Gratitude Discussion Group

@nancy82415 Congratulations! Can you please explain to me what brain decompression surgery involves, and how long your recovery was?
Ginger

Brain decompression surgery is performed when there is not enough room for the brain inside the skuIl. When there is not enough room this forces the brain to push below the skull opening (foramen magnum). The surgery is removes a small amount of bone to increase the opening of the foramen magnum. It may also include opening of the dura and sewing either a patch from a bovine or your own tissue. This is all done to create more room inside the skull for the brain. This condition is called Chiari Malfromation.

@nancy82415 Thank you that explanation I had never heard of this before what a traumatic operation it must have been for you . I hope this has been a successful operation for you . Let me know will you ?

Today I am grateful that with many tears, hugs and heart-to-heart discussions, my daughter has made the very difficult decision to take a temporary leave from her beloved job as a school nurse during this Covid pandemic. This has been under consideration for 3 months, and she says she has a sense of peace about it. I could feel the lack of tension in her body when I hugged her this morning. There may still be some hard days as she misses her kids and coworkers, but she knows it's the right decision for her health and her family. A little of my gratitude is selfish as we will be able to be together and can still do things with our little grandsons.
Sue

Surgery was a success!!! Recovery was smooth. In the hospital five days. Returned to work full time six weeks later. It was a diagnosis and surgery that was not even on my radar. Thankfully Mayo was there for me!!! I absolutely love my team of doctors!! They truly have made my journey a smooth one. I look forward to my annual checkups as I consider my team of doctors part of my family. The hard part was not being able to give them a hug when I saw them this year due to COVID. Maybe next year I will be able to.

@nancy82415 That was a great explanation of your surgery! Fascinating, and of course I am curious how this all happened!
Here is the Mayo Clinic article on the Chiari malformation, for others who are interested: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chiari-malformation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354010
Happy to hear another fan of Mayo Clinic here!
Ginger

My journey started 11 yrs ago with a diagnosis of severe ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel and trigger finger in my right hand. I had surgery to correct, but unfortunately I would improve and then plateau and get worse. Second surgery was needed to remove scar tissue. I then improved yet again, but then got rear ended while at a stop sign. That resulted in surgery yet again, but on the elbow due to compression. At this point I had three surgeries with 21 months. After the last surgery I had improved and did not get worse. Dr released me, but then one yr later I noticed that I was losing the use of my thumb. He then referred me to a bigger clinic, for a second opinion, as he felt there was some systemic going on elsewhere. Unfortunately this second opinion was of no help.

He then referred me to Mayo. As soon as I walked in the door at Mayo I had a peacefulness come over me. I just knew that this was were I was destined to be. I came in on a Monday looking for answers for my hand. Never expected to be scheduling brain decompression surgery with neurosurgeon on Friday. It was a whirlwind of a week, but I knew I did not need to worry as I was in the best hands. Four weeks from when I arrived at Mayo I was having surgery.

It is amazing that even though Mayo treats hundreds of patients each and every day, the care they provide makes you feel like you are their only patient!! As a patient walking into the clinic you can feel the history and the needs of the patient come first in the air. You really can’t explain it, you have to experience it. All the staff at Mayo have made such a positive impact in my life. I am a better person for it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Still cancer free and the recent 2 cervical rhizotomies are starting to help some with pain. All in all live is good and uneventful.

@sueinmn As a parent and grandparent I say a little selfishness can oft go a long way. Grateful for all.

So nice to hear from you, @parus, and to read your good news. I'm glad that all is going "uneventful" as you say and that you are cancer-free and getting some pain-relief from the rhizotomies. I can really appreciate uneventful! How is your little grandson doing these days? Any new craft, art projects on the horizon for you?