Chiari Champs Blog

So much to catch up on

2008-01-09T22:55:00.000-08:00

The last time I posted a blog was so long ago and so much has happened since then. I think I spoke too soon and with a positive blind fold on. I did not want to think that anything was wrong, and hoping I was healing as normaly as possible.

I went back to Colorado for my post-op visit in November. Mom went with me and it was good. I was to get an MRI at 10:30 and my Appointment with Dr.Oro was at 4:30. We had a fundraising dinner to go to that night in Aurora and Dr.Oro was the speaker so I was excited about that. I also got to see Joleen for the first time. Well, she had seen me on my birthday and I went to visit her the day after her surgery, but I don't remember either visit. She has been such a rock for me these past few months, I cannot express how greatful I am to have her in my life.

The appointment with Dr. Oro went well. The MRI was fine and everything looked good, so I was sent on my way. I went to the dinner that night, and Dr. Oro, along with several other people got to see what I am like each and every day. As the day progressed, I was in more and more pain. It was as if my head was being pulled down to the Earth with a giant magnet. It SUCKED. I also experience some incredible pain with any movement where gravity has some affect. It is like my head and neck are no longer attached. That gives me the sharpest pain, but there is the long lasting throb that goes along with it.

My mom and I were on the plane to come back to California on Wednesday and Dr. Oro's office called. They wanted a CT scan in hopes of finding out what was causing all the pain. I was already on the plane so I got the CT done the day after I got home. Guess what...????.... It was normal.

So, off to physical therapy I went. For 5 weeks, all I did was manual traction. Don't let me fool you, the traction was the BEST. It was the best I felt all day long. Anything other than pulling on my head was torture. Yes, I love the pulling. That is an indicator of Craniocervical Instability. YIKES!! I don't want that. I want to be healing normal and getting better. I want to go back to school and get my degree. That's what I want.

I guess I will just have to wait to figure out what will make me better. It has been 3 1/2 years. Another night won't hurt....well, I am sure it will hurt, but I hope it won't kill me.

Getter better every day

2007-11-06T22:09:00.000-08:00

Today I am 8 weeks post op and getting better every day. Sometimes I cannot believe it has been that long. I started driving again which has been great.. I can get out of the house. Turning my head is still a little hard though. The pain is better, but still not gone, but I know it will be.

I leave for Colorado on Sunday for an appointment with Dr Oro on Monday including an MRI. I cannot wait to see what he has to say. I am worried about cranial instability. I get severe pain in my neck when I am laying down and move - moreso at night, so sleeping has been an issue. We shall see!!!

Windsor Jr. PeeWee going to playoffs!

2007-10-23T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Windsor Kights Jr. PeeWee football team beat the Cal Golden Bears and made it into the playoffs!!! We are so proud of our son Austin for being a part of the team and together working hard to accomplish this.

Go Knights!

Texas, we can almost taste it

2007-10-11T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's like the saying goes, "You can take your blood out of the South, but you can't take the South out of your blood", so in the not too distant future, we are taking it back!

Getting better!

2007-10-10T10:20:00.001-07:00

This past week, I told Terri if she stayed down and rested enough she could go out to the kids games (cheer and football). Well she rested just enough and went. We caught the end of Channing's cheering and all of Austin's football game. Channing's team won (they shut out Healdsburg) and so did Austin's team (they shut out Healdsburg too). Terri was very ready to go home at the end and she was pretty sore that night and the next day. Macee (the little fire-cracker in the photo above) and I stayed down at end-zone for the whole game since there is no one around and she is free to get crazy and yell like she enjoys so much.

We are doing our best to keep on top of all that is going on in our lives right now like house, school, cheer and football. Terri's mom Linda has been a great help picking up Channing from school and dropping Chan and Austin off at practices. I don't know how we would do it without her help.

Terri has her flight booked for her first follow-up appointment with Dr. Oro in November. Her mother will be flying out with her and I'll be staying with the kids holding down the fort.

