Ok getting down to the wire, surgery is the 16th…
I’m trying to prepare… And of course I have questions that I didn’t ask…
So I was told to expect 4-5 days in hospital but I never really asked about the recovery at home… So how immobile are you when you go home? Are you on bed rest for a week or 2 … They did say up to 2 months recovery… But that could mean anything… Do I need someone to be home with me for the first week?
Of course here I am laying in bed at midnight thinking about all these things… I even have dreams about the surgery… They seem so real I swear I can feel them cutting into my head lol
Thanks Jennifer
Jennifer,
I was in the hospital for 5 days. For the next 5 days I slept most of the day, although I was fully able walk around just fine. You should, at the least, have someone come check on you once a day for the first few days you are home. I would wait to take a shower till someone comes by, cause I was VERY dizzy from the pain meds. Make sure you are well stocked with healthy food, stool softener, a thermometer, and movies or whatever you need for low key entertainment. I had to lay flat for 30 minutes out every hour for the first 2 months, but I don’t think that’s every surgeons recommendation. You should get a written instruction from the hospital of their recommendations before you go along with with very clear instructions about what meds you are to take - I was very easily confused for the first two weeks so maybe be prepared for that. I think the most important thing you can do for the first few months is REST, rest, rest. Try to be as relaxed as you can through the process, through the good days and less than good days cause stress makes the recovery harder. I hope you have a seamless recovery. I am excited for you!
Jenn
I am 3 weeks post-op, just had my 52 staples removed! I spent 4 days in the hospital. My first week home I slept most of the time. Walking around the house was easy enough, but definitely do not try to take a shower by yourself! I stocked up on soup, yogurt, and pudding cups because chewing was tiring (LoL!) and anything crunchy seemed too loud in my head! Don’t expect to be able to just jump right back into your daily activities. As I am now 3 weeks post-op, I just recently started washing clothes and sweeping the floor again. I still get tired easily and usually take an afternoon nap. Sleeping all night is still a problem. I can’t seem to sleep more than 2 or 3 hours at a time. I’m hoping that improves over time. Good Luck and keep us posted!!
I only spent two nights in the hospital. Once they started pain medication by mouth and nothing by IV i was ready to go by my own choice. I was texting and even posting on here the same night of my surgery lol
My husband was home with me and I have a high tolerance for pain, I went to Walgreens the day I got released to get all my meds, and was out of the house going somewhere every day except maybe 2. I did not sleep much but again, pain pills do not make me tired either. Instead I was up off and on all night long and couldn't sleep. At 3 weeks post op I was helping paint bedrooms in our house. lol Granted I got yelled at for it but I can't stand to not do anything. I also went to my parents house 10 days post op which was a 3.5 hour drive. I was sore don't get me wrong, but I wasn't bedridden by any means.
I went to work 10 weeks post op, but my surgeon wanted to release me at 6 weeks post op!
I did rest a lot don't get me wrong. I just mean I wasn't laid up in bed not able to do things on my own.
Good Luck! post some updates when you are feeling up to it!
I spent one night in the hospital. I was up and walking and released the next day, I even went to Target to get supplies and to the pharmacy for meds. I stayed in a hotel for a couple of days just because my NS was out of state and I didn't want to be 5 hours away. While I rested most of the day we did go out to eat or just to get a walk in a couple of times a day. I was able to do most everything by myself. I was just slow and my neck was really sore. Once home I was able to be alone without any trouble. I spent a lot of time on the couch or in bed napping but I did try to get at least one walk in per day! I couldn't lift over 5 lbs. or bend over. Those were my only real restrictions! I went back to my desk job at 8 weeks post-op!
Best wishes! :) I hope you have an easy recovery!
Thanks so much for the input…
I have a great hubby and 3 boys… 12,15,and 17 luckily they are older and self sufficient. But we do have to go to ny… So ya I’m worried about coming home and being 3 hours away from the NS
My mom wants to come out and take care of me post op… Wasn’t sure if I needed that or not.
Currently I have to nap every few hours anyway cause of these rotten headaches and neck pain.
Did any of you get a " special haircut" before surgery? I have a sorta angled bob now , I was just thinking about having my hairdresser shave it up in back higher … Cause I hate hair touching my neck and I can imagine if its longer it would drive me nuts hitting the staples or stitches.
Any thoughts on that? Having a visible scar doesn’t bother me… I’m not that vain lol
I did have gastric bypass in April … And didn’t have any pain with that … I even asked that doc … Are you sure you did anything lol
I’m usually a wus with pain, I was wondering if living with this for 3 years has numbed by pain tolerance. I haven’t had a pain free day in 3 years … But the thought of cutting into my head scares the bleeeep out of me…!
Jennifer, my hair is long. I just left it and let them shave the tiny bit away. I flew from NM to WI for my surgery- many of us have gone out of town for our decompressions. If I were you I would have my mom out for at least a few days. That way you can be waited on and taken care of :)I think it’s quite normal to be having fears about the surgery. Just remember this, there’s no sleep like anesthesia sleep!
