Thank you for your help and encouragement. I am in New York. I can’t decide if I am more afraid of the surgery, the recovery, or having to start my life completely over after. The nerves are really taking over. I fear I will lose my nerve at the last minute!
Patti said:
I had my surgery on October 22nd. It was also my 1st ever surgery.
I was scared out if my mind, but let me assure you that you are making an excellent decision. You are going to improve your life.
I would suggest taking facial wipes. That way you can easily clean your face without having to lean over (my neck was very weak and sore abd I couldn’t lean over the sink). Also, get dry shampoo. You aren’t supposed to wash your hair for a week after surgery. I wish I would have had dry shampoo to help with the oil. My hospital provided everything else like baby wipes and toothbrush.
I am in New York. Dr. Holtzman and dr. Shah are doing my surgery. I wish you so much luck with your struggle!
CShinaberry said:
Who is doing your surgery? I pray for a speedy recovery! I have a follow up with my local neurologist tomorrow. Hoping to get the info needed to appeal Anthem to have more tests done with Dr Heffez in Wisconsin.
i had my surgery 2 years ago I took a bag fool of stuff which was unneaded but I did not no what to expect I was in icu for 3 days they never moved me to a room I was discharged straight out of icu from the dr in which I should have stayed for a couple more days all I needed was something to wear home comfy and easy clothes to get on. you will need help when you get home. chicken soup and sprite was good for me so make sure you have that or dry toast I had a schedule of taking my medicines to keep the pain under control. when I came out of my surgery my head hurt me so bad but they finally got all that under control. it is a hard surgery just take care of yourself and don't over do yourself make sure you have someone to stay with you when you get home to help you. I hope all goes well keep me posted on your recovery thoughts and prayers for you. .
Try not to let the nerves take over, you will make it through this and will be out the other side, healed and moving on before you know it. Try to focus on why it is so important you have the surgery, and not the surgery itself. It seems like most of what I've read is that the hospital stay is fairly short and once you are home, you just take it easy. Of course there will be discomfort but most of the time after surgery is a blur (and not in a negative way). Just try to focus on moving forward, every day post surgery is better than the previous and after a month, you will look back and be amazed. Good luck, stay positive and one step at a time!
jessica said:
Thank you for your help and encouragement. I am in New York. I can't decide if I am more afraid of the surgery, the recovery, or having to start my life completely over after. The nerves are really taking over. I fear I will lose my nerve at the last minute!
Patti said:
I had my surgery on October 22nd. It was also my 1st ever surgery.
I was scared out if my mind, but let me assure you that you are making an excellent decision. You are going to improve your life.
I would suggest taking facial wipes. That way you can easily clean your face without having to lean over (my neck was very weak and sore abd I couldn't lean over the sink). Also, get dry shampoo. You aren't supposed to wash your hair for a week after surgery. I wish I would have had dry shampoo to help with the oil. My hospital provided everything else like baby wipes and toothbrush.
I spent 11 days in the hospital. Each person will have a different experience. The hospital will have most needs covered. The only thing that I could keep down was orange sherbet/sprite or 7-up floats. I washed my hair with regular shampoo daily. Getting comfortable was impossible! Your body will let you know what it needs.
It is not a surgery for wimps. CM is only for the strong. So, keep being strong, let CM know who’s boss, and reach out to the best support group when you need us. Good luck with your preparations and your surgery. You are not alone!
Congrats on getting your surgery scheduled, that's probably the hardest thing some people go through in this process. I had my surgery a couple years ago and, thank God and my surgeon, I have been virtually pain free ever since, you can't hardly even see my scar anymore either. I remember when I was in the hospital and then back home, ice packs were key to alleviating muscle pain in the neck. In the hospital they'll give you plenty if you want. Bring some relaxing music a good book and try to let everyone else wait on you. You need rest. My wife would bring wipes and clean everything my head came close to even the back of my easy chair. Take your medicine even if you feel better, you don't want sore muscles creeping up on you. Luck to you and prayers too!
Jessica, my surgery experience was “good” I guess you could say. The morning of there was check in, change into to a heated gown, the surgical nurse hooks up the electrodes, IV placed, meet and greet with anesthesiology, then lights out for the best sleep of your life. Post op I threw up a few times but other than that I slept for the next 5 days. My advice for you is to just relax into the process and have trust in the professionals. I’m so glad you are at this point and I think you will do wonderfully. Btw I think you will also do just fine at the hospital with just the nurses and staff taking care of you - My hub just watched me sleep the whole time.
Thank you or sharing! I am very happy to hear that your experience was good. I keep reminding myself why I chose my surgeon & why I need to trust that they will take good care of me. Its just a little extra hard to deal with because I am suddenly dealing with a separation at the same time so I really didnt have time to plan for no support system, but I am grateful for everyone here! Hoping you are doing well! - TracyJessica
jcdemar said:
Jessica, my surgery experience was "good" I guess you could say. The morning of there was check in, change into to a heated gown, the surgical nurse hooks up the electrodes, IV placed, meet and greet with anesthesiology, then lights out for the best sleep of your life. Post op I threw up a few times but other than that I slept for the next 5 days. My advice for you is to just relax into the process and have trust in the professionals. I'm so glad you are at this point and I think you will do wonderfully. Btw I think you will also do just fine at the hospital with just the nurses and staff taking care of you - My hub just watched me sleep the whole time.
