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Title: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by Lizzie2 on May 12th, 2008, 5:35pm Hi everyone, Just wanted to let you all know that tomorrow is my surgery for the right supraorbital and bilateral occipital nerve stimulator implant. I don't know what time I have to be there yet - the hospital is supposed to be calling before 9pm tonight to let me know what time I have to be there. I got a little nervous today because the neurosurgeon's office called me to be sure we were still doing the surgery tomorrow - this is just because we've had so many times moving it around and waiting around for the new battery and then deciding not to wait. If you all could just keep me in your thoughts/prayers for tomorrow, that would be great! I'm hoping that I'll be able to come home after the surgery tomorrow, but I won't know until it actually happens - there's always the possibility I would have to stay overnight if I don't react as well to the anesthesia. Not sure if I'll be able to post for a few days. Charlotte (cash, swimchica's mama) gave me her home phone number so that I can let her know (and subsequently let you all know) how the surgery went and what's going on. If I feel up to it, I'll try to post when I can! Thanks and hugz, Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by debOUCH on May 12th, 2008, 5:42pm carrie.............tho i have not "formerly" met you.....u will be in my thoughts and prayers...............you will be fine.....................if not even better than fine....................positive vibes being sent out to you and lots of pryaers and hugs deb xo |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on May 12th, 2008, 5:47pm Sending all the Good Luck wishes I can find, Carrie. Let us know when you can. Hugs Carol |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by alchemy on May 12th, 2008, 5:50pm Sending vibes, you'll do fine. Maybe we can compare notes jim |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by thomas on May 12th, 2008, 5:53pm Hope all goes well! |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by barry_sword on May 12th, 2008, 5:57pm Carrie, you will be in my thoughts and prayers until you are safe and sound back home. You will be fine. [smiley=hug.gif] |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by George_J on May 12th, 2008, 6:08pm Carrie, all our best wishes for a successful outcome tomorrow. I sure hope this is your "magic bullet". All the best, George |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Jimi on May 12th, 2008, 6:12pm I concur with George. I hope this works well for you. You have my prayers that all will go well. |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by chefjohn on May 12th, 2008, 6:30pm My best of luck to you. You will be in my prayers. Just think positive thoughts. John |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Paul98 on May 12th, 2008, 6:38pm Good luck tomorrow Carrie and best wishes for a speedy recovery! -P. |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by nani on May 12th, 2008, 6:43pm You're gonna do great, sweetie. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this begins a nice looong break for you, Carrie. hugs, nani |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Yorky on May 12th, 2008, 6:48pm good luck girl ;) |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Ray on May 12th, 2008, 6:56pm Carrie: My prayers are going up for you! All the best, Ray |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by KJ on May 12th, 2008, 7:27pm Best wishes C. :) |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Brew on May 12th, 2008, 7:41pm Best of luck, Carrie! We'll be hopin' and wishin' and vibin' and prayin' you through. |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by jimmers on May 12th, 2008, 7:42pm You know you are in our prayers! Jimmers and Barb |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Jonny on May 12th, 2008, 7:46pm All the best to ya, kid! :-* |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Charlie on May 12th, 2008, 7:55pm Lots of vibes and good wishes kid. I bet you're gonna do just fine. Charlie |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Lizzie2 on May 12th, 2008, 8:06pm Thanks everyone!! It means a lot!! So first I got a call saying I had to be at the hospital at 10am. Then they called back.... They said the OR schedule got rearranged and I am now the neurosurgeon's 1st case, so guess what time I have to be at hospital??? 5:30am!!! AHHHHH!!! That means from out here at my parents' house, we have to leave at 4:30am, and my poor mom has to get up really early to get ready! I think I'll probably get up at 4 or so maybe! Oh well - over and done with, I guess! :) Thanks again for all the vibes and good thoughts!! I'm taking my shower tonight and straightening my hair before I have to say goodbye to a big chunk of it tomorrow! haha... Hugz, Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by DennisM1045 on May 12th, 2008, 8:24pm Good luck tomorrow Carrie. I know it's going to go well and can't wait to hear your updates. ((((HUGS)))) -Dennis- |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by mattus on May 12th, 2008, 8:24pm Good luck, Carrie. Best wishes. |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by createdforjoy on May 12th, 2008, 10:37pm ;;D Good luck to you I am new to the board but I will keep you in my prayers and hope that all will be well. I am anxious to see how this works out for you. |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by barry_sword on May 13th, 2008, 6:38am Carrie, you are in my thoughts today, all will be good! [smiley=hug.gif] |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Charlotte on May 13th, 2008, 8:48am You wll be in my thoughts and prayers. [smiley=hug.gif] Charlotte (the other Charlotte) |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Callico on May 13th, 2008, 9:17am Carrie, You are in my family's prayers today. Looking forward to hearing the good news. Jerry |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Langa on May 13th, 2008, 9:21am I hope all goes well. Langa |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by aubmari on May 13th, 2008, 10:50am Hope all goes very well. You are in my prayers ;) Aubmari |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by sandie99 on May 13th, 2008, 11:33am Lots of luck, Carrie! :) Prayers are on their way to you. Sanna |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by mummymac on May 13th, 2008, 12:10pm Carrie The best of British is being sent to you, sorry I am a bit late, you proberly have had it done now and are recovering. :) |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Gator on May 13th, 2008, 2:24pm Well, I'm late as usual, but I do hope all is going well! Mike |
