2+ Weeks PostOp Doing Well, Thanks to this site . . . long.

[Guest guest]

Hi All:

I had surgery at NSUH by Dr. Milhorat 2 weeks ago and believe I feel

better now than when I rolled into the hospital. Dr. Milhorat (a

truly great) considered me a typical Chiari I with a C-1 Spina Bifida

or incomplete fusion of the C-1. He did a small to medium size

decompression w/cauterization of the 5mm very thick tonsil

herniation.

After years of struggle, I was diagnosed with CM-I a year ago by a

very sharp nsg holding a directorship at a respected hospital in Los

Angeles. He diagnosed me off of older MRI's that had been read by

radiologists, nsg's, neurologists and detected this condition. This

taught me that not all medical professionals were as informed or read

MRI's as well as others.

I found this site and learned to get 2nd opinions and additional

tests. Thru this site I learned their were nsg's more expert in this

condition.

I saw a couple of the experts, but the Chiari Center in NY were the

only specialists that insisted on new studies. Their expert reading

told me something I had not known that I had an incomplete fusion of

the C-1.

I wasn't concerned about this anomoly I was born with until it was

mentioned that if a nsg didn't detect this opening before surgery, he

could slice thru my spinal cord and paralyze me for life.

Recalling all this while I was in the hospital I realized how

incredibly important this support group is. I shudder to think what

my fate could have been without the help of all the good folks here,

especially Chip.

D-decompressed One