Preparing for Surgery

I know that this month, there are a lot of you out there scheduled for surgery. My prayers are with you! This blog is for you, although it is not comprehensive....just some random thoughts as you get ready for the big day. (How exciting!!!)

I am not necessarily an expert on medical stuff, but I have had plenty of surgeries.

Each time the preparation is a little different but some aspects stay the same. Here are a few things I thought of, or were suggested to me. Please feel free to add on through the comments, or email me at queli.is@gmail.com and I will add to the actual blog. These are just things to think about....I hope there is something in here for each of you.

Queli

Mental/ Emotional Prep:

This one I listed first, because if you are anything like me, I freaked when first told I had to have brain surgery.

Before Surgery

- Make a list of questions for the surgeon. Actually place a notepad in you living room or kitchen, so it will be easy to reach when you think of questions or concerns….and believe me, you will. Although I usually think I will remember certain questions, I usually don’t always have excellent recall until after I have reached the car, or hung up the phone. ( BTWthere is not stupid question: If you are worried about pain, ask the doctor how much you should expect, and what their plan is for post-operative pain management. You are the consumer, and have a right to know the ins and outs of what lays before you)

- Self Soothing Activities (bubble baths, long walks) These are things you won’t be able to do for a few weeks, so perhaps you will be able to enjoy them more. Also, I mentioned baths, and walks because those are calming for me. Choose whatever activities are best for you to reduce your anxiety level.

- Journal or discuss with a close friend/family member, what you are thinking and feeling as surgery approaches. This not only helps with anxiety, but it also aids in clearing your mind and processing the experience.

- Don’t take on other’s anxieties. There will be people in your life that are concerned about your surgery. This is wonderful, it means you are loved. However, you don’t need to be the one that soothes them. I mention this one, because I have some across this often as people get ready for surgery. Not only are they concerned about themselves, but also are tired of trying to ease everyone else’s hearts. In my own experience I thanked my loved one for her concern for me, then suggested that she seek counsel from another friend who wasn’t about to have brain surgery.

- List of resources. Having a list of webpages where one can access information regarding Chiari, or the specific procedure can be great to educate yourself and others. When you feel you have had one question too many, you can just share your list OR you may want to revisit some old information as you mentally prepare yourself.

- Make a plan for issues you anticipate.

o I had concerns about the hair, so I bought a wig before surgery. Although I could not wear the wig right away, I felt better knowing I had options)

Pre-Op

Okay this is just a suggestion, but a strong suggestion. Something that has been a huge help for me on the day of surgery is prayer, and Ellen Degeneres’s books. ( particularly, “The Funny Thing Is…”) A friend who was at every surgery, would bring the book and read it to me while I waited in pre-op. Ellen might not be your cup of tea, I can’t imagine that is so but regardless… pick up a funny book for that wait. The nurses think your nuts, but you are going in for brain surgery and laughter truly is the best medicine.

Support System

You will need some reliable people in your life during the post-op period. Make a list now of these people and let them know what your perceived needs may be. This might include someone to be with you during the post-op period (my friends took shifts), making meals, ride to doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions, light cleaning, checking in with a phone call, or stopping by.

Do not worry about asking others for help in advance, even if you are not sure you will need it. People in general, want to help. Also they are more likely to call if you let them know beforehand that you will need their help. They are less likely to offer this support after you get home because a)they think everything is covered, and more likely, b) they are not sure if they should disturb you.

Physically

- Take a reasonable amount of time off from work. I have to put this one in for my own insane behavior of only scheduling 2 weeks off for my first surgery. This is not an appendectomy, this is major surgery. You body needs time to heal. Since my lapse in judgement, I have heard that most doctors suggest around 12 weeks. Ask your surgeon for his recommendation. If he says two weeks for the decompression, like my first surgeon did, go get another doctor that doesn’t smoke crack.

- Take it easy! And I mean take it easy, easy for the first few months. No lifting, or anything that causes strain at all. The muscles they had to cut through to get to your skull need time to repair, as well as the outside sutures.

- For the decompression, I personally did well with doing neck exercises, starting while I was still in the hospital. The act of doing the turns and nods felt like some kind of concentration camp torture; I really did wonder if my surgeon was the anti-Christ at first. However, I didn’t have these neck exercises the first time around, and spent a year in physical therapy. TCI made me do them right away, and it helped so much (no physical therapy was needed). Although painful, it actually helped lower my pain levels this time around to turn my neck and get those muscles healing right.

- If you experiences nausea they have great prescriptions for this; don't bother with the over-the-counters for nausea. That’s just my 2 cents ofcourse.

- What to expect physically?

o Everyone is different as far as post-surgical discomfort. Not only that, also every surgeon is different which does make a difference.

o My first decompression: I had a lot of nausea, dizziness, and major “someone please kill me” pain. However, there were complications in my particular case that are rare.

o 2^nd Decompression: More was done then the first, but I had much less pain. My biggest physical issue was keeping myself from too much activity because I did feel so good. I was completely off the narcotics about two weeks post-op, and that was just because they didn’t want me to stop them cold turkey.

o Again, ask your doctor about his or her post-op pain management plan.

o Also ask how long until you can drive. This one also seems to vary surgeon to surgeon (and also is linked with how long you need to be on meds)

Out of Town Surgery

- Places to stay.

o Don’t be concerned with plush accommodations. Post-op, all you will be concerned about is a comfortable pillow, where your pills are, and if it is time to take a walk to keep from developing clots. You aren’t worried about the breakfast buffet, or swimming pool, and neither is your companion.

o If money is an issue, see if the hospital has accommodations for travelers. I know TCI has a place for Chiari patients, and I also found out recently that there is also a Ronald McDonald House nearby.

- If you have to come in a day or so early for pre-surgical testing, schedule it early in the day. This way you can enjoy sight-seeing in the town, so it isn’t just about the surgery. I did this for my surgery in New York. And spent the day before surgery checking out Central Park and Times Square. It gave me and those accompanying me, a mini-vacation prior to the Zipper. It also gave me something to look forward to when thinking about the trip, instead of dwelling on the surgery.

Random Suggestions/ Thoughts

- Nurses have answers. In the hospital, feel free to ask the nurses if you have any questions. My first hospitalization I waited for the doctor and he didn’t have time or patience to answer them (this was not at TCI, btw) But what I found out was that nurses not only speak surgeon, but they also have a vast bit of knowledge in many areas from pain management to aftercare.

- Plan on some self-discovery stuff. There was a definite re-defining period for me after surgery, especially with the hair loss, and limited activity. Don’t be afraid to see yourself in a different light. Also allow some room for growth. Brain surgery is a big deal for anyone. A lot of soul searching is involved, and therefore so is a huge potential for growth. Use it.

- Hold your head before laughing…….it hurts if you don’t :)

- Write down names of people who have helped you out in some way. If you want to send a thank you later on, you might not remember what you would think you would.

- Have someone who is a good note taker take notes when the doctor goes over post-surgical consult, and discharge. Too much information is given, and usually the print out they give you is not as detailed.

- Most likely you will leave the hospital with a list of meds and how often to take them. Ask the nurse to write down the last time you took each medicine before you leave. I thought I knew, but by the time I finished getting the prescriptions and settled into the hotel room, I could barely remember my name let alone which meds I had last.

- Find reasons to laugh; really there are so many, and as I said before…laughter is better for the soul than any meds they can give us.

- Be proud of your Zipper. You went through a lot to get to this point!

- And lastly, but most importantly, use the “I just had brain surgery” excuse at least once. I mean seriously, how often will you have that one?!!!!