Sharing TeleHealth Visit Results
By CarolDM
@CarolDM (203478)
Nashville, Tennessee
September 14, 2022 2:37pm CST
Had a Telehealth visit earlier today with my Neurosurgeon and Pain Management doctors. I was surprised to be able to get two in one visit. Worked out really well.
I explained the pain and numbness I am still experiencing after my surgery on July 1st. The main question was, is this normal and will it eventually stop. I can deal with most anything if I know what to expect.
Both doctors said I am still within my post-operative period of three months. The pain and numbness will be intermittent for a little while longer. Hopefully it will continue to improve. There is a chance the pain will not totally go away. But I will remain hopeful that I will be 100% soon. I am so relieved the severe exertion headaches are gone I had before surgery.
The craniectomy (removal of skull bone) is part of the reason for the pain. New nerves have to grow back in the neck where the cut was made. It takes time of course. Also where the patch was sewn into my brain, it is still healing.
With healing comes a little pain along the way. So, I gathered from both of these amazing doctors that I am still healing and on schedule. They renewed my meds and I will continue using ice packs.
A few of you have asked how I was doing. Now I can explain a little better I hope.
Photo is mine. Brendel was waiting on the computer for the Zoom call to start.
34 people like this
33 responses
@allknowing (130088)
• India
14 Sep 22
Since you now know what you are going through is normal for the kind of surgery you had all you need is a bit of patience and I know you have it.
3 people like this
@allknowing (130088)
• India
15 Sep 22
@CarolDM See you soon with everything back to normal
2 people like this
@kaylachan (56277)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Sep 22
Glad to hear you're recovering nicely. Healing takes time.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (56277)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Sep 22
@CarolDM I know. When you're recovering, you want to speed up the process so you can get to the end result, faster.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 Sep 22
@kaylachan Exactly. I will take it a day at a time now that I know I am on the right track.
2 people like this
@rebelann (110778)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Sep 22
You're healing and that's the most important thing.
Also, from my own experience, age is also a factor. I was told that after the emergency appendectomy I should heal in no less than 3 months then a Nurse Practioner told me that often people my age require a year to fully heal and yep, it took me a year to fully heal.
2 people like this
@rebelann (110778)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Sep 22
Just be careful, doctors aren't always that intuitive when it comes to factors like age. It was a nurse that told me to give myself at least a year to heal after surgery and I recall being told not to try to lift anything over 2 pounds for at least a month so I waited a month and tried to lift 5 pounds only to find that was painful. When I called the nurse at my insurance company she told me that it takes a lot longer for the inside to heal and that I shouldn't try to lift anything over 5 pounds for at least 3 months and then slowly increment that by the month after that. I was 70 then and it took me a year before I could lift 20 pounds.
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
15 Sep 22
@rebelann I am only saying that this brain surgery has an average 3-month recovery rate. And so far I am right on track. It may take awhile to totally heal due to nerves having to grow back and things to get back to normal. I have total confidence in these Vanderbilt doctors. Appreciate your thoughts always.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26786)
• United States
14 Sep 22
Isn't modern things so convenient! Glad you're coming along as expected and you're better!
2 people like this
@oahuwriter (26786)
• United States
16 Sep 22
@CarolDM
I'm ok. This month no appointments. Next month, 3 appointments & 1 blood work.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Sep 22
@oahuwriter Sounds good. Take care.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (81543)
• Rupert, Idaho
15 Sep 22
That is good to hear you are healing on schedule, and glad to hear the update
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48236)
• Canada
14 Sep 22
Brendel looks likes she's enjoying the warms from the laptop.
I'm sorry that this recovery period feels so very long.
You came out of the surgery so quickly, which was a relief, but this I know is bothering you.
I will continue to keep you in my prayers and send you positive vibes.
In the meantime, you somehow have to do a final countdown and let the healing continue.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 Sep 22
She was almost asleep when I snapped her photo. So funny. I have never had a recovery time this long. But it goes along with brain surgery as you know. I will message you when I get time. Much appreciate the thoughts and prayers as you know. I see the Neurosurgeon in October for the 3-month visit.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
14 Sep 22
I'm glad you're healing along expected lines. I do wish the pain and numbness would stop, though.
Thank you for the explanation.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (93556)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Sep 22
Glad to hear they say you are healing well.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (40184)
• United States
15 Sep 22
It's helpful to know you're on track with your healing. Each day you'll continue to improve.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (93661)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
14 Sep 22
I am happy for you that you are making progress after surgery.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (93661)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
15 Sep 22
@CarolDM You are very welcome.
2 people like this
@Nakitakona (56322)
• Philippines
27 Sep 22
I have never seen a photo of what you're talking.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 Sep 22
@Nakitakona I have had photos stolen and I just make it a practice to do this.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56322)
• Philippines
27 Sep 22
@CarolDM okay. It's your freewill. I respect it.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45331)
• India
15 Sep 22
Brendel seems to be enjoying the Laptop!
I hope that you have a good recovery further and pain reduces further.
Good that you are getting a good post operational care and consultancy.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45331)
• India
16 Sep 22
@CarolDM
That's nice to hear. Looking forward to more birds N butterflies pictures!
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (45331)
• India
17 Sep 22
@CarolDM
Winters don't bring many birds I suppose?
But you would have at least 1.5 months of Fall?
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72317)
• Philippines
16 Sep 22
I'm just glad to know you are healing. The road to recovery may be long but you're getting there.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72317)
• Philippines
16 Sep 22
@CarolDM Things aren't that really well but I'm coping up and staying positive.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Sep 22
@toniganzon Sorry about that. I had a feeling that was the case. I am here if you need to talk.
@RebeccasFarm (84408)
• Wheat Ridge, Colorado
15 Sep 22
I am very grateful that you have excellent doctors Carol.
Cute Brendel
I pray your healing will be swift and all this will be far behind you very soon
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (84408)
• Wheat Ridge, Colorado
15 Sep 22
@CarolDM Yes just exhausted thanks Carol..and pain but whats new. Have a great day..got to go to the apt complex again today. Not moving til Monday officially.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
15 Sep 22
@RebeccasFarm Thoughts are with you.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
15 Sep 22
Thanks Anna. The Neurosurgeon told me it would be a painful recovery. Just happy to hear I am on track in the healing process. Brendel is my baby for sure. I am still taking it easy and careful when I do certain things. I certainly don't want to go backwards at this point.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
15 Sep 22
@LadyDuck Thank you so much. I have stopped a few things. For one example, I was trying to keep the bird bath cleaned and filled. And that in itself involves more than you realize. Bending, lifting, etc. I am watching things more closely now. I do not want to go backwards. I have come too far.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118221)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Sep 22
Thank you for the update on your recovery. I’m glad to hear that you’re still healing according to plan, although it would be nice if all your pain and numbness went away quickly.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15668)
• Raurkela, India
15 Sep 22
You will surely be cured 100% of your pains. Brendel is looking cute.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15668)
• Raurkela, India
19 Sep 22
@CarolDM Time will surely cure you. Brendel is your baby indeed.
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@CarolDM (203478)
• Nashville, Tennessee
19 Sep 22
@aninditasen I am still hoping. Thank you.
1 person likes this