Health Update
Hi All,
I am just touching base to give an update. Unfortunately, I am not up to much yet.
The procedure went as smoothly as might have been hoped. The recovery has not gone quite as well as we might have hoped. The procedure has flared up the trigeminal neuralgia which makes sorting out some of the symptoms problematic. I still have pain and swelling from where the halo was mounted, and some ongoing drainage from one site. I am having decreased hearing in the left ear and some equilibrium issues. Nausea - in part likely due to the radiation and in part the equilibrium. Finally got some compazine for that so I can at least briefly get on the PC to send off some notes and check my email. There are pain issues, but I am managing them most of the time. Still fatigued as well.
I had a somewhat humorous / some what nerve wracking spell of "double hearing" - my left ear was "hearing" about 1/2 second behind the right. That has partially cleared - or the gap has gotten much closer to in-synch. Let me tell you - that was truly bizarre.
I had hoped to be back to relatively normal by today, but it looks like it may take a bit longer than that. It is hard to say what the longer term results will be. The increasing equilibrium problem is somewhat concerning, but may straighten out (pun intended) with some time.Right now I am essentially doing nothing - kind of an enforced rest I guess. I can only read about 5 minutes at a time, same for TV and being on the PC. Bit boring and frustrating.
I want to thank you all for the supportive and encouraging thoughts you have sent (and left on the previous post - I am warmed and heartened by them. It is my firm hope to be able to return to my contribution to the broader effort in the near future.
My gratitude and best wishes to you all.
rowan
(lots and lota and lots of hugs)
OK, my healing thoughts are gonna get a tad more, er, bossy.
June 22, 2009 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good to see you, Rowan. I'll keep my advice short.
Rum.
Well, morphine if you can get it, but otherwise... rum.
It'll come. Just rest. And read Dick's posts. They help adjust the equilibrium. Sortof. ;-)
June 22, 2009 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I prefer my rum with tonic, and a half a lime. One of those every 4 hours, and you'll be sleeping through your recovery Rowan. Neurological recoveries can be unpredictable, (I've had a foraminectomy c-5/c-6, I know, I know, totally different), that in the end was totally successful. Give it time and keep us posted.
June 22, 2009 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well Rowan, your words concern me much. But you are attempting to accomplish something.
Sometimes, sorting things out on a keyboard aint that bad of a therapy though.
My prayers are with you, for what it is worth.
And you do remind me how lucky I really am.
June 22, 2009 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second that.
A double portion of prayers.
June 23, 2009 2:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rowan, glad you could update us. Keep the healing thoughts going.
June 22, 2009 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Take good care of yourself, Rowan. I hope you're feeling much better much sooner than you could have imagined.
June 23, 2009 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
We've not met before, but our stories touch.
One of my stories is that my mum has had trigeminal neuralgia for 25 years. I hope that your flare up will be very brief, and that you'll know some respite in the next few hours. It's what I always wish for my mum.
On another front, I suffered my own sudden, overnight loss of hearing in one ear and the balance system that went with it, and it took me months before I could walk on a sidewalk without having intimate and sudden conversations with telephone polls.
Recovery was both quick and slow. Some parts of my hearing and brain sorting themselves out very quickly (i.e. the worst of the vertigo diminishing) and other things, like suddenly falling sideways, took months. Even people who know brains can't predict how one person will heal. Take hope from that, I say!
It's amazing that your brain has already been sorting out how to "hear" again, after taking on an injury (i.e. operation) designed to heal it. That is such a good development, and I shall be praying for more such good developments for you in the days ahead.
I hope this hasn't been too lengthy an entry from a stranger. But your story is close to my heart, and so, with a full heart, I'm wishing for you the very best of care and a healing time.
June 23, 2009 12:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Duffy, it is not too long a response at all, and thanks for sharing you experiences. The doctors have been remarkably short on explanations and preparation. Largely saying (before they sent me home) very vague things like "it varies." Thanks for taking the time to write, and for your warm wishes.
June 23, 2009 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rowan,
You've been in my thoughts and prayers.
So appreciate your update.
Hopefully your full recovery from this procedure will now be swift and complete with minimal discomfort.
Please, when you are able, continue to keep us updated.
June 23, 2009 2:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just a heap of get well wishes for a speedy recovery - hang in there and be well soon.
June 23, 2009 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sending healing thoughts your way, Rowan. Thanks for the update, and hang in there!
June 23, 2009 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
To all,
I don't have the wherewithal to respond to each of you individually, so thank you each for your encouragement.
Miguel and Quinn, I may try the rum remedy though rum has not been my drink of choice as I lean more towards brandy and ameretto. Right now I am a bit reluctant to get any more tipsy than I already am :-)
You are a great group of very special folks. I hope you all know that. I have been feeling a bit in the dumps as my body tries to sort things out. Your kind words, wishes for healing, and sage advice have lifted my spirits.
June 23, 2009 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Get well soon, Rowan! My thoughts are with you.
June 23, 2009 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
I myself have been around sporadically due to life changes and missed the post regarding your illness. I hope you will continue to gain strength and be back soon.
June 23, 2009 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hmmm. Something like that happened to me the first time a tried the evil weed about 45 years ago. The second time, both my feet fell asleep, and I decided to stick to broccoli thereafter.
Best of everything and goodest of wishes from Rhode Island.
June 23, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Smoking broccoli?
Ack!
June 23, 2009 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
At the chat site they are recommending Vicadin smoothies. Strawberry preferred, although my choice would be rhubarb. Whatever it takes for you to feel better. With an equilibrium problem, maybe more sleep, more drugs if necessary but less TPM? Oh, of course, TPM is our drug of choice.
Rest recreate and come back soon.
June 23, 2009 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry folks I appreciate the suggestions, but neither smoking broccoli nor vicodin sounds very good with the way mu stomach is acting.
I am very touched that you are brainstorming helpful remedies though. Gosh, what can I say?
(hugs to you all)
June 24, 2009 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink