I will be going into the hospital the week of the 15th of September for brain surgery to try and help the cluster headaches, trigeminal neuralgia and all the other problems going on. I am scared spitless of course and yesterday my husband came home and said oh by the way I think we sold the house and have to be out by the first of September. WHAT!? And then was informed that since I will be cured (WHAT?) when I get out of the hospital I can do most of the unpacking, picture and curtain hanging and what have you. He was honestly amazed that I will be unable to take care of myself when I get out. I cant cook, clean, lift washing, drive, cycle, shop or anything. I will have to be watched for a few days or maybe even a couple of weeks on a daily basis to make sure the hole in my skull does not rupture. So now he is totally annoyed that he will have to do it all by himself, ask his friends or hire help. The cat and I will be looking for a place to stay during the house move for a few days unless it is before surgery. I was shocked by his behavior actually. I have talked with my doctor about it and she suggested I speak with my danish caseworker and find out my options since he has also told me that I abuse him with my crying and constant pain that I try to hide. (WHAT?) I dont understand how my constant pain abuses anyone but me. If someone can explain this using small words and simple language maybe it would help. In the meantime please send positive vibes my way. I am truly scared of this surgery since my pain meds will be taken away before and I will be given little if any afterwards according to the neurologist. My only comfort in this is that post surgery pain is nothing compared to a cluster headache and I will survive it.
Not a happy camper here, Sophia

Sending all the positive vibes, prayers and good ju ju I have your way, Sophia.

Hugs,
Beth

Wow Sophia, sounds like you've been handed one HONKING s**tstorm to have to power through.

The only words of consolation I can think of are that at least it looks like there could be some real light at the end of the tunnel for you.

A couple months from now you could possibly be starting to dramatically recover, and that could be a really good thing, right?

Please hang on to that, and I'll join the chorus of those wishing to help you to get through this next phase.

Wow - as if these headaches weren't enough to deal with, and unsupportive husband with a lack of understanding too! I am very new to this whole thing, but just wanted to say good luck. I had brain surgery last year, because my previous cluster attack (before I knew what they were) was actually misdiagnosed because I also had a very large meningioma! Anyway, although surgery is terrifying, you actually have very few "pain" cells in your brain (hard to believe as a CH sufferer I know) but weirdly, the pain when I woke up was not NEARLY as severe as I was expecting and I had a 7cm diameter hole in my skull. So, I will be thinking of you and say a prayer that your surgery is a success and that your husband finds some understanding.

Good luck xx

Oh you all are absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! I am seeing results already!! DH came home and told me we are moving and he said first that it was the end of this month. Then he changed his story and said it was the first of October. This story change was after several days and several discussions with the bank saying that they couldnt push the loan thru faster than 3 weeks. I have lovely wonderful friends here lined up to help me after surgery and with the unpacking. I will unpack just enough to get by until I am ready and physically able to do more. And he got the shock of his life one Tuesday night when he came home and I was in the middle of a kip 8 ch, a trigeminal neuralgia attack, a migraine brought on by crying ( my much loved Uncle committed suicide and will be very missed by his family) I was crying and trying not to scream and was vomiting and he had the nerve to ask what was wrong. I told him and he went on to talk about how wonderful the new house will be and how I will have fruit trees to pick and 5 acres of strawberries to pick and my own business to run (all this is news to me. I actually plan on going to school and learn computer programming and repair) And he will teach me to make horse halters and here I am laying on the floor and I sat up, looked at him and very calmly told him to go and physically do the impossible and procreate with himself. I was under strict orders from the doctor for bedrest and he wanted to know what was for dinner. I looked him straight in the eye and said that I was not killing myself so he could eat. I was going back to bed and when he was done cooking to wake me up so I could eat and take more pain medication. He was so shocked he followed me with his mouth open catching flies. Then he got onto me about something to do with my attitude and how I cant take him literally. (What) I am done. Brew is right. I have looked up where to go and what to do after my surgery and since we are moving I have to go to the courthouse anyway so I will ask all my questions then. It looks as if I may be able to stay here in Denmark because I am a student and have been here over 2 years. This is good because my health care in America would not be that great. I am done being annoyed by him. I am a patient woman and can wait out the time until I am better and have also filed another disability claim in the USA. I decided a lot of things over the past 2 days when I was sick in bed with an asthma attack and bronchitis and I have decided I am not a doormat. I may be 40, fat, short and have trouble with danish but I am not stupid and I deserve better than him. Even if better is alone and living with my cat or perhaps another lady to keep company with. I dont care who she sleeps with as long as it isnt me. Giggle. Thanks to all of you for the good vibes and such. It really helps to know that I am not alone, that people I never met actually do care, that regular people do not treat their spouses that way and that it is ok to be sick sometimes. The trick is to get the most out of life that you can. I have the wonderful opprotunity of learning about different cultures here while I learn danish and I have learned that many people are very loving given the chance and if treated with respect they react positively. I have made wonderful friends who will instruct me on vegatarian food while I am recovering since that is what they eat. And 2 ladies will help me with learning to tie headscarves to hide my baldness. 1 lady gave me a super pretty hat and a gorgeous head scarf. Another one sms´ me every day and a man schoolmate of mine sms´me once or twice a week and will help out after the surgery if needed. So will the ladies. I like being loved and I like to give it so to honor the family that brought me up, my dead uncle and my friends (you all included) I am meditating and sending out big hugs to all of you every day. Thanks so much again and again. I think you may have saved my life. I was getting severely depressed.
Sophia

Your marriage is none of my business but since you have poured your heart out about it....and hopefully needed to get it out, I've got to say this to you.

  I would have run as fast as I could,  right after  Quote:


  He obviously only has HIS best interests at heart.  I hope everything goes well for you and that your friends will take care of you.

Sophia,

Wishing you all the best girl..


Lefty..!

I had brain surgery 4/07 and was out of the hospital in 4 days.  You'd be surprised how routine it is now.  You'll be fine.

But yeah, the standard recuperation time is 3 to 6 weeks.  And believe me, you'll need that time for your brain to heal.

Just a quick ? what type of brain surgery are you having ?¿? Terry Ü

Fasting is no way to successfully recover from major surgery. I'd think a "plan B" is in order.

Quote:


Sophia,

If I was having bolts inserted into my head, I would at least like the procedure explained to me in a language I understand.

Get yourself a translator girl..!


Lefty...!

Can you somehow get to other pain clinic etc in Europe? Or in USA? Can GP order or contact with other pain clinic, or neurosurgeon? What do they say about person being in chronic pain for 2 months without medications? Any at least psychiatrist? Any antidepressants? I mean even people going off addiction from marijuanna cocaine amphetamine get some supports, not just being left on their own.

Also if I missed it, what do you think they meant by brains surgery? Cutting nerves? Placing Occipital Nerve Stimulator or perhaps cutting part of grey matter? Which would be weird.

Well, tie me to an anthill and smear my ears with jam. I'd have been on yesterday's flight out of Copenhagen.

This truly sounds like Frankenstein stuff.