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Original poster

Brain surgery today, scared

162 replies

Gumbo · 25/08/2019 02:39

That's it really.

I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid of leaving my wonderful child. We're ridiculously close...we both have Aspergers and 'get' each other, and although he loves DH very much he'd struggle without me.

And most of all I'm afraid of brain damage. The awfulness of the stage between living and dead is horrendous.

It's all so sudden. I was only admitted on Friday night unexpectedly, now they're sawing my head open later this morning to deal with a bleed and tumour. A couple of days ago I was planning an active bank holiday weekend outdoors.

Has anyone had this done and woken up fine and dandy and happy to have had the surgery?

Thanks.

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Cocolapew · 25/08/2019 12:57

Best of luck Gumbo ❤️

charliesnow · 25/08/2019 15:05

I'm thinking of you too

flumpybear · 25/08/2019 18:26

You'll be in surgery now! Sending positive thoughts 💐

Original poster

Gumbo · 26/08/2019 06:52

I said I'd update...

I survived, obviously. Feeling horrendous, got a 20cm cut from my ear to the back of the head which is really painful. Also got serious weakness to left arm and face, speech slurred but better than last night. Brain a bit swollen.

Thanks so much for all the good wishes, genuinely appreciate it.

Hoping to see my family today,they haven't been to this hospital yet.

OP posts:

youarenotkiddingme · 26/08/2019 06:56

Great to see you here and posting

My friends DD had brain surgery for epilepsy. She went from a massive swollen mess covered in tubes to walking in the space of 48 hours.
It's amazing what the human body can do.

Stuffofawesome · 26/08/2019 07:01

Glad you made it and thanks for making the effort to post. Now rest and repair. Hope you're back to normal in no time

OhLookItsThatTime · 26/08/2019 07:01

Oh op I'm so happy to see your update this morning ! Wishing you a quick recovery

HatsOnForTheQueen · 26/08/2019 07:06

Really glad you got through in one piece Gumbo. Take care. And here’s a visual joke for you...one of my favourites (I have a sports mad dh and ds).

Knitwit99 · 26/08/2019 07:12

Oh what good news. So lovely to hear from you. Hope all goes smoothly from now on

justilou1 · 26/08/2019 07:13

Well done, Gumbo! I’m so proud of you!!! Can you send DH a photo of how you look so your kid doesn’t get too big a shock? (Then you won’t feel so bad...)
I hope you get all the lovely pain-killing drugs and lots and lots of rest so you recover nicely and have the best possible outcome! I really wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon, and I am so very pleased for you!!!!

AwkwardSquad · 26/08/2019 07:14

Wishing you a good recovery, Gumbo

LittleCandle · 26/08/2019 07:15

The very best of luck. I have 2 friends who have had brain surgery, one more than once and is facing another operation any day now. It is scary, but you are in the best place.

tenredthings · 26/08/2019 07:15

Hi Gumbo. The fact that you can write coherently so soon after major brain surgery is a really positive sign. Our bodies are remarkable in their ability to heal. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Allice · 26/08/2019 07:18

Such good news! Glad it's over and wish you a speedy recovery

shiveringtimber · 26/08/2019 07:32

My DD had neurosurgery several years ago. Twice in a week. The first time went very well and the second was equally fine until about four hours post-op, when she suffered a stroke due to a torn or accidentally cut blood vessel. She survived, thank God. There is a 1% chance of this happening, OP. I send you courage, strength and lots of !

shiveringtimber · 26/08/2019 07:34

Whoops! Just saw you'd updated. So pleased that all went well.

Frankley · 26/08/2019 07:46

So pleased to see your latest news. Thank goodness for the NHS.

Benjispruce · 26/08/2019 08:20

Brilliant! You are doing great to be able to post like that . Dig deep, keep going.

NoSauce · 26/08/2019 08:24

Hi Gumbo I didn’t expect an update so soon! So glad went it smoothly with your surgery, take care of yourself, let us know how you’re doing when you feel up to posting, no pressure x

Minxmumma · 26/08/2019 08:28

Glad you doing so well. Hope you have a super smooth recovery xx

OnGoldenPond · 26/08/2019 08:37

Hi Gumbo, so glad you came through ok from your surgery.

I had surgery to remove a tumour 10 years ago. Diagnosed on the Thursday and had surgery on the Monday morning. The speed at which everything happened left me in shock and it didn't fully hit me for a few weeks. Expect this and don't worry, it will pass. You have been through a traumatic experience so make sure you ask for all the help you need. You may feel compelled to talk about your experience constantly and that's Ok. Talking to a counsellor may be very helpful.

Right now you feel pretty dreadful, but believe me you are doing fantastically well to just be able to type at this stage. I couldn't have done that at this stage after my op, and I was still up on my feet 5 days after the op and out of hospital in a week. Recovery from this kind of surgery can be really quick and the relief that the condition is dealt with is massive!

My incision sounds like it was in pretty much the same place as yours so sounds like op was similar. There is a major nerve behind the ear so you may find you have numbness on your head at first as the nerve can get easily bruised. Don't worry, it almost always gets much better and resolves over time. I felt like I had a tight swimming cap on just after the op but all I have now is a little numbness behind my ear which really isn't a problem.

Hope you are back on your feet soon, you have come through the worst and hope you are back on your feet and feeling a lot better soon

thesunwillout · 26/08/2019 08:41

Bless you, I'm so glad you were able to post today.
You might find you are running on adrenaline, so really try to be kind to yourself.
I had brain surgery last year.
The exhaustion of what your brain and body has gone through will leave you with many as side effects, questions, emotions and fatigue.

I never slept the whole night I was in intensive care.
Try and close your eyes.
Try and get an eye mask.
Biscuits are good.
Earplugs good.

Your brain will be trying to cope with the invasion, so try to reduce any outside stimulus.

Noone can say how long the side effects will last, but I understand what you've been through.

Feel free to message me. Xxxx

flumpybear · 26/08/2019 08:49

Wow you're doing well to post just after surgery, well done you and also glad you're ok - keep us posted on how you're feeling 💐

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 26/08/2019 08:58

Great news that you had the surgery, Gumbo, and can type! Best wishes for a super speedy recovery. Here are some of my favourite Far Side cartoons, hope they raise a smile.

MrsMozartMkII · 26/08/2019 08:58

Just seen your thread OP.

Sending you hugs and a handhold.

I've not had surgery, just a bleed on the brain after falling off my horse. That was distracting enough.

I'd say get all the help and sort that you can. I didn't and I kept working. My miss were all over the place and my emotions were, at times, awful. And the fatigue! Also found I had to eat a lot.

I hope your recovery goes really well. The time will pass and you'll be driving again.

Flip

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