Wondering how Steph is doing?
 

I was thinking about Steph and wondering if anyone has heard from her. I think she was to have surgery last Thursday. She is always so good about keeping us posted. I hope she is doing o.k with no surprises! Sandy

Sandy,

Did Steph say she would be in the hospital for a few days in her post? Maybe that's why we haven't heard form her.

Hope you are doing well Steph.

Karen

Thanks for the concern
 

Sandy - I knew you have had me on your mind. I got home from the hospital early afternoon yesterday. Then I wanted to rest and wait for my son-in-law to drop off my prescriptions as they had not been faxed to the local pharmacy when we stopped on the way home. (Yes, my pain level was going UP!)

The main thing that I know right now is that there is very little "fluid" left in the area of repair. They say that it may even be blood that they see on the scan. I have no weaping or oozing from either the incision area on the back of my head OR where the Lumbar Drain was in my lower spine. They will check that all again the end of next week, when I go for the stitches to be removed.

I turned on my computer last evening and did not get very far when a problem occurred. Just got it sorted out.

So, I hate to use this term, I am "cautiously optimistic" that this repair will be successful. The early signs are good. I had to push the docs to discharge me as they want to make sure I am not overactive and lifting things I should not. My cleaning gal is here today so I am not having to do much. And I really did not think I could stand another day in the intensive care unit.

Hi Steph,
I have also been waiting for your update. I am glad that you are doing as well as expected. I checked this site before I left for work this morning and saw that you had replied to Esther's post. I was so relieved. I hope that this leaking issue is solved once and for all.
Best,
Barbara H.

So Glad To Hear From You Steph
 

I had been looking for a post from you and glad to read you are home and sounding good.

Now rest and repair -

Glad you are doing okay. Hope it continues and you mend well.

glad to see you are home!!! best wishes!

So happy you got through it all and are doing better, Steph! You are amazing! Hugs, Tricia

Glad to hear from you, now I can relax a little tonight knowing you are home and doing o.k. I get nervous when anyone tells me they are having something done to their spine. Take good care of yourself. Don't you just love your cleaning lady??? I have one and she is wonderful. Sending you a big hug, Sandy

So glad you are home and doing well Steph.
________
Headshops

Steph,
I am so glad to hear you are back safe and sound. Nothing is sweeter than your own bed; especially after the ICU.
Love Kim from CT

Steph

So glad this is behind you, and you are home in the warmth of you own home....relax, heal and rest so your body repairs...we missed you while you were in for repair!
Warm Hugs

Steph,

Glad that the surgery went so well. Now all you have to do is take it easy and let things mend. All the best to you.

Update to my update
 

Starting Day Three at home.
Your good wishes for healing warm my heart on a chilly Fall day.
I am scheduled to go in Friday the 27th for removal of stitches and general evaluation. Until that time I can't drive, as it is difficult to turn my head from the swelling from surgery. Plus they don't want me straining my neck or twisting very much. Can't carry groceries or anything over 5 pounds.

In about 4 or so weeks I will have a followup CT scan of my head to check for any remaining fluid. Then I have followup with my surgeon.

Sometime between this period I will have a brain MRI and followup with my Gamma Knife doc. So, I will essentially know sooner if there is any change in the fluid in the repair area.

I just never thought my head would become the focus of my cancer worries. Now I am really in sync with PattyZ and a couple of other women I know.
Frankenstein has nothing on my scars! Thank goodness for hair!

Right now terrible ITCHING is making me crazy. I have circular burns all over my chest and abdoman from the leads to the monitors. I also have burns from the Tegaderm they used on my back to secure the Lumbar Drain and chest to secure the IV in my port. Just itch all over like I was infested with fleas or something. When I got up in the night to take my antibiotic I remembered we should have some Benedryl spray. Found it and liberally applied. Was able to sleep after that. Also found some Benedryl capsules and took one. Still groggy from it, but think I will need them for a few days.
I have used burn salve on those very red places. Now I have another excuse for staying out of ICU - allergies to the adhesives they have to use.

Steph, glad you are ok, hope your recovery continues to be uneventful and you can put this behind you soon.

Steph, so good to hear you're home, and it's a "good thing" the weather's turned misty and cool, it'll encourage you to stay inside and rest :) Take good care of you.

<3 Lolly

eph,
glad your home. Hope all goes well and that you have no pain.
love sarah

Oh Steph, I'm so glad to hear and read your post. I had not been in the board for a few days


You're are quite amazing. HANG IN THERE KID

Love . Keep getting well

MCS (maria)

Help for adhesive allergy..
 

Dear Steph,
I too am glad to hear that you are home in your own "nest"!
I too developed nasty allergy burns from tape (after my bilateral masts). A dear friend who is also a hospice Nurse brought over some of these wipes (actually small sterile swabs) called "Sureprep protective wipes". I would use a wipe on the areas that had to have a protective covering (ie: CVC,drains etc before applying Tegaderm covering.It provides a barrier between skin and adhesive...no more rashes for me!

Hope this tidbit helps a little and that you continue to heal feel better!

1-800-MEDLINE (product info and sales)

http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1930359


fyi...OVERSTOCKS.COM SELLS THEM!

Dermatitis
 

Thanks for that tip, Soccermom.

After speaking with the nurse she felt since the itching was not just confined to the red areas where the adhesive was that I developed a contact dermatitis. She mentioned that they have to use very harsh chemicals to launder the bedding and gowns in the hospital and lots of people who are exposed to them for a few days get that itching. Not so much a rash as just general itching.
It is slowly getting better but I still need the Benedryl and that keeps me on the groggy side.

Glad I could help in some way..
 

Dear Steph,
Contact dermatitis from the hospitals detergent! argghh. Hopefully the symptoms will diminish now that you are home in your own bed.Sending many good thoughts for rapid healing your way,

Marcia (Soccermom)

Hi Steph,

I am glad you are home and doing well, except for the itching. I hope you have a speedy recovery and I hope things continue to look up for you. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes.

Steph,

Nothing wrong with 'groggy' to keep you on the quiet side for now :o)

but sincerely hope the dermatitis clears quickly. I mean, enough is enough already!!!

You know I'm also hoping big time that this latest nest of horrors will be resolved for you once and for all time...

May you heal well incredibly fast...

the scars are to me but battle scars of life. I look at our 100+ yr old oak tree and see how I am 'related'... but it IS NICE to have a bit of hair to cover up!

with love and big hugs,
pattyz