MVD Diary - Wilma Bertling
Light touches or breezes on my left cheek caused spasms. While brushing my teeth, a spasm would start when I pursed my lips and spit out water. I could control a low smile without setting off a spasm, but was unable to control one while laughing. I could not eat a thick sandwich. Sunlight and bright lighting inside buildings led me to wearing wide brimmed hats and dark glasses. Any stress made spasms worse. (My stressful events: 2004 hurricanes "Frances" and "Jeanne" devastated our area; Hurricane "Wilma" hit our area in 2005; we had a new house built in 2006 and prepared and sold our old house in 2007. A Colonoscopy suggested a need for surgery, which was cancelled by surgeon the night before because he felt it unnecessary. )
I saw a neurologist and had a brain MRI which was normal for a person of my age. Botox treatments were recommended. In 2005 I began taking Gabitril (2mg) which made no difference and I stopped the medication.
In August 2005 I saw my endocrinologist, who was monitoring my hyperthyroidism; she cancelled the Botox appointment with my eye doctor and sent me to a surgeon to remove two of my parathyroids. He had another MRI done with specific attention to my neck. My endocrinologist consulted with a neurosurgeon at Shands Hospital at University of Florida-Gainesville who recommended Botox before considering surgery. I chose not to continue Botox.
In January 2008, after 4 years of increasingly severe spasms, I began researching neurosurgeons familiar with HFS and the MVD surgery developed in Pittsburgh by Dr. Jannetta. I emailed the State University of New York-Buffalo Medical School to ask if there were any HFS specialists in New York State, and immediately heard from Dr. Elad I. Levy who studied under, and who co-authored medical articles in collaboration with, Dr. Jannetta.
I decided to have my MVD in Buffalo. We were long-time residents of Western New York and I had been an employee of the University. I could have all my pre-testing done in Florida, and would only be required to stay one week after surgery. I had a chest X-ray, another MRI (the last were in 2004), blood tests, and because of my age (79) a stress test.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 - Day of Departure:
Limo to Orlando, FL with overnight stay in motel near airport.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - Leaving Florida:
Flight to Buffalo, NY. Visit friends next three days.
Monday, September 15, 2008 - "Day before MVD":
I met with Dr. Levy and delivered my MRI disks. My GP had already forwarded other test results. I was scheduled for surgery the next day at 7:30AM. Had a light lunch in mid-afternoon, but only juices and water before going to bed early.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - "MVD Day":
Arrive at Hospital at 6AM. I'm then prepped for surgery. MVD takes about 3 hrs. Since Millard Fillmore-Gates Hospital is a teaching hospital, groups of interns observed my surgery. They say I tried to throw up in Recovery. When I awoke I knew "the spasms were gone" and that I had my full hearing. Dr. Levy reported that it was a large blood vessel affecting the 7th nerve. The closure was titanium mesh.I dozed for the afternoon, had only tea, but was truly ecstatic! Later, I was transferred to a room reserved for neurological patients.
Wednesday - Friday, September 17 - 19, 2008 - Days 1-3 Post-op:
I ate regular menu and walked the corridors with my roommate. I did not have any equilibrium problems and declined therapy.The doctors asked if I wanted to leave the hospital on Thursday morning, but I asked to stay another day. My husband was moving us from one motel to another motel that offered a daily breakfast buffet, a much larger room and facilities to eat in.
I was perky during the balance of our stay in Buffalo, and well enough to go shopping, visit other friends, and eat at least one restaurant meal each day.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - Day 7 Post-op:
Dr. Levy's nurse practitioner removed my stitches. The small incision was totally covered by my hair from day one. I was ok'd for air travel back to Florida.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - Day 8 Post-op:
Since I couldn't lift anything we had UPS ship our luggage. I used a wheelchair to get through the two airports. Direct flight departure was 5PM, arrival Orlando, FL at 8:30PM. Limo back to Sebastian, FL, through a driving rain, arrival home about 11PM.
Thursday - Sunday, September 25 - 28, 2008 - Days 9-12 Post-op:
I slept at least 18 hours each day. On Friday my husband came down with a cold which worsened Saturday and Sunday.
Monday, September 29, 2008 - Day 13 Post-op:
At 2:00 AM Monday, even though I was not yet cleared for driving, I drove him to the Emergency Room at our local Medical Center. He had pneumonia in 2004, and tests again showed pneumonia. They started him on intravenous antibiotics. Two hours later I drove him home, and for the next few days we nursed one another. I had a GP appointment scheduled for Tuesday but postponed it to Wednesday so that she could see both of us..
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - Day 15 Post-op:
Had my appointment with my GP and I was cleared for driving but restricted to another two weeks from lifting or bending.
Following surgery - observations:
Because I ground my teeth during spasms (both day and night) I am now having crowns put on 6 teeth. The first one is now in place on a badly cracked front tooth. Others with HFS should be advised that grinding one's teeth can do a lot of damage.
I am one of the lucky ones for whom an MVD with a skilled neurosurgeon brought instant relief and few side effects. Anyone wishing more information may email me at swabby@webtv.net.