This weekend we play Ukiah in Ukiah on Saturday so we will get to go to church on Sunday!!! It will nice to get to see our church family who has been such a big help during these times.

Well, I hope this blog finds you happy, healthy and blessed!

Mike

Entry for September 25, 2007

2007-10-10T10:19:00.002-07:00

Today is really hard. Yesterday I took a shower.. Yipee!! Sounds like a mundane thing to do, but let me tell you, by the time I was done, I felt like I had just run a couple of miles.. and I haven't run in many years ;)

Today, once again, I am just sitting here. Actually I am laying here. It is getting harder and harder to just sit here. I hate to have to call someone just so I can do something. I CAN walk up and down the stairs, but coming down makes me nervous, I stay downstairs all day until someone gets here to 'assist' me down. I just called my mom, who was busy, because I wanted to go to the grocery store. She put up the HUGE stop sign. No go!! Something that I use to take for granted.. going to the store, and I can't do it.

I had a thought today that I would be able to go to the store AND cook dinner for the family tonight. I am three weeks post-op. You would think I would be able to do something like that. NO chance. My mom reminded me that I still can't drive, can't go to the store alone, I can't do a lot of things... but I want to!! I know it is for the better, and so that I can heal properly and all, but geesh!! So, tonight, Mike will have to do it all once again. I know it is wearing on him so much, and I feel so bad. I sit here and I see something on the floor; a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought about it too much, but now, I want to pick it up so he doesn'thave to, and I can't.

For those of you rockers from the '80's remember Cinderella "Don't Know Whatcha Got Til it's Gone"... that sums up how I am feeling right now. I know others get depressed like this too, and they get through it, so will I.

Chiari Do's and Don'ts

2007-10-10T10:19:00.001-07:00

DO'S & DON'TS WHEN DEALING WITH SOMEONE WITH CHIARI

DON'T ASSUME BECAUSE I LOOK WELL THAT I FEEL WELL. LOOKS CAN BE VERY
DECEIVING. MANY DAYS I LOOK GREAT, BUT I FEEL TERRIBLE.

DON'T TELL ME YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL. NO ONE KNOWS HOW ANYONE ELSE FEELS.
TWO PEOPLE WITH THE SAME DISEASE MAY FEEL TOTALLY DIFFERENT.

WE ALL HAVE VARYING THRESHOLDS OF PAIN AND PAIN CANNOT BE MEASURED.

DON'T TELL ME ABOUT YOUR AUNT GERTRUDE AND HER CHIARI AND HOW WELL SHE
MANAGED IN SPITE OF IT. I AM NOT AUNT GERTRUDE AND I AM DOING MY BEST.

DON'T TELL ME, "IT COULD BE WORSE." YES, IT COULD BE, BUT I DON'T NEED
TO BE REMINDED.

DON'T DECIDE WHAT I AM CAPABLE OF DOING. ALLOW ME TO DECIDE WHAT
ACTIVITIES I CAN PARTICIPATE IN. THERE MAY BE TIMES I MAKE THE WRONG
DECISION, AND IF I DO, I'LL KNOW IT SOON ENOUGH.

DON'T BE UPSET THAT YOU CANNOT EASE MY PROBLEMS. IT WON'T DO ANY GOOD
FOR BOTH OF US TO BE MISERABLE.

DON'T ASK ME HOW I FEEL UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW. YOU MAY HEAR A
LOT MORE THAN YOU ARE PREPARED TO LISTEN TO.

DON'T ASSUME BECAUSE I DID A CERTAIN ACTIVITY YESTERDAY THAT I CAN DO
IT
TODAY. CHIARI IS EVER-CHANGING.

DO LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN ABOUT THE DISEASE. THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE
BETTER EQUIPPED YOU WILL BE TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

DO REALIZE I AM ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED WITH THE DISEASE, NOT WITH YOU.

