Hey @Nina35,
The first thing I need to say here is that I am NOT a Doctor, I’m merely a patient, so I can’t give you any recommendation for the ‘best process’. When it comes to neurology or neurosurgery every situation varies, which makes planning very much up to the surgeon and their approach.
My first surgery was to ‘fix’ my issue… …only, it didn’t fix it at all and set of a cascade of issues, which, over the years, has required multiple neurosurgeries and it’s still not anything like “Fixed”. One thing I have found is that for every opinion of the best option, you can find another surgeon who has a completely differing opinion, which only makes the process of decision making even harder. I have also found that specialists like to often give us ‘Yes/No’ type answers, but the reality is that we’re humans and we all have our own make up. What may have minimal impact for one individual patient can have an overwhelming effect on another. It’s all variable, so giving concrete ‘Yes/No’ answers IMHO is wrong. And here’s why I say that:
My initial surgery was an emergency, so I didn’t really have much say. But after, when things didn’t improve, I went looking for answers and 2nd opinions. Some medicos were ‘Ohh, I wouldn’t have done THAT…’ (being the first surgery, which started it all). I was only presented with one option, surgery, so to hear there was other options was shocking. After lots of thoughts of ‘if only I knew…’ type scenarios, I came to the conclusion that at that time and in that place, the surgeon saved my life. If he hadn’t operated, I’d either be dead or severely disabled. This why I often say to others “Could things be better? Hell Yes. But then by the same accord, Could things be worse? And again the answer is Yes”.
My advise would be to investigate EVERY option. What are the plus/minus for each? Why? Then you have to weigh it up for yourself and your situation. My daughter is big enough and old enough to look after herself You have a young child to consider. You’re a (younger)female, I’m an (older) male and I think we take differing views on what we, as individuals, need and see as a priority.
Please do post your questions, others maybe able to relate too, to give you a differing perspective.
Merl from the Modsupport Team