Harja 3 month Post op - headache returns :-(

[Guest guest]

Hi all…..

I am writing for Harja who had Decompression w/out Duraplasty as

well as the Craniocervical Fusion in early December. She had to take

herself off the group for a bit as she recouped, however now seems to be

having issues getting back on. Anyways – I am forwarding this for her.

She has had 3 months of Headache free days – and then all of a sudden her

headaches have returned. She is dealing with the tight neck, shoulder, and

back muscles, but the return of the headaches was not expected by her.

She is wondering – for those of you who have been through this…..

Did you have headaches return?

Are they only temporary?

What else should she expect during the recovery process?

She is looking for some support for those who have been through this

already. She has not been able to start PT due to the issues with the

fusion and bone density issues. She is still on bed rest until Dr. B sees

her x-rays and releases her – but meanwhile it’s a long, lonely, recovery

and she could use some reassurance. Feel free to respond to her directly if

you could til she is able to receive messages off the board again.

HYPERLINK " mailto:heatherharja@... " heatherharja@...

Thanks all in advance for your awesome support (see her message below

regarding her surgery.)

God Bless

in OH

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Cassidy

Rose

Sent: Monday, December 24, 2007 9:21 PM

To:

Subject: Finally Home!!

Happy Holidays to all.

I just wanted to let you all know that I made it home after my

Decompression w/out Duraplasty as well as the Craniocervical Fusion.

This time, I was much more alert thru the whole process which really

helped. I also desinated my husband as the person to be in charge.

I have never used a Proxy before, and this time I really needed one.

Anyway, I was in the PACU for 2 days. Then NICU for another 9 days.

I was put on strict bedrest. I could only lay on my

sides. Needless to say, this threw a wrench into the recovery. I

didn't get the whole " get up and walk " thing. But, I brought my

daughter's comfy cute flannel fitted sheet to lay on. I had my

favorite blanket and 2 stuffed animals. I had my favorite pj's. I

watched movies on my portable DVD player and just took it day by day.

The only difficult side effect that I have is that they put a halo on me. But,

one of the screws must have

hit a nerve because when I asked to have it taken back out, it felt

like somebody cutting me across my right eyebrow. Now, whenever I

touch that spot, I get a pulling sensation across the top of my head

on the right side. The other fun thing is I itch everywhere. Drives

me nuts!! Ugh.

Just a question to anybody who has had CCF. When I'm tired or have

tried to do a little too much, I can't hold my head up straight. I

assume it is a whole new group of muscles that now must be used and

it will take a lot of work. ANYBODY EXPERIENCE THIS??

Happy Holidays!

Cassie