What I’ve Been Up To …
No, I haven’t been hiding, I wish the answer were as simple as that!
I have been wanting to update everyone, but didn’t know how in depth I wanted to go so here it is…
Back a few months ago I had sinus surgery and they removed BONE that was blocking one sinus cavity and partially blocking another. We had hoped that the surgery would rid me of the near constant headaches that had plagued me for as long as I can remember and in one way it did, I could definitely tell a difference, but I still had headaches, not so much sinus headaches, but in the back right side of my head, where a previous MRI had revealed a supposed venous angioma (tangle of blood vessels and lymph nodes, supposedly harmless). Everyone kept saying, there is NO WAY you can feel that, and I said well I feel SOMETHING. Then out of nowhere the headaches got worse and I started having partial focal seizures, so they sent me to the Neurologist. All this while going to school online and helping coach my daughters Basketball team I might add lol. He sent me to get an EEG and another MRI just to check on the angioma make sure it hadn’t grown or anything.
Initially the GP got the reports and it showed nothing had changed and the EEG was normal. I hate this hospital and don’t trust them so on a hunch I took my MRI (not just the reports the actual MRI) to my Neuro visit. After reading the reports he was just going to up my antiseizure medication and follow up with me until we found the right dose but I asked that he review my MRI and he took it and left the room. He was gone about ten minutes and I basically gathered my things and planned my route home, I didn’t really think he would find anything different by this point, it was just for my peace of mind. I was quite floored when he came back in and said ‘Thats not a Venous Angioma, thats an AVM, and I need to refer you to a Neurosurgeon as soon as possible’ I could almost feel the floor drop out from under me. Neurosurgeon??? My Dad died of a Brain Anyerism so it really scared me when he said Neurosurgeon, but by the time I left his office I had composed myself and in the two hours it took me to drive home it really was ok. I came to terms with it, I decided to do all the research I could and be ready for whatever the Neurosurgeon recommended.
As of now I have not had my appointment with the Neurosurgeon, on top of everything else there are complications with my insurance and finding a Neurosurgeon who takes it etc etc etc … At least now I can say I have thoroughly done my research. I have three options, and if given the choice I am going with the crainiotomy as that is the only proven way to be completely free of it and if I am not free of it I will worry over every little headache. My mom is freaking about it, because she says its not the anyerism that killed Dad its the surgery, but I have to go with what I think is best.
I understand the risks involved, and yes I am a bit nervous, my loved ones don’t really seem to see this procedure as life threatening (except my mom) but I know it is, the chance may be low but it is still there, and I think I am ok with that. I mean what choice do I have but to have faith that everything will work out as it should?
Til next time gang, peace, health, and happiness!
~Jo