MVD Diary - Mary Thurmond
Tuesday, October 9, 2001 - Arrive in Pittsburgh:
Arrived in Pittsburgh around 5:30 PM and picked up the apartment key from the Security Office at AGH entrance, off Sandunsky Street. Found the Visitor's Center adequate and the shuttle to and from Allegheny General Hospital certainly made up for any inconveniences for us since we had no transportation.
Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - Day before MVD:
Appointment with Dr. Jannetta at 9:30AM. Met Dr. Casey and Rick Kartyna (Dr. J's PA) as well. The MRI I had prior to arriving in Pittsburgh was outdated so Dr. J had me have another, which I did about 3:00PM. Made my call to confirm surgery before 5:30PM and to let them know of any medications I had been on.
Thursday, October 11, 2001 - "MVD-Day":
Arrived AGH at 5:30AM at the Ambulatory Care Center. Was soon called and taken to a room where I exchanged my clothes for the hospital attire with footies. Maybe around 7:00AM I was taken down where the anesthesiologist prepares you for surgery with IVs'. I have no idea how long I was there. Don't think it was very long before I was taken for surgery. Do not remember leaving this room so must have been pretty out by then. The next thing I remember was waking up in the Recover Room with one huge headache and a sore throat from the breathing tube they had inserted after I was out. Remember my first waking thought was, "My God, what have I done?" Do remember thinking about that for a while and finally realized there was no going back. The nurse kept asking me questions like, "What is your name?" "Do you know where you are?" "What did you have done?" Kept trying to say "microvascular decompression" but in that condition it never came out. She definitely was not very gentle as she pulled pads out from underneath me doing some rearranging and scrubbed my forehead with what felt like a dry, very rough, terrycloth towel and don't know what else. Kept wanting to say, "Be a little more gentle," but never got it out. She did catheterize me but didn't leave it in. She let my sister in for a few minutes before transferring me to ICU, which is normal procedure. There they put those things on my legs that “breath” to keep clots from forming. I stayed in ICU the rest of day. The whole time in ICU was very aware of being "SPASM FREE" with the exception of a very few flutters only a few times during the day. The whole time I was in ICU, I was asked over and over again where I was, who I was and what I was doing there as well as squeezing their fingers with left hand and then right, and pushing feet against their hands etc.
Friday, October 12, 2001 - The Day After:
They sat me up in a chair this morning and had a sponge bath. Later in the day I had asked for something to eat and finally was brought tomato soup, which is the only food I know of that I am allergic to. Told her I couldn't eat that (that didn't seem to make her very happy) and what seemed at least an hour or so later got some mushroom soup. Around 10 or 10:30 PM they finally put me in a regular room. The whole time in ICU was very difficult to sleep because of the light and noise. So going to a regular room was great. It was cool, quiet and dark. Had a shot for pain and went to sleep until some resident came and woke me up VERY, VERY early. He wanted to see my incision for some reason and tried to pull off the bandage that was of course stuck to hair and not coming off easily so he finally left it alone.
Saturday, October 13, 2001 - Two Days Post-op:
Very uneventful day. Did some walking. No longer need the bedpan. They were going to let me out of the hospital today but my sister thought it was a bit too soon. It had only been two days since the surgery and we decided there was no need to be in a hurry. So far I had done great and done some walking but sure didn't want to hurry things too much. By now I had my own pillow and the bed in the hospital was sure a lot more comfortable than at the Visitor's Center.
Sunday/Monday October 14, & October 15, 2001 - Three & Four Days Post-op:
I was able to shower and wash my hair to get ready to be dismissed from the hospital. Left the hospital around 11:00AM and went back to our apartment. Did little except lounge around and watch some TV. My sister picked up soup and the like from the hospital cafeteria for me. On Monday the 15th my sister and I walked over to Wendy's and had lunch. Then walked down to the drug store to get a pain prescription filled.
Tuesday, October 16, 2001 - Five Days Post-Op:
Had my follow-up appointment at Dr. J's office. Saw Dr. Casey. The staples were not ready to be taken out so he gave me a staple puller for my doctor to use. Told me there was no big hurry to have them out. Everything was fine and said we could leave for home. Could have actually left Pittsburgh today but had made flight reservations for 6:30 AM on the 17th so we decided to keep things as they were. Was able to walk over to the little shops behind the apartments and found a nice little sandwich shop where we ate.
Wednesday, October 17, 2001 - Six Days Post-Op -Day of Departure from Pittsburgh:
We had to be at the airport by 5:00AM so we had a limo pick us up at about 4:00AM. Flight home was very pleasant. Did have assistance boarding and in Houston where we changed planes. That would have been way to long to walk. Was not ready for that. Arrival in Corpus Christi there was no assistance but the airport is small and the walk was ok. Actually felt good to get up and be able to move. After my daughter picked us up at the airport we went out for Mexican food and then home for some rest. Each and every day I can tell I feel a little better then the day before. When I first awake in the mornings I do have some fluid in my MVD ear but it seems to leave upon getting up. Have been sleeping better than I was before MVD. For at least two years I would wake up many times through the night and then had a hard time getting back to sleep. Was never aware as to what awakened me and I'm wondering if the face fluttering was enough to wake me. Who knows??
Thursday, October 25, 2001 - Fourteen days Post-Op:
Went in to have the staples removed. Would you believe I went through brain surgery well and then almost passed out on the last couple of staples and had to lie down a bit. Really felt pretty stupid but the last two staples really hurt. On my MVD side my head feels numb but not to the point of a bother. Can also tell this is improving but if it never did beyond what it is today it would be no problem. Actually, I feel great and my biggest problem is trying to remember not to overdue.
Friday April 19, 2001 - Six Months Plus Post-Op:
It is truly amazing how time can heal. What few spasms I had been having are diminishing. I'm seldom aware of them during the day now. The eye area just feels like it wants to spasm at this time. At this point in time I do believe they will completely disappear. If I can be of any help to anyone.....please do not hesitate to email me at maryt1061@netzero.net