Today I had my follow up scans and I posted 4 new pictures from them. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. I feel better post-op that's for sure, but not as "better" as I had hoped. I know it's only been a couple months so it may take some time to heal. I'm just hoping to get some opinions because I don't really have anything to compare my scans with. I'm happy with the amount of skull that was removed so at least that's done :) but I can't help but notice that the tonsils are still pretty much the same. Anyways, any opinions would be greatly appreciated <3 much love <3
I'm sorry that you haven't experienced the results that you had hoped for, but I am hoping that it's still early. Looking at your MRIs it does seem to me that the tonsils are still pretty low and crowded....but just my opinion. Did they say that the cine- was good? What sx are you still experiencing? Do you think any of it has to do with instability as you had mentioned that TCI had wanted to do a fusion. I know that when they do the craniocervical fusion they basically reposition the skull on the spine....perhaps that would cause the tonsils to be raised? Just my guesses....for what they are worth! I hope you continue to feel better. Hang in there!
oops i think there's some confusion here... I am definitely not a radiologist :) just a computer nerd haha.
Beeba said:
Hi Bill, sorry you aren't feeling better. Time does help. You are still real early. Had a funny conversation with Tracyz. I told her I was worried that people kept putting up their MRI and asked for your opinion. I thought you just knew a lot and were pretty good at reading these. I can't tell you how relieved I was to hear you really were a radiologist!! I pretend to be a dr so I just thought you were pretending you were a radiologist!!! Lol hope that at least makes you smile a bit. Please keep healing and try to be patient. Easier said than done!!
Thank you so much Emmaline! That makes me feel so much more hopeful :) I've read of people having that experience with this whole thing, I guess i just forgot. My NS was very pleased with the scans and said the Cine was what they look for in a normal brain :) Anyways, thank you very much for your reply, I really needed it<3
Emmaline said:
Bill, I think it's too early for you still. You're doing great, and we all want to feel better sooner rather than later. I can tell you that I'm at 4 mos, 2 weeks. and have had a real turn this month for the better. I was feeling rather odd whenever I was out and about, like it was foreign to me. Driving was weird, being in a store was weird. But it's still changing, and that is what is fascinating about the whole recovery thing. I'm still changing and evolving. Nothing is set in stone yet. I wondered if it was my age, I'm 56, and was that why I was taking longer. But then I spoke with a parent of an 18 yr old that told me her daughter really changed a lot between month 4 and 5...like a lot! And at 6 mos really felt well. Others have told me the same thing, some still changing after the 6 mos time frame.
So I'm of the belief that as long as thing are still evolving, I will continue to feel better. I don't think it matters that your tonsils are still where they were, because they have more room now. I didn't expect to hear that our brains would move up, only that they would be happier with the spacier accommodations!
Keep up with your conditioning, and keep the faith. We all need reassurance that we are doing well and on the right path. You are! You're still healing! Hugs!
Haha, wow, I guess watching hours of those boring conferences and Dr.Bolognese videos paid off :) The fact that all those doctors are even willing to share that information and upload those long videos really shows how much they care.