Hurray!!! Sooo good to hear from you, and that you are doing better. I take it that you are able to eat again? Did you have to do anything in particular to get back on track? (Just thinking of documenting the record for the future.)
Keep on doing a great job pacing yourself to do a little bit more but not so much that you wear yourself out.
And a special shout-out to Mom. Please give extra hugs to all our caregivers for all they do for us!
Congrats again on being aneurysm-free!!!
Fin Whale Fan 
Fantastic update, thank you so much! I don’t see an issue with you posting photos, lots have in the past. I am in the camp of more information is better, lets us know what we might could expect,
Big shout out to Mom! Caregivers (Carers if across the pond) are a Godsend! Definitely give her a hug every time you think of it. Hugs increase endorphins!
Had to chuckle at the Witches of Eastwick, I was thinking of the Linda Blair scene in the Exorcist.
Hi! Fortunately, the nausea resolved with time as the anesthesia left my body. My care team continuously adjusted my anti-nausea med cocktail too, which helped. I started with Zofran & a Scopolamine patch, then was graduated to Compazine when those weren’t doing the trick.
Attaching a photo of my trophy. As scary as it looks, the healing process has been pretty straightforward and uncomplicated so far, though I look forward to the rope-like appearance subsiding. Pain has also been relatively manageable - it’s the pressure headaches you gotta watch out for.
Good for you on posting your picture! I know the folks who are looking at getting a craniotomy will be appreciative as it takes an unknown to known. Well done! Continued positive thoughts heading your way!
In addition to kudos for posting, kudos for even having a picture taken!! (I opted out during my various shunt placements so there is no visual record of it 
!) In my extremely layperson opinion it looks to be healing just great! I presume you just have - or will soon be having - your staples removed??
I don’t know about you, but in some ways I think the visual of having had brain surgery is easier to forget for just a few moments, since we don’t spend the day looking at ourselves; I imagine that it is harder on our loved ones since it is obvious to them as they see that suture. Not saying that I forgot I just had brain surgery, but for just a little bit, I might be thinking of what my family member was saying about XYZ, and not thinking of myself during that time. They certainly get lots of gratitude for taking care of us, and also to our medical teams who have the talent and skill to do those kinds of procedures!
Your purr-frosessional 
care team is clearly taking excellent care of you at home!
Fin Whale Fan
Hi everyone! Just checking in with an update. It’s been a little over 3 weeks since my clipping surgery and my recovery has been remarkably smooth. At my post-op appt, the surgeon said my healing is ahead of schedule and approved me to transition from Tylenol to Ibuprofen, which has been more effective in managing inflammation and discomfort. He also said I would start ramping up low impact cardio exercise and restored my driving privileges since I’m off the painkillers.
Today, I have no pain and my energy is pretty much back to pre-surgery levels. Occasionally, prolonged exposure to bright light or noise bothers me, but otherwise I’m even-keeled cognitively. My incision is healing well and the scabs should be falling off pretty soon (hopefully). The absorbable sutures are gradually disintergrating. The clicking sensation/sound around the bone flap has finally subsided (that was weird/annoying).
Initially, I struggled with insomnia which aggravated my fatigue during the day. Now I’m walking 3-5 miles each day so that my body is tired enough to sleep well at night. I also hypothesize that limiting screen time, eating a balanced diet, and engaging regularly with friends and family have been a boon to recovery.
I’m doing much better than I originally anticipated at this point in recovery and looking forward to actually feeling well enough to enjoy some of my time off work. My mom and I even booked a little July get-away in the Redwoods.
I echo @viv22 above - so far, the hardest part of this experience was getting the initial diagnosis & showing up for surgery. It took some time to get into the right mindset, but I decided to approach treatment as routine healthcare maintenance rather than catastrophe prevention, which took some of the power out of it. Positive outlook begets positive outcomes! 
Wow @goodsouldept - your suture looks amazing given the short time span since the last one! It is healing so beautifully in my very layperson’s opinion.
Glad you are getting away to the Redwoods with Mom to enjoy their majesty!!
Thanks for sharing such an inspirational update!
Fin Whale Fan
Matt!!! What a simply wonderful update, I’m so excited for you! Honestly, I’m not sure if I’m more excited about your quick recovery with awesome healing powers or the upcoming Redwood’s trip. Personally, I’m very much in agreement with your hypothesis. How one’s outlook and the energy they surround themselves with is a major deal.
The Redwoods definitely help keep one humble, balanced and centered. They’re in the top 10 of my favorite places. By this time next year, you’ll be telling us about hikes in Yosemite!
Kudos to you!
You’re healing up so nicely, Matt! I hope you enjoy the redwoods; that’s such a beautiful place to visit. Thank you for inspiring us with your positivity.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your post op update and scar pics. They are both appreciated. I’m on countdown - 4 days till my MCA clipping at Vanderbilt in Nashville. I’m curious about your anti seizure med of choice. You had mentioned possibly trying briviact in place of keppra - which did you end up using and how were your side effects?
Thank you for sharing your story @goodsouldept 
Hi Annabelle! I took Brivaracetam and had a very good experience. Aside from some sedation, I didn’t have any side effects. The drug was partially covered by my insurance, so I think I ended up paying $15 total for the 10-day post surgery supply.
I have a neurosurgeon friend who says, in his practice, 99% of patients prescribed Keppra do not experience negative side effects. Naturally, I also knew someone in the 1% who did, so requesting an alternative was one of the few ways I felt like I had a little control.
Sending you protection and healing vibes on your journey. It will be behind you soon.
Here’s my week 8 progress photo. Back to work tomorrow!
Thank you for the update and new pic! I’m praying that your return to work is smooth
P.S. your scar looks healthy! Did you use any scar gel on it?
Thank you. I just started massaging it and using silicon gel in the past week. I’ve been going on frequent walks & doing light cardio since post-op week 2 - I think the blood circulation has helped healing.
My surgeon used absorbable sutures & the only thing I was allowed to put on it was gentle shampoo when washing my hair. Otherwise, I keep it clean and dry until the scabs fell off around week 7.
Happy to answer any other questions.
Looks great!! And happy fist day back to work!!
Fin Whale Fan
Awesome healing! I’d never heard of silicone gel, I’ve used Vit E oil on scars apparently the neurosurgeon that did my lumbar repair was impressed by it, can’t see it so who knows? Enjoy work!
