MVD #2 Diary - Bob Scrudato
Saturday, March 31, 2007 - Day before MVD:
My wife Ann and I have decided to drive to Detroit. We leave at about 9:00 AM and arrive at Guest Housing in Detroit at about 6:00PM. The housing here is available to patients recovering from surgery. They have a very convenient downtown location, free shuttle service, free parking, are within walking distance to the hospital, have a continental breakfast and the rooms are spotless, all for $40.00 per night. It’s nothing fancy, but very accommodating and affordable so I highly recommend it.
Monday, April 2, 2007 - "MVD-Day":
As instructed, I arrive at the hospital at 6:30AM. Once registered they send me to the pre-op room and by 8:00AM I am ready for surgery. Dr Casey introduces himself and we discuss some final issues and he sends in the anesthesiologist who interviews me and introduces the members of his team. Surgery begins about 9:00AM. NOTE: It is my recommendation that anyone considering this or any other major surgery, request a consultation with the anesthesiologist at least a month prior to surgery. Reason being that in both of my surgeries, my post-op problems (which were extreme) were mostly due to the effects of the anesthesia. I would like to know what are the common post-op problems and what can be done by the patient prior and after surgery to minimize or eliminate them. Do not take this recommendation lightly, these problems can be horrible and can turn a easy and uneventful surgery into a nightmare. My surgery ended at about 1:00PM and I spent the night in ICU. During the surgery, A nurse from Dr. Casey’s staff came to the waiting room and gave Ann a update on the surgery. After the surgery was complete, Dr. Casey visited with Ann and gave her a detailed description of the surgery and even drew some sketches to help explain what he had done.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 - "The Day After":
Although I still have spasms, Dr. Casey explains that he is absolutely convinced that they will go away in time. He explained that he found a very large vessel at the brain stem laying on top of the nerve. This vessel also had a downward curve in it, which actually had crushed the vein in that area. When he lifted the vessel off the nerve with a instrument, all lateral spread ceased and did not return. So he padded the entire vessel and finished the surgery. He said the nerve was very irritated and would need some time to heal, but it would eventually heal completely and the spasms would disappear. He discharged me and I returned to the Guest housing at about 2:00PM.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007 - 2 Days Post-op:
Today I feel horrible; I haven’t slept more than an hour since leaving ICU and I have several post-op problems that are making me miserable. These are mostly due to the anesthesia. Problems are as follows:
Thursday, April 5, 2007 - 3 Days Post-op:
After discussing all my post-op problems with Dr Casey on Wednesday PM, my wife takes me to the emergency room of the hospital at 9:00AM. We spend the entire day there and I go back to the Guest housing at about 5:00PM, not feeling much better.
Friday, April 6, 2007 - 4 Days Post-Op:
Last night wasn’t a good one for sleeping, once again if I slept more than one continuous hour at any time it was rare. The good news is that my digestive system is working. However, I am very limited on what I can eat or drink because of my esophagus problem. At about noon we go to Dr. Casey’s office and he allows me to return to New Jersey. We leave at 1:00PM and decide to see how far we can make it. My wife does a fantastic job of driving and we arrive home at about 11:00PM.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 5 Days Post-Op:
I still have spasms and tonus. My post-op problems are as follows:
Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 17 Days Post-OP:
A local physician removes the sutures and all seems well. I see slow and steady progress in my healing. I try to walk at least a mile per day. Most post-op problems are mostly gone. However, my voice is still only at about 80% and my ability to swallow is at about 85%. I have occasional minor headaches but I am not using any medications.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 25 Days Post-Op:
During the day I begin to notice significant increase in the headache pain. By evening I need to take extra-strength Tylenol to cope with the pain. At bedtime when I lie down my skull base, neck and shoulder blades become extremely tight and the top of my head seems like it is going to explode! I end up spending the night in a recliner because it’s impossible to cope with the pain if I lie down.
Friday, April 27, 2007 - 27 Days Post-Op:
The tightness in my upper spine and skull area seems to migrate between there and my lower back. My lower back is where I had the initial mussel spasms right after surgery. I am fearful that I may have some spinal damage.
Monday, April 30, 2007 - 4 Weeks Post-Op:
The muscle relaxers drastically reduced my blood pressure so I could not take them. I have a constant tightness in my shoulders and the back of my head. Headaches are non-stop.
Monday, May 7, 2007 -5 Weeks Post-Op:
The tightness and pain in my shoulders, neck and head have become unbearable. I have a constant “Charlie-horse” tightness in the back of my head, which is causing headache pain worse than ever. Dr. Casey suggests trying Physical Therapy.
Monday, May 14, 2007 - 6 Weeks Post-Op:
Today will be my fourth visit to Physical Therapy and I am feeling 100% better. My headaches are no longer constant and are controllable with Tylenol. My shoulder and upper back pain and tightness are almost completely gone.
Monday, June 04, 2007 - 9 Weeks Post-Op:
I finally feel normal. I have one Physical Therapy session left. The PT has really done wonders. I haven’t had even the slightest headache in two weeks. My neck, upper back and shoulder tightness is gone. My range of movement is 4 X better than a few weeks ago.
Monday, June 11, 2007 - 10 Weeks Post-Op:
I am starting to really see improvement in my energy level. My voice and throat are only at about 90%. Dr. Casey feels they will be fine in another month. My spasms still exist, however they are much less frequent and intense. Dr. Casey is certain that they will completely vanish when the nerve is fully healed. That could be in a week or several months. I don’t seem to have tonus any longer.This completes my diary for now. I will hopefully update to a spasm-free status in the very near future.
Update as of August 24, 2007 - 4 Months Post-Op:
This second surgery was very tough on me. However, It seems like it was all worthwhile. I haven't had a hint of a spasm all month. So I am officially "SPASM FREE". I still have some issues with my voice, but outside of that I am fully recovered. I feel like I have a new lease on life and I can't thank the HFSA enough for this site. Without all of our members, I could have never gone through with the surgeries. Thanks again and GOD BLESS.