So I have met with the neurosurgeon for the third time and have decided to move forward only because I am so afraid of my symptoms getting worse than they already are, my balance is so bad it’s ridiculous. Now that I have scheduled the surgery I have more questions and concerns than ever before, I am in a constant state of anxiety all the time. I had most all of my questions answered by him and I feel that he is capable, I also know that this isn’t the most common surgery and that he hasn’t done hundreds of them, I understand that but in all reality I am struggling knowing that this may or may not work for me, I may be better or worse… Some days I can’t justify going through with it when I’m having a good day and other days I’m ready to go, it’s so confusing. I feel like I am leaving my entire life and the way I may function after in the hands of a doctor whom I hope is the right guy, I’m scared! Thankful that this site exists so that I can vent, thanks for listening.
Hi, I know how you feel, I have my pre op next Wednesday (28th) and then will be waiting for the phone call with my surgery date. I have a great surgeon who is an expert in chiari so feel I am in good hands, but it’s still terrifying! I have to try and stay very calm and positive for my teenage son (I’m a single parent) but this waiting is driving me insane! I just want to get on with it and stop thinking about it!!
I TOTALLY get where you are coming from......
I am having my surgery on February 24th (prep on the 23rd) I am in the same exact mixed emotion turmoil that you are!!!
I have a great surgeon who is an expert in chiari. He told me if it was him & that he had the symptoms that I have that he would go through with the surgery.....SCARED!!! I also have a 10 year old & a 13 year old.
Is this the BEST option!?!
For now I will Prayer for you.
Beeba
This makes so much sense! I finally put it out there to everyone I know yesterday on Facebook that are my friends and family that I haven't told, and it was mainly to hold me accountable to show up on the date of my surgery, I keep second guessing myself and I thought if I put it out there and everyone were to know there would be no going back. I know it sounds silly but I think it was the right choice for me. I don't nap but I am pretty tired most of the time, for me my balance is a HUGE issue, my vision, and also my speech. It's enough to know that I can't let it get any worse than where it already is. I am guessing that you went through with the surgery, if so did you find any relief from any of your symptoms?
I also have kids and I believe that is what is weighing most on my mind, they are 17 and eight, it is so hard to know that they will see me in pain and that I won't be able to fully be there for them for a little while, maybe a long while, who knows? I hope that everything goes well for you, we should touch bade again some time after, see how each other are doing and if it helped, take care.
LG15 said:
I TOTALLY get where you are coming from......
I am having my surgery on February 24th (prep on the 23rd) I am in the same exact mixed emotion turmoil that you are!!!
I have a great surgeon who is an expert in chiari. He told me if it was him & that he had the symptoms that I have that he would go through with the surgery.....SCARED!!! I also have a 10 year old & a 13 year old.
Is this the BEST option!?!
For now I will Prayer for you.
I have heard of people passing as well, I don't know anyone who has but is it more from complications after surgery, or just not having the surgery in general and then people fall ill to some effect of having Arnold Chiari? I have wondered this many times but I have never wanted to ask, seems wrong of me to do so. I am so sorry to hear that surgery didn't work the first time for you, I dread that happening as well, I think I am more worried about the anesthesiologist, I just hope they get it right, I need to wake hope, I am so worried, thanks for responding back, it makes me feel a little bit better to have conversations with people who know where I am coming from, I know my family and friends care but they aren't in my position, so thank you.
Beeba said:
All that said - I am not always great - but I can function and I rarely nap. The occipital neuralgia is what has got me now - not the chiari. Would I do things differently? Hell yeah!! Would I do it again the right way? Hell yeah.