Update to Brain surgery thread.

[the ringo kid]

Well,looks like surgery will happen upon insurance approval. I dont know how long approving process is? but possibly in April--ill finally have it done.

There is a less than one percent chance of death--which im not worried at all about. I had a two percent chance in dying when my gallbladder was removed. I just want to get this thing done and over with.

Anyway,I spent six hours at this appointment yesterday. The actual surgery takes place over a three day period.I do not know if itsthree in a row? but--total operation time is about four or so hours.The first and third day is outpatient stuff, but the middle is at least a one to maybe two night stay in the hospital.

As far as I can remember what was said--there are two types of brain surgery both involve having a hole drilled through the skull. I dont remember the names for these surgeries but--the one that the Neurosurgeon recommended--was to have a stimulation wire:::sorry,I forgot the actual term:::: inserted through the skull into the brain.There is a pic line? thing inserted in the chest--buy I cant recall why? Anyway,this type of surgery is the type where if they come up with a new process or stimulator--it can easily be upgraded and or replaced.

Anyway,the process is started and if approved? ill possibly have all this done in April??????? I know I have to have cat scans and such--so--cant see things taking too long--aside from available surgery dates and such.

Step one includes drilling the hole? or either just attaching some two tothree inch long-square device--to my head and I think this is supposed to take an hour or two?? Through this device--is where the stimulator device is put into the brain.

Sorry I cant remember proper terms but--in a nut shell--this is what I learned yesterday.

[kenv1950]

Good luck and get well... Just reading it scares the **** out me

[da gimp]

Heck, put your trust in the Almighty, and we will all be asking Him, in the Name of His Son, according to His Will, to guide the hands & the eyes of those doing your surgeries and all of your care.

we all need 1)good docs, 2) good nurses 3) good medicines 4) the good Lord, not necessarily in that order.

[pawngal]

I think you need to discuss this more with your doctors so you understand it better. Ask questions if you do not understand. Write down any questions before your next appointment. Have someone with you who might understand and remember more than you do.

I might mess with peoples' minds but a brain surgeon I'm not.

[Rustyt1953]

Wow Ringo! I pray every thing goes well.
If you find out the name of these procedures, I'd like to understand them better, to give me a better idea of what you face.
I know you will do well because of your strong attitude. Heck, I'm proof that people can live without a brain.

Keep us posted my friend.

[NYlakesider]

Originally Posted by pawngal

I think you need to discuss this more with your doctors so you understand it better. Ask questions if you do not understand. Write down any questions before your next appointment. Have someone with you who might understand and remember more than you do.

I might mess with peoples' minds but a brain surgeon I'm not.

I totally agree with the bolded. They are going to bend/staple/mutilate you a bit; ask anything and everything that will let you understand this procedure. Knowing what s going on will help put your mind at ease.

In 05 when the doctor told me I had Kidney cancer i asked a bunch of questions. When I went to the surgeon I had a heck of a lot more and my doctors were good about answering them.

Let us know before you go in and we will keep you in our thoughts/prayers.

[ladder13]

Prayers for the best outcome possible, Ringo.

3 years ago this June my brother had an 11 hr brain operation. His skull is still as thick as it ever was.

[walkin jack]

Oh my goodness!! Well you certainly have my prayers and positive thoughts for a good outcome and a rapid, complete and pain free recovery. You will remain on my prayer list until I see you post up that it's all done and all is well.

I WILL be thinking of you. Try to stay positive and for cryin' out loud follow the doctors orders!

[amazingflapjack]

I will pray for you now my friend. Hebrews 13: 5 Amplified Translation.

[timn8er]

Ringo, Prayers sent from a fellow Texan are on the way. Keep thinking positive like you're doing & you'll do fine!

[FPrice]

My prayers and best wishes for a smooth operation and a quick recovery. We need you around here.

[THE PILGRIM]

Good luck Ringo.
Keep us updated with what's going on.

