ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Kathy M on January 13, 2009, 08:13:30 pm
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finally the wait is over! my mom's surgery ended at around 3:30, almost two hours before they thought it would! Dr. Tew and the EEG specialist Dr. DeAngelis came to talk to my brother, dad, and I about how the surgery went (the pastor also came into the consultation room with us). Dr. Tew said everything went just as they anticipated, but with a few surprises. The tumor wasn't sticky at all, in fact, he said it practically fell apart in their hands! Also, she has just a tiny bit of facial weakness, and although that may increase throughout tonight and tomorrow morning, it is only temporary and not severe.
But the most amazing thing is that they think she still has hearing in her left ear!! Dr. Tew initially said that there is a 100% garantee she would be SSD with the type of procedure they were doing. But according to a test that they ran in the procedure room, her left ear was showing signs of picking up sound.
They said they wouldn't know for sure until she is awake enough to answer their questions. At the end of the consult, dr tew asked my pastor if he could lead us in a quick prayer! dr. tew and deangelis formed a circle with us and held our hands! i could not believe it! Our pastor said that that was the first time a surgeon had ever asked him to pray with the family. It made me feel so good, and really comforted my entire family. He really does care.
Right now, she is in ICU room number 1 and she is in A LOT of pain. The nurse said that the pain is elevating her blood pressure, but that is normal for this type of surgery. It worries me, but they said she is doing just fine. We went in to see her for about 5 minutes and she said hi and she loved us. We told her how proud we were of her and that we spoke with dr. tew and dr. deangelis, and she even asked "what did they say?". we told her the good news and mentioned the prayer at the end, she was happy to hear that.
so thank you for all of your continuous prayers and support. i will keep you updated. they said that if all goes well tonight, then she will be moved to a regular hospital room tomorrow afternoon.
my family is staying at a hotel that is part of the hospital, and we are all exhausted! it has been a very long day, i am so thankful that she is alright. i pray for a full and speedy recovery.
more later! love you all,
Kristin
p.s. i can't wait to get some rest! i think i'll actually sleep a little tonight, unlike last night :)
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Kristin,
Thank you for providing an update on your mother's surgery. I will say a prayer for her that all goes very well. I wish her the best possible recovery. Also, I hope you and your family are able to get some much needed rest. Tell her the board is sending her well wishes!!
Windy
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Kristen,
Thanks for the update. It was great for me to hear the good news. Prayer does work!
Jill
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Glad her surgery is over and sounds like all went very well! How great that it looks like her hearing was saved. These will be the roughest hours for her, but she should see improvement before too long. Please let her know we're thinking of her. Get some rest, now!
Cindy
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I do hope your mom is feeling better, and in less pain over the next 24 hours. Your story of the compassion of the doctors is touching - sometimes you wonder if the surgeons are real people!
I am a newbie - and I do feel relieved as each one of those ahead of me (in whatever I might have to choose) has a positive experience.
Ann
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Great News. Kristin!!
That is SO awesome about the surgeons wanting to pray with you guys - even intiating it!
Get some rest!
K
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Kristin,
Thanks for the update. I live in Cincinnati and I know that your mom is in very good hands. Sorry for the deep freeze coming tomorrow. Despite that I hope you are being treated "warmly".
All the best to you and your mom.
Mike.
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Kristin,
It looks like we will have to tell both you and your mom to get plenty of rest. ;)
Don't worry about the pain or other symptoms during the first few days - they are not an indication of what will follow. It is great to hear that it went well, and that your doctors are caring people as well as professionals. Best wishes for smooth sailing ahead.
Steve
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Kristin -
I just knew she'd do well! I'm sure she feels like heck right now, but that will get better.
How great to have such caring surgeons - it makes a world of difference in your recovery.
Let her know we're proud of her and can't wait til she's feeling better!
Now, the rest of you - get a good rest! You deserve it too!
Lori
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Kristin -
I knew your mom would do well too and I told her so just the other day. I'm glad I was right :)
The first day or two are generally the toughest; things will improve.
Get some sleep,
Jan
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Kristin,
Best wishes on your mom's speedy recovery!!