DO LET ME KNOW YOU ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP ME WHEN I ASK. I'LL BE
GRATEFUL.

DO OFFER ME LOTS OF HUGS AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

DO UNDERSTAND WHY I CANCEL PLANS AT THE LAST MINUTE. I NEVER KNOW FROM
ONE DAY TO THE NEXT HOW I WILL FEEL.CHIARI IS LIKE THAT.

DO CONTINUE TO INVITE ME TO ALL THE ACTIVITIES. JUST BECAUSE I AM NOT
ABLE TO BIKE RIDE ALONG WITH THE GANG DOES NOT MEAN I CAN'T MEET YOU
FOR
THE PICNIC AT THE END OF THE TRAIL. PLEASE LET ME DECIDE

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Deep Thought

2007-10-10T10:18:00.002-07:00

When eating a popsicle while in your wagon, one often finds themselves in deep thought contemplating things like the universe or the Theory of Relativity or maybe just things like, 'how much popsicle has to drip on my stomach before dad sprays me off with the hose?'.

got mud?

2007-10-10T10:18:00.001-07:00

I have no idea who these kids are, however when I saw them at the football game, I had to take a picture. They were soon seen getting scolded by their mothers. Hmm...I cannot understand why?

All Smiles! September 24, 2007

2007-10-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is Channing (on the right) and one of her friends on the Windsor Mighty Mites cheer squad. They cheered their team on to a glorious victory.

Entry for September 24, 2007

2007-10-10T10:16:00.002-07:00

Well, Terri hasn't entered a blog in a bit, so I thought I would do one for her. Things have been going pretty well, no complications and the incision is healing quite nicely. She is beginning to experience the all-to-common itching associated with the healing process.

For the most part Terri does what she is supposed to do like rest, stay down, not attempt to do anything much but then we are talking about Terri who doesn't like to do those things. She does experience some pretty severe pain in odd areas of the back of her head, which are probably attributed to the surgery itself as most don't persist very long.

Terri's first 'big' outing was with her friend Roxy on a trip to the nail salon. Seems like it would be a pretty low key activity right? Well after what Terri had done, she quickly realized that it isn't so low key and she couldn't wait to get back home and as expected, she paid for the trip for the rest of the night.

Myself, I think I am finally getting over my cold as are Austin, Channing and little Macee. The first week back from Colorado was not the best time for all of us (with the exception of Terri thank God) to get sick. Trying to keep the kids away from Terri and Terri away from the kids was no easy task. I am back at work full-time now, playing catch up and as strange as it sounds, getting some rest.

Austin's team the Windsor Knights played the Sonoma Dragons yesterday in Sonoma and trounced them 36-7. Austin play's noseguard and also defensively on special teams during kickoff. During one attempted return, three Dragon players who had just gotten the ball under control had almost gotten to their feet to begin the run-back. What they failed to see was Austin running full speed, slipping past every opposing player in his path, who absolutely hit the three of them like a freight train laying them out like falling timber. All you heard across the crowd was, 'ooooohhhhhh'. I believe all three players are expected to make a full recovery. The devilish smile on Austin's face said it all, 'when the three of them looked up, they realized it was just me standing there, just Austin, the Hammer'.

Channning's team performed equally well. Channing and the rest of her cheer team made sure to keep the boys fired up and the crowd cheering. I am always amazed at how many cheers those six and seven year old girls can remember. In fact, I asked the cheer coach, 'so these girls know like 20-25 different cheers?'. She replied, 'no they actually know around 50 of them'. Now that is simply amazing. Even though I have been at most of her cheer practices and she practices all the time at home, I maybe remember three or four.

Macee is fitting in really well at Little One's Christian pre-school. The school is the same one attended by both Austin and Channing before her so we know all of the teacher's and the owner very well. In fact, Terri does the books and payroll for the school so we trade for tuition, which works out quite nicely.

