hanging in there pluggn along
17.Couple eye surgeries in San Antonio-friend would drive with me, spend the night prior to the surg. Had tarssorphy reversed. What a relief to have my eye open.
18. Another surgery to put the weight in.
19. Dealing with total facial paralysis. No recommendation to do anything except wait and watch.....
?? I started my own routine exercises as per a PT I worked with -home health RN. Worked some. Able to drive/think.Brain intact. Thank God for that.
20. Had Vital Stimulation to see if that would help the droop which it did. All on my own of course, but was able to get Tricare to cover it.
21.OKAY almost time to sell the house!This ordeal is over! NOT>>>>>>
Find out Hubby gets to go to Afghanistan for 6 months-just at the time of our son's graduation from highschool and move. I'm still feeling wobbly certain times of the month, but like I said the brain is intact, and I'm only suffering from the deafness/tinnitus. No headache.
Sell the house/graduate the kid/send him to college and the other one back to college.
Our house sold in one day. (Thanks God). We made a profit (Thanks again, God). I used the proceeds to buy a small place for winter for when we really retire. I'm patting myself on the back.
My brother does the drive from TX to WA in August 07. Hubby back from Afghanistan in Oct 07. Happy home now
OKay can I have my meltdown yet? JUST now getting on the forum with all this pent up stuff. Would love to write about this in a blog or something or a book, but just don't have the time/energy.
This is the best I can do for now.
Thanks all for listening. I feel better, like this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulder.
I'm patiently waiting to see what the 12/7 surgery will do and then go from there.
Smiles,
Maureen