LisaP ;D
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Kristin, thks for the update....just like Jan, I also told your mom the other day that she and her surgeons would do great and it sounds like that's exactly what happened. Your mom will probably have a rough couple of days recovering from surgery, but it will get better as time goes on. Get some rest.
Patrick
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I can't add to what others have said about the first few days not counting and that she'd feel bad the first few days, etc.. But, I will jump into the chorus thanking you for the update. Get some rest. That was the hard part for you guys. Now comes the (relatively) hard part for your mom. Recovery is just plain slow. Facial weakness for this type of surgery is not uncommon and it should pass albeit VERY slowly. Have patience with your mom and let her know to have patience with her recovery. Tell her hi from all of us when she's more alert.
Regards,
Brian
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Hi Kristin-
Just wanted to pop in and see how your mom is doing. Do not be too concerned about the blood pressure - mine was very high for the first couple of hours and I was told it was because of the pain (for some reason, they had some difficulty getting the pain under control quickly enough, although I don't really remember all that much of it.) Anyway, hopefully by now she is back to normal on the BP, and fully loaded with pain meds.
Looking forward to your next post, and sending your entire family prayers.
Debbi
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Kristin:
What a pleasant experience it is when I can read a relative's post describing a trouble-free and apparently successful AN removal surgery! :D You gave all of us such an experience today and I appreciate it.
The doctor's praying with you must have really been heartening. I thought it was impressive when my neurosurgeon brushed off my post-op compliments (I had no complications) by stating that God deserved the praise, not him, and that he was 'only an instrument'. We had never discussed religion (and never did) but knowing your surgeon is cognizant of God's rightful place in our lives is very reassuring.
I'm sorry your mom is in pain and hope it can be controlled and will resolve quickly. Now, get some rest. :)
Jim
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Kristin,
Thanks for the update on your mom -- what wonderful news! As others have said the first couple of days after surgery are the toughest. Please give her my best wishes and be sure to continue to update us.
Wendy
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well, they are keeping her in icu overnight because she has some brain swelling! they said that is somewhat normal and even common with the size of her tumor. she is very coherent and, however very tired, alert. she wakes up whenever we come in for visiting hours. she is still in a lot of pain (headache mostly) and some nausea but not much at all.
we got to visit her at 11 and again at 4, and she ate some solid food! a little mac and cheese, chocolate pudding, milk, and mountain dew (upon request!).
she was free of all of the hookups (iv's, catheter, etc...) when we went in this morning, which was really good to see. she has gotten up to use the restroom a few times as well. after we were done feeding her, she said "whoa, that was work!"...so she still has that contagious sense of humor ;)
her face is beautiful! if you didn't know her, you can't really tell that she has facial weakness...her eye completely closes and her smile is perfect (except for the slightest little drag in the corner of her mouth, but only noticeable because we know what to look for). the only bit of disappointing news is that she doesn't have hearing in the left ear. even the surgeon was disappointed when he found out. however, the ENT specialist came in when we were visiting and put a tuning fork next to her ear and she could hear it a little bit! so that could mean that MAYBE over time she will get some back? no one really knows.
i have one question though...she is experiencing double vision in her right eye, her left eye is fine! why is that? is that normal? that isn't the side that should be having issues, why is her right eye giving her trouble?
oh! and she is also getting a sound in her left ear, she said it's like the static on a tv...i asked if it was tinnitus and she said she doesn't think so...
more later! sorry so scattered, i just have a lot to say hehe.
-kristin
p.s. my mom asked if i had been posting! i said yes and that everyone was sending her lots of love, prayers, and good vibes :)
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Glad to hear she is on the mend. As far as the double vision I can tell you that I had it right after surgery and then sort of a blurriness in one eye. My right hand shook a little bit and the surgeon said that was due to swelling. My AN was on the left ear so I also thought that was weird that it affected my right side. I had my checkup this monday and all those symptoms are gone. My understanding was that the steroids should help with that. Continued prayer for her and wonderful news that she is eating.
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Kristin,
I had some weird sounds in my AN ear after my surgery too - they're kindof like the phantom limb pains you hear of people having after they have their leg amputated and they can still feel pain. It went away and I don't have any problem anymore. Every now and then I get some ringing, but usually it's only if I'm tired or if I've been in a really loud environment for too long.