You are so right about that… I laugh cause I’ve had several surgeries … Gall bladder, endometrial ablation , cysts surgically removed, gastric bypass, and now this… But never had the most common surgery like tonsils or appendix … Idk why I find that humerus lol
I know it sounds crazy but I had a tonsillectomy six years before my decompression and I swear it was much more painful! It’s the only surgery I’ve ever found painful. I an extremely high pain tolerance too!
My personal experience. Hospital 3 days (I don’t have much memory of that) 7-10 at home on some very heavy meds (don’t remember much of that) my husband showered me and claims I ate on my own. Neck was stiff and head hurt. After I had staples removed I was much better. Wobbly, very tired…was not able to drive -at all. I still required assistance with some chores, but husband took a month off…so I had it easy. I did all the research, packed this big bag to take to hospital. I showered on the 2nd night and 3rd day went home in clothes I went to hospital in…(a zipper jacket and sweats) was hard to lift my hands above my head. My NS told me not to sneeze, blow my nose or cough. I hope this helps some. I am so much better and grateful I choose to have the surgery.
Great post Beeba !!!
I will caution you that everyone's surgical experience is subjective. I hope and pray everything goes smoothly for you, but it doesn't always.I would plan on having someone to stay with you for a few days at home even if you don't need them. I had a very extreme CM surgical situation & spent 5 days in ICU & 4 or 5 days on the Neuro Surg Floor. I then wish I had gone to a rehab facility instead of coming home,but luckily my husband took off a year to stay with me and I had home healthcare nurses or I don't think I would have made it. I am not trying to be depressing or to scare you. I am just trying to show you there is a totally different side to CM surgeries.
I agree with Texas Mom don't shower alone and don't close your eyes in the shower.
Protein drinks.are Great !!!
Most Dr's give you stool softeners, if they don't ask for a prescription. They help incredibly.
Again, please just don't think this is a walk in the park. I hope it is but usually isn't.
Tracy Z.
Beeba you nailed it!!!
Just make sure you have everything prepared when you get home. I was literally out of it for the first week home. Afterwards started moving around very slowly. If you have stairs avoid them because your balance will be off.
Ah you are all such a blessing …! Thanks for all the tips… I’ve been out of work for a week because I haven’t been able to function all day, so I got the next 2 weeks to clean and purge and organize and prepare.
And shop for yoga pants lol
And what is it about the shower that makes you dizzy. It does that for me now… Lol
Beeba, your list is incredible! I could not agree with you more on number eight, if you come to my house, please get ready to help, otherwise, no visitors wanted. I needed to be not only honest with my husband about this but with the people/family/friends that would call me when they wanted to come over my house. I might look just fine on the outside, but the inside does not match the outside. And this is what people who are not familiar with or do know about Chiari do not understand. And as to number 9, I am 4 months post surgery and still need to sit to take a shower because the dizziness does come without warning. I also made it clear to myself to put myself first and that it was ok to put others second during this time. I assume some people could get offended, but I can only put on a smile for so long, other days I can’t manage to put on such a great show, as I have become such a great actress LOL … I’m still hiding behind that smile.
I think you nailed it, too, Beeba. I am day 6 after the PFDC surgery with duraplasty & laminectomy....
Point to note- EVERYONE wanted to visit the moment I awoke from anesthesia ( I awoke to a icu room full of my visitors - all 9 of them). First day home I had visitors from 11am til 9pm! Please try to use your time & get others to make a roster....today I am REALLY tire & sore.
iCU will pass & you may remember it as the worst jight of your life - other extreme ly sick people with monitor s going crazy & emergency team called for urgent care of my roommate ( I am a nurse so could NOT detatch from the medical stuff despite being operated on that morning - it felt like I did a night duty following my surgery - I got maybe an hours sleep).
Invaluable item I took was ear plug s - ones that stop all sound - the genral neuro ward was very noisy at night & people have different standards of tolerance to noise.
Stool softeners (I thought that you may have heard that often, but it is essential for a major reason- pooing is traumatic after surgery - just from my perspective)
REST, REST, REST, REST AND MORE REST.
I was in hospital 9 days and home for 6 weeks pushed myself to avoid losing job. Don’t do this it causes to many other issues. Listen to your body and let every one do for you. I would have your mom help if you can handle it sometimes that can be more stressful. I pray it goes well.
My daughter is 5 months out from her second Chiari brain surgery in 2 years. We spent four days in the hospital she was 14 and sixteen yrs old so I was with her every step of the way. First and second day in ICU were awful due to the fact she was in so much pain and its important that her nurses knew how to treat Chiari. patients. Its so important to rest and to walk even if its to the. mailbox and back. So we jump to today…its been a roller coaster ride the last two year and the headaches due come back along with the back aches. the last 3. weeks we have been dealing with panic attacks we travel to Colorado next month to see her doctor. I truly hate this monster that lives in my daughters brain.
I'll be praying for you as you prepare for surgery. You are very brave! I just found out I need surgery about 2 weeks ago and have been overwhelmed by the thought of it all. You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep me updated. God bless you and may He fill you with His peace.