[Texas Star]

May God be with you and guide your surgeons' hands.

[EQGuy]

Ringo
I had neck surgery last July. They worked on my for 6 hours and I spent one night in the Hospital. It was no fun but I am feeling fine now and am glad I had it done. I did see a second Neurosurgeon to make sure I really needed to have the surgery. We live in a great age as far as having medical care. My father suffered with the same maladies I have but I have been able to have surgeries to cure me. My father suffered. I am sure you will be fine and I am pulling for you.

[GatorFarmer]

I imagine the one percent chance of death is largely a result of anesthesia incidents and various infections more so than the procedure itself. I hope you will be fine and imagine you will be.

[Jessie]

My prayers are also sent. You have more guts than I do. I don't think I could even TALK about drilling a hole in my head, let alone have someone actually do it.
Godspeed and quick recovery!

P.S. in case, after the procedure, you forget who's guns those are in your safe, they're mine, ok? Just PM me for my address.

[RonJ]

Brain surgery? Now I know why you befriended me! That's OK, you can discontinue our friendship as soon as you're well.

Seriously Carl, prayers and blessings sent your way.

[snubbyfan]

Wishing you the best, my thoughts are with you.

[LostintheOzone]

Wishing you luck here. My x BIL had two surgeries. Came through just fine. Try not to worry too much about it, you'll come through it just fine.

[CajunBass]

Originally Posted by da gimp

Heck, put your trust in the Almighty, and we will all be asking Him, in the Name of His Son, according to His Will, to guide the hands & the eyes of those doing your surgeries and all of your care.

we all need 1)good docs, 2) good nurses 3) good medicines 4) the good Lord, not necessarily in that order.

And all God's people said...

AMEN!

[old bear]

Carl, as others have suggested, make a list of questions and have someone attend your next Dr apt with you. Two heads are better than one, (Ok that was a poor gag but it was the best I could come up with) that way they can help remember all the questions and answers. Wishing you a quick and speedy recovery.

[Marine Corps Air]

Carl,

This certainly sounds like great news, especially since it could be a definitive milestone towards eliminating most, if not all, of these medical problems. Will you be having the surgery at Brackenridge in Austin?

My only question for the surgeon (or surgical team) would be concerning their number of surgeries completed in the past, and their successful outcomes (this should be as close to 100% as possible).

We certainly hope that all of the procedures will be very successful so that you can return to full-time work in your profession. That will also permit you to make more meaningful contributions to your "Gun Budget"!

Please continue to keep us posted.

[shouldazagged]

Praying and rooting for you, Ringo. We need your vast knowledge of old movies here, so get well quickly.

State of the art for that kind of surgery is most impressive, so you should do fine with one more hole in your head.

[Faulkner]

Ringo, are you having DBS surgery? My wife has DBS surgery 11 months ago to address her Parkinson's symptoms and the results were miraculous.

[ATF]

Really wish you the best and a quick recovery. 1% means it's a very common procedure so don't worry

[wunderboy]

All is going according to plan,may not be our plan,but The Lord has a plan. You will be fine.

[Papa32129]

Hope your surgery goes well, Physical therapy and occupational therapists are your guide to a quick recovery.

Consult your physician about taking a laxative before surgery.
There is Nothing worse than bearing down for a bowel movement with a migraine headache.

Papa

[Cyrano]

Here's another Texan keeping his fingers crossed for you.

[Erich]

Prayers here as well. I know it sounds scary as anything, but my sister had a brain tumor removed at Mayo a few years back. She had about a solid year of readjustment, and she's just fine now - thank God. Here's wishing you a completely successful procedure and recuperation - God bless you.

[kozmic]

Ringo, you might wanna tell 'em to take a few before pictures so they don't cross any wires when they put you back together!

All your friends here will be there for support and prayers before, during and after. We definitely got you covered buddy.

[wbraswell]

Ringo, we're all with you. We care.

