Kelli
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
- Messages
- 5,455
((HUGS))Date: 1/7/2009 6:20:38 PM
Author: LostSapphire
Solutions? Here are the 3 (and ONLY) options available:
Option A: Do nothing. In other words, if you like your life (and pain levels + being able to work) just like this, do nothing. Continue to work through excruciating pain, and not being able to medicate the pain without making you a dope.
Option B: 'Yes, we can fix that pain'. 'It will involve heavy doses of anti-convulsants, opiods (morphine) and life-altering changes such as quitting your job and staying home to watch TV all day.' I REFER TO THIS AS THE 'JUDGE JUDY' OPTION.
Option C: Brain surgery. Microvascular Decompression (MVD). (technically he refers to it as 'intra-cranial micro-vascular brain surgery' for those of you medical techies out there)
Risks of Option C?
Stroke/Death 1% (and all the usual stuff they have to tell you before you sign the consent forms)
Hearing or facial nerve loss 2-5% (keep in mind I am already deaf on one side due to my previous brain tumor removal)
Probable 'success' of the surgery? (ie: wake up with no pain and it's gone): 60-65%. I'd like a higher percentage but ya get what ya get....
Due to the 'atypical' nature of my situation, there is a 35% chance that this might not work. Other surgical options are not recommended for me. If the MVD doesn't work, I would be given the choice between Option A and the Judge Judy option (B).
Every effort will be made to ensure that my hearing remains intact.
Date: 2/5/2009 12:46:14 PM
Author: geckodani
((HUGS))
Okay. Objectively. So we''re looking at a 50% fix. Well, that''s infinitely better than option A from before your surgery. Or option B for that matter.
You took option C. So, first and foremost. Your 1% chance of death did not occurr. This percentage had me on the edge of my chair biting my nails off until you posted after surgery. So. YAY for that!
I don''t believe you''ve suffered additional hearing loss. So yay for that outcome as well!
That 35% that it wouldn''t work at all... also didn''t happen. So YAY for that too.
Now... that remaining 50% pain. I''m sure you''ve still got swelling and trauma in there. I mean, you had brain surgery my friend. ((HUGS)) I''ve never been through it, but even minor surgeries take time to fully heal.
If, at the end of the 6 weeks, the pain is still there in the smaller area, can it be managed with meds that won''t leave you zonked to the world?
Hang in there - keep the faith! ((HUGS))
Date: 2/5/2009 1:11:21 PM
Author: LostSapphire
Date: 2/5/2009 12:46:14 PM
Author: geckodani
((HUGS))
Okay. Objectively. So we're looking at a 50% fix. Well, that's infinitely better than option A from before your surgery. Or option B for that matter.
You took option C. So, first and foremost. Your 1% chance of death did not occurr. This percentage had me on the edge of my chair biting my nails off until you posted after surgery. So. YAY for that!
I don't believe you've suffered additional hearing loss. So yay for that outcome as well!
That 35% that it wouldn't work at all... also didn't happen. So YAY for that too.
Now... that remaining 50% pain. I'm sure you've still got swelling and trauma in there. I mean, you had brain surgery my friend. ((HUGS)) I've never been through it, but even minor surgeries take time to fully heal.
If, at the end of the 6 weeks, the pain is still there in the smaller area, can it be managed with meds that won't leave you zonked to the world?
Hang in there - keep the faith! ((HUGS))
Thanks Gecko. I'll print that out to remind me to be grateful. It's just really hard some days. I want to wake up and be DONE with this. (you are correct: my hearing has not been affected. My balance however, is shot and doesn't seem to be improving...might take some more time). I'm nauseated all the time. AND MY HEAD HURTS.
I'm so afraid that this is as good as it might get (a very real possibility).
LS
I''m a fan of f*ck it. Seriously. Sometimes f*ck it is the best way to go.Date: 2/5/2009 9:07:43 PM
Author: LostSapphire
thanks guys. This week stinks.
I decided, f*ck it (sorry for swearing but that''s exactly what I thought to myself). So I got on my exercise bike and rode for 20 minutes. If I''m gonna have something permanently, might as well suck it up and deal.
Now, don''t go thinking I broke a sweat or anything on the bike: remember, I have no balance function yet so the majority of my effort went towards not falling off the seat.
Today I also tried driving my car for a bit. Luckily I live in the country so not many cars out there. And sweet DH rode shotgun, of course. He says I did ok. It''s just kind of hard to turn my head to check for other cars without having dizzy spells so I took it really slow.
LS
Hear, hear! (Or would that be read, read??!)Date: 2/6/2009 10:55:56 AM
Author: risingsun
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that you continue in your recovery. It may take more time for the other pain to resolve. You are truly a role model. I don''t know that I could cope with all this the way you have. We may be posters on a forum, but we are here for you
Coffee and tea both, but I only quit post-op because everything tasted funny. I can manage tea ok but the coffee is still difficult. This is fairly typical for me. Every surgery I''ve had (there have been quite a few) leaves me gagging on coffee for weeks.Date: 2/8/2009 5:42:52 PM
Author: sonomacounty
Say, were you much of a coffee/tea drinker and had to quit for your surgery? That could contribute.
You had a big procedure, it may take time. I know that does not help with the frustration, pain or anything though. They say it takes a full year to recover from surgery.
---THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR TEETH. THAT IS NERVE PAIN.---
Now, I''m not sure if your are taking Lyrica now or not? Please update.
Big, soft hugs and a warm bubble bath to you, LS.
Date: 2/8/2009 12:48:57 AM
Author: geckodani