Terri will be returning to Colorado to meet with Dr. Oro for her first follow up appointment in mid November. She currently has an application into Southwest Airlines for their free medical transportation program. I think if they accept you, you get one or maybe two free trips a year.

I would again like to say thanks to those families who have brought us dinner those many nights, it has been a big help.

I would like to say a special great big thanks to our church family for all of their support and prayers. God is so big that is truely blows me away.

May this blog find you all happy, healthy and blessed. God has and continues to bless us in amazing ways each and every day.

In His Service,

MIke

Entry for September 16, 2007

2007-10-10T10:16:00.001-07:00

This is the first Blog Entry that I have actually written, so I guess it is only appropriate to thank my dear husband Mike for keeping you all up to date. He has been great to me through this whole thing, and so has his work... You know who you are :)

I have been home from Colorado about a week now, and today I started to get a little too sure of myself - and a little case of cabin fever). Since I had missed the last two football games and cheer performances, I was determined to go. Chan's game was from 9 - 11 and Austin's from 11 - 1. I let Mike take them to the field and I was planning on going to Chan's 1/2 time performance and then watch about one quarter of Austin's game. Well, by the time I got from the car to the stands, I was ready to go home. It hurt!! But, I toughed it out thanks to a walker and a neck brace. Just after half time, Mike checked on Austin and he was too sick to even make it through warm ups. As sad as I was that he was sick.... I was elated that I could go home.

This week we have been so blessed with people bringing us meals and asking if they can help and just calling to check in. There are so many more that I have not been able to contact yet. I am hoping to get in tough with each of you this week. If you are reading this and wondering if you should call.. please do!! I would LOVE to hear from you.

Austin (other than being sick) has been great. He is always willing to help. Channing, she is being a great big helper too. She use to say she wanted to be a doctor... who knows maybe she will come up with a cure for Chiair. Macee on the other hand, wants nothing to do with me. OK, I know she is only 17 months, but still. I want to be with her. I want her to come to me and just WANT me to pick her up, but she just wants dad. Oh well, maybe soon she will change and remember that I was the one that carried her for 9 months :)

I hope you all have a great night. Love your family, hug your kids, and don't forget your friends.

God bless you all,

Terri

Staples out day 11

2007-10-10T10:15:00.002-07:00

Ok, it is day 11 and Terri just had her staples taken out. What she expected to be a painful process was actually not painful at all. She is still in a lot of pain and not getting around to much but she is making progress a little more each day. She still has a road ahead of her but she knows the road does end. Me, I am just trying to hold the house together. Austin our oldest, just came down with Strep throat so he is on lockdown in his room since we really don't want anyone else getting it, especially Terri. I try to catch some sleep when I can, some days are harder than others but that's life.

Well that's all for now, I hope this blog finds you all well and blessed.

Take care,

Mike

Terri and Zipper Kid's zippers!

2007-10-10T10:15:00.001-07:00

Here is a shot of Terri and her sidekick Zipper Kid showing off their zippers.

Introducing the Zipper Kid

2007-10-10T10:14:00.003-07:00

Well its the night before Terri is to get her staples out. My great friend Matt has just brought us Kentucky Fried chicken for dinner. Oh and he brought something else. He is so damn funny and has a great mind for creativity. He brought Terri a Cabbage Patch doll and when Terri opened it up, as you can see from the photo, Matt had shaved the back of it's head and yes glued a zipper to it. Terri and I were cracking up.

Home at last!