Sounds like the patient is doing well! How great to hear she's up on her feet! It's amazing what the body can go through, isn't it? I found that getting up the first few times was awful, but after that, it just kept getting easier and easier. I have a feeling she'll be running laps around the nurses station pretty soon!
I never had the double vision, so I can't help you with that one, but I hope that resolves soon.
Whatever you guys are doing seems to be working, so keep it up and you'll all be back home in no time!
Lori
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Thanks for another positive report. That much solid food so soon after surgery is a great sign! I don't think I had anything until about 3 days after and then it was only a couple of crackers. It's good that she's starting to get up and around. At first, a lot of things will be "alot of work" as her body heals and settles in.
I don't know for sure about the double-vision thing, but I suspect it has something to do with the brain swelling. Others are right in that steroids (that she's already taking probably) should help that. It likely will pass in a few days.
One thing you said struck me as odd. You said when you went to visit her, she was off of everything in terms of "being hooked up", IV included. I would have expected that they leave at least the IV in for giving medications, saline, etc the entire time she's in the hospital. I didn't get mine taken out until about right before being discharged from the hospital (5 days later). Perhaps the IV was still there, but just not hooked up to anything at the exact moment you went in? That just struck me as odd, especially if they're giving her something for the swelling (probably intravenous steroids; at least I would expect).
It certainly sounds like she's moving along nicely and in very capable hands with both her drs and nurses as well as the support system of you and others.
I wish her continued healing and rest.
Regards,
Brian
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Yes, sounds like she's coming right along on the AN recovery schedule - ahead of some (I couldn't eat for several days and didn't talk to anyone really either). The new/strange sounds in her ear should subside (mine did fairly quickly, leaving only the tinnitus).
Thanks for your updates! Hope today is another day of progress for her,
Cindy
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GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!
Sweet dreams and sleep well. Let your mother know we can't wait to hear from her.
Michelle ;D
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Kristin -
Thanks for another wonderful update on your mom. It sounds like things are improviing by leaps and bounds. I'm sorry to hear that her hearing is not good, but maybe that will improve too -- only time will tell. In the meantime, I'm sending good vibes and healing thoughts her way.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Hi Kristin,
Sounds like your mom is doing great! On my second day out of surgery I was feeling, relatively speaking, a whole lot better and was starting to develop some hospital routines. My most important part of the routine was watching the clock to see if it was close to mealtime. Hey, I'm a guy! Eating wasn't so simple and took a long time, but at least I had an excuse for having food hanging off my lower lip and chin.
Hearing noises and the affected ear after surgery is not uncommon. I heard noises in my AN ear (100% deaf though) right after surgery too. Mine were all mechanical sounds - electric motors and diesel truck engines starting and revving up. These went away after a couple days. I also saw vivid swirling colors when my eyes were closed (one color at a time, and they seemed to change color with pain levels). I kinda miss those, but not the noises. Given that you mom could hear a tuning fork, perhaps her hearing will indeed come back.
I also have double vision in my right eye. I had the standard double vision for the first 5 days due to the eyes not aligning correctly, but then I developed the odd problem of double vision in the one eye, and still have it. If I close my good eye, I see two of everything, and the second image is about 25% as clear as the main one. Is this similar to what your mom has?
The magic scarf was mailed to your mon between Christmas and New Years. I sure hope it arrived in time. I know it took a few weeks to get to me when mailed up to Canada from the US. I attributed that to the Christmas rush. If it is not there already, I should be arriving soon.
Give your mom a big hug for me and wish her well.
Cheer!
