My decompression surgery is scheduled for after Christmas. Any suggestions or tips to help me prepare for the day...or to calm my nerves?
Advice for me too please. My surgery is in 3 weeks and am getting very nervous.
Yes ma'am!! I understand how you feel. Mine is schedule in 2mths.
You should be prepared to be at home with no activities for several weeks- so plenty of ready made, healthy food, clean house before surgery, make arrangements for kids (school pick up, activities). I was in the hospital for 5 days, the pain was minimal for me, almost non-existent, just dizzy and nauseated from pain meds. Bring pjs, toothbrush and paste, and ear plugs to the hospital- you will be surprised with how loud and obnoxious people can be, even in the ICU! Limit visitors until you have been home long enough to get a grasp on how you are feeling. Be very careful about what you eat until you have a BM, I got a fecal impaction and that was so much worse than the brain surgery. My best advice is to have a relaxed attitude and mind set about the process. Try to go with the flow. Everyone recovers differently, so if your not meeting the surgeons expectations don’t get upset! Also, I was very emotional for the following several months, I think it’s normal to feel a bit depressed so be prepared for that to possibly happen. Oh, and don’t take a shower unless someone is within earshot - it will make you super dizzy! It helped my anxiety level to remember i was not the first person to have this surgery. There were so many others before me. Be positive with your attitude and rest rest rest. I wish you two the best possible outcome, I’m excited for you!
Jenn
I am 3 wks. post-op. I felt the same way beforehand, very nervous. I had to wait 3 wks. from the time I saw my NS till my surgery date. I kept changing my mind and trying to talk myself out of it.
I was in the hospital for 3 days (ICU one night). Please let your anesthesiologist know if you are get sick (based on prior surgeries) and they can give you meds in your IV and also a patch behind your ear for nausea. Unfortunately, I am so sensitive, that none of that worked for me, and I had to resort to Tylenol only :( Also, as Jenn said above, take stool softeners and drink a lot of water. You are not allowed to "bear down" and you do not want to got constipated.
Have ginger ale, popsicles (I have gone through a ton of these) & light foods on hand. I ate a ton of chicken noodle soup or chicken broth based soups in the first two weeks. If someone wants to bring you food - soup is a good choice.
My NS wanted me to sleep in reclined position, not laying flat for the first couple of weeks. I still cannot sleep in bed, so I switch from the recliner to the couch (very propped up) throughout the night. Sleep has been hard for me. If you can take pain meds, it might be better. Also I can only sleep on my back (still get dizzy on my sides), so basically I am laying right on the incision. At two weeks the sutures were removed, which helps. I usually fall asleep with an ice pak on the back of my head - ice is your friend!!!
Follow the lifting instructions (for me it is no more than 7 lbs. for a month). Your body will tell you if you do too much or lift too much, so listen to your body. I am also out walking in my neighborhood twice a day (started this as soon as I got home). Those were my NS's instructions, yours may be different. Also take good care of the incision. We are still cleaning it 3x day with alcohol & it looks great. I am allowed to drive now too because I am not not meds and my range of motion is good. I still don't go very far. I don't feel "with it" just yet (I haven't felt with it for a long time though) I was able to wash my hair on day 3 (only with Johnson's baby shampoo) and need to use that for a full month. Once again as Jenn said above, have someone close by when you get a shower for at least a week or so. It does make you a little dizzy. I am now getting lavender bubble baths at night too which have been very relaxing (just not too hot).
The hardest thing for me is asking and letting people do things for me. Please let people help you. You need every bit of rest you can get.
Good luck to all three of you. Stay positive & be grateful for every little thing - it truly makes a difference.
Debbie :)
Thanks Debbie and jcdmar,
It is very comforting to know that someone has gone through with it and survived!! But more so.....that someone knows how I feel. I too have gone back n forth several time even now after scheduling the surgery. Family and friends dont know what to say...and I understand.
Blue, why are you hesitant? Is because of the actual surgery or are you unsure of the surgeon?
Sure thing blue21 - if you have any more questions please feel free to ask. It is all still pretty fresh in my mind :)
Debbie
I am very apprehensive about the surgery. This is very new to me and its
brain surgery!! Im 'sure the surgeon knows what he is doing...Just really nervous that's all.
jcdemar said:
Blue, why are you hesitant? Is because of the actual surgery or are you unsure of the surgeon?
My biggest problem was getting comfy after surgery. The bandages were thick and awkward to lie on. After they are off, I didn't like putting pressure on the incision. The solution was a fluffy throw blanket. That way you can create like a little nest to lye your head on. Sounds silly now but you'll know what I mean after surgery. hope all goes well and you heal quick!