Back to work

Sorry I haven't been back for a while. This is the start of my 3rd week back to work and it is going great! I am feeling REALLY good. I still have some issues, but for the most part feel better more then I feel bad. The major issues I had prior to diagnosis are now gone, thank god! I just deal with some lingering neurological issues that will hopefully repair themselves as time goes on. It is almost 5 months since my surgery so I have another 7 months to see what corrects itself. They told me to give it a year. All in all I am blessed to have been "fixed" and on to a normal life. (whatever that is;))

I hope you have all enjoyed your summer. The fall is quickly approaching and I can't wait!!!

God bless

Amy

~~~~Still here ~~~~~

Plans have changed... I have not returned to work at this point and am working on my healing still. There have been continued tests and evaluations that are hopefully going to work out some lingering issues. I recently had a CT of my brain and eyes after experiencing eye pain in the back of my left eye. The pain was waking up me out of a sleep, so I felt it needed looked into. Good news is the Ct scans came back clear, bad news is my neurologist feels it is all neurological. It seems that the neurological part of this nightmare is what is causing me the problems. I have started a new medication for the neuro issues and hopefully it will calm some things down. Again, time will tell. I have only been taking this new medication for 2 days, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I didn't think I would continue the blog but I kind of feel that this portion of my experience is where I may be able to help others the most. The recovery has been difficult for me and my personality type. I had a major surgery and want to feel better NOW! In due time, but until then I try to stay focused in a positive light and stay on the path God leads me down. Day to day is so different. I feel as if there is something new all the time. The last 2 weeks my eye pain has started, my wrists, knees and ankles hurt so bad it is difficult to get to sleep, my neck muscles have been spasming to where it feels like someone is squeezing my throat/neck, so as you can see this can be very annoying not knowing from day to day what will appear. When I feel good I make the best of it. I actually am really feeling like a geriatric patient with all my aches and pains. I am one of the youngest people I have seen at PT, so I feel at home with the hip replacements. :)

I am really trying to deal with the pain without meds if at all possible. I am taking this new one but haven't taken a pain pill since week 2 after surgery, I am on week 13. I want to learn my new body and see what I can and can't handle, then look for other resources if I need it later in the year. I have started some natural supplements to see if it helps in any way. Continued Reike, Pt and light therapy as well. Meditation and general mental health are a big part of my healing plan and focus.

I hope that anyone out there dealing with the same issues and diagnosis can hear me say that it is a long process. Stay positive and know that time will tell. I SOOO badly want to get back to my regular life but that isn't now. I look forward to being sleepy at night from a hard day at work, evening of fun with the family and then falling asleep and actually having a good nights sleep.

It's Friday night and I'm off to watch a movie at home with my hubby. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and I will be back soon.
Faith, Strength & Love

Moving on...

I want to start this post by saying thank you to all of you who have supported me during this journey. What a ride! This blog has been a great way to communicate with everyone but I think it is time to stop. I am moving on... This will all be a part of my past now and I look forward to what the future holds. I am getting back to work in the future and really looking forward to it. I will continue to heal and hopefully by this time next year I will be feeling close to 100%. The Dr keeps saying it will be a year before I feel the results of the surgery. I pray that this surgery was successful and not something that needs to be done again in the future.

This whole experience has taught me sooooo much. I have a different outlook on life and how I choose to live it. I am thankful, blessed and thank God daily! Noone knows what life has in store for our future so let's make every minute count. God bless each and everyone one of you. Don't forget to stop and enjoy your "GOON"!

From me and my family, we truly thank you for your prayers and support!
God Bless
Amy

PT, Reike & Light therapy

I started physical therapy and think it is going to help. I do feel that it is helping to loosen my neck muscles and get things heading back in the right direction. I will go 3 times a week for the next 3 weeks. I plan to return to work at the end of the month, so I am hopeful that this helps. I look forward to getting back to my normal life! In addition to PT I have started light therapy to help generate new/healthy cells as well as Reike(alternative healing method). The attached link is a great description of Reike. http://www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html
(Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. )

The therapist asked if I would allow them to do a case study on me and I gladly accepted. The more that people can understand about my condition the better.

I hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Good report

Dr. O'Boynick gave me a good report today at my appt. I am starting physical therapy 3 times a week and TOTALLY looking forward to this. We went over my recent MRI report that shows great improvement of my brain placement/pressure.

I was speaking with Maria, his assistant to schedule my next appt. prior to leaving. Maria shared with me how hard this week has been with so many brain tumors, most of them being our age. It really made me realize that this diagnosis is such a blessing in disguise. A few lifestyle changes (pain management, exercise, stress level...) and I will hopefully be able to manage anything that causes me pain. I pray for those strangers who sat in the same chair I did after undergoing brain surgery for a cancerous tumor. There are blessings in every situation and I am seeing mine.

Have a wonderful Holiday weekend friends!!!

Enjoying my "Goon"

Sorry for the delay writing. I had a bad 3 days in a row followed by 4 REALLY good days followed by 1 so so day followed by 2 good days. I have started to see a pattern that has brought me great comfort. My bad days are always at the beginning of the week after over doing it on the weekends. I want to enjoy my weekends with the kids but need to take it easy. REST is the key element here. It is a great sign that I have good days, things are working in the right direction. I went to my Dr appt. on Tuesday but after getting there found out it was on Mon. so we rescheduled for Friday. I did speak with Dr. Oro's assistant at the Chiari institute in Colorado. She was SOOOO helpful and informative. I told her what I have been experiencing and she confirmed that it is all normal. I won't feel "corrected" for 6 months to a year. The things that I have been feeling are normal and take time. She explained some details about nerves repairing and muscle restriction that put me at ease. I also spoke to her about my short term memory loss and she confirmed that it is VERY normal after this type of surgery. She suggested I get some brain teaser books to get things stimulated and going again. I am confidant I am on the road to recovery!

I have learned so much during this journey about myself, life and living. We all live such a fast paced life that we never stop to "Enjoy a goon". Ok so here's the story with the Goon. I was hustling around town one day with multiple appointments and conference calls scheduled. I decided I wanted to go to Boling's for lunch because I LOVE their Crab rangoon aka "goon". So I'm on a conference call and eating as if someone is going to snatch my plate out from under my nose. (on mute of course and I was paying attention :)) I happen to notice a lady sitting across from me who picks up her yummy goon, breaks it open and smells it then takes a small taste and gets a huge smile on her face. I thought to myself "Wow, she really is stopping to enjoy her goon." I looked down and mine was gone and I hadn't even really noticed or enjoyed eating it. I sat there thinking about all the things I rush through and don't stop to really enjoy. So I now have a personal mission to stop and enjoy my goon in the future. It seems like we are always doing and going and not enjoying the things that make the world go round. Being at home for this amount of time has been very difficult for me but I have been able to enjoy things that I had taken for granted in the past. Laying out on the hammock is so relaxing and peaceful, why haven't I done that more often! Taking this time to read some books I have wanted to read or watch movies I have wanted to watch has been a great pleasure. Life can change in the blink of an eye and I want to know that I have enjoyed everything I can while I can. I wish you all a life filled full of "enjoying your goon"!!!

Sick of the roller coaster

I told you all that my mri shows good results however the past few days have proven differently. I have had a really bad few days. My symptoms are coming on very strong and often. I am hoping that my body is just telling me to slow down and continue resting to ensure healing. My next Dr. appt. is next Tuesday so we will see what he has to say.

I have communicated with some others on line who have been through the same surgery and have got mixed responses. Some say it is not good that the symptoms are back and others have told me that they slowly fade away over the year after surgery. The frustration level is off the charts at this point. This has by far been the most challenging time of my life. I still have NO energy and get tired so easily. I have to challenge myself to actually get things done. I have had clothes that I have been trying to hang up for 2 weeks and just can't get the energy to do it all. Talk about frustrating!!! I lay low all day so I can hang with my girls and Pat when they get home.

Keep the prayers coming that this is just a phase of the healing process.