I'm home now

I was discharged from hospital this afternoon. I see surgeon for follow up Wednesday then neuro sometime next week. Scalp and back of head still numb. Neck and shoulders very sore. Drive home was a bit tough since I couldn't seem to get comfortable. Took about an hour and a half. I'm not allowed to shower or wash hair until I see surgeon Wednesday. This will be interesting as I have never gone that long without washing my hair. I managed a very careful bath tonight. Kept the incision and stitches dry.

I have a drain in the incision. The surgeon stitched it into place and will remove it Wednesday. I also have a topical numbing agent (can't make out the name of the medication) in a pump with tube sewn into the incision. I don't think it is doing as much as good as doctor thought it would. I'm stuck with that until Wednesday. I have to find shirts with a pocket in the front so I can tuck the drain bulb into it to free up my hands. The pump is in a small bag like a fanny pack. I have to be careful not to pull on the tubes. They have been stitched into the incision so they can't be pulled out but it is difficult to deal with.

According to my dad, the surgeon told him that when he opened me up and began working on the left side, the nerve was so tightly compressed that it doubled in size as soon as he removed some of the muscle tissue. Right side was not so bad. I'm having a lot of neck pain. I can not move my head so I'm doing the full torso swivel to look around if necessary. I also can't move head up and down so its kind of tough having to look straight ahead all the time. I am also working on a migraine right now so I'm going to take my Relpax and knock it out. I think its just all the trauma. Incision is swollen of course and my parents say even my ears look a little puffy. My poor mother took on look at it and started gagging. My dad keeps insisting its fine and no sign of infection or anything. I tend to avoid mirrors. The surgeon shaved a square patch for the incision. I think the upper layer of hair will cover it when the time comes.

I'm really tired now and heading to bed. Hope everyone is as pain free as can be.

Kim

Kim
I am praying for you and hope that each day gets better. I know you will be glad to get the drain out. I just came out of two days of horrible monster, throwing up kind....ugh.

We should know this Wednesday how soon we will have the funds for my surgery. I am in Florida right now, flew in last Tuesday. Normally I do better here, but not the case this time. I will be flying back to Kentucky this Wednesday.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Trinity

Slept okay last night Woke up about 3:30 am. Took a Norco and went back to sleep. I got up to get my daughter off to school. Did okay with that. I just can't seem to make myself take it easy. I did a few loads of laundry and changed my sheets. I spilled some comfort food on my bed last night. This stuff has to be done. As long as I take it slow and move carefully, its not so bad. The incision looks the same, but the swelling is done a bit. I thought about trying to post a picture but it looks kind of yuck so I didn't want to gross anyone out.

My neck and shoulders are now hurting, I've had some trouble with muscle spasms. Its almost interesting how I can feel the spasm tense and release. The release feels much better   

I've dosed myself with meds and am back in bed. My head is trying to get in on the action and start hurting. I'm going to take a Relpax and try to sleep for a while.

K

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your journey! I totally want to see pics!!!!! I'm sending you healing thoughts and can't wit for more updates.

Hang in there Kimbak. Hugs

I had a follow-up today. The Dr removed the stitches for the drain and lidocaine pump. I didn't feel anything. I've been more me in the last 24 hours than I've been in the last 24 months. I have no pain in my left side at all. Right side is coming along. Dr said my left side was shocking it was so bad. Right side was bad but left was worse.

I hope this continues. I hope this kind of relief happens for all of us. My hands hesitate to write the words but it's real. Today for the first time in forever I saw me again. My mom was almost in tears when she said it. "You are you again."

Ok 'nuff teary stuff. Day 5 is still good. The saga  continues...

Kim
I almost cried reading this from you at day 5 post op....every now and then I catch a glimpse of the Trinity I used to be and I miss that side of myself. I am so glad the "Kim" you used to know is on her way back!

We have $5,000 of the 15,000 collected towards my surgery. It all has to be paid up front before they will put me on the OR schedule, but at least we are 1/3 of the way there! We are selling one of our cars and all of our furniture, TV, Martin guitars, everything is going in a "Fundraiser" Yard sale except our bedroom set. We hope to raise at least another $7,500 in that. Our Church said they would open an account for people to anonymously donate funds into. Yesterday I opened a letter from a lady who sent a check for $1,000; that was such a blessing. I am just hoping we can get the rest quickly plus another $3,000 for travel and hotel for 10 days.

I am having a full decompression, neck, eyes, brows, ears, temples and top front and back of head. Last month I had 23 days of migraine and I can't wait to kill this monster.

Stay positive and know I am so happy for you!!!

Trinity