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