MVD Diary - Tom Vance
PRELUDE:
After almost two years of misdiagnosis I was finally correctly diagnosed with Hemifacial Spasm in April 2001, in London Ontario (Canada).
That Doctor gave me two choices, Botox® or MVD. I opted for neither and decided to look on the Internet to see what I could find. Fortunately I found the COF & HFSA. I read every E-mail for many months but seldom posted. I met with several neurosurgeons and in March 2002 I met Dr. Anthony Kaufmann in Winnipeg Manitoba (Canada). My surgery was scheduled for November 26, 2002.
Sunday, November 24, 2002 - Date of Departure/Arrival:
Monday, November 25, 2002 - Day before MVD:
We meet the nurse for "explanations and expectations". I really don't have many questions as I have gathered a tremendous amount of information from COF & HFSA. The nurse explained what would happen when I wake up and general information.Now we meet the "gas" guy. He explains what will happen when I go "under", looks over my paperwork and double checks all my answers. All my pre surgery tests were done at home and faxed to Winnipeg.
After no more that an hour we leave and spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening at the casino where as usual my wife wins a few dollars and I lose what she won.
Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - "MVD-Day":
Not a bad nights sleep but have to be at admitting by 5:45 A.M. Believe it or not, I am excited, this is going to work, lets get going!At 7:15 AM I'm wheeled into the operating room (still not nervous). Boy is that operating table cold on the back when you first lay on it. The nurses and I joke a little and the "gas" guy talks a lot to keep me informed of what they are doing. I'm still excited to have this done. However, as things begin to blacken there is one tremendous flash of panic. It didn't last long.
I awoke around noon to a multitude of questions, what is your name? where are you? what day is it? Kind of sputtered in and out of consciousness until about 2:00 PM. Hey no spasms! Not much pain.
Moved to "step down" unit and made very comfortable. Now starting to feel a little nauseous but very minor. Took two Tylenol #3 for head pain. Spent the rest of the afternoon resting and answering questions. Ate supper at 7:00 PM and went for a short walk around 9:00 PM. I even read a book until about 10:00 PM (first time in 2 years I have been able to read seriously). Slept poorly with no medications until about 7:00 AM.
Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - The Day After:
Guess what? The spasms are back! and I got a big pain in the head. Tylenol #3 two times to day. Dr. Kaufmann is here to see me. He explained that I had a huge "dent" in my nerve and it will take 7 - 14 days to settle the spasms but is confident that the spasms are "cured". He also separated some other potential problems and expects no future problems of any kind. They are going to move me to the ward today and probably release me tomorrow. Can fly home Saturday if I want.
Thursday, November 28, 2002 - Two Days Post-op:
Well they moved me to the ward last night, got to walk the floor as much as I wanted (and I did). The pain is almost gone but got a stiff neck. I don't turn the head too fast. It was a long night in the ward, lots of interruptions all night, couldn't get a lot of sleep. However was discharged at 9:30 AM, with an appointment with Dr. Kaufmann for November 29 at 11:00 AM. Spent afternoon and evening resting and arranging a flight home.
Friday, November 29, 2002 - Three Days Post-op:
Met Dr. Kaufmann at 11:00 AM. He still feels confident that my spasms will continue to diminish. He felt also that I would miss most other side effects, Bells Palsy, etc. I did have a "full" ear for a few days, however, only time will tell.
Saturday, November 30, 2002 - Four Days Post-op:
Flew home, all is well.
Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - Seven Days Post-op:
Spasms are back to where they originally started, just a twitch by the eye, I expect it to be gone in another week or so. Head pain is almost all gone, maybe two standard Tylenol every other day. Still a little stiff in the neck muscles and I'm not sleeping too well yet, but that will come. I'm spending half days at work since yesterday.