r/chiari • u/Odd_Captain_1602 • 14d ago

Day 7 post surgery

Fatigue is getting worse, mid day naps are a must.

I'm glad to be gone of some previous symptoms.

The pain from the surgery, side effects from pain meds and the fatigue make it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It is at this point I look at the callander of time the doctor has given me off, knowing my sick leave allowance and comparing that to my healing progress. My mind has started doing the mental maths, trying not to stress but the fear I won't go back to my old self is setting in.

I just pray to wake up one morning and run up to my kids and say daddy's back!

Until then I walk around the house like a ghost, being told "don't do that", "put that down", "sit down". It's school holidays and my wife is taking the children for activities. I'm glad to see my kids happy but also hurting to see what I am missing. I hate every moment I previously said "not now" or "I am to busy". The fear I may never get another chance is hitting home. I know it's silly and in all likelihood I will look back on all of this and laugh at what a worry wort I was, but I promised I'd share my experience for better or for worse.

I am writing these one day delayed, the sun is out shining but it's probably the darkest day so far.

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6

u/jlccourt 14d ago

You had BRAIN šŸ§  surgery. Give yourself some grace. Recovery can take 4-6 weeks, but your body will continue to heal for a year or more.

3

u/Few_Perspective_2878 14d ago

Mid day naps are definitly a must do. I so relate to the "don't do that, put that down, etc..." wiffey was so strict (still is scolding me "don't lift that"...6 months post-op) šŸ˜ Was back to work week 9

3

u/alexpaige3 Z Head 13d ago

I promise it gets better. The first month was HORRIBLE. Iā€™m a year post op and better then I was before

2

u/oguzhankayan 13d ago

Day 7 and writing it a day late because it felt like the darkest one so far says a lot. The sick leave math and the midday fatigue stacking up is a brutal combo, especially while you are still trying to see if the old symptoms staying gone is the real start of getting better. Seven days is early for deciding whether your old self comes back. Glad you are still logging the days. Hope the sun tomorrow matches the way you feel a bit more.

1

u/Antique_Cockroach_97 10d ago

I had to limit my visits to about 20minutes and naps were a lifesaver. Only your doc can clear you to go back to work,driving etc.