It's now 6 weeks since my 2nd surgery and I am having a lot more issues than I had the first time, a year ago.
I started with Epileptic seizures, Insomnia and I keep going partially deaf...I think this is med related?? My memory is also badly affected. I stood arguing with a bus driver yesterday that he was charging me more than I had paid for the last year! he wasn't but I couldn't get it!
My short term memory is terrible too, while I was unable to sleep one night I decided to do some Christmas shopping online and ordered the same thing twice lol!! oops.
I feel very different this time, I feel afraid a lot of the time. I feel incapable of doing much of what I did last time.
I was referred to occupational therapy and she came to my home last week, she is putting a course together for me and will come here and work with me. she is also bringing some aids for me to use so it's a bit easier for me to do the normal stuff.
I spent more than half of September in 2 hospitals and one lot of AED killed my white cells off so my immune system was compromised and I'm feeling run down and emotional a lot of the time.
I know I have rambled a bit, sometimes you need to :)
Sorry to read you are having a harder time this time. That thing about forgetting what you've bought, I know! I even start out at the beginning of the supermarket and buy something for dinner and before I've got to the checkout I've picked up a second, only discovering I've bought too much when I get home! And what can one do with 2 jam thermometers? Taking one back was embarrassing. Even yesterday I bought a Christmas gift for my niece, to find when I went to put it away at home I'd already bought something. It is getting better with time though. You will too. And you will learn tricks that help you get round the problems. Hang in there, 6 weeks is still pretty early in your recovery. Look after yourself and make family and friends aware of teh problems so they don't have expectations of you you can't meet. Thoughts and prayers. Judith
Hi Chris...I am so sorry you are having a rough time ... not to mention your "white blood count" being compromised...I think you have a ways to go to heal...not sure some of these things may improve greatly...not to mention it is good you are getting occupational therapy...God Bless...sending some prayers out to you ~ Colleen
Through the years, I have lost any care of who knows about what Ive been through. Instead I wear it as badge of honor. We have survived, that is the hardest part. People are very understanding if you just let them know whats happened and help work with you on it. I have been told that as long as the brain is alive, which obviously ours is, then it can learn. Or relearn in our case. My first SAH was harder for me, because I didn't know how much it would change me. I felt like I had to put on this Brave face, when I was scared for so long. It took me a bit to accept what I was going through and have faith it will get better. You will get better. You will come back from the panic. The fight or flight response that keeps us on edge will subside, as our health returns. Things will never be the same and shouldn't be, we have lived through a life changing experience. lol, btw its been 17 years since my first one and I still write things on my hand to remember. I didn't become a vet tech until years later, even once I got to live my dream job my list sometimes made it to my elbow. So I guess my advice is accept you need time, ask for help, embrace what you have been through and be proud of every day.
hi chris~ so sorry to hear of these health concerns, you have been thru so much,i took nuepogen injections to boost the white count. All meds have numerous side effects and I blamed kepra anti seizure med but unfortunately it was just -me. I did lumosity.com, sudokus and crosswords for memory training and I think we must work hard at this to improve. Please don't be too hard on yourself- even non annie patients have bad memory deficits, my family loses their keys or bank cards at least 5 times a week!! keeping you in thoughts and prayers for accelerated improvements~~ Good to see you writing on here- its god for the soul!
Chris...so regret to know you are having more issues/symptoms w/this second...tho brain/body went through a major recovery...followed by a second...may need a bit more time for healing...
You note "partially deaf"... Have you been referred to a specialist for testing? If not, ask your neuro docs...
You may want to research info on Cranial Nerve VIII , the vestibulocochlear and its anatomy...Is it near your treated area or the access areas to your treated area? May give you more questions to ask your doc...
So, so, sorry Chris that you are going through all of this...bless your heart. It's been about 6 weeks for me too since my surgery - but mine was a PED. The stage I'm at now is that I'm starting to feel freaky...I can't put my finger on what "freaky" means - whether it's anxiety or just feeling out of it. I hope you get to feeling better soon Chris. Just know you are not alone.
I too have the memory issues...drives my husband nuts... I repeat stuff, I think something happened a day ago when it was a month ago. Forgetting things all the time. Though my kids like it because I forget they done something or were suppose to do something. Time goes by so fast its frightening! Wish I could help but to let you know I feel for ya. I often have to remind myself about the could ofs and this is better than the could ofs. Seek joy!