The vision in my right eye hasn't been the greatest. I started using otc readers for drawing and computer use a few years ago, but it still always felt like my eye had something sticky in it. My opthamologist found nothing wrong, but it continued to annoy me. Well, as of Tuesday--which was 5 days after right-side rib resection and scalenectomy--I was reading a recipe and was able to read it clearly without the help of glasses! For the first time in years I didn't have slightly blurry vision or "stickiness".

I continue to get better daily. In addition to the vision improvements, I no longer have that persistent, aching pain from behind my ear down my neck into my arm. I also notice that I am starting to take full, deep breaths after years of hesitating because of the knife pain in my scapula upon inhaling. It's been truly amazing. As both LadyLaura and Dr. Donahue have pointed out, the pain seems to move around a lot these days. I've been charting it and moves from my underarm to my forearm, elbow, etc. I generally make the mistake of keeping on top of pain meds because I feel so much better.

There's still significant weakness in my right hand, but I'm able to do much more than I expected and probably *should* be doing!

All in all I feel very lucky and very grateful. The biggest improvement is the absence of the chronic, debilitating ache I felt.

I wish you all well with your ongoing struggles.

I wanted to clarify the vision issue; it feels as though my sinuses and the vague feeling of swelling/stuffiness I've always had is gone. I'm not sure how that is possible, but it feels great and I'm going to take it as a happy side effect of surgery! It may just be temporary, but I'm enjoying it while I can.

Hmm, that sounds nice. I've had that symptom for so long and on my TOS side.

Thanks for the updates.

Chroma, I wish I could fly you out here and set you up with an appointment with Dr. Donahue. It makes me so sad that anyone has to suffer needlessly, and you seem like such a compassionate person--the world needs you feeling better!

Thanks for the update.

I'm encouraged that the surgery will help rid me of the constant pressure around my face and ears as well as my cervogenic headaches and double vision.

How is it possible for a dude to get cervogenic headaches?

(my poor attempt at humor!)

Limoges - I'm so thrilled for you and your improvements! It's crazy that this condition affected your sight and sinuses, and other parts of your body. Wow. Now take care of yourself!


To add to the positive outcomes of surgery -
I'll be four weeks in recovery on Tuesday, and although my chest is still numb, my left hand feels stronger. My arm doesn't feel limp and ache all the time, and my hand actually does what I want it to do. I can make a fist, hold things, squeeze things. I'm so excited. Maybe I will be able to run, do yoga and rock climb again sometime in the future. I braided my hair this morning for the first time in as long as I can remember. I just hope that my circulation is restored somehow in all of this, too, but I guess time will tell.

I've also had a cervical fusion...ponder that one!

Phew! I worried that no one got my strange sense of humor. Fusion would be an a drastic method of birth control! (Ok, I am on drugs, which is my only excuse!)