Pooter's surgery updates

[Debbi]

Hi Brian-

Really sorry to hear about the headache - hope it continues to get better.  I have managed to avoid this particular complication, but I really sympathize - headaches are SO debilitating. 

Very concerned to hear about the fever - have you heard from your doctor about that?  Not sure what to make of the cold extremeties, although it suggests circulation problems.  Please be sure to let us know what the doc says?

In the meantime, try to rest.  At 8 weeks, I am having days where I am just tired to the bone - I know how frustrating it feels.  Hanh in there.

Debbi - sending you good thoughts

[Cheryl R]

I am always cold after the AN surgeries.       I now remember and took winter pjs with me to the hospital.     It is just recently that I seem to be doing better but some nights I still will have a problem. For a long time it was every evening.  I do warm up after been in bed a while with covers while my husbnad has almost none.                  I never did mention it to the dr.     I don't seem to have a fever with my oral thermometer.           I did a while back of 99.2 when went to the dr but I had an infected big toe at the time.              I had part of a toe mail removed 2 yrs ago and it has been acting up again and am debating whether the toenail again needs to be removed on the side. I am just recently off antibiotic.
                                                    Cheryl R

[Kaybo]

Pooter~
I have TONS of family and 2 nieces that are babysitting age if I need to send them over...seriously, they are good girls - I actually have nephews too if it is a boy!

K

[leapyrtwins]

Pooter -

I have no experience with what you are describing - other than being at home with a challenging 3 year old - only in my case it was 2 challenging 3 year olds 

As Debbi mentioned, the fever might be of some concern.  I'm glad you contacted your doctor about that.  Please let us know what he says.

Jan

[Pooter]

Thanks all!  I finally heard from my doctor and he gave me clearance to take OTC pain meds like ibuprofen or tylenol.  My temp was somewhat elevated (98.9) before taking tylenol.  After taking it, not only is the headache gone (for now) but my temp is back to normal (97.9) and I'm not as cold.  Weird I know.  So, everything is "normal" again after taking the tylenol.

So far, my doctor doesn't seem to be concerned with the coldness or headaches or fever.  I'm not sure whether to take that as good news (that he's level-headed about it all) or bad news (that he's flippant about it all).  Time will tell.  For now, everything seems "normal" again.  Go figure.

Kaybo:  My dad and his wife came to town today, so I got a bit of a break from the little rebel.  He really took a liking to my step-mom.  Thanks for offering though!

Thanks for the concern all!

Brian

[leapyrtwins]

Pooter -

glad to hear you're back to "normal" 

Jan

[wendysig]

Brian,
Sorry I fell behind on this thread.  Sorry to hear that you had a few really rough days recently, but even more glad to hear you are feeling better.  I'm sure your dad and step-mom taking charge of your three year old will help give you time to regroup.  Take it easy and don't overdo it for now.  Hope the next few days have you feeling better and stronger.

Sending good thoughts your way,

Wendy

[Pooter]

Well, it went from really good (pre-op), to really bad (right after op), to getting better, to worse again.  While the OTC drugs have helped, everytime they wear off now my temp shoots back up.. I've run a fever since Thursday night (along with the headaches, being cold, back/neck ache, etc).  I contacted my dr's office today and they now want to do a spinal tap to rule out an infection of the spinal fluid (aka menengitis).  They will do that tomorrow.  At this point, I don't know whether to hope that's it or hope it's not.  I'm just tired of taking ibuprofen/tylenol every 4-6 hrs to keep the fever/headaches in check.  Ugh!  When does it stop!?!?  It's one thing after another!

Brian

[leapyrtwins]

Pooter -

sorry you are having to deal with all these "issues".  Although I can understand you aren't thrilled with the spinal fluid tap to rule out infection, IMO it's definitely something that needs to be done.  Someone needs to get to the bottom of the fever "mystery".

I'm hoping that the results of the tap will help your doctor decide what needs to be done to make you feel better. 

Sometimes the road to recovery has many bumps - and sometimes, unfortunately, the bumps are large.  Stay strong and keep the faith.  You'll get through this.  We're all here to support you.

Please let us know how things go tomorrow.  I'll be thinking of you 

Jan

[Syl]

Pooter,

Sorry you're having a rough time with the fever. Hope the doc can figure out what it is and soon and take care of it.

Syl

[Tamara]

Sorry to hear of the latest development, Brian, but really, meningitis isn't something you want to fool around with, so at least you'll know one way or other.  Here's to hoping it ISN'T an infection, but that they find out what the deal is.

Take care, and keep us posted,
Tammy

[cindyj]

Sorry for this latest issue for you, Brian.  Know it must be so frustrating.  Hope they do get to the bottom of it quickly and start you back in the right direction of healing. 

Cindy

[Jim Scott]

Brian:

I share the regret of everyone who has posted on this latest manifestation of the post-op complications you've been dealing with.  It stinks - but I know you'll pull through this, it just takes longer than we would like.  A spinal tap is no picnic but in your case, probably a good idea to help your doctor get to the source of your temperature problem.

Know that you're in the thoughts and prayers of many people, Brian and we all wish you better days and renewed healing.

Jim

[wendysig]

Brian,
Sorry to hear things are still not going well.  Hopefully the spinal tap will tell the story.  I imderstamd upir ambiguous feelings.  Whatever the problem is, II hope teh doctor gets to the bottom of it once and for all and that your soon will truly be on the mend. 

Best wishes,
Wendy

[Pooter]

Thanks everyone.  I know I'll get to the bottom of it, but it doesn't take away my frustration of having taken a few steps back in my recovery.  I'm worse than I was a few weeks ago and that VERY frustrating to say the least.  I'm not looking forward to the tap.  But if it helps them get to the bottom of the fever, headaches, achyness, etc then so be it.  I get a couple of hours of relief at a time.  Other than that I'm cold and just waiting for when I can take tylenol again (that helps with the coldness too), or my fever shoots up, or I get headaches, and I'm constantly achy.  I just want them to find it and fix it.  As the saying goes, I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.  Thanks for all your support through everything.  Good, bad, and indifferent.  I'll update when I'm able to after I hear about the tap.

Thanks again!

Brian