surgery in the morning

[CHD63]

Karen .....

It sounds like you are on a normal track for recovery.  Keep up the good work!!

I loved walking in the beautiful Seton Hall garden each morning while we were there ..... it was unusually cool when we were there in May last year so we walked outside as much as possible ..... with jackets on!

Let me know if you'd like the balance and gaze stabilization exercises.

Clarice

[pjb]

Sounds like you are doing great they truly are a great team of doctors...Try to do as much Vestibular Therapy as possible it does help and you will be able to see the difference in no time ...

Best Wishes and welcome to the Wonky Headers....

[It is what it is]

Thanks Clarice!  Yes. I would love to receive the exercises.  Is it possible to send by email?

The gardens are still lovely. 

I hope you are doing well.

Karen

[It is what it is]

I feel honored to join the group of the wonky headers.  It means I'm also joining you as a postie and I'm glad to be on this side. 

I hope you are also doing well?

Karen

[volleymom]

Karen,
It is good to see your notes.  At just one week, it sounds like you are doing well.  Frequent short walks, naps, balance exercises and time.  Your body and brain will adapt with time.  I found that I felt better and stronger once I got myself onto just Ibuprofen and Tylenol for pain.   

Waiting for more updates on your progress..

Kathy

[It is what it is]

Thanks Kathy.  I stopped pain medication before discharge.  Sleep is a challenge but I'm thinking that will happen better after I'm off steroids?

Karen

[lrobie]

I don't know if I'm a rare breed, but I have been off the steriod for a week and half and I'm still not able to sleep.  I'm glad they gave me ambien for night time.  I also don't nap most days.  I had it in my mind that I would be laying on the couch day in and day out.  It's has been far from it.  Today I made chocolate chip cookies, went shopping for my son's birthday gifts and went to dinner with friends.  I can't seem to sit still.  Maybe I'm overdoing it.  I worry that it's going to hit me and I'll be totally exhausted.

Karen - sorry to hear about the bacteria.  Is it around your incision?

Lisa

[It is what it is]

I'm laughing as I read about your incredible energy level.  Your little guy won't miss anything this year on his birthday even though his mom has gone through all you have.  Amazing!

Karen

[millie]

Lisa-incredible and wonderful!  Karen-best wishes for a good recovery and thanks for sharing with us newbies.  Millie

[LizAN]

Karen,

So good to have you as a postie!  Congratulations!

I didn't have to have any staples or stitches removed, but I had translab with Dr. Slattery.  He gave me the list of vestibular exercises at my post-op appointment so maybe you will get them tomorrow.

I still feel weird, but I have been able to walk multiple laps around our big circular driveway, without assistance.  I can even walk the dog on leash and have been doing so for weeks now.  We live out in the country and the ground is very uneven.  I was nervous at first but I am now able to walk about a half mile at a time, if it's not too hot outside.

I miss the cooler southern CA temps!

Again, glad to see you posting again and keep us up to date on your progress.

Liz

[LizAN]

Lisa,

You are the Energizer Bunny!  What's your secret?

Liz

[lrobie]

I think maybe I'm overdoing it and need to slow down.  It could be why I continue to have headaches.

Lisa

[LizAN]

Lisa,

What kind of headaches are you having?  Do they involve your whole head or are they radiating out from your surgery site?

Liz

[lrobie]

Sometimes they start at the incision site and radiate, but then are just all over headaches.  So I guess that's both kinds.  Luckily, and cross my fingers, they haven't been debilitating.  I wonder, though, what would happen if I stopped all meds.

Karen - are you having headaches?  I know you had mid-fossa too.  I hope your appointments go well today.

Lisa

[It is what it is]

It has now been 22 days since surgery with HEI.  I'm amazed at how carefully they cut the scalp around my long hair so that even immediately after surgery I could comb hair over the staples and no one could tell I'd just had surgery. Reading the surgical report by Dr. Schwartz was enlightening.  He's obviously a very gifted surgeon.  Bobble head and wonky head are improving. The vestibular symptoms are the most challenging and the only thing reminding me that I just had brain surgery. I didn't need to use pain medication after discharge. So, all is better than I had imagined at this point.  I'm scheduled to return to work the beginning of September and was hoping I'd be ready to drive then as well.  I'll see how I feel by then. 

Thanks again for all the support along the way!!!!

Karen