2007-10-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

As I sit here finally getting to update the blog, Terri is sleeping just across the room where I set up her new bed (downstairs) for at least the next month. She still wakes up pretty regularly, because the medicine wears off, but now that she is home she seems to be getting some much needed deep sleep. I know that it is deep sleep because I can't hear the television through her snoring :). The plan rides home turned out to be much less terrible than we expected. The take-offs were fine, the landings were not very nice. We figured out that I could brace her pretty well with my arm just below her neck against the neck brace to limit her head from bouncing back and forth too much when we touched down. Actually the worst thing was one of the airport workers who was supposed to push her in the wheel chair when we got off the plane. After nearly getting airborne on a couple of inclines on the ramps out of the plane, I finally and not so politely took control of the wheel chair dispatching the person to more fit duties like moping or sweeping or whatever would be a better fit. There were some tense nerves and I found out a lot of bumps on highway 101 I never realized were there, but we did get home.

Now starts the road to recovery and that in and of itself will have its ups and downs. However, with a lot of support, which we have, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The kids are great and very happy to see us, especially little Macee who was grinning from ear to ear. It was great to have the kids read the letters and post-cards we sent them especially since they arrived today when we did...lol. Gotta love the U.S. Postal Service or is it 'Lack of Service'?

Well blog readers wherever you are at, it is time for me to got to bed. I am 100% wiped out.

Good Night.

Going, going, gone!!

2007-10-10T10:13:00.003-07:00

Finally the day arrives, we are going home. This is Terri in Salt Lake, where we had a two hour layover. Well we made it home safe and sound. Everything worked out better they we could have asked for. We owe that first and foremost to God who has been there though all of this (though is always is). We also want to thank all of the family and friends who made this possible. My mom and those who helped her out like Alana and Roxy, for watching our great kids, keeping them safe, sound, fed and happy. Terri's mom for getting us to and from the airport. Carine for arranging the plane tickets, Jim and Mary for opening their home. For all of you that helped with the kids, major logistical stuff, finances and prayer we cannot thank you enough, this is was an amazing opportunity for Terri to get back a life free from pain, which in turn gives us a chance for a stronger family. ALL of your help is priceless!

God Bless and keep you all.

Mike and Terri

Our wonderful family in Colorado, the White's

2007-10-10T10:13:00.001-07:00

This is Mike [Me] and my cousin's Jim and Mary White. Jim's father (Great Uncle Happy) is my grandmother Grace's brother. They are simply awesome people. They opened their house to us without ever having met us. Now that says a great deal about them and how they value family. In fact this was the first time I have ever met my grandmother's side of the family, something I have always wanted to do. Most of them (and there are a lot of them) still reside in the state of Colorado, where they were all born. They were wonderful hosts to us in a very difficult time. Jim is great with his infectious laugh and his love of sports and his kids and grandkids. Mary his lovely wife and a very sweet Italian woman, always made sure we had enough to eat (and it was all amazing). The both made every effort to feel right at home and comfortable. It is amazing to have your family be filled out like that is such a short period of time. On the first day we arrived, they had other members of the family come over to meet us. They too, were all wonderful. Now that we have met, we plan to return when Terri is better so that we can spend some more time really getting to know them and also to bring Austin, Channing and Macee to meet them as well.

Terri incision day 7

2007-10-10T10:12:00.002-07:00

Terri's incision is still looking great and you can still see the black marks from what I think is a Sharpie marker! Hey Dr. Oro, I know art time is fun and all but at least draw some flowers or maybe a sunset or something like that!

Sorry, wrong room!

2007-10-10T10:12:00.001-07:00

This is what you look like if you accidentally walk into the wrong room where they are performing a proctology exam

Wonder where the nickname 'Zipper Head' comes from?

2007-10-10T10:11:00.002-07:00

Here is Terri and Joleen showing off their new 'zippers'. Though it might sound mean, people that have had decompression surgery to correct Chiari Malformation do refer to themselves as 'Zipper Heads'. So if you say, 'Hey you, zipper head', don't be surprised if they say, 'why thank you, you are looking at the most expensive zipper you can buy!'.

