We have just got back from Romford Hospital. It was my first meeting with my neurosurgeon since being in hospital. Had had a pretty good feeling about this as they had not rushed me back in in the past two and half weeks, but there was always a chance that something bad could come out of this.
The surgery went well, this is not an exact number but it is believed they have got 90% out. They had to stop the operation because there was a very painful area for me which they avoided as much as they could but as they went on they had to go back to it as it was all that was left. the more they took the more it hurt and the more out of it i became, this is when they stopped. During the removal they found my lump blead a lot and was causing a issues, it made it harder to operate on as they had to keep clearing the area.
They have discovered that the lump is a meningoma, if they would have known this before they would probably not have gone for a awake crainotomy and knocked me out while removing it. They have not been able to give an exact class of the tumour, rating 1 is the lowest (originally believed) and 4 is the highest. Because the tests could not give an exact result the rating for mine has been given a 1 / 2, just as a caution. This does mean i am going to have more frequent tests on the area than originally thought, my first scan will be in 2 weeks with a follow up just after.
Here is a link to what it is believed to be:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/braintumourbenign.shtml
I mentioned my eyesight, at the moment it is a total waiting game, I plan to just test my eye sight a bit each day, try to get used to it and build up the time i use my right eye.
Now it is a waiting game for a while and keep working on my recovery.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Staying Awake and Dealing Unpolite People
Since my last entry I have been a bit all over the place! My last entry I was getting head aches again and had been put back on steroids. This worked and still is but made my body clock go a bit strange. The steroids were to see if they could help my sight cone back a bit more but not much has happened. I got back on the tablet on Friday, was a bust dag, which I mentioned in my last entry. After that entry we went out for the evening, I did not feel sleepy at all, I didn't feel sleepy for the whole night! Went to bed at 11pm and was tossing and turning for hours, just couldn't drop off, I was trying games, TV and at 4am i came to the decision to go and watch a film. i just could not full asleep, I watched American Gangster and at about 5.30 am decided to give sleep another go. SUCCESS!!! I fell asleep, but my body did not care what time i fell asleep as far as it was concerned I was going to wake up at 7.30 am, I think I got just over 2 hours sleep. I felt fine and slightly refreshed, saw my wife go out for a bike ride, but sleep was no option, my body was happy with a power nap.
The family BBQ was at about 1pm, Melissa got back from her 40 mile bike ride and we were meeting my parents there later. I had been looking forward to this for ages but in the back of my mind was worrying about staying awake and becoming grumpy. When we arrived I was offered somewhere for a nap but I did not want to miss out.
As the day went on we played a few games had some lunch and soaked up the sun, few hours down the line I still felt pretty bloody good. Then one my best mates popped over to see how i was doing as have not seen him for a few months. All this was keeping me going and happy, grumpy Andrew was not appearing.
The day turned into night and I was still going. I had been in the Jacuzzi once already but went in again. This time though I went in on the hope it would help me relax. Indeed it did, i was in for a while, i dried off and we were the last to leave the party. Got back to my parents and I slept for t hours straight. I still am amazed how long i was awake for, over 40 hours sleep with a 2 hour nap in the middle, in my opinion i was not grumpy.
We had a few things to sort out but after living in hospital then at my parents, Melissa and I were moving home. Was looking forward to it, my Mum and Dad had been brilliant and it never felt strange living back there. This felt like the next step for me though, even though i am still recovering and need to rest it meant i got some independence back.
Since being back for 2 days I have had on and off moments, Monday I slept a lot, this does not bother me too much it just frustrates me when i cannot get the energy to do the minor things. i wanted to update my blog but with being tired and rubbish vision I couldn't update it. Also it was Melissa's 25th birthday, but I could not get the energy to take her out, this a contract promising to take her out when I am well.