Ken
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aww, she will love getting the magic scarf! it hasn't come yet but i'm sure it will be here soon :)
oh, and brian i want to make a correction on my previous statement. she still has the iv in but nothing was hooked up to it when i visited her. she is getting her steroids and other fun meds through it. however she is taking some pills, i think they are percosets but i'm not sure.
she has been moved to a regular hospital room today, and she went for a walk with the physical therapist, she was really off balance but at least she was up and moving.
my dad, brother, and i went to visit her this evening and she said that she was in a lot of pain and very very nausious. she asked my brother and i to go back to the hotel. my dad is staying overnight with her and then i am taking morning shift. dr. tew came in to visit her and said that he is leaning towards sunday as her release date.
i'm nervous, i guess i thought that since she was having such a good morning that she would've had an equally good evening, but i know that's silly. after all, she did just have brain surgery! she is at least getting morphine every two hours. i hope she gets better through the night.
just thought i should update everyone, and thank you so so much for your feedback. you all are so helpful to me and my family whenever we have questions. i really care about all of you so much.
please keep responding, i look forward to checking your responses every evening! :)
lots of love,
kristin
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kristen~
thanks for tlking time once again to let us know how things are going - I've been wondering all day how she was doing! good luck tomorrow - I know you will do great and your mom is so glad you are there for her!
K
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Kristin, thanks for the update. I know she may not feel like it, but I believe it's important that your mom keep moving and walking as much as possible. I know she probably is a liittle unstable with the walking now, but this will get better as she does it more. Overall it sounds like your mom is doing great. Please tell her hello for me and I look forward to hearing from her. Take care
Patrick
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The morphine could be causing some of the nausea also. It does in many patients. Hopefully she is getting an anti-emetic also. Good to know some aspects are going well and it will get better in time.
Cheryl R
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Kristin -
I had horrible nausea for days and nothing they gave me made it go away. I made the bad mistake of not eating because of it and that slowed down my progress. Because I didn't eat, I was weak and didn't want to get up and walk like I should. End result, I spent an additional day in the hospital. So even though your mom is nauseaus, encourage her to keep her strength up by eating. I've read a few times on this forum that peppermint often helps with nausea, so maybe try that.
I still had mild nausea when I was released from the hospital, but it eventually went away.
As far as the double vision goes, I had it for two or three days post op. I don't recall it being in one eye, though. Anytime I had both eyes open, I would see double. If I closed my left eye (AN was on the left) then I could see normally out of my right eye. Curiously I never closed my right eye, leaving the left one open - it just wasn't comfortable for me, so I didn't do it.
I had my IV, my catheter, and all my "tubes" removed by day two or three. I told the docs that the only way I would get up to use the bathroom was to be "unhooked". I got tired of calling the nurses or an aide every time I had to use the bathroom. My neurosurgeon gave me his permission. The nurse who removed my IV had a major attitude and told me that it should be left in, but I told her it wasn't her decision and if she had questions she could call my neurosurgeon. That was the one and only time I had an issue with the nursing staff.
Tell your mom we're all thinking of her,
Jan
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Hi Kristin,
Say hello to your mom for me - and for all of us, while you're at it. Sounds like she is doing well for day two; I think she will be feeling better by Sunday. You Ohio girls sure know how to take care of your own. :)
Steve
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Kristen It seems like forever ago that you posted your concern about your mother. You've seen her through the tough part. There are going to be issues like the nausea, but they will all pass.
But I am still in awe that your pastor and your mom's doctor and you prayed together. Down the road, if there ever comes the opportunity and the time to tell that story, please remember it and tell it with all your heart.
David
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Kristin,
Send your mom my best. I think about her all the time and look forward to your updates. Your posts have been a dress rehearsal for me and my family for Tuesday. They have been a tremendous help.
Tell your mom to keep up her positive spirit and things will improve. She certainly has a lot of prayers and well wishes coming her way.
Jill
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Kristin,
I'm glad to hear that things seem to be progressing nicely for your mom. There will be bouts of nausea and balance, but as others have said they will pass soon enough. I remember being stubborn and walking to the bathroom alone, IV and all. I was determined that it wasn't going to sideline me very long and I knew if I went when someone was there that they'd cottle me. It's good for your mom is up and moving as it will only help things progress.
Also, I figured that the IV was still in, even if not hooked to anything. I'm still shocked that Jan had it all taken out by day 2 or 3.
Give your mom our best regards. Remember, slow and steady wins the race. This isn't a sprint; it's a marathon.. We all, in one way or another, learn patience through all of this.. Patients and supporters alike. She sounds like she's in good hands and doing well. Don't forget to take care of you and your family also.
