clean MRI

[painter]

Greetings All,
I just got back from OHSU where I had my first MRI since surgery, and a 6 month check up. All was clear, and the surgeon was happy, as were my wife and I.  I had lots of questions regarding my level of recovery, how I feel, all the symptoms I experience, etc, etc, and he was very patient and precise with information when he could be.  Some things he simply had no explanation for.  But I left feeling much more optimistic about healing, and not constantly thinking I'm going backward.  Where I thought I would be pretty well healed up in 6 months, he explained why it could be a year and half or longer.  It never hurts to have a reality check, I guess.
So we went out and celebrated with a nice glass of wine, and somehow, the metallic taste didn't seem as bad as before.  Life is good!
Tom

[Jim Scott]

Tom ~

Thanks for the 6-month post-surgery update.  It seems as if you're enjoying a relatively uncomplicated recovery, which is good news, indeed.  Congratulations! 

Although we often read about a '6 week post-op recovery period' that is simply an 'educated guess' (based on experience) for how long it should take to regain most functions, post-op and be able to return to work (in most cases), drive, etc.  I experienced an uncomplicated recovery and found that although I was functioning quite well within 2 weeks post-op (driving, etc) and was convinced that I was 'back to normal' within 6 to 8 weeks, post-op, I noticed that after a year post-op, I was feeling even better and stronger.  By the end of two years, I felt that I was actually fully recovered.  As we always caution, each AN patient is unique and while we can look at other people's recovery times as a guide, there is no template for full recovery.  However, yours does appear to be moving along quite nicely.  Your doctor was being realistic, as you noted.  I trust that by this time next year (18 months post-op) you'll be considered fully recovered. 

Jim

[jennifer7]

Tom
that is definitely reason to celebrate!  hope all continues to heal nicely
mints and very frequent teethbrushing (mint toothpaste) helps with my metallic taste

[kenneth_k]

Hi Tom.

I fully agree. An occasion for celebration

Best regards, Kenneth

[leapyrtwins]

Congratulations, Tom!!

Clean MRIs are definitely something to celebrate 

Best,

Jan

[Lizard]

Hooray for your clear MRI! 
Very good news...and yes your healing can take quite a while, don't forget that everyone heals differently.
Hang in there and focus on the little wins, just because they are little does not mean they don't have a big impact on your state of mind.
Take care,
Liz

[moe]

Tom,
congratulations on your clean MRI! Time to celebrate!
Everyone recovers at their own pace, so really is hard to say 6 months,one to l  l/2 years or whatever.
I would imagine up to the one year mark is a good ball park figure just to figure out how to deal with any of the pesky side effects of the surgery if any.
So happy for you, you are doing greeeeaaat!
maureen