I was allowed out by myself to day, not far, i went to aldi to get some bread. I felt ok about it, was just very cautious. But got a woman shout and moan at me. I was queueing at the till, when it was my turn the guy on the till passed me my plastic bag. Now i believe i am on a bout 25% vision on my right so i could not see anything. the woman behind me then raises her voice at me like i am a piece of crap on her shoe that he is talking to me. I was very happy with my response, I turned towards her, which allowed me to see the bag and polity said I can only see a small amount out of that eye and i could not see what he was doing. i turned back round, got my shopping and left. I was annoyed but she was not worth it, suppose i may have looked like i was ignoring the check out bloke, he was still polite, the customers were the problem.
Tomorrow is my first trip back to Romford hospital for a appointment with my surgeon, will be getting test results and full feed back from the awake crainotony. So looking forward to hearing the results and maybe getting some pictures of my brain. It is on my mind a bit, but if something really horrible would have been fined i would have been already back in hospital. Hopefully this will also show the next step for my eye sight, it is still crap. No headaches but i have still only got a small percentage of vision from it, here is a wikipedia link which gives a rough explanation of the lack of vision in my right eye.
The family BBQ was at about 1pm, Melissa got back from her 40 mile bike ride and we were meeting my parents there later. I had been looking forward to this for ages but in the back of my mind was worrying about staying awake and becoming grumpy. When we arrived I was offered somewhere for a nap but I did not want to miss out.
As the day went on we played a few games had some lunch and soaked up the sun, few hours down the line I still felt pretty bloody good. Then one my best mates popped over to see how i was doing as have not seen him for a few months. All this was keeping me going and happy, grumpy Andrew was not appearing.
The day turned into night and I was still going. I had been in the Jacuzzi once already but went in again. This time though I went in on the hope it would help me relax. Indeed it did, i was in for a while, i dried off and we were the last to leave the party. Got back to my parents and I slept for t hours straight. I still am amazed how long i was awake for, over 40 hours sleep with a 2 hour nap in the middle, in my opinion i was not grumpy.
We had a few things to sort out but after living in hospital then at my parents, Melissa and I were moving home. Was looking forward to it, my Mum and Dad had been brilliant and it never felt strange living back there. This felt like the next step for me though, even though i am still recovering and need to rest it meant i got some independence back.
Since being back for 2 days I have had on and off moments, Monday I slept a lot, this does not bother me too much it just frustrates me when i cannot get the energy to do the minor things. i wanted to update my blog but with being tired and rubbish vision I couldn't update it. Also it was Melissa's 25th birthday, but I could not get the energy to take her out, this a contract promising to take her out when I am well.
I was allowed out by myself to day, not far, i went to aldi to get some bread. I felt ok about it, was just very cautious. But got a woman shout and moan at me. I was queueing at the till, when it was my turn the guy on the till passed me my plastic bag. Now i believe i am on a bout 25% vision on my right so i could not see anything. the woman behind me then raises her voice at me like i am a piece of crap on her shoe that he is talking to me. I was very happy with my response, I turned towards her, which allowed me to see the bag and polity said I can only see a small amount out of that eye and i could not see what he was doing. i turned back round, got my shopping and left. I was annoyed but she was not worth it, suppose i may have looked like i was ignoring the check out bloke, he was still polite, the customers were the problem.
Tomorrow is my first trip back to Romford hospital for a appointment with my surgeon, will be getting test results and full feed back from the awake crainotony. So looking forward to hearing the results and maybe getting some pictures of my brain. It is on my mind a bit, but if something really horrible would have been fined i would have been already back in hospital. Hopefully this will also show the next step for my eye sight, it is still crap. No headaches but i have still only got a small percentage of vision from it, here is a wikipedia link which gives a rough explanation of the lack of vision in my right eye.