Terri and Joleen

2007-10-10T10:11:00.001-07:00

Wouldn't you know it, someone Terri has been corresponding with prior to surgery got her surgery from the uber talented Dr. Oro just a couple days after Terri had her's. Joleen had the same surgery as Terri. Joleen and her husband Brian came all the way from New Mexico and they drove!! Best of luck to Joleen and her family on her speedy recovery. Look soon for Joleen to get her own page with her bio and recovery on ChiariChamps.com!

Terri's favorite nurse Kim

2007-10-10T10:10:00.002-07:00

There were a few pretty bad nurses (Dr. Oro was quick to straighten them out and we never saw them again) but then there was an awesome nurse, Kim!! She was really great with Terri. She has a great bed-side manner, personality and sense of humor.

Ruth - Dr. Oro's right hand nurse

2007-10-10T10:10:00.001-07:00

This is Ruth who is Dr. Oro's right hand, she is additionally responsible for making this whole process as smooth as possible. She is absolutely amazing.

Terri walks with Dr. Oro

2007-10-10T10:09:00.002-07:00

Terri is on a short walk to improve her balance and mobility. She is accompanied by Dr. Oro and the PT nurse.

Terri's incision day 6

2007-10-10T10:09:00.001-07:00

Terri's incision is still looking great on day 6. Just another kudos for Dr. Oro's talents on the table.

Breakfast is serverd!

2007-10-10T10:08:00.003-07:00

Awww....how nice, Terri was thinking of me and ordered me some breakfast. That is great because I was so hungry.

My breakfast actual

2007-10-10T10:08:00.001-07:00

Terri really thinks that she is do damn funny! I was thinking she was being so nice. Yeah...boy was I wrong. Needless to say, I had to head to the vending machine.

Terri's Birthday

2007-10-10T10:07:00.001-07:00

Poor Terri celebrated her birthday in ICU and Aurora Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado. Some would say that that is a real bummer. We say that she got the best birthday present ever, getting fixed.

Day 5 Update

2007-10-10T10:06:00.002-07:00

Last night there was more sleep, just in very short bursts. The nurses seem to come in every just as you fall asleep. Terri got to take her first shower yesterday and that was the first thing that made her feel at least human. Her incision still looks very good. So far everything has been text-book as far as her recovery. The only thing, as expected, is keeping her pain under control. They are expecting to move her off of Torridol today to ibupfrofin since she can't leave the hospital on Torridol (it only comes in I.V. form). This is going to be tough for her to do since the Torridol offers the most pain relief but is short acting. The ibuprofin lasts longer but doesn't work quite as well. The Oxicontin seems to work pretty well and so does the Flexiril, both of which she will be able to have after the hospital.

She has been getting up by herself to use the bathroom, with her handy black cane at her side. She is still moving pretty slow, but it progressing very nicely.

I stayed with her again last night, even though she told me to go get some good rest. However, I knew that she would need more assistance than the nurses offer at this point (they have multiple patients to deal with) so I refused and stayed. I am trying to be the best help I can, even if I am half asleep. Yesterday (or the day before, they seem to be blending together now), when I was trying to arrange her pillows I accidentally hit her near her incision and made her cry, I felt soooo bad. She forgave me though and didn't even swear at me at all. That must have been tough :)

Depending on how she does today, we might be leaving the hospital. We may be returning to my cousins house, Jim and Mary White if she is up to it, or we may be at a near by hotel. We'll just have to see how she feels.

We want to express our love and appreciation for all the family and friends who have made this trip possible through their help both in time and financially, this would have been impossible otherwise.

I can't praise Dr. Oro enough for the amazing work that he did. Not only that but he has the best bed-side manner I have ever seen from a physician, you know he truely cares about the patient.

I also want to say just how much we appreciate our cousins Jim and Mary White for opening up their home to us and being absolutely wonderful people. This is the first time that I have met anyone from my grandmother's side (they all are from Denver). So far we have gotten to meet quite a few in our short time here and they are all very good and loving people. This has been a good beginning to getting to know that side of the family much better. We plan to return with the kids to spend time getting to know all of them better.

