Surgeon Follow-up

Monday I had my 3 month follow-up appointment with the surgeon who performed my brain surgery in January. First I must say that sitting in the waiting room gave me MUCH to be thankful for. I saw people much worse off than I, making me realize that thought things were difficult for me, there is someone who is worse off than me. Sounds a little rude to say but sometimes I need a little perspective and Monday was one of those days.

As I sat with Dr. Bolognese I was excited to share with him how much I had improved. He was a champion for me but at the same time even he said my case was "no slam dunk." Meaning he was not 100% sure that all my symptoms were caused by Chiari or would be cured by the surgery. However, the progression of symptoms over the past year, opened the door for one of the best surgeons in the country and possibly world, when it comes to this condition, to perform surgery.

Since my surgery I have had no headaches, and many of my other symptoms are gone. However, I still have pain in my legs that has not gone away. It is a deep, pressure pain and they are not sure what it is. He said that if in 3 months it is not gone they will evaluate this. By this time most of what should improve from the surgery should have occurred.

In our discussion he explained when he opened me up what was there was worse than what was showing on the MRI's and CT scans. However, by the grace of God he was able to cut less bone away in the procedure. This is key in my case because the more bone that is cut away can lead to instability in my neck and possibly having to have a neck fusion.

Dr. Bolognese cleared me to increase my lifting (for the past 3 months I have not been allowed to lift over 1olbs, do you realize how many things in your every day life weigh this much. I still have to be careful lifting but for the most part I am free. He has given me clearance to return to work on June 6th and only this long because of the fact that my job requires heavy lifting. I will spend the next month in physical therapy strengthening myself for this task. Oh and no roller coaster riding for me. :-) It is important I avoid anything that can cause a whiplash which could reek havoc on my situation.

I will follow up in 3 months with an MRI. And based on what he sees there, and on my pain he will determine if there is any further treatment necessary.

I must say that with 3 months of no headaches I have been so grateful. Unfortunately in the last 2 weeks I have had headaches nearly every day. It is hard not to be frustrated by this but I have peace that God is not done. I have restarted the muscle relaxers and the hope is that it is related to the increase in my physical therapy, specifically of my shoulders and neck area. We are hoping that it is muscle tension, as they did have to remove those muscles and reattach them so they have been through a lot. Please continue to pray for this as well as for the leg pain.

Blessings

Update long overdue

It has been way too long! I am 3 months post surgery and will be meeting with my surgeon next week. I am feeling much better. It has been a long 3 months. I have had up and down days and still do but they are getting further and further apart.

I can finally sleep without pain most of the time. I am doing physical therapy 3 days a week and on my own 3 days. My physical therapist is fantastic and she is good at pushing my limits. She told me the other day she was really proud of me...which was weird to hear. We are hoping that next Monday when I meet with my surgeon that I will have my 10lb lifting limit lifted. Then she is really going to kick my butt. Each evaluation I have shows that the balance, and right sided weakness is improving quite significantly. This is one thing many doctors refused to attribute to my chiari.

I have not had a headache since the surgery apart from the ones from my brain infection. Every time I have a little twinge of one, I must admit I get nervous. I know that repeat surgeries are not uncommon but my doctor has a significantly lower rate than other surgeons. I am praying that this is it.

I am still not working. If I worked a desk job I could probably return but since I have to lift patients I am not allowed to return yet. I am hoping that if my lifting limit is cleared next week that I can spend May rebuilding my strength so that I can return to work at the beginning of June without risk of injury.

I am keeping myself busy with studying for my last nursing exam, for a medical coding certificate that I am completing as well as doing my physical therapy.

Thanks for all the support! I have received so many cards and gifts and for that I am so thankful.