Can I have a hand hold? Emergency surgery tomorrow

[WorryingWombat]

Evening all

I have been stuck in Hospital for days I have Ideopathic intercranial hypertension (IIH) A condition which mimics a bran tumour.

I have had this for years suffering with headaches dizzyness and needing regular lumber punctures to relieve the CFS pressure

But now it has affected my vision the build up of CFS is now affecting my optic nerve so the risk is losing my sight

I was admitted on thus and have had many tests many scans to find I have reached the end and they have to operate and place a VP shunt

I knew this was coming and I thought they would book the surgery for a few weeks but no the Neuro surgeon has just come now and I have signed a consent for emergency surgery tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

I am so scared and know I won't sleep now

It's to late to ring family so I wondered if anyone was awake for a hand hold??

Bloody hell, what a shock

Have they indicated how long you might be in for?

I didn’t want to read and run. You most certainly can have a hand hold, and a very un-mn hug too!!

You can have a hand hold from me too

Good luck 🍀

Huge hugs hun. A big shock for you but try to think that soon the shunt will be in and hopegully ease up some of your symptons. Best wishes for tomorrow 🌼🌼

Good luck. Hand held.

Good luck. Maybe having short notice is a good thing, less time spent worrying and this time tomorrow it'll all be done!

Oh thank you all so much! It nice to know people are awake to chat too!

I am and there is no polite way to say it shitting myself

Recovery is between 4-7 days and depends on how I react to the shunt and them setting the correct flow rate

Trust me as well to have this nightmare happening over half term! I have 3 kids

While my husband is been amazing it a lot more difficult to reassure kids whe they don't have the routine of school and there friends

Hope all goes well for you and you make a good recovery.

A hand hold & a from me too. All the best for tomorrow

This could be the first day of a new life for you. Good luck x

I am currently awake as they are arranging an emergency CT scan so the have the guidance images.

One from me as well. It's not too late to ring family- they'd want to know wouldn't they? I would at any rate.

Best of luck for tomorrow and hope you feel better soon. Looking on the positive side,having it sprung on you means you don't need to spend weeks worrying! Good luck.

Big hugs! If you can handle lumbar punctures (my idea of hell!), not once but several times, then surgery will be a walk in the park! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Leave the worrying about your dcs to your dh if you possibly can (I know how difficult that can be, but you need to look after you at the moment).
Trust that he will be there for them.
You are in the best possible hands, and they will look after you.
Ask for something to help you sleep if you need it.
to you, OP.
I hope all goes well for you.

Best of luck. Can you ask for a sleeping tablet once they've finished the medical stuff tonight?

Hand hold OP. You must be so scared at the urgency but please be assured this is why the neurosurgeon is on call, so that you don't have to wait for something that could make such a massive difference to you. You will be well looked after and I hope everything goes well for you! Try to think ahead, how much better you will feel :)

My daughter has just had a VP shunt fitted for hydrocephalus.

She was out after a single night. Recovery is ongoing (been a couple of months) she has had some gut issues since, we think it could be the CSF draining into her peritoneal cavity but it may be unrelated (she's a complex child)

Your headaches should improve immediately. DDs walking improved straight away and she's no longer awake all night hitting her head on the bed. Her incisions healed very well but she's not so keen on having her head touched shunt side.

Your tummy will be more uncomfortable than your head (or so I've read- DD is non verbal)
It's a fairly hefty surgery. Give yourself plenty of time to recuperate afterwards.

I was beside myself with worry, you must be petrified. It's not as terrible as I thought it would be. I can see the shunt tube running down DDs neck and there's obviously the fear of blockage/infection simmering in the background of daily life but so far so good, I'm hopeful.

DD can hear/feel her shunt kick in, I can tell by head movements and her reactions.

If you're having a Meithke fitted, there is an app where you can see how it all works.
Best of luck for tomorrow, any questions feel free to ask.

What a shock, but good that this time tomorrow it'll be done and out of the way. Hope you get some rest tonight op.

Good luck for tomorrow and hope you get some rest tonight .

Handhold here OP, I hope your operation goes well for you and relieves your symptoms. I know you must be so scared but maybe we can take your mind off it for now, there must be plenty of fellow mumsnetters awake

And please try and get some sleep. After your surgery you'll have neuro obs, basically they'll come round and shine lights in your eyes, make you move all your limbs, grab their fingers and speak to them every half an hour, dropping to every hour for at least twelve hours afterwards. They'll want regular temps and BP doing. You'll be exhausted.

The very best of luck to you xx

Wishing you well for tomorrow - its good that you don't have to wait and worry. Try and get some sleep tonight if you can as it all helps.

Good Luck

💐Hand hold from me too OP & sending lots of positive healing thoughts