after brain surgery

I had a craniotomy on November 30th to get a tumor removed by my right ventricle. Surgery lasted for 6 hours and the first thing I remember after surgery was the anesthesiologist removing the tube from my throat. I remember struggling for air. Then I was dreaming about coding for work. I guess I remember how to code.

How my tumor was found? I have been getting treated for severe migraines after a car accident in 2003. I was having headaches for 3 week straight and had no idea what the problem was. Was taking my usual meds and by this time my body was so drain from it. went for an MRI in late Oct of 2006 and my doc called me on 11/4/2006 that they found a tumor. How I remember the dates? I called my aunt to wish her happy birthday and also told her the news. My emotions was up and down.

A year later went back for my 6 months MRI check up and the tumor started getting active. It grew and my neurosurgeon... Dr. Evans, who is fantastic, told me that surgery is needed.

My surgery was schedule on November 30th. Was able to celebrate Thanksgiving and Xmas. I hated when they inserted the IV and a-line, which was the worst of all tubes in me. Blood test sucks. I was in ICU for 3 days after surgery. All my friends came to visit. My folks, grandmother,brother and cousin, Jo, from London came to support. It was hard for me to see the anxiety of my grandmother's face when I was able to open my eyes. I was very morphine up.

Everyday at 4-5am all the doctors will come and checked on me. It was nice but I wanted sleep. Usual procedure was smiled for me and squeezed my hands. Lift your leg. I did not realized that my left side of my body was not actually functioning correctly after surgery. I wished I have a picture of my droopy face and I had wondering left eye. Monday... I asked one of the docs to please remove the tube that is sticking out the side of my head, which was use to drain back up fluid from the brain.

I was moved to a regular room on Tuesday and at this time... the awful experience began. I had a Foley catheter for surgery and my bladder forgot how to pee. After they remove that Foley, I had bad bladder spasm and felt like bladder infection. I thought I had to pee every 5 minutes. Carl was so upset that day. They had to drain me every 8 hours. Later a urologist came and realized I was retaining too much urine in my bladder. I was retaining up to 1 liter and advised to drain me every 4 hours. Not very pleasant.

I was very up set that my bladder forgot to function and was getting inpatient. It was a natural process for us to pee and poop. I started to get hemorrhoids due to the stress. Not another pleasant situation. I was able to get discharge when my bladder started to function again. I was discharge on Tuesday 12/10/2007 and was glad to be home. Hospital was great, nurses was great and so was my doctors but food was horrible. Lost weight!

At home recovery, I wish I have one of those uncomfortable hospital bed now. I am not able to sleep laying flat. Not sure why, I develop a major headache. Have to sleep upright not sure if anything is not being drain properly. Got a ct scan and everything looks fine. Today is the worst. I actually felt so sick that I feel like throwing up from these headaches. Tylenol is not helping and had to take heavy duty pain killers. This is the second day that I am not able to sleep. Getting really drain. Almost ask Carl to drive me to the hospital due to the pain and nauseous feeling.