The staff at the Medical Center of Aurora has been for the most part very good. There have been a couple of miscommunications and a few nurses with poor bed-side manner but all-in-all it has been a good facility. Heck the food here is better than some restaurants that we have been in.

Well, that's about it for now, I'll update when I get a chance with some more photos.

Love You All,

Mike

Day 4 Update

2007-10-10T10:06:00.001-07:00

Well here is an update of how Terri is doing as of day 4.

She is able to get up on her own, slowly, to go to the bathroom. She is no longer on the morphine. They have switched her pain meds (percocet) to one that is stronger and doesn't have the tylenol (oxycotin), and the latter seems to be very effective. Probably the most effective is still the Torridol since it brings down the swelling and inflamation, both the causes of the most severe pain.

Terri is able to eat whatever she wants and this hospital has quite an extensive menu. Surprisingly the food is pretty good too, not that normal slop you expect to see. With better pain management now, Terri has been able to get quite a bit more sleep, which really helps. I am trying to get some sleep but I haven't been very successful. My shoulder is keeping me from that not to mention sleeping in chairs/cars.... :).

All-in-all, Terri is doing just great. Dr. Oro said he is very pleased with her progress so far and the look of the incision is perfect. Right now, it looks like she is on target to leave the hospital tomorrow. I am still not sure if we well go back and stay at my cousins in Brighton or if we will stay at a hotel near by the hospital. It will depend on how Terri is feeling by then.

There was a mixup when she was first moved out of ICU, so they told her that no more pain medicine was ordered for her. To say the least she got upset as Dr. Oro had just talked to us not long before that. Well Dr. Oro found out about this and came in and set the hospital straight in addition, the b**tch of a nurse that didn't believe Terri (who was correct) is no longer her nurse, Dr. Oro saw to that. Now, however, everything has been straightened out and they were able to get her pain back under control.

Ok, back to the hospital. Starbucks has been the only place I can find internet access around here so that is why it takes me some time to add blogs running back and forth here to there to other places...yeah you get the picture.

Another shot of staples (graphic)

2007-10-10T10:05:00.001-07:00

Here is another shot of the staples. The dark colored areas are pen marks made by the surgeon prior to surgery. Sort of a connect the dots thing I guess.

Finally something comfortable - day 4

2007-10-10T10:03:00.002-07:00

Today, Terri was actually able to put on her pajamas, her favorite things to wear. She was able to brush her teeth and brush her hair (very slowly).

Terri's staples day 4 (warning - graphic)

2007-10-10T10:03:00.001-07:00

Terri's head dressing finally came off and though it sounds funny to say, her incision looks very good. Now you understand where Chiari patients get their nicknames from 'Zipper Heads'.

Terri's hospital buddy

2007-10-10T10:02:00.001-07:00

I got Terri this little monkey to remind her of the little monkeys we have at home! We really miss them.

Finally real food!!

2007-10-10T10:01:00.002-07:00

Terri is finally getting to eat real food. She has luckily not had any nausea at all. Only a bit of dizzines when she sits up or stands up to quickly.

First look at back of head

2007-10-10T10:01:00.001-07:00

Here is the first shot of the back of Terri's head. The dressing is still over the incision but it will be coming off soon. Took this as she was finishing her big outing in ICU.

First big walk in ICU day 1

2007-10-10T10:00:00.001-07:00

They got Terri up near the end of day 1 to try and walk. She made it pretty far actually, about 15 yards! She was very happy to get back to bed though.

Terri ICU day 1 part 5

2007-10-10T09:59:00.001-07:00

Here is a shot of Terri's incision (covered for now). I was amazed that they didn't shave all the hair off in the back, instead they cut most of it very short only shaving right along the incision site. She will be happy about that.

She is doing very well, pain management is a constant. She has her little morphine clicker, which she has affectionately named 'Sue', right by her side to help out. Just before visiting hours were over, they gave her some stronger meds to help her try and get some rest.