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Title: Re: My Surgery is Finally Tomorrow! Post by Lizzie2 on May 13th, 2008, 7:16pm Thanks all - I'm home, and in a lot of pain but doing okay overall. :) The surgery went very well. :) Just wanted to check in. More later once I feel better :) Hugz, Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by Lizzie2 on May 13th, 2008, 7:18pm P.S. I forgot to say that I know it all went well because of your thoughts and vibes and prayers here! I know this is one powerful family! Thanks again!! Much love.... Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by kayarr on May 13th, 2008, 7:52pm Carrie, I have ben praying and thinking of you all day. It will continue but woah to being home and it went great! Hugs, K and J |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by cash5542 on May 13th, 2008, 7:57pm I'm so glad to hear from you! I've been pacing around since 6:00. Take it easy and rest!! Glad all went well! Charlotte |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on May 13th, 2008, 8:11pm Glad to hear it went well Carrie. Now get some rest and tomorrow will be a whole 'nother day. Hugs Carol |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by Charlie on May 13th, 2008, 9:20pm Great news; now shut up and waste lots of time recovering. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/slider.gif Charlie |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by sandie99 on May 14th, 2008, 2:57am Thanks for the update, Carrie! :) I'm so glad to hear it went well. Now here's to healing & PF time, Sanna |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by chefjohn on May 14th, 2008, 4:00am Glad to hear all went well. Get tons and rest and heal well. John |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by Jackie on May 14th, 2008, 5:51am Glad it's over for you and all went well.... Now, get some rest. [smiley=hug.gif] Much love, Jackie |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by Tara Ann on May 14th, 2008, 6:40am Happy it's over. Hope you heal super fast! |
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Title: Re: Updated - Home from Surgery Post by Lizzie2 on May 14th, 2008, 11:53am Hi again, Thanks so much everybody! You're thoughts and prayers have meant so much to me! You've all helped me get through the initial decision to go through with the trial this past January, getting through the trial, and then the long waiting and ups and downs of the battery drama, and now the surgery. It has helped so much being able to have supportive friends here! Yesterday I really was in a lot of pain from my head to my abdomen, but mostly my abdomen. When I awoke from the surgery in recovery, they gave me like 4 doses of fentanyl but by the time I got back to short procedure and my parents showed up, I started crying because it still hurt so badly. Of course, crying made it hurt worse, so I was trying to stop that, but I couldn't help it! haha They gave me a couple of percocet in short procedure, and it took the edge off but it still hurt pretty bad. Eventually with help I was able to move to a chair, then use the bathroom, and then my mom helped me change into clothes to get home. Ran into a doc from work as well as a friend of mine from work while waiting for my mom to get the car, so it was nice to see friendly faces. I think one of the worst parts was that we had about an hour drive home in lots of stop and go traffic. Every bump was a killer, and I felt super motion-sick probably from the meds and anesthesia. But eventually I fell asleep in the car which got me through most of the ride home. At first, it really was pretty painful - I couldn't find a comfortable position to be in, but after much trying, my mom and I got the pillows situated in a way that felt good. I took the percocet every 4 hours, even during the night set an alarm to take them so the pain wouldn't get really bad. I also started taking motrin with it. They've also got me on antibiotics for 3 days, which I have to take every 8 hours...plus all my usual meds. So we're keeping notes on all of it to keep it straight! I actually slept really well last night between alarms for the meds, so that was nice. I slept sitting up and even did lie on the right side (surgical side) for a little bit. It feels best to lie on that side if I'm going to lie down because then there's light pressure against it as opposed to my attempt to lie on the left side, which stretched out the incision pain on the right and left me feeling unsupported. My boyfriend Jason came over yesterday evening after his 2nd day at his new job, so it was nice to see him! I slept through most of our visit, unfortunately! My parents and grandparents also gave me a really pretty vase of flowers. I had a few phone calls from family. Today I feel sooooooooooo much better!!! It's still pretty painful, but I can't tell you the difference that taking the percocet regularly has made already. I can move about a little easier on my own, including sitting up a little more easily than I was. I was able to get up this morning and have some poached eggs and toast that my mom made for me, then brushed my teeth and washed the part of my