Regards,
Brian
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What wonderful news that she can still hear. It is also very good news for her facial nerve recovery that the tumor wasn't sticky. I think it is the sticky ones that cause damage to the nerve from stretching it during removal.
The hardest part is over. Get some rest.
Susan
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Best wishes to your mom! I've been lurking and following her progress but thought I'd chime in here. Percocet made me violently ill. I swore off ALL meds at that point, and they gave me injections of something in my thighs to counter the severe nausea and vomiting. Maybe someone here knows what that was, or you could ask your mom's nurse if it's still and issue.
Tamara
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Hey Kristin,
The nausea is no fun. The pain meds may not be helping with the nausea...I had them stop the morphine once I was coherent enough to tell them. I could tolerate pain better than the nausea. I had them just give me Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Sorry she's experiencing this, but it will pass before too long - know it's hard to watch someone you love suffer, though.
Take care of yourself also and thanks for the updates,
Cindy
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Hi Kristin-
Just checking in to see how your mom is doing. Hopefully the nausea is better now - probably not helped by the pain meds. I am one of the lucky people who didn't have any problems with nausea, and for that I am very grateful!
I can't beleive she was eating mac and cheese the first day and up and walking on Day Two - that is awesome!! Give her a hug from all of us, okay?
Debbi
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Kristin,
Thanks for the updates. Right after surgery is the most difficult but it will only get better from here. By the way, I think it's common for the night to be worse--everything hurts more at night for some reason. Tell your mom she is doing great!
Best,
Marci
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hey all! it's still kristin...good news! WE HAVE THE MAGIC SCARF!! ;D i had to run back home last night to pick up a few things, and it was on our front porch as i was walking out the door! Her face lit up when i surprised her with it this evening.
Tonight is the first time i am spending the night with my mama in the hospital. she is still in a significant amount of pain. she doesn't want to get up and walk or eat. we are all being very patient with her because it is her decision, but she is just as stubborn as a mule and i wish she wouldn't dig her heels in! hehe
i don't tell her this of course, i'm just venting because i want her to eat and walk more. but as i've been told by a previous post (you know who you are ;) ) "this is not a race, it's a marathon". so she is taking things at the pace at which she feels comfortable. her double vision has gone away, but she is still dizzy and balance is off.
well i have to wrap this up, the wireless connection here isn't that hot :(
thinking of you all! just thought i'd give a quick update...i think we are coming home tomorrow!! keep your fingers crossed!
talk to you soon, and hopefully my mom will be taking over and posting her little heart out! she will have lots to share :)
now i'm going to sit here and think of something clever to do with the magic scarf...hmm....letting the creative juices flow!
lots of love,
kristin
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Kristen:
Thanks for the update on your mom and her receipt of the coveted 'Magic Scarf ', we appreciate it! :)
I can understand both your mom's reluctance to go (what she considers) too fast with her recovery as well as your frustration that she isn't doing more. You're correct when you note that she has to proceed at her own pace and that AN surgery recovery is definitely a marathon, not a race. I would guess that her pain is inhibiting her from doing more. One hopes the pain will pass and she'll feel better and be motivated to walk, eat and 'whatever'. Get as much rest as you can, Kirsten, and thanks again for the update on your mom. Tell her she's an official 'postie,' now (post-operative AN patient). :)
Jim
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I can understand both your mom's reluctance to go (what she considers) too fast with her recovery as well as your frustration that she isn't doing more. You're correct when you note that she has to proceed at her own pace and that AN surgery recovery is definitely a marathon, not a race.
Excellent point from Jim. Everyone recovers differently from AN surgery and your mom - with the guidance of her doctors - will "get there" when she's ready. She's just been through a major surgery and it will take some time. Patience is very important. So is encouragement.
Jan
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I remember too well that I had no desire for food for a few days after each of my surgeries. It is very hard to make yourself eat when you can't stand to. I have been on the nurse end also and feel for people with no appetite esp once I knew what it felt like. You do end feeling weaker and once can eat again then helps so much.
