3 weeks post-op

June 3, 2002

I am 3 weeks post-op. On May 14, I had decompression

surgery in New York with Dr. Bolognese and Dr.

Milhorat.

You can count me as " one of those people " -- we

thought my cerebellar tonsils were herniated 3-5 mm,

but once they got into my head they found it was 6-8

mm. They also found that my dura was open or

something like that, so I had a previously undetected

problem there that they also fixed.

Before I left NY I got a chance to see the doppler

recording of my CSF flow during the surgery, as it

went from none to plenty. Pretty cool technology.

The nurses and staff at the Chiari Center and

Northshore Hospital were great. There were other

Chiarians and Zipperheads visiting other patients, who

stopped by to say hi. What a nice surprise. The

nurses introduced several of us patients . It was

great to have company with similar stories.

I even met a few Chiarians in the halls of the

hospital. I guess the big pain free smile, and the

unique haircut were a give away that I was a new

Zipperhead.

The support and presence of fellow Chiarians was a

real boost to my spirits in the hospital, thanks for

visiting us.

I am now home, recovering, but I especially enjoy

being free of the non-stop pain I had pre-surgically.

I must admit, I also enjoy being waited on hand and

foot. 8-)

Someone reminded me last week, that I have spent most

of my life in constant pain. There is a whole new way

of living in store for me now. I wonder what it will

be like? Its going to be a grand new adventure. I

feel like they gave me another chance at life ... I

hope I do them justice and spend this opportunity

wisely ...

Hanna

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