I wore a three-strand turquoise necklace yesterday… it looked lovely with my brown outfit… I got several compliments…I accepted them graciously…it was a milestone…
Not the accepting of compliments…although I admit … that still isn’t my strong point…but the ability to wear a necklace…for over 12 hours…that was the milestone…it’s been almost a year since I could do that…
When told that I required brain surgery for Chiari I Malformation…exactly a year ago yesterday as well…I hadn’t realized the poignancy of it until the words appeared on the page…many things went through my mind…the obvious…would I live or die…there are
always risks…what kind of aftercare I would require…and who could provide it…a complication of living alone…the possibility of staff infection…I am a nurse after all…
But…as all these things ran through my mind…I never considered that I would have major changes in common…ordinary…everyday things…
I had no clue that my head would feel like it had a two-by-four attached to the back of it…stealing the simple pleasure from laying on my back…or laying back in a warm bath…and totally change the depth perception of leaning back into a headrest…
I had no clue that my hair would be sore…literally for months…or that it would sparkle
when the sunlight hit it…not a comfortable feeling I might add…
I had no clue…that wearing my favorite earrings would suddenly feel akin to hanging a cannon ball from each ear…
I had no clue that the seeming weight of my head…would make sitting at the computer for more than five minutes…totally out of the question…no writing then…
I had no clue…that because my surgery also involved my cervical vertebrae…that wearing a necklace would become unthinkable…
I had no clue…about a lot of things…the list could go on and on…but…honestly…I’m glad I didn’t know…there was enough to dread…enough to fret about…without concerning myself with the foolishness of accessories…
Even though due to permanent nerve damage…I still have many…most…of the symptoms that I was having…and will live with them the rest of my life…they are familiar…nuisances…like annoying relatives…who are accepted for who and what they are…not always welcome…but always there…my surgery was a resounding success…
So…I celebrate…my hair isn’t sore…it rarely sparkles…I can wear most earrings…obviously…I can sit at the computer…I can write again…and…now…as I approach the one year anniversary of the surgery…I can wear a necklace…definitely a milestone…
Jane
Jane, I spent some time this past Nov. with a great friend who had to have her third surgery for a broken neck. This time the repair was falling apart and screws that were used to connect the metal plate were pushing into her esophogus. She was in unbearable pain and couldn’t do anything for herself. I’m in touch with her all the time and she shares what a blessing really is… she can talk. She didn’t think that would happen again. She is walking again… And writing. I hope that you are always able to enjoy the small things in life and find yourself surrounded by friends. It isn’t easy but life is definately worth it!
Wow…Melissa…what a story…certainly…these type on conditions…do make you appreciate the small things of life…our health…which really isn’t a small thing at all! Thanks for sharing…and best wishes for your friend’s continued recovery!
Jane, I absolutely love reading your blog posts and guests blogs are no different. You just have a way with words. I had never actually heard of this before reading your post. So it was interesting to hear what you went through. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks Misty. It is a little know condition…that’s for sure. Thankfully, the symptoms continue to improve…and life is getting…normal…again…whatever that is…LOL!
Jane,
What a wonderfully written account. What a wonderfully brave and beautiful person!
Thank you, Kim…that means a lot to me!
Thanks so much for sharing this Jane. No one can know how scary brain surgery and its aftermath can be until one lives it!!!
Thanks, Arlene…I know that you know this from first hand experience!
It’s such a good post, we made an exception and featured it on the homepage at http://www.HereWomenTalk.com. Congratulations!
Kay,
Thank you so much. I am honored!
Wow, Jane, what a story. I never heard of that condition, Chiari I Malformation. And the after-effects with your hair and everything else you described. Congratulations on the successful results. More importantly, kudos to you on your positive attitude. We don’t know who lucky we are to have good health till something goes wrong.
You’re a beautiful writer, and I hope you’ll continue posting. I hope you don’t mind, I added a featured image to your post. I also upgraded your status from Contributor to Author, so next time you’ll be able to add your own photos and publish immediately. I see this post has already been published elsewhere, otherwise, I would feature it on the homepage. I’m very proud to have this on Here Women Talk. Thank you!
Kay,
Thank you for adding the picture. I meant to and forgot. I had only heard of Chiari I Malformation once before my diagnosis. I’m a school nurse and had a student with the diagnosis but never dreamed that I could have it as well. It has been considered a rare condition but I suspect that it has been under diagnosed for years. Thank you for helping bring attention to it. And thank you for including me in your contributor family.