Once a patient is in a regular room at Univ of Iowa then you call down for your food. They had such a large and good menu and no desire for any of it. Pudding and iced granite worked at first and finally a potato. I made up for it once home.
Cheryl R
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Kristin,
Hopefully you will get home tomorrow. I am sure your mom will feel better in her own comfortable surroundings. Give your mom a hug for me. Thanks for the update. You are a very special daughter.
Jill
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Hi,
Your post made me cry. I am so happy for you. I remember this time very well and it is very hard for the patient but it is equally as difficult to watch our loved ones go through this.
My 18 year old had a huge tumor and he did not have much facial issues at all. He also had high blood pressure. He had to go on High blood pressure medication for some time after the surgery and it is not exactly low now but within normal now. I think this can be quite normal. My son had surgery over a year and a half ago and he is doing very well now. Once you get through the first few days , weeks and a month you will be amazed at how much better things are after that. I remember Eric telling me after the surgery that he wished he could sleep for a couple weeks and then wake up an be some better. There were good days and bad days but really the big improvements were made after he got off those god awful steroids.
Hang in there. The people on this board are the most caring, wonderful people I have ever met. Your mother is so lucky to have you.
Love,
Robyn
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Hi Kristin -
Thanks for the update on your mom. I'm glad to hear she has the Magic Scarf because it tends to cheer up the person who is in possession of it. I really do feel it has the magic of the positive vibes of each person who had it before. We will all be looking forward to seeing a picture of your mom wearing it!
Everyone's recovery is a little different and your mom needs all the support you can give right now. Once she's home, I'm sure she'll feel a lot better.
Best wishes,
Wendy
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Hi everyone! it's been a crazy few days! my mom finally made it back home on sunday, WOOHOO ;D although she is still in quite a bit of pain, she is doing much better now that she's in the comfort of her own home. we had a little incident two days ago when she passed out twice in a row because she stood up too fast, it was because her blood pressure was too low. Ever since then she has been just fine (thank goodness).
she is sitting next to me right now, and i just finished reading her every single post that you all have written in regards to my initial updates, so she is now going to have me type a few words for her :) here goes....
Kathy:
"Too tired to type for myself, but it's great to have a personal assistant. Double vision comes and goes, nights are worst for overall comfort, just can't seem to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Physical Therapy starts tomorrow in my home. Still have significant ringing on the SSD side (left). No BM as of yet, since monday before surgery (Jan. 12), but that seems to be worrying others more than me, I'm sure it will happen whenever. Does anybody have any suggestions for help with swallowing after each bite of food? Right now I'm chasing each bite with a sip of milk and that seems to be the ticket. Got a few good pics we want to post soon from hospital stay, including ones with the infamous scarf! Will stay in touch! Any tips on anything else I have mentioned in my haze? Kristin will read them and tell me anything ya got!"
Okay, these are Kristins words again heh heh...i think my mom might also be having some short term memory loss. is that normal? it's nothing that is really freaking me out, but it is kind of bothering me a little. i wouldn't ever say anything to her about it because i imagine that would be a very touchy subject. and after all, she is still in the healing process, and most things get better with time.
Can't wait to hear from everyone! i will continue to be my mothers "personal assistant", as she so lovingly calls me now lol
Lots of love,
Kristin
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Ok..I'll just go ahead & address the whole BM issue - the longer you go w/out any action, chances are the WORSE it going to be when it does happen. I hope it is not that way for you, but please start doing something for it! I think Cheri asked and started a thread on this after she had surgery. At any rate, it has been discussed before. Does anyone remember what all was said? I have always (after babies & surgeries) been given or used that little red gelcap - I think it is called Colace (?) or something similar to that. I'm sure you can get it at Walmart or any drugstore - you could even ask the pharmacist. Take it from someone who didn't go for a while...when I finally did - it was AWFUL! I was back at the doctors' office too to make sure I didn't have a CFS leak. I was in the restroom for EVER while the Dr's were waiting on me. All around bad situation!
Glad that you are home and feeling better...baby steps...baby steps!