Hope this reads ok, this is my longest blog i have done so far so please forgive my grammar and spelling, i have tried to sort it as well as I can.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Good Days and Bad
Right now i feel good. I have been awake all day, with no naps and had to be up early to get to the doctors to get my sick certificate. Good successful day, unhealthy fry up, wonder in town in town to spoil wife, meet up with work mates and chilling in the sun this after noon. Finished with a meal out with wife and parents for a early birthday treat for Melissa.
Even though today has been a success I did have a hard day the other day. Maybe i got a bit ahead of myself. But i woke up a couple of mornings ago with a uncomfortable headache (i am rock hard so it did not hurt.) I had cut down in my paracetamol as i felt good and only had them in the morning and evening. this caught up with me, it wore me out and the headaches were easier when i was asleep. Also the steroids which help the swelling had finished which may have contributed. I am now back to taking regular paracetamol even if i feel OK and have been sorted with more steroids. my surgeons secretary is brilliant, my surgeon is on holiday and not back till Monday buy helped me speak to a specialist and helped me soring out steroids at my GPs. She has been brilliant through the whole procedure, from initial diagnosis till today, the Dr is a very lucky and he has said agrees. Gill is a top lady!
Family gathering tomorrow, going to freak a few with my scar! I'm a git!
While writing this i have been listening to my playlistis i made for the operation, currently incubus. I did not listen to any music for the while time. too busy chatting but really enjoying them now.
Even though today has been a success I did have a hard day the other day. Maybe i got a bit ahead of myself. But i woke up a couple of mornings ago with a uncomfortable headache (i am rock hard so it did not hurt.) I had cut down in my paracetamol as i felt good and only had them in the morning and evening. this caught up with me, it wore me out and the headaches were easier when i was asleep. Also the steroids which help the swelling had finished which may have contributed. I am now back to taking regular paracetamol even if i feel OK and have been sorted with more steroids. my surgeons secretary is brilliant, my surgeon is on holiday and not back till Monday buy helped me speak to a specialist and helped me soring out steroids at my GPs. She has been brilliant through the whole procedure, from initial diagnosis till today, the Dr is a very lucky and he has said agrees. Gill is a top lady!Family gathering tomorrow, going to freak a few with my scar! I'm a git!
While writing this i have been listening to my playlistis i made for the operation, currently incubus. I did not listen to any music for the while time. too busy chatting but really enjoying them now.
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Unstitched!
I am officially unstitched! They removed the stitch where my drainage pipe was. I was given some large plasters but I hope I don't have to use them.
I finished my steroids which is one lot of tablets gone. I have also stopped my strong pain killers. I don't even need paracetamol that often. So just my usual Keppra (for my epilepsy) and paracetamol at night to help me sleep. This has muddled my sleep up a bit, I woke about 5.30am, stayed in bed for an hour but got up at 6.30. Sorted myself out with a nap later on.
Tomorrow I am going to contact the hospital as my eyesight has hit a brick wall. I am still relying on my left eye. Just going to see if I can see someone about my vision sooner rather than waiting a week till my next appointment and nothing changes in that time.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Popped Out
today has been very successful. It started with a pretty good sleep. since the operation my sleep has been horrible. i would wake up at 5 am most mornings where ever i was, hospital or by myself in my parents spare room. but today i was asleep till 7.30am in the morning and no headache. that gave the push to write my previous post. I wanted to avoid sleeping so did a few things today, not too much though. Popped out with my wife for some lunch, went in to town. But by 3pm i was completely exhausted. I have g-had a quick sleep which sorted me out.
Today I got annoyed by Harwich Hospital, its been 24 hours and no one has told me if i have an appointment to have my last stitches out. the whole hospital is in a mess. i think it will me easier to go to Colchester walk in centre.
my sight is still relying on my left eye, nothing is re appearing ln my right. i tried blocking it and have a small amount of sight but it gave me a bit of a headache so will leave that idea.
I have been recovering for a week.
This may be a bit scruffy as my sight is still pretty rubbish in my right eye so forgive me for the mistakes.
