MVD Diary – Chris Stafford
Tuesday March 13, 2007 - "MVD-Day":
After having waited for this day to arrive, it is here. The day when the spasms will go and I will be able to feel comfortable talking with people again. Despite having read a number of diaries and e-mail messages about other people who didn’t come out of their MVD spasm free, I always went into it confident that it would be a success.The last minute before photos taken, and time to head off to Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital.
Jane and I arrived at the hospital at 8.00 am, 45 minutes early, I wasn’t going to be late for this. After one last meeting with Dr. Tomlinson’s secretary to go through any last minute questions, it was time to book into the hospital. This process was probably the longest wait I have experienced as we waited, and waited for a room. Finally my name was called and we were taken to a private room on the ward. This was obviously only a short-term room for the preparation before the surgery.
The wait had been longer than anyone expected and it was now all systems firing as preparations are done to get me ready for surgery. One surgical nurse, armed with clippers, started the process cutting a few patches across my head to stick a number of sensors for during the surgery. A quick shower and into the beautiful hospital gown and full length stockings. Then it's time to be wheeled off for one last MRI before surgery. After this I was taken straight to pre-op. Unfortunately I was too late and another surgery had taken priority so it was back to my room for a couple of hours. Fortunately I was able to fall asleep during this time and was woken up at about 4:30PM to return to pre-op. Here I met with the anesthetist and Dr Tomlinson again for the usual last minute questions confirming what side we were operating on and making sure everything was ready to go. I was also reminded that after surgery it was likely I would experience some nausea and headaches. I was also advised I would have a spinal drain inserted (to relax the brain during the operation) and a catheter. One last hug from Jane and my mum and it was time to go. I remember the theatre as being huge. The anesthetist put in the drip and told me I was going to start feeling drowsy…
Next I knew I was waking up some 4 hours later in ICU with Jane and mum beside me. I was still really groggy and don’t even recall thinking at that time about whether I felt any twitch or not.
Wednesday March 14, 2007 – 1 Day Post-Op:
After sleeping for a couple of hours, at 2.30 am the nausea commenced. This was pretty constant for the next 48 hours. I remained in ICU for this time. I was given several drugs to relieve the effects of the nausea but none were effective. A physiotherapist visited with a view to getting me up and out of bed, but it was decided that I was not ready for this yet. Dr Tomlinson came around to see how things were going and asked me about the spasm when I realize that I'm "SPASM FREE". I was then taken down to x-ray for a postoperative CAT scan and chest x-ray. The day was spent mixed between sleep and nausea. My kids and parents come up for a visit but I can’t stay awake to talk with them. I am either vomiting or feel very tired due to all the medication in my system.I start having daily injections in the stomach to prevent blood clotting. The IV drip in my foot is removed. I am still relying on self-administering pain relief via the drip in my arm. My heart rate and blood pressure are monitored closely because they are both low, but the ICU team concludes this is normal for young, healthy males!
Thursday March 15, 2007 - 2 Days Post-Op:
The nausea continues and I still haven’t been able to keep anything in my stomach. At lunchtime Jane helped me try with a bit of dry bread and some water. However it didn’t stay down for too long. The grogginess has lifted and other than the nausea, things are progressing well. The spinal drain and catheter were removed and I manage to stand for about 30 seconds. The act of standing results in another severe headache and more nausea. The vomiting lasts for another 3 hours. In the meantime, my family arrive to visit but I am not well enough today for visitors. My Doctor explains the headaches, nausea and balance is due to the vestibular nerve being touched during the surgery. The vestibular nerve controls balance. He thinks it should correct itself in the next few days. In the meantime, I resort to sucking ice because my mouth feels so dry. I manage to suck on a toothbrush and feel a bit better.That night, I move from ICU across to a general ward in the hospital.
Friday, March 16, 2007 - 3 Days Post-Op:
Today is completely different. The nausea has disappeared and my sense of balance has returned. My headache is dull. It is my first chance to get up and have a walk around. Everything appears to be going really well so I have a shower and feel human again. I had my first real food with toast and vegemite for breakfast. During the day I go for a number of walks around the nurses station and ward. All the nausea is gone and I am feeling good. My family visits and is astonished at the improvement.
Saturday, March 17 - Monday, March 19, 2007, Days 4 - 6 Post-Op:
The Australian health system appears very different to what I read in everybody else’s diaries where you leave the hospital after a maximum of about 3 days. Whilst I am feeling good and am up and walking all around the hospital and resting and relaxing in their gardens, I stay there until Dr Tomlinson is happy for me to leave. When Dr Tomlinson came around on Monday evening, he gave me the news I had been waiting for and he was happy for me to leave on Tuesday, seven days after my surgery.
Tuesday, March 20 - Friday, March 23, 2007 - Days 7 –10 Post-Op:
Jane came and picked me up from the hospital after lunch and we went home. It is so good being out of hospital and sleeping in my own bed.My days are still pretty quiet. I do some work on the computer in the mornings and then have a sleep for about an hour and a half each afternoon.
On Friday (day 10 post-op) Jane took me back up to the hospital where one of the nurses removed the clips from the incision. She was happy with the way it looks.
So 10 days after surgery and I am totally spasm free, my hearing hasn’t been affected and my balance is fine. Other than the nausea in the first 48 hours, everything has gone as well as I could have possibly wanted. I still tire easily and am not yet driving or at work.
Permission granted the HFSA to post MVD Diary on website.
Chris Stafford, April 05, 2007