How Sweet It Is!

I have been remiss in blogging about my post-op TCI followup appointment I had back in May. Here's my latest Brain Tail photo ~ wow ~ they really did do something to my brain during my 7+ hour brain surgery! You can compare this one with the one on the side bar ~ notice all the extra room in there!

With that said, here's what the good docs at TCI had to say with the progress I have made since my decompression. First off, I am healing quite well and although not up to full strength yet, I am getting there faster than most patients. Also, most of my symptoms are completely gone except for the low barometric pressure headaches, which I am learning to deal with.

Now for the not so good news ~ I guess when you are facing brain surgery, the docs only focus on the task at hand instead of overwhelming you with your bleak lifetime outcome. Sigh ~ So, now that brain surgery is out of the way, I was told that I have degenerative disk disease and stenosis. Translation ~ I will probably be dealing with chronic pain in my body for the rest of my life. Sounds pretty bleak, but I am fighting this with every ounce of strength in my body.

I guess EDS is showing how destructive she can be ~ Honestly, I am so thankful to be alive, to have survived brain surgery, that everything else that may be just around the corner is cake. So I am focusing on increasing my bone density, working out and getting stronger. The bigger picture of living with CHIARI is coming into focus ~ it's a lifetime battle, but thank goodness I am not at risk of having a stroke or paralysis any more. All you brain tails out there ~ the sisterhood/brotherhood of the traveling brain tails make traveling on this crazy journey so much sweeter.