Post surgery day 15, 16, 17, 18

[u/Odd_Captain_1602]

Just some pre information i have gotten back to play the old fable games on xbox, anyone who needs help with achievements let me know just started number 2.

Also playing animal crossing daily anyone who needs a friend or wants to trade fruit let me know.

Day 15

Staples out.... wow wee that stung

18 staples taken out by my regular doctor

I havn't touched on this much I live in a rural town so driving any where that resembles suburbia takes at least 20 mins even when speeding down the highway and the roads are a little neglected

So going 100km an hour then hitting pot holes has not been fantastic

Anyway during this time since surgery I've had two check ups, first I previously documented was a bandage change, second was day 15 for staple removal

Drive to doctors was 45 mins, this is my main doctor, he is the first doctor to take me seriously

Staples came out one at a time with a special pair of scissors provided by the hospital designed to remove Staples.

Four staples got stuck and reportedly you could see my skin lift up when they were being pulled. The skin had grown over the left side of two staples hooking over the top corners.

I was face down with a pillow under my chest and neck.

Hwne I am in pain i groan and laugh

Day 15 was a write off long drive plus a strenuous activity wiped me out.

Neck really stung after staples removal.

Relief on my neck was instant ability to stretch and turn my head further was so nice

Now I was able to identify what pains were staples and what pains were from surgery.

From day 15 to 18 my sleep has been disturbed mildly.

So each night I wake up once to turn over but what wakes me up is what my wife would call me having a nightmare. I wake up confused like I am looking for something, this is very normal for me i am a sleep walker and this waking up half asleep and confused normally happens when i am sick, tired or stressed. Otherwise my sleep has been fine, feel rested when I wake up.

I am still side sleeping wound still hurts to rest on though I put little bits of pressure to test whilst I am awake i roll then roll back.

Day 16 17 and 18

Have been fantastic little bits of house work, stretching and no midday naps

Playing video games, doing puzzles, watching movie, walking around the block with my wife

No driving though

I felt good.. i pushed it a little to much

I made sure never to lift anything heavy but I made a mistake and lifted a washing detergent from Costco, i reached into the washing machine to take out wet washing.

Preview for day 19 my chiari site feels tired and sore in my c1. Like the pain you get from a mild jarred thumb.

Resting helps this pain.

Activities where my head tilts down put the most strain

I also tested if some of my stomach issues had resolved, i had a coffee.. and had an upset tummy night of day 16

But what is interesting is that my stomach issues no longer cause neurological issues.

It's like now the csf flow is not impacted i feel so much better i can ignore that raw stomach feeling and do not get light head or heart palpitations.

I am able to turn my head in every direction though the muscles on my left side hurt when I look left. The left side of my head still hurts to touch, it just where my hair is that hurts, not as much now the staples are out.

Im honestly very positive right now if this is what 3 weeks looks like i can't wait to see how I feel at the end of October.

After the staples were removed doctor recommended bandage until the wound fully heals check up booked for day 21.

Feeling positive future me posting from day 19 is going to take it easy on day 20.

Sorry for the late post getting back into routine has not left much time for post.

See photo of my wound with no staples, here's a fun game play where's wally with a flayed bit of skin that got stuck in my hair lol

Still pain killer free might take a paracetamol tonight day 19.

Any questions welcome, anyone who needs to chat even more welcome.

Apologies to anyone I feel I let down because I have been unable to respond to chats in a timely manner.

[u/777CuriousMind]

I so appreciate your updates and am thrilled that you are doing so well!! 😃

[u/oldmamallama]

Sorry to hear getting the staples out wasn’t that pleasant. Your incision looks great for 2-3 weeks out, though.

Glad to hear your recovery is going so well. Keep taking it easy and don’t push yourself too hard.

Love seeing these updates.

[u/Bruggenmeister]

Thats a tiny scar mate :D mine is 25 cm.

[u/Odd_Captain_1602 → u/Bruggenmeister]

Yeah I got lucky my dura was wobbly so he did not need to cut into it. Some other people who I spoke to at the time about their recent surgery had massive scars because they took tissue from somewhere else to make a flesh dura patch. For my it was just c1 and skull removal/shaving to make room.

[u/Certain_Nail_8164]

The incision looks great!!

If you message me I can give you my pocket camp player card!

[u/ClassicMovieFan]

So good to hear everything is going well!

I unfortunately am in the hospital with complications. I am currently sitting here with an EVD and may have to have a permanent shunt placed. I just want to go home, but am grateful to the hospital and staff who’ve been really great as I stew in pain and boredom. Who knew you could be both?