I thought I'd start a new topic just to share my thoughts as they come up.
Surgery was Friday, November 19th and I'm brighter today, on the 23rd, but still a fair bit of incision pain and general grogginess. Prior to the surgery, I realize now, I had come to think of the procedure I was scheduled for as a simple procedure. I may have fooled myself into thinking that as a sanity saving measure. In reality, the procedure was a lot more complex than I thought.
they did drill a hole in the rear of my skull, bigger than I expected, about the size of a quarter.
The incision was much longer than I believed it would be (about 3 inches) and I had a lot more hair removed than I expected.
I did not realize that one of the two large muscles, that run up the back of our neck to the base of our skulls, would have to be cut and parted to allow access to the GPN.
I actually thought they were simply going to sever the nerve. From what I understand now, they selectively stimulated the fibers of the nerve to test for muscle movement and then severed the ones that did not affect muscle movement. They said they did some of the 10th nerve as well since it was so well exposed.
I was under general anesthetic for 5 hours with a breathing tube. I don't remember that being inserted or removed, which is nice.
Recovery was an hour and a half and I became increasingly aware of being catheterized. One of the most unpleasant things I've ever experienced. It was about 2:30pm at that point and the catheter was pulled at 8am the following morning. Of course it's all relative, 'cause when my GPN has been at it's worst I would have gladly accepted the discomfort of catheterization if it would have given me relief from the pain.
Three days later I was released.
Since opening my eyes I have had no GPN related pain and I had been having pain, once or twice a day, despite my medication, right up to before the operation.
The only potential after effect that I feel at this point is a sense that I have less feeling in swallowing on the left side (surgery side) than on the right. But it seems logical and has not caused any swallowing or aspiration problems.
I will get my stitches out on the 29th and will see Dr. Honey in beginning of New Year for follow-up.
Dr. Honey and staff at Vancouver General Hospital from surgery to recovery to neuro ICU and then the neuro ward, were all just amazing. I can't imagine them being more compassionate, understanding, competent or professional. Just want to note that as our Canadian healthcare system takes a lot of shots from the American system that sees socialized medicine as the boogeyman.
Thank you so much for sharing, We all appreciate any info on this, and to hear that it’s gone well is always so encouraging. I was really interested in the muscle testing and selective slicing, at least they kept you out for the count for that, and that you missed the breathing tubes going in and out, I cant imagine that would be a whole lot of fun.
I’ll be really interested in hearing how things progress for you and how your recovery goes, just be sure and take it easy, and no hikes until your fit and well and fully recouped.
Today is a week since surgery. Feel much stronger and brighter today. * I’ve reduced my medication by 1/4 since the surgery and still no GPN type pain.
A tiny bit of a sense that my swallow, cough and voice are not quite as strong. Hasn’t caused me any problems. I
expect that will improve as I am further post anaesthetic.
About 3rd day after surgery I was aware of 4 points of pain at the front, rear, left and right sides of my head. Didn’t
take me long to figure out that this was related to the metal halo they secured me in. I guess they screw them tight.
Went for a short hike in the snow yesterday with my dog, Barkley. It’s an all flat trail and we only did a kilometer but
with 6 inches of fresh snow it was just amazing. I felt good but just a little weak knee’d.
Sleep has been crappy. I generally feel dozy for most of the day and fairly wide away during the sleeping hours. I
think it’s a post anaesthetic effect.
Will see my family doctor on Monday to have my stitches removed. I will officially be allowed to shower that day
Oh my God, not showering is hard. Especially once you have the strength to get out of bed on your own. This
whole facecloth bit is wearing thin.
Again, that’s it for now.
Take care,
Ron
10 days post surgery. Had my stitches out yesterday and washed my hair for the first time in 10 days.
My family physicia thinks my incision is very clean and healing well.
I’ve had troubles since the surgery with a blocked ear on the surgery side. I tend to wax up quicker than the average person so I didn’t pay attention to it. When I finally felt sure enough to flush my ear (as I was not allowed to get the incision wet) there didn’t seem to be any wax. When I saw the doctor last week, she figured it was a post surgery edema or a blocked eustachian tube but doubted it was any significant issue related to the surgery. Anyway, it’s improving slowly, but still here after 10 days. It has all the signs and symptoms of an inner ear blockage (squishy sounds when I blow my ears, the hearig in that ear feels like I’m in a tunnel).
Anyway the GPN pain is still 100% gone.
And one slightly suprising bonus… it seems the heart arrhythmia that I’ve dealt with for years, maybe as many years as the GPN (hmmm… coincidence?) has gone away. Like I said with the GPN pain, I think the I’ll reserve conclusive judgement for further down the line but so far so good. Still no regrets.
Hello,
Sorry about the last reply. I’m new at this… Your surgery sounds very similar to mine. I had the surgery in February. The ear stuffiness is VERY annoying, but mine went away in a few weeks. I heard all kinds of noises until it went away. It gets better little by little. After the stuffiness finally went away, my ear became hypersensitive to noises. (and still is) I’m glad you’re feeling better. There’s nothing like realizing the pain really is gone.
Ron K said:
10 days post surgery. Had my stitches out yesterday and washed my hair for the first time in 10 days. My family physicia thinks my incision is very clean and healing well. I’ve had troubles since the surgery with a blocked ear on the surgery side. I tend to wax up quicker than the average person so I didn’t pay attention to it. When I finally felt sure enough to flush my ear (as I was not allowed to get the incision wet) there didn’t seem to be any wax. When I saw the doctor last week, she figured it was a post surgery edema or a blocked eustachian tube but doubted it was any significant issue related to the surgery. Anyway, it’s improving slowly, but still here after 10 days. It has all the signs and symptoms of an inner ear blockage (squishy sounds when I blow my ears, the hearig in that ear feels like I’m in a tunnel). Anyway the GPN pain is still 100% gone. And one slightly suprising bonus… it seems the heart arrhythmia that I’ve dealt with for years, maybe as many years as the GPN (hmmm… coincidence?) has gone away. Like I said with the GPN pain, I think the I’ll reserve conclusive judgement for further down the line but so far so good. Still no regrets.
