I wanted to share a short update on how my surgery (August 29) went, and my recovery.
I'm doing really well. The actual surgery was pretty crazy, I looked and felt terrible at first, but after a week there was a transformation and I started to feel significantly better. I spent 4 days in ICU and then 1 day in a hospital room. And then they booted me out because home is safer than the hospital after you are stabilized because of diseases you can catch at hospital (true story - that's what docs told me!) I was on oxycodone for 1 week after release, and then told to only take Tylenol. Yes, I had headaches for the first 3-4 weeks, but they were normal and bearable.
My surgeon, Alexander Khalessi was amazing. The procedure was successful and I couldn't be more happy with his work. He didn't even hardly shave any hair! I highly recommend him for neurology issues. My big regret is not taking a picture of my surgery team. Dr. Khalessi and his head "assistant" Doc and the main Anesthesiologist were all really attractive dudes. I should have gotten a picture. Seriously, I had a very good looking team taking care of me.
I incorporated "alternative medicine" during my hospital stay. I consulted the UCSD hospital Center for Integrative Medicine and with their help was able to arrange some things DURING my hospital experience that really helped. I had Reiki (energy healing) before and at least 4 other times in ICU and hospital room. I don't know much about Reiki, but it felt good, and after surgery it put me to sleep every time, which was difficult because I was in alot of pain and in ICU there was a tremendous amount of noise. In ICU and then again in the hospital room I had acupuncture by Nicholas Duchnowski. Before I went to the hospital I also had acupuncture to benefit my throat and reduce nausea. I had no issues from the tube in my throat anesthesia for 6 hours, and no nausea post procedure. That was really cool because in prior surgeries with the throat anethesia, I have had severe throat pain and nausea after. So I prepared and avoided that.
I also brought BONE broth I made prior to eat while in hospital. They actually brought me a salmon dinner to eat in ICU. I'd just had brain surgery! WTF! I think my regular eating of only broth helped. There's no way I could eat! I could barely open my mouth.
I've had regular acupuncture since released from the hospital. I started an herbal formula 2 weeks after surgery, after I was off all of the Western meds. For herbs I've been seeing Min Fan. For acupuncture I've been seeing 2 acupuncture friends of mine, Nate and Cara. I'm improving rapidly.
My main negative symptoms are: pain (duh) in my head, at the scar site, on my forehead and temple; extreme tiredness; a feeling of cloggedness and reduced hearing in opposite side ear (no explanation known at this point). Overall it's not bad, and I think all the symptoms will subside over time.
The most positive symptom is a complete and utter RELIEF at not having any aneurysms. It is very surreal to live with a bomb that can pop in your head and kill you at any moment. I've been practicing mindfulness and being in the moment for years now. I will continue to do that. But not having the thought in my head at random moments is really LIBERATING. I literally DON'T think about that awful awful image of what could happen. I don't have to try not to think about it, or calm myself down. I feel elated. I am so fortunate. So very fortunate.
I'm sure there is more to say, but this is just a brief update. Pictures to come!
