MVD Diary - Trudy Achenbach


Surgery performed by:    Dr. Peter J. Jannetta
Surgical Location:          Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
Surgery Date:                 February 07, 2008

Diary prepared by:         Trudy Achenbach
Date diary finalized:       July 19,2008


I had my MVD done by Drs. Jannetta and Sekula on 02/07/08. As per procedure we went back to the hotel on Saturday 02/10. I do not remember anything until sometime in March. It seems my blood pressure dropped and I didn't come out of the anesthesia.My husband called Dr. Sekula and he told my husband to call 911. They didn't think I was going to survive. My liver, kidneys and breathing were all affected, as well as having a reversible colostomy. To make a long story short, I spent 58 days in ICU at Allegheny General, about 2 weeks before I left they amputated all of my toes because the drop in blood pressure caused dry gangrene. I was then sent to a hospital in Wilmington, Delaware, about 25 miles from home. They worked on and with me so I could breathe and speak again. From there I went to a rehabilitation center and a foot doctor to heal my feet so I can learn to walk again. I have just been sent home from the center because until my feet heal, they cannot do anything else for me.

I'm finally at home. I am spasm free, but,oh what a jouney this has been, and I'm not done yet. Just want to thank my friends at HFSA that have sent me cards and notes. You tend to get a little blue in a rehab center and they really cheered me up. Please don't let my diary scare anyone, this is just my experience.


Permission granted the HFSA to post MVD Diary on website.
Trudy Achenbach, July 19, 2008

 

Back to top

HFSA HOME

Home | Alternative Treatment Exp.| Ask The Docs | Bell's Palsy Exp. | Botox® Personal Exp. | Botox® Usage | Chat Room | Contact Us | Contribute | E-mail Archives | HFS Histories | Important Dates | Informational Pamphlet | Join Us | Links | Medical Advisory Board | Medical Terms | Members | Membership Summary | MVD Diaries | MVD Surgeries | Organizational Structure | Pictures | Site Map | Site Policy


Copyright © 2001, The Hemifacial Spasm Association (HFSA) Rev. 040901