Ok gang, I'll update the blog if I can today (it is now day 2) or tomorrow depending on how Terri is doing.

And remember, think fondly of her today, she is in ICU on her birthday. Maybe this is her best birthday ever since her present is hopefully getting her life back! Yeeee Haaawww!!

Terri ICU day 1 part 4

2007-10-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Here is Terri and her wonderful, amazing, loving, special husband Mike (yeah, yeah I know maybe I got a little carried away complimenting myself...lol). At this point Terri was only allowed ice chips. Not to long after she was allowed juice and soda but couldn't chew anything since chewing pulled on the muscles/tendons in the back of her head, which was way to painful.

Terri ICU day 1 part 3

2007-10-10T09:30:00.001-07:00

Terri was even able to manage a smile even though she was constantly being given nuerological tests to make sure no wires got crossed during the surgery. None did and she passed each test with flying colors!

Terri ICU day 1 part 2

2007-10-09T14:03:00.001-07:00

This shot of Terri can best be captioned as 'got drugs?'. I talked with her quite a lot at this time which was just after she got into ICU. However, she isn't going to remember any of it and I think the look on her face makes that a certainty.

Terri ICU day 1

2007-10-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

Here is Terri the first time that I was able to see her in ICU. She was still pretty groggy and obviously she kept saying her head was hurting. Uh...yeah...maybe the brain surgery caused the pain. She is doing well other than that, the surgery was a great success.

Terri and Dr. Oro pre surgery

2007-10-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

This is Terri and the amazing Dr. Oro just prior to surgery. Right after this Terri received her first meds from the pain doctor, Dr. Killguard. She was pretty nervous and scared at this point, in fact it was tough even getting her into the holding room.

Terri's Surgery Day

2007-10-09T13:59:00.002-07:00

Terri's surgery was successful, starting at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.. The doctor stated that when he got in there that it was worse than he had thought but he was still able to fix her up without any problems. She is now resting in ICU and for the most part is comfortable, only complaining of pain in the back of her head which is expected. However she has access to great pain medication so that is helping. I visited her shortly feeding her ice chips and just talking with her. She seemed very lucid and the nurses kept coming in and giving her neurological tests to make sure nothing was affected in that way. Sorry I could not include any of the photos I took in this blog entry but I misplaced the cable for the camera. I will find it and include them in the next one.

Again, thanks to all of you who have helped so very much. This has been a long time coming and now Terri has gotten a second chance at life. No more constant pain. Well I have to get back to the hospital. I'll write more as soon as I get a chance.

Mike

Entry for September 03, 2007

2007-10-09T13:59:00.001-07:00

Hi gang this is Mike. I will be updating Terri's blog for her to keep all of you up-to-date on her progress after surgery and beyond. She is doing Ok right now, a little scared and excited too because she is going to finally get the help she needs.

Right after her surgery I will be calling everyone and those people I call will be spreading the word to others. After that, I will be using this blog to inform everyone so that I will be able to spend less time on the phone and more time making sure Terri is comfortable and has me with her when she needs me.

Tomorrow she will go into sugery at 7:30 a.m.. The surgery takes around 4 hours and as soon as I see her, I'll begin letting everyone else know.

Thanks and God bless!

Mike

It's the 'little things' that count!

2007-10-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well gang this is my first blog entry in what should be quite a journey. My surgery isn't too far away and I am excited, nervous, scared, really every emotion I think. Welcome to my life and my fight against this thing called Chiari Malformation. If you are fighting Chiari too, welcome aboard. If you have a loved one in the fight, just know that your support for them is just as good as the medical help they will receive. I'll hope to update this regularly as things happen with me. Even after my surgery, I'll get my wonderful husband to write for me since I am sure that being stuck in the house for a month is going to drive me a bit crazy!

Take Care,

Terri