There is lots to write but i cannot focus for long, I will add in small parts each day. I was in surgery for about 7 hours, i was completely awake. the two worst parts with multiple stabbings in my wrists while there were trying to connect me to a machine for my heart rate and blood pressure. I started to feel pain when they were skimmin down the lump, it got to a point where it took a couple of minutes to recover, we then stopped and finished up. samples were taken and it is being tested at the moment.
I was in hospital for 5 days. each day i was needing less sleep. i am on paracetamol and something a bit stronger at night to help me sleep. i managed to get through it with movies on my ipad and a dvd player, CSI is keeping me going.
I have been now staying with my parents for a few days and a and a few visitors round. I had my staples out of my skull, was easy. got another couple of staples after the bank holiday. ho[efully we will see a few more people. though i am still finding that i need a sleep in the afternoon.
My next appointment with my under two weels. I will find out more then, hopefully my sight in my right eye cines back, it gained more sight than went backwards so not sure what is going on. hopefully i will get pictures ne being cut open and operated on and awake so i am looking forward to them.
I am leaving it there today but going to rey and add to my blog each day. So lets see how it goes.
There is lots to write but i cannot focus for long, I will add in small parts each day. I was in surgery for about 7 hours, i was completely awake. the two worst parts with multiple stabbings in my wrists while there were trying to connect me to a machine for my heart rate and blood pressure. I started to feel pain when they were skimmin down the lump, it got to a point where it took a couple of minutes to recover, we then stopped and finished up. samples were taken and it is being tested at the moment.
I was in hospital for 5 days. each day i was needing less sleep. i am on paracetamol and something a bit stronger at night to help me sleep. i managed to get through it with movies on my ipad and a dvd player, CSI is keeping me going.
I have been now staying with my parents for a few days and a and a few visitors round. I had my staples out of my skull, was easy. got another couple of staples after the bank holiday. ho[efully we will see a few more people. though i am still finding that i need a sleep in the afternoon.
My next appointment with my under two weels. I will find out more then, hopefully my sight in my right eye cines back, it gained more sight than went backwards so not sure what is going on. hopefully i will get pictures ne being cut open and operated on and awake so i am looking forward to them.
I am leaving it there today but going to rey and add to my blog each day. So lets see how it goes.
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Its the big day!
Lying in bed...
I am awake, we are leaving in 40mins. I didn't sleep to bad. Got nearly 4 and half hours in. Though was rudely awoken by our cat knocking over a bin looking for a bit of gammon my wife had put in it! THANKS MELISSA!!
My mouth is dry! I need a drink! But it's nil by mouth. I didn't haven't loads last night but wasn't really thirsty and didn't want to be getting up during the night.
Think the nerves are finally kicking in a little. Can they just come and do it hear, right now. I am ready for them. Knife, chisel, hammer and a staple gun! I am already in bed, no need to move me, though I would not be prepared to stay awake during it! My dad has all the tools and mum has some reasonably sharp knives.
In the car...
Not much going on. So I guess this is my last post before I go in. So radio silence from me. I will finish with a picture if my long term companion, ladies and gentlemen I give you Roland!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I am awake, we are leaving in 40mins. I didn't sleep to bad. Got nearly 4 and half hours in. Though was rudely awoken by our cat knocking over a bin looking for a bit of gammon my wife had put in it! THANKS MELISSA!!
My mouth is dry! I need a drink! But it's nil by mouth. I didn't haven't loads last night but wasn't really thirsty and didn't want to be getting up during the night.
Think the nerves are finally kicking in a little. Can they just come and do it hear, right now. I am ready for them. Knife, chisel, hammer and a staple gun! I am already in bed, no need to move me, though I would not be prepared to stay awake during it! My dad has all the tools and mum has some reasonably sharp knives.
In the car...
Not much going on. So I guess this is my last post before I go in. So radio silence from me. I will finish with a picture if my long term companion, ladies and gentlemen I give you Roland!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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