Carol Davis - "Pre-MVD"
Thursday, October 5, 2006 - "MVD Day:
Everything went smoothly for registration & 11th Floor ambulatory care check-in. Once I changed into the hospital gown, things began moving very quickly. I had to say a quick goodbye to my husband. They sent him to the 3rd Floor Intensive Care waiting room. I was taken to "Holding" where I talked to Dr. Denny, the anesthesiologist. Also, Dr. Jannetta came by for a quick and friendly pep talk. I love the twinkle he always has in his eye! I was in the operating room at 7:02 AM. The last thing I remember was sliding onto the O.R. table and then I woke up in Recovery at 10:30 AM. I noticed immediately that my most severe spasm (cheek/mouth to ear) was gone, but that I still had smaller ones on my left side. I was supposed to be in Recovery for four hours and then moved to Intensive Care. However, Intensive Care never had any beds become available, so I stayed in Recovery for 14 hours. At 12:30 AM, I was moved to a regular room on the 11th floor. Wade said Dr. Jannetta came out to talk to him after the surgery and drew him a drawing that showed a main artery pressing on a smaller artery that was pressing on the nerve, so he moved both arteries over and placed a pad in between. My headache and incision pain were both mild with no nausea. .
Friday, October 6, 2006 - 1 Day Post-Op:
I had some mild nausea and one incident of mild vomiting early this morning (all I had in me were IV's and ice chips). Dr. Sekula came by around 7:00 am and checked me over and suggested I go home (motel) as I would get more rest there. I was really excited that after only 24 hours from the beginning of my "brain surgery" I was ready to go "home". We stopped and filled prescriptions for pain and nausea medication and then spent the rest of the day napping, watching television, and eating lightly. (It sure is nice to have a kitchen in this room. We brought soup, crackers, juice, ginger ale, etc. with us.) .
Saturday, October 7, 2006 - 2 Days Post-Op:
I slept through most of the night okay, but woke up with a headache around 3:30 am. I finally got up at 4:30 AM and took 2 Tylenol, but should have taken the pain medication, as the Tylenol by itself did not help. We had a lazy morning, watched a movie and then finally I took a shower. That felt so good! It's important to keep the incision dry, so I washed my body and then had my husband put a folded washcloth on the right spot and I held it in place while he washed my hair and rinsed it. We called Maddy & Roy around noon and visited with them in the sunny back picnic area of the motel. She was at least dressed, but I went in my pajamas and robe and really didn't care what people thought. I was hoping for a good nap this afternoon, but only got a short one in. We had a good meal (comfort food) that evening at Boston Market on Greentree Rd. and plan to get to bed early tonight as I am looking forward to going to church in the morning. I've talked to friends and family today. My daughter, Gina, has been so good at sending out “group emails”, letting friends and family know of my progress. Headache has been off and on most of the day. It seems less if I'm sitting up, although I really would rather be lying down.
Sunday, October 8, 2006 - 3 Days Post-Op:
Had a fairly good night's sleep and a leisurely morning before going to an 11:00 AM church service nearby at Wallace Memorial Presbyterian Church. We then went over to the mall and saw a flea market set up out in the parking lot. After browsing that and going into K-Mart for a few necessities, I was tired. Wade picked up a pizza “to go” for $5.00 at the Little Caesar's inside K-Mart. We napped for 2 hours and Wade went for a long walk while I chatted with Maddy. It's so nice to have someone else nearby to call and compare recovery with. We had dinner (pizza for Wade and leftover turkey and mashed potatoes from Boston Market for me), watched a little television, read and went to bed. Everyday but surgery day has been absolutely “fall-beautiful” -- today was mid 70's and sunny all day. Thank you, Lord, for my steady recovery and that I was able to worship and praise you with your people today. I miss my church family, but being in church here was second best! .
Maddy Benson, Kathy Lyles & Carol Davis
Monday, October 9, 2006 - 4 Days Post-Op:
We had a nice leisurely morning again with a wonderful shower and hair washing. We went for a nice long drive on a beautiful sunny day with Maddy & Roy. We enjoyed a nice long lunch with them at Fridays Restaurant and then Maddy & I hung out in the car while Wade & Roy checked out a very large Dick's Sporting Goods store. After an afternoon nap and some packing, we met Kathy & Will Lyles from Texas to fill her in on our surgical experience and recovery. Kathy's surgery is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 12th. She met Maddy through the HFSA web site. We can't tell you how wonderful it is to meet people through the web site. What a wonderful informational tool and way of connecting people with each other. Also, how wonderful to sit and talk with other members of the HFSA, and feel so comfortable and not feeling odd or judged -- so non-stressful!! (Good luck, Kathy, with your surgery. We look forward to hearing about it and we will be praying for you.) We finished packing and turned in early for an early morning start. Tomorrow we go back to Dr. Jannetta's office for my post-op checkup and then head back to Michigan. Quality Suites, again, has been so accommodating. They put surgery patients on the first floor and close to the main registration area, so you don't have to walk far if you need something. They have a daily breakfast buffet and a nightly "reception" Monday - Thursday. The shuttle to the hospital was good and reliable and the staff very friendly and we highly recommend them. We got a $109 suite for $79/night. Thank you Quality Suites!! .
Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - Post-Op Checkup & departure from Pittsburgh:
We had an 8:30 am appointment, but decided to leave the motel early and eat breakfast at the hospital cafeteria so as not to get caught in a major traffic jam. We were packed and ready to head back to Michigan once we had the go ahead. I had called Ann (Dr. Jannetta's nurse) the day before and requested a copy of my test results and the surgical report and she brought those in to me. I gave her a big hug and thanked her for all her help and Wade took a picture of us. Ross Graham, Physician Asst., then came in and gave me a quick check over and asked questions. Dr. Blumenkopf then came in and checked me out. He was mad at our Detroit Tigers for beating his New York Yankees. (He had fifth game tickets in the series, but it only went four games.) He suggested he might get tickets for a Detroit game and we promptly invited him to come visit northern Michigan as our guests. Dr. Jannetta then came in and was pleased with the outcome and my short stay in the hospital. We took pictures and visited briefly. I think he truly knows that God has given him a special talent to be able to help a lot of people with this rare disorder. He is so humble, happy, caring and loving. You can tell he loves what he does and his staff and patients love and respect him. People fly from all over the United States (and probably the world) for his services. They and their families end up spending a great deal of money locally for lodging, food, gas, and tourist stuff. Allegheny General Hospital benefits from increased business. I would think they would treat him like a king and not want to lose him!! God bless you Dr. Jannetta and staff. We love you all and appreciate you all!! .
Carol Davis (Post-MVD) & Dr. Peter J. Jannetta
Maddy & I also got to meet Mary Ann Glasco from Florida who was there for her pre-op appointment. (I met Mary Ann through the HFSA web site.) We let her look at our incisions, answered questions and I believe she felt quite hopeful after she saw us and how better our spasms were. We both still have flutters, but not near what they were, and we expect that they will go away soon. Thank you Jack & the HFSA web site for connecting four women from Michigan, Vermont, Texas and Florida together. I know Maddy & I found each other's support so helpful and made a bond that will last.
Maddy Benson, Mary Ann Glasco & Carol Davis
We made the 5 hour trip back to our daughter's home in southern Michigan, shopped for two hours, spent the night and will go the remaining 3 hours Wednesday to our home. I'm feeling good other than tiring easily. I am taking the pain medication or Tylenol as needed for the sporadic headaches/shooting pains. The doctors say it will take time for the nerves to adjust and for area to repair itself. Dr. Blumenkoft explained that when the artery beats on the nerve for so long, it wears down the protective padding on the nerve and that it will take time for it to mend. I am so thankful for the hundreds of prayers for Dr. Jannetta and staff and for my surgery. My friends and family have been so supportive. The web site was so helpful in me coming to this decision and I was completely at peace through the whole process. Maddy & I both think that the success rate is higher than most say as there are a lot of people that use the web site for information, but never really sign on and let people know the results of their surgery.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006 - 6 Days Post-Op & Home At Last:
We had an enjoyable four hour ride home (we stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast). We unloaded the vehicle and relaxed awhile before heading to church for Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study. On the way to church I heard something on the radio that convicted me to get up and tell about our trip so when we got to church I asked Pastor Larry if we could. He turned the service over to us and we read scripture that I had been reading prior to the trip that gave me hope and comfort. It was Psalm 103:1-6 and Psalm 150. We then recapped our trip and shared the power of prayer through friends, family and people I have never met but connected to through the HFSA web site. There were people praying from our church here, our old church, my sister's church in South Carolina, a HFSA member in Georgia and her church, an HFSA member in Minnesota and her state-wide intercessory prayer group and various HFSA members who have contacted me. I truly felt the presence of the Lord as he went before us and opened doors and made a way for this to happen. I had the "peace that passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
Monday, November 20, 2006 - 6 + weeks post MVD:
I feel my strength is completely back to normal. The headaches and shooting pain were gone within 2 weeks of surgery. Although I continue to have smaller spasms on my left side, the main BIG spasm that pulled and contorted my cheek/mouth area to ear is still gone, thank you, Lord!! That was the one that really drained me emotionally, mentally, and physically. I feel like I am seeing better and thinking more clearly. I will now patiently wait for the others to fade away. Well, that's the end of my MVD diary. I will occasionally post an update. Please feel free to call me or email me at davisc@gtlakes.com if you have any questions (make sure the subject line indicates HFSA or MVD so I know it is a legitimate email). Thanks for letting me share this important time in my life. I'm so glad I did it. The power of prayer is so awesome!! You will know when the time is right for you! .Permission granted the HFSA to post MVD Diary on website.
Carol Davis, December 18, 2006