Brain surgery today, scared

[Gumbo]

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.

I think there are only 4 or so neurosurgery centres in the country bringmesmiles and not many female neurosurgeons so it’s not unlikely it’s the same person!

Hope you get a good night’s sleep, Gumbo.

Quite possibly, yes very few female neurosurgeons . Its a fascinating speciality to be honest , it’s a shame it’s one of the ones that seems to be harder for women to break into . The centre I worked in is the furthest north in Scotland (without spelling it out ; I don’t want it to be linked to my username on here via google !) . OP hope you are doing well and having some much needed rest and TLC x

That's really interesting about female neurosurgeons... I'm not in Scotland, but the lady who worked on me was awesome.

Incredibly I was discharged last night, just 48 Hours after surgery! My surgeon did admit that I was pressurising her somewhat, but having bumped into me at 08:00 yesterday while fully dressed and trying to escape having a walk around the hospital corridors I think she recognised I was ok to go home. I'm so delighted to be home...DH admitted he hadn't known if I would actually be coming home at all at one point.

I have to go back for another MRI scan on Monday (I swear I must glow in the dark by now) to check there hasn't been any more bleeding. Until then, I'll probably just be sleeping...

that's amazing!!! how wonderful that you are home with your family

take care

Glad to hear it all went well and you're home with your family! Wishing you a speedy recovery xx

Yay for home! Just don't overdo it or you'll pay for it later. Rest!

Been lurking, so glad to hear that you are home.
So you don't worry, an MRI doesn't use x-rays or radiation of any kind. The imaging is based on using super strength magnets.

I'm so pleased to hear you're going home already!

My sister also recovered quickly from surgery to repair a ruptured aneurysm and was up and about a raring to go very soon after surgery. My brother in law who is a neurologist told me to expect a period of extreme fatigue after the initial post surgery adrenaline had worn off. I passed this on to my sister who thought I was being negative. Sure enough she did become extremely tired shortly after coming home and it depressed her. But, after lots and lots and lots of sleeping she eventually recovered her energy and is now 100 percent fine. I just thought I'd tell you that so you don't feel depressed if fatigue overwhelms you at some point. It's part of the recovery.

Wishing you all the very best 💐

So happy to read your update you’re amazing Gumbo! Take it easy and rest up though, must be wonderful to be home with DS and DH ❤️

Brilliant news . I’m amazed and thrilled for you and your family. Sleep!!!!!

Oh wow! They definitely don’t coddle you in the UK, so you? (I’m like you though... raring to get home!!!) So proud of the way you’ve come through this, OP! What a star! Just make sure you’re very careful at home, especially when showering, etc. make sure there’s always someone around.

Great update gumbo. I've been thinking about you.

Amazing that you are home! Please don't overdo it. Do LESS than you think you can.

Glad you’re doing great & back home with your family so quickly!

Glad you are home op and that the initial outcome is so good. (Things tend to get better so this is a great start to recovery.)

I second the warning about fatigue and depression after the shock. Be ready and know it will pass.

Moan and complain as much as you can: bad patients get better faster .

How are you doing Gumbo?

I'm doing okish, thanks for asking!

As everyone said would happen,I'm utterly exhausted the whole time, my wound hurts a lot and I'm frustrated that there are some things I can't do yet. But... I'm alive
I had another scan yesterday which confirmed that there has been no more bleeding, which is brilliant.

I've lost all appetite and haven't really eaten anything much for the last 10 days which isn't great and I know it's making me feel weaker... but that's partly because I couldn't chew initially,and also some meds to reduce the brain swelling upset my stomach.

But... I'm home with my family and everyone is being really good to me, so I feel very humbled

Great to hear from you Gumbo. You’re doing so well. Baby steps for now, keep resting and looking after yourself

Great to hear from you Gumbo 💐

Great update! I didn't eat much either tbh, and I well remember the exhaustion which lasts for a lot longer than you'd think. Continue to take it as easy as possible (and prop your head up if your neck is hurting!).

Feel better soon op

Great to hear you are doing OK. Take it easy. Can you drink milky drinks?
Get well soon!

Fantastic update OP

I hope you feel more able to eat and get your appetite back soon.
Thanks for the update.

So pleased you are doing well Gumbo. With regard to female Neurosurgeons, I have to say I probably would not be here today if it were not for a very special female neurosurgeon. I had a sub-arachnoid brain haemhorrage at the age of 15, in 1975. This neurosurgeon savd my life. I am now 59 years old. Reading about her life is a real eye opener. I remember seeing her on the ward one day and she had come straight from her small holding, wearing a tweed skirt and wellies. She was sommething of a legend. She was also a rally driver in her spare time. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carys_Bannister