[Krell1]

It sounds like your mentally ready for this. It would scare me half to death! Hope everything goes well and you come through this OK. All of us on the forum will be thinking of you and waiting for your results.

[Bro. Dave]

You will have prayer support from here, for sure. I hope you don't mind a Baptist praying for you!

[2hawk]

Thoughts and prayers your way, Ringo. Keep us posted.

[deanodog]

Best wishes to you and your family for a complete recovery.

[Ματθιας]

Hope everything goes smoothly with no complications and a speedy recovery.

[G-Mac]

Prayers sent from Central New York, Ringo Kid.

[Gardner11]

Prayers sent that all will be well from Texas

[quneur]

My neurologist convinced me to get a brain biopsy when my CNSV flared again. She was looking for markers (or whatever they look for). It scared me. But a week before the scheduled operation, the neurosurgery department took the time to make an appointment to explain the operation and any questions I may have.

On the day of the operation, the anaesthesiologist asked me to count from backwards starting from a 100. I got to 98.

The surgeon woke me up to tell me the surgery went well. Other than the tube I had to remove in order to relieve my bladder, the entire thing was fairly easy. Fear made it bigger than it actually was.

I have a quarter size hole above my right ear just like Ladder13's brother. The hole is now covered by harden scar tissue. It feels like the same as regular bone.

The results of the biopsy was they couldn't find anything.

[bigride]

Prayers your way. Hope they get all the parts where they belong. Wouldn't want to come out with a screw loose. God bless before, during, and after for a quick recovery.

[kmyers]

Good luck and prayers for the best outcome.

[mstem]

Prayers sent from Southside VA. Trust your Dr., everything will go just fine! Hope you are not missing from here very long.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by kenv1950

Good luck and get well... Just reading it scares the **** out me

Thank you. Also, the only thing im actually worried about--is spending the one to two nights in the hospital. Im worried for my cat Shasta who has been feeling a bit low lately. She gets scared easily now--since they built a playground behind my apartment and those kids do get wild. I dont have anyone near enough to check on her at least twice a day.

The only other thing I can think of that I worry a bit on is--if ill have a major headache after this? and if I will be allowed to take ibuprophen or something similar?

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by da gimp

Heck, put your trust in the Almighty, and we will all be asking Him, in the Name of His Son, according to His Will, to guide the hands & the eyes of those doing your surgeries and all of your care.

we all need 1)good docs, 2) good nurses 3) good medicines 4) the good Lord, not necessarily in that order.

Thank you and, I sure will. I THINK the surgery will happen at Spohn Shoreline? and they do have several members of the cloth who also spend loads of time there. I was there for a week about ten years ago--this place is top notch.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by pawngal

I think you need to discuss this more with your doctors so you understand it better. Ask questions if you do not understand. Write down any questions before your next appointment. Have someone with you who might understand and remember more than you do.

I might mess with peoples' minds but a brain surgeon I'm not.

I did. I had my regular doctor come by after he closed shop on Thursday, he also thought it best I have the surgery. The only other neurosurgeon was alsopresant.He only works on Thursdays as he is partially retired. And another good thing is--is he will be presant when they do the actual surgery. I just dont know dates yet. This Dr--is not one who redily agrees for surgeries unless he cant see an alternative. I had a long talk with him about two weeks ago and before going to see the Neursergeon. This is one of the many reasons I like this dr as much asI do.He will not prescribe medicines and such as easily as other Drs do. The Dr I had before him-had me on eleven diff meds. Five of those meds only duplicated five others and one was not needed at all. After my first visit with him--he took me off six meds.

Anyway,I was glad he took time to come to be with me for this appointment. I was there for seven hours on Thursday.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by Rustyt1953

Wow Ringo! I pray every thing goes well.
If you find out the name of these procedures, I'd like to understand them better, to give me a better idea of what you face.
I know you will do well because of your strong attitude. Heck, I'm proof that people can live without a brain.

