At Home with New Metal

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I’m home. it has been a tough 24 hours. Surgery didn’t go as planned. he was unable to insert additional coils successfully, so he inserted a spanking new Neuroform Microdelivery Stent across the base of the aneurysm and we’ll have to go back in in six or so weeks to insert the coils. The neck of the access area was too wide and the coils wouldn’t stay in.

It was a horrible night. lots of head pain then horribly sick to stomach. Two catheters later, then transferred from recovery room to semi-private room on the neuro floor this morning. I had to pee on my own before they would discharge me…talk about pressure, but I FINALLY did we left hospital around 3:30 or so. Promptly fell into bed when got home and slept soundly until 9.

I’m still feeling lousy, but not sick anymore and very glad to be home. I’m ticked i’ll have to go back and do this all again, but it is what it is. I’m alive. The drs. and nurses, as usual were fantastic. Just amazing care.

Thank you for all your prayers.

Things To Do This Week

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Yes, this week has finally come.

Wednesday (16th) I will have more coils added to my brain aneurysm after it was discovered in January that the 16 platinum coils that were inserted back in 2006
when it ruptured were either compacting or the aneurysm was growing and blood was flowing back into it. Since it’s an aneurysm that has already ruptured
once, everyone felt it was important to get this taken care of sooner rather than later.

The 2nd smaller aneurysm will be monitored. Right now there doesn’t appear to be a risk of rupture with that one, so it’s a wait-and-see-what-it-does kind of a mode. It may never grow or need any treatment…or it may grow or rupture. Who knows! Ah, the lovely, complicated, wonderful brain!

The hope is that they’ll do the coiling, I’ll be in ICU possibly just overnight, and I’ll be released to go home the following day (St. Patrick’s Day!). And if all goes well, that should be the case.

I have a small collection of things to take with me to the hospital on Wednesday. My “Get-Better-Bear” Care Bear my sister sent me in 2006, my comfy clothes for the ride back home, and I’m taking my iPad with me to keep me occupied. I have synced up an entire season of The Dick Van Dyke show on NetFlix as well as some podcasts. I know I won’t get any sleep in the hospital…they truly aren’t restful, but they treat you VERY well at Maine Medical Center. I had 20 days in the hospital in 2006 to witness that.

I’m told I may be very tired for some time (possibly weeks) after the procedure and may have a headache after the coiling. I know my groin will be sore. If you’re not familiar with endovascular coiling, here is good explanation. It’s ironic to have brain surgery and your groin to be the incision, but that’s one of the beauties of having coiling verses the far more invasive and dangerous
clipping, where they open the skull and perform open brain surgery.

It’s still a procedure on your brain, however and one that is not without complications. I’m confident with my Dr. that he’ll do what needs to be done and do it well. I only plan to take four days off work.

I know I’m lucky and I’m blessed with each day I wake up Dave and our kitties. May the luck of the Irish be with me this week!

First Day of The Weekend

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I spent the first day of this weekend keeping my mind and body busy. Groceries was first on the list, and what a list it was! Thankfully, the weather was better today. Two hours later I was home and ready to cook!

I thought I’d try some freeze-ahead meals for Dave and I so neither one of us will have to worry about getting groceries or meal planning and cooking at the end of the week when I get home from the hospital.

So, I started with a treat for St.Patrick’s day, assuming I’ll be home like I’m supposed to be. I whipped up the Irish Beef Hand Pies from Martha Stewart. VERY easy to make and freeze. I hope they taste good. LOL

Next on the list was a comfort food dish recipe from Martha Stewart for Macaroni &
Cheese. I think this will hit the spot. After that I made some low-fat blueberry muffins (not from scratch, but from a mix).

THEN I made Dave and I dinner, which was Mustard-Braised Sausage & Potato Skillet. A very easy, one-dish meal I’ve made before.

Needless to say, I was pooped at the end of the day and we lose an hour of sleep tonight with the time change, so I’m sure I’ll be a useless lump on the couch tomorrow. But I sure feel good about what I accomplished today and I know we’ll both appreciate the pre-made meals later in the week when we need a good dinner.

Tomorrow I start the Plavix and Aspirin routine. I’m hoping my system handles the new MEDS okay.

Pre-Operative Appointment

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Because my original coiling was an emergency situation due to my brain aneurysm rupturing, I didn’t get to “experience” Maine Medical Center’s Pre-operative department. They may not have been that extensive back in 2006 either. But, I have to say it’s a terrific group. I didn’t really know what to expect.

I knew they were taking blood, but beyond that, I didn’t know if my Doc had ordered other tests or procedures to be run. They did draw some blood and took my vitals, the nurses gave me instructions and directions, and we had an extensive anesthesia interview. I met with four different ladies during the visit which lasted almost two hours.

Pat Richards, one of the Dr’s/nurse, even went above and beyond the call of duty and tried to get to the bottom of a lingering medication issue I haven’t been able to get straight answers on. She realized it was stressing me out and took it upon herself to find the answers for me. I really, really appreciated her doing that. She didn’t have to, but I knew she’d have the proper authority and medical explanation and terminology that I didn’t.

They were all very well-informed and presented us with several more brochures on what to expect, where to go and what to do before, during and after any surgery. In 2006, we weren’t given any such information before, during or after, so I think they’ve come a long way in educating the patients and their caregivers. There still was no info on aneurysms though, so we’re hoping down the road, we can help change that.

Even though it meant a separate trip down to Portland for us (an hour or so away), Dave and I both felt going through all of this on a day different from the surgery day was very nice. I didn’t have to deal with answering a ton of questions, giving blood and signing forms an hour before the surgery. I’ll get there, meet with the anesthesiologist and the Dr. and I’m on my way. I’ll be drugged…Dave will have the tough part of waiting.

I was very pleased with the level of care by Maine Med when I was there for 20 days back in 2006 and I continue to be impressed with their improvement and care for their patients.  Let’s hope I feel the same way on March 17th!