face that doesn't have stitches in it, as well as change into fresh pj's. My mom's out at the store now to get a few things and then she and I are going to watch some movies.....but I might just sleep some more! As far as the stimulator - I cannot say enough about how wonderful both my surgeon and the company rep are. I would highly recommend both of them for anyone who ever considers this surgery in this area. The surgeon saw me in the recovery room and explained that they had to put one little suture in my forehead where the guide needle went through, but it's just a dissolvable suture so will fall out on its own. I forgot to ask about how soon I can take off the dressings and get a shower/wash my hair and all that, so I put a call in to the nurse today to find out. I also called his office today to set up my follow up appointment, but I'm waiting for the administrative assistant to call me back. Once I was back in short procedure, the company rep came up to help program the stim. He said he wasn't going to do too much with it until the 1st post-op appointment because I'm obviously going to be sore and they don't want to aggravate the areas that are supposed to be healing, either. He asked me every step of the way if any of the programs were hurting, and he took out one program that seemed to be repeatedly causing some pain. He set up 3 different programs for me and bumped them up only to 5 levels of stim, when you can take it up to 20 for the max amount. He showed me how to work the remote - I'll take pictures of all this stuff at some point - it's a remote control with a long black wire that goes to a little round paddle. If you want to use it, you place the paddle part over your skin where the battery is and turn it on, an it finds the battery under the skin. Then you just use the buttons on the remote to change between programs and go up and down on the stim. I can also turn it off if I want. There's another really cool thing that works, too - and that's this magnet he gave me - if I put the magnet near it, it turns it off immediately if I ever want it off in a hurry. Then I can also turn it back on with the magnet by placing it near the battery for 2 seconds, but it can't let me enter new settings - it just reverts to the settings I last had it on. He hasn't shown me about recharging yet - we're going to discuss that at my next appointment. So that's that so far! Thought I'd give you all an update! Right now I totally look like the Bride of Frankenstein as my hair is a mess and I've still got betadine on me, but I'm sure this will pass! haha I feel so much better today that it's not even funny - thank goodness! A lot of recovery ahead, but I'm on a good path now - I feel it! Thanks for all the support once again!! Love and hugz, Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by cash5542 on May 14th, 2008, 12:24pm Maybe it's just me, but I am totally amazed that this was outpatient! I'm so glad you are home safely. Enjoy the TLC time with your Mommy! Charlotte |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by midwestbeth on May 14th, 2008, 12:42pm Glad to hear you are feeling so much better Carrie. Thanks for the update. Beth |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by DennisM1045 on May 14th, 2008, 1:07pm Welcome to the rest of your life Carrie. The next chapter starts here. ((((HUGS)))) -Dennis- |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by Sandy_C on May 14th, 2008, 2:54pm Carrie, you are on the mend. sweetie! I'm so glad to hear it. Still sending vibes to you for a fast recovery. Sandy |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by mummymac on May 14th, 2008, 4:25pm Carrie wonderful news that your home and doing well, take it easy and listen to your mummy, she knows best how to look after you. :) :) |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by barry_sword on May 14th, 2008, 7:24pm Carrie, [smiley=thumb.gif] Great news! Now rest. :) |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by Lizzie2 on May 14th, 2008, 10:17pm Thanks all! I'm a little more sore tonight, but I felt pretty good most of today, so that's okay. I am slowly trying to back off on how frequently I take the percocet to see if I can just tolerate the pain some - I only just started by skipping the 8pm dose, and I'm going to take it once before bed and then try to possibly sleep through the night without waking up to take it. I'm sure with each day it'll get a little better! Mom goes back to work tomorrow, so I'm "roughing it" on my own! haha... Seriously it was great having her here to help out yesterday and today - she did a lot for me, in actuality and in support/comfort. :) Hugz and thanks again, Carrie :) |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by DonnaH_again on May 14th, 2008, 10:32pm So glad to hear of your sucessful proceedure, Carrie. It might not be a good idea to discontinue the pain med too soon. Being pain free is a benefit to healing. When the pain starts to subside, then it's time to lower the dosage. Hugs and Prayers, Donna H |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by Callico on May 15th, 2008, 12:05am great news!!! Glad to hear you are getting better quckly. I jsut recently got a protable stim unit for my back, and have thought about trying it on my temple when I get a hit. ;;D Take your time getting back on the go. It's better than having probs later. Jerry |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by artonio7 on May 15th, 2008, 12:56am Carrie... I'm so glad everything is turning out so well... I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers... You are a brave soul. with warm regards, Tony |
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Title: Re: Updated - Surgery Post-op Day 1 Post by kayarr on May 15th, 2008, 1:36pm Good news! Keep up the good work! Thanks for letting us know! :) (you know how us parental types pace, tap our fingers and don't sleep well until the chicks check in;) |
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