K
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Nights are worst of all... but that all gets better. For awhile there I thought that I would never sleep through the night. Sleep when you can, my wife had the TV moved into our room and I would wake about about 4:00am to take headache medicine and eventually I would fall asleep. But like I said it gets better... I sleep great through the eve and no more medicine... Thank GOD. As far as the BM I agree about the colace or do what I did and eat plenty of fruit. Drink water to stay hydrated... I had a tough time with Physical Therapy at first but I a month later I was like Rocky... Sounds like you all are moving in the right direction... remember to let your body heal and rest when you can. Glad to hear you are on the mending side now...
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Kathy -
although it's not the most pleasant of topics, I'm weighing in on the whole BM issue also.
Frankly I'm a little surprised that they released you from the hospital before you had one. I couldn't leave until I'd completed that "task" ;)
Kay is right. Lots of docs - mine included - recommend a stool softener (I was given Colace) because (not to be gross here) they don't want you to strain. Seems it's not so great for your head post op. I took Colace for several weeks post op - I think it was about six. Anyway, it's OTC, so you might want to have someone pick some up for you.
Glad to hear you are home - definitely a much better place than the hospital. Recovery takes time and requires lots of patience, but it sounds like you're headed in the right direction.
Keep the faith, postie ;D
Jan
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I was given a stool softener prescription upon being discharged. I took one every day while in the hospital, too. Like Jan, I wouldn't have been discharged without completing that "task" (as Jan so eloquently put it). They really don't want you to strain for several weeks post surgery. So, if you weren't given a laxative prescription, then go the colace route. Stay hydrated and eat lots of fruit, as was suggested by others.
I'm with Kay in that the longer you (don't) go, the worse it will be. So, do something quickly about it. Stay on a softener or laxative for at least a couple of weeks. I don't recall what I was given, but it appears to be very mild and I never had a problem with it.
I'm glad that Kathy is home now. I can't help with the whole eating thing really because I really wasn't interested in food for some time post-op. I ate iced cream most days just because it was fairly simple to eat. I remember my first sandwich and first hamburger, and both were very difficult to eat with facial weakness. The only thing that I can offer is small bite, chew them alot and slowly, and chase with milk/water/beverage.
As others have said, baby steps. It's not a race but a marathon during recovery. It's slow going at times, but ultimately you will get there.
Regards,
Brian
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most things get better with time
Yes they do, and don't you forget it. ;)
It sounds like a pretty strong reaction to the anesthesia and surgery process to me, with some settling down yet to do. I'm betting you feel better in another week; remember you are just getting started on your first month after surgery. Enjoy your prune juice and milk of magnesia (can you mix those? ??? :P).
Take care,
Steve
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Hi Kristin: The memory thing is normal. After a few months post op I found the list I kept of dates/times I took Tylenol - I started writing April instead of June & didn;t even realize it ! So don't worry. It should pass after a month or so.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Hi Kristen and Kathy,
I'll start off by addressing the BM issue. Colace is definitely a very good idea -- I was taking it while I was in the hospital and for at least a couple of weeks after I got home. I'm also surprised they let you go home before you had a BM, I know I would not have been released becasue they said as much. One of the nurses gave me warm prune juice, Colace and Phillips Milk of Magnesia and that did the trick for me. I seem to remember Cheri either took Ducolax or used a suppository by Ducolax, either way, I seem to remember it worked very well.
Kathy - Between my belly incision and my head, I found it hard to find a comfortable position to sleep, but eventually got used to sleeping on my back witih my head turned to the left a little (my AN was on my right side and I usually sleep on my left side.). Being tired enough to sleep at any time was never too much of a problem for the first couple of weeks, I was always wiped out. If sleeping at night is a problem because you're sleeping too much during the day , maybe you should rest as much as you need to, but try not to sleep quite as much in the daytime -- your body clock is probably all confused and doesn't know when you should be sleeping.