I am in NY. Dr. Holtzman is doing my surgery ith Dr. Shah. I'm guessing you live in or near Wisconsin? I wish you luck with your appeal. I truly despise insurance companies! Please do not stop fighting! Be that thorn that does not go away!! Hell, write to all your local politicians in order from smallest all the at to govenor if need be. Websites make that very easy!! They HAVE to reply to you by law!!! Best wishes - TracyJessica
CShinaberry said:
Who is doing your surgery? I pray for a speedy recovery! I have a follow up with my local neurologist tomorrow. Hoping to get the info needed to appeal Anthem to have more tests done with Dr Heffez in Wisconsin.
Thank you very much, Abby. I will take it easy, I have no choice. I have to get back on my feet! I do not really have anyone to stay with me, but I will find a way to manage. Warm wishes - TracyJessica
Abby said:
Best to you Jessica. Will have you in thought and prayers. Sending you hugs and please keep us posted. My advice to you, take it easy and sleep as much as you can. Have someone to stay with you.
Bob, Its wonderful to hear that you had a good recovery from surgery! I am very happy for you, & it is also encouraging for me & probaly many others. At the risk of becoming a broken record, I find myself suddenly separated from my husband, so iI am a little nervous about all the advice about having your spouse take care of you, but I will have to find a way to make it through! Thank you so much for taking time to reach out & share your experience with me. Best wishes - TracyJessica
Robert Criner said:
Hi Jessica,
Congrats on getting your surgery scheduled, that's probably the hardest thing some people go through in this process. I had my surgery a couple years ago and, thank God and my surgeon, I have been virtually pain free ever since, you can't hardly even see my scar anymore either. I remember when I was in the hospital and then back home, ice packs were key to alleviating muscle pain in the neck. In the hospital they'll give you plenty if you want. Bring some relaxing music a good book and try to let everyone else wait on you. You need rest. My wife would bring wipes and clean everything my head came close to even the back of my easy chair. Take your medicine even if you feel better, you don't want sore muscles creeping up on you. Luck to you and prayers too!
Thanks, I just might need you guys, you probably will hear more from me soon! Do you feel you have improved from your surgery? I personally feel, as much as I am the biggest wimp around, that I have run out of choices. My quality of life is non existent, & my daily pain is intolerable. Thanks again for the encouragement! - TracyJessica
Weebleviii said:
I spent 11 days in the hospital. Each person will have a different experience. The hospital will have most needs covered. The only thing that I could keep down was orange sherbet/sprite or 7-up floats. I washed my hair with regular shampoo daily. Getting comfortable was impossible! Your body will let you know what it needs.
It is not a surgery for wimps. CM is only for the strong. So, keep being strong, let CM know who's boss, and reach out to the best support group when you need us. Good luck with your preparations and your surgery. You are not alone!
I live in Virginia. A friend I graduated with had a 5 mm Chiari. Dr Heffez did her surgery. I chose him to get a second opinion on my scans. Wasn’t sure who to go to.
Thank you, I hope you are doing well now. I guess the only issue now is that I am going home to be alone. I knew that wouldnt be the ideal situation, but you guys really seem to stress having somebody home with me. No I am scared. I have pre-op tomorrow. I will talk to them about this and see hat they say. Thanks again, its way better to hear this now, especially from people who have lived this. Sending hugs - TracyJessica
goingcrazy said:
i had my surgery 2 years ago I took a bag fool of stuff which was unneaded but I did not no what to expect I was in icu for 3 days they never moved me to a room I was discharged straight out of icu from the dr in which I should have stayed for a couple more days all I needed was something to wear home comfy and easy clothes to get on. you will need help when you get home. chicken soup and sprite was good for me so make sure you have that or dry toast I had a schedule of taking my medicines to keep the pain under control. when I came out of my surgery my head hurt me so bad but they finally got all that under control. it is a hard surgery just take care of yourself and don't over do yourself make sure you have someone to stay with you when you get home to help you. I hope all goes well keep me posted on your recovery thoughts and prayers for you. .
I had surgery a year ago and I thought I was going to need a lot but I didn't need anything really. Being in ICU, they wouldn't let me do a thing. Once being moved to a regular room I did change into sweatpants cause I was cold but that was all. I did bring reading material cause if I wasn't sleep and watch tv I was bored out of my mind. Just make sure you have all necessities at home when you arrive.
Thank you for the input! WOW, everyone sure seems to talk about the nausea! Sounds awesome. If I may ask, why 3 surgeries? I will be thinking of you, please let me know how you are doing! Sending hugs - TracyJessica
caseydmurray said:
good luck with your surgery, I'm having my third one on the twentieth and it's been over a year since my last two so I'm also in that state of panic. you really don't need to bring much to the hospital at all, just whatever you think you'll need to be comfortable. for me I bring an ipad to watch movies on and I also bring a mini fan because the wind blowing on my face helps with the nausea. there really isn't much need to pack a huge bag, chances are you won't care about anything in it. I'm not sure about other people, but I was very lucid after surgery and completely aware of what was going on, I even watched a movie a couple hours after the operation. the second day in both surgeries was always the worst for me with nausea, so make sure to stay on top of the anti nausea meds and maybe something with ginger. my biggest advice would be to stay elevated when sleeping for as many days as you can possibly stand it because it puts less pressure on your duraplasty graft, decreasing your chances of a leak. also take it really easy the first couple weeks even if you feel up to doing more just take it really slow. I wish you the best of luck in your surgery and recovery.
Diana, THANK YOU. just thank you. I am literally in a never ending anxiety attack. For just 1 person to reach out just to say something positive....PRICELESS. Dont get me wrong, I know I asked what to expect, but most people who have positive experiences usually move on & dont take the time to come back & share that, so THANK YOU!
diana said:
I had my surgery 15 months ago. It was a godsend. And to tell you the truth, because of the meds they give you will make you mostly forget the days after. Bottom line, you will get your life back. Hang in there.