Keep us posted my friend.

Thank you sir and I sure will. I want to be as accurate as possible too. I tried doing research on the net onthis but got nothing of value and mostly gobbeldogook. Also,they gave me a DvD to watch so im sure it explains everything.Ill take notes and post what I can. Also, if anyone needs one of these dvds? I have two spares that I can send out. Just let me know and I can have them out within a few days.

Heh heh,strangely enough--ive never feared any surgeries ive had to have. When I was six--I spent a week in the hospital from double hernia. The only thing that scared me--was my room was directly over the morgue. That hospital was only three blocks from my house--so many of us neighborhood kids played in the area and knew where the morgue was.

WhenI had my gallbladder removed--I looked at it as a mini-vacation. Good thing was--some local station was also playing a marathon of Wild Bill Elliott, Tim Holt, Roy Rogers and Gene Aurtry "B" Westerns so,I watched them the entire time I was there.

[da gimp]

Originally Posted by the ringo kid

Thank you. Also, the only thing im actually worried about--is spending the one to two nights in the hospital. Im worried for my cat Shasta who has been feeling a bit low lately. She gets scared easily now--since they built a playground behind my apartment and those kids do get wild. I dont have anyone near enough to check on her at least twice a day.

The only other thing I can think of that I worry a bit on is--if ill have a major headache after this? and if I will be allowed to take ibuprophen or something similar?

Heck If'n I was worried about my pet, I'd take the critter down to our vets to board her, just to be on the safe side.....Make sure he has contact phone #'s for your kids/relatives.

On the medicines needed after surgery, they'll prescribe what you need, and tell you when to try the over the counter brands. The docs & nurses doing the surgery have helped many patients with the same thing, they'll be able to help answer any concerns you have, pre-surgery & post surgery, just tell them your concerns, tell them your symptoms..

By the way, get a lil note pad & write your questions down & when you get your list pretty much done......... ask the nurse case manager & doctor to answer your questions...........this is much better than to try just going on memory alone............ at our age memories aren't as good as they once were......& with the added worries of your coming surgery it only makes it harder to remember most things to ask them.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by NYlakesider

I totally agree with the bolded. They are going to bend/staple/mutilate you a bit; ask anything and everything that will let you understand this procedure. Knowing what s going on will help put your mind at ease.

In 05 when the doctor told me I had Kidney cancer i asked a bunch of questions. When I went to the surgeon I had a heck of a lot more and my doctors were good about answering them.

Let us know before you go in and we will keep you in our thoughts/prayers.

Thank you sir and I sure will. I think the first steps are getting MRIs? and then ill have my first outpatient visit. Im guessing if everything goes smooth? I should have things started after next week. Ill have regular updates in this thread and also after I watch that DvD that also explains the surgery. Most of what I read on the internet--was mostly junk. Ill be watching the dvd on Monday and will take notes on things to post here. I think awhile back? someone had posted something on needing info on this so, hopefully I can help out as well.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by ladder13

Prayers for the best outcome possible, Ringo.

3 years ago this June my brother had an 11 hr brain operation. His skull is still as thick as it ever was.

Im hoping hes as good as new. I noticed that his was done on the side.A local Channel six meteorologist had his done on the left side--samething it looks like. I think ill see if I can speak with him too. His was done about two weeks ago and he was back at work soon after.

[the ringo kid]

Originally Posted by Walkin' Jack

Oh my goodness!! Well you certainly have my prayers and positive thoughts for a good outcome and a rapid, complete and pain free recovery. You will remain on my prayer list until I see you post up that it's all done and all is well.

I WILL be thinking of you. Try to stay positive and for cryin' out loud follow the doctors orders!

Thank you sir. Also, you bet ill do as he says.They told me one of the worst things I can expect if things dont go like they should? is an infection from the stimulating device. I told him that I do wish one thing to be effected--that is--somehting that will make my metabolism go into maximum overdrive. They both laughed at that.