Sending healing thoughts your way,
Wendyt
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Kathy:
Welcome home and thanks for your (dictated) post. I believe that many of the issues you're dealing with right now will probably resolve within a few weeks, including the swallowing, which is usually the result of the 9th and 10th nerves being disturbed. The literature I've read claims that post-op swallowing issues are almost always temporary. I hope that is the case for you, Kathy. The notorious BM issue has been pretty well addressed by others and I don't have much to add to the collective wisdom because a BM was not required for my discharge. Fortunately, my system readjusted itself and I experienced a very substantial BM the day after I was discharged. I attributed it to being in familiar surroundings and eating regularly...but who really knows? Anyway, that was another issue that resolved itself, as I trust will also happen for you, especially if you use some of the laxatives that have been recommended in previous posts. My only other suggestions would be to rest as much as you need to and look forward to the things you'll do as soon as you're up and around. That's what I did and it worked well as a self-motivation technique. I was out and about within a few short weeks. Of course we all heal and recover at a somewhat different pace so my experience cannot be an exact template for yours - or anyone else. However, I urge you to retain a positive outlook, rest as needed and realize that there are always a few obstacles along the way back to normalcy. You'll be able to surmount them, I'm sure.
Kristin: Yes, short-term memory loss actually is fairly common in post-op patients but that too, should pass. Remember, your mom has had serious brain surgery and will need time to heal and recover. She may have some long-term deficits, but she should be fine, overall. Your help and support is a key ingredient to her recovery and I salute you for stepping up to the task. I know it's done out of love and I think we can all understand and admire that. Get the rest you need, too, young lady and of course, stay connected with you AN 'family' as the days roll by. We're here to support both you and your mom and we all want the very best for both of you. :)
Jim
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Hi,
I am sorry to be late with this. I talked to my son Eric with the swallowing issue. He had alot of swallowing problems and had a paralyzed vocal cord. Eric said this is how he would swallow. Swallowing was his worst issue and he had to have a suctions machine for a while.
This is what he said he did- Put your head down like to your chest, turn to surgery side then the other vocal cord with take over for the surgery side. I don't know if you are having problems with your vocal cord but the swallowing was quite a problem for Eric. Eric started with cut watermelon and lived on chicken noodle soup with cut noodles for a while. It got progressively better. He was eating again alot sooner than you would think. Just still has to be a little careful. Hot or cold still affects him a little. I hope that helps.
We are right there with you sweetie. It will get better. In a month you will be amazed. The physical therapy will be helpful too.
Kristin, I would not worry too much about the memory thing. Eric was not himself until he got off the steroids. We asked the doctor over and over if he was okay because he wasn't himself and would give me this look that scared me. The doctor said it is normal for neurological patients. It takes some time and those steroids are part of the problem.
Hope that helps.
Love,
Robyn
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Hello Kathy (and Kirstin)!
Couple of late comments on the BM topic. A long long time ago, I had a guest speaker for a psychology course at university who mentioned his patients were getting headaches because they couldn't do the BM Task due to drugs they were on. So some of the health workers would give pain killers for the headaches, which makes the constipation worse. Elevating the intracranial pressure from excessive pushing just adds to the headache situation. Tylenol has "that" effect on a lot of people so to "get the cork out", as others suggested, stool softeners and a even mild laxative (there is a herbal option available at most bigger pharmacies - from Senna leaves I believe) are helpful.
Looking forward to seeing pictures of you wearing the Magic Scarf posted soon!!
Keep positive and keep on healing!!
Cheers!
Ken
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Hi Kathy and Kirstin,
Yes, I never thought my bowels would start working but the more active I got, the more water I drank, etc.,. Also had some drugs from the hospital. I had wicked short term memory issues for a while and did things and then would forget that I had done them. It was very scary to me, but it passed as I recovered. Hang in there, you sound like you are doing great!
Marci
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I am so happy you are home and starting the recovery ........ yes, can definately relate to the bowel thing and I must say that after a couple of days at home this was my main focus ...... and I was probably almost TWO weeks without any action ....... I must add though that I was one of the few that spent days vomitting in the hospital - and I could not swallow properly either so pretty much kept to soft pudding textured foods - and the fact that I was not eating much probably added to me not going - - I did drink prune juice by the loads though as well as had to resort to ExLax - - what a great board we have here that we can discuss this! I know I was getting pretty freaked out and nervous that I was not 'moving' so to speak - but once I did things pretty much got back to 'normal' - I also stopped the T3's with codeine - codeine is killer on the bowels.
Good luck! .... and continued recovery!