Hi Lynn! Thanks for all the info. My aneurysm is on the right cerebral artery. They will only have to cut about a 1/2 dollar size circle out of the right side of my skull. When you hear the word craniotomy, your experience is what you picture. 10 inches? Ouch.
I have undiagnosed MS. All the symptoms, but not enough evidence to diagnose. I was going to have the lumbar puncture, but I think I'll opt for brain surgery instead! Actually, I was going to go to an MS specialist for a second opinion, but I will put that on hold for awhile.
I AM ready for this surgery, nervous naturally, but I will actually be relieved to have it done. I think most of my worry lies in afterwards. With the MS, i already have such fatigue, dizziness, cognitive issues, a horrible memory, and on and on as I'm sure you know. I've slowly come to the realization lately that I just can't do it all anymore, and more so after the surgery.
Fatigue, fatigue, fatigue is what I'm most afraid of. Spending the next week before surgery trying to get as organized as possible, so that maybe, just maybe, things won't fall apart too badly. My husband is great, and I know he and my teenagers will pitch in, but, being a woman, nothing is ever done as well as we would have it.
Maybe it's time for me to change?
Thanks so much for all your info. You read all about it, and talk to your doctor about it, but sometimes, the best info comes from people that have actually been there. As far as pain, nothing's worse than labor, so I think I'll be okay with that.
I'll post after all is over and i'm starting to recover.
Thanks Lynn!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
Hi Brainfreeze
I don't post much anymore, I am now six years post clipping surgery for a 5 mm aneurysm and doing really well.
What is the location of your aneurysm? Mine was on the pericallosal artery and they also took a 'window' out of my skull just above my left eyebrow. My incision went from the top of one ear, across the top of my head to the top of my other ear. From memory, the scar was 10 inches long and I had nearly 50 staples. I was 34 at the time.
The surgery was fairly straightforward. The pain was not as bad as I thought it would be (although it hurt like a you-know-what when they took out the drain). I had three days in ICU and was in hospital for ten days on a general ward. I live five hours drive from the hospital, so I think they kept me in longer for that reason.
I did have some cognitive issues post surgery, and the doc told me not to try and rush back to work. I was lucky enough to take six months off, which was good for me because I also have MS and that complicated things a bit too
Everyone reacts differently to stuff like this, but here are some of the most common things you may/will experience:
Trouble word-finding
Short term memory issues
Headaches
Hair loss (usually a month or two after the operation)
Sleep problems
Fatigue
Fatigue
Fatigue (yes, lots of it)
Depression (usually around three months, consider that this is a huge thing mentally, physically and psychologically and when someone starts fooling around with the brain it can disrupt all sorts of chemistry)
Difficulty coping with sensory stimulation - light sound and movement
BUT...
And this is the most important thing - you are dealing with this nasty little thing on your terms - getting it before it gets you. I am not saying it will be a picnic, but you won't have this ticking time bomb in your head anymore, and you will recover. The brain heals very slowly, and it can be anywhere up to 12 months before you feel 100% again, but the first six months are the worst and recovery speeds up over time. I have heard of people that have returned to work after six weeks, but if you do, try and take things slowly.
I hope this hasn't scared you....you don't know what you can cope with until you have to and the safety and success rate of the operation are very good.
If anyone has anything to add to this it would be great to get other people's experiences too.
Good luck and keep us posted
Cheers
Lyn  |