After The Big Scare

About the image above: The background is an image of a cabin taken on a recent trip to Bastrop State Park in Texas. Prior to my December brain surgery, my wife and I took a November road trip with our little camper and visited 8 state parks across Texas, from far West Texas to south Texas and back. The left side inset is what the top of my head looked like just after surgery. The right side inset is what the wound looked like 13 days later, just before the stitches were removed.

This post contains NOTHING but great news. Everyone needs to hear some good news, to hell with all the bad news every day.

I’ve already reported in some posts at the Mandolin Cafe that my surgery was a success, and recuperation is going well. I felt it is time now to write a more detailed update here for those who want to know more.

The Surgery Itself

I had been told to expect to be in surgery from 2 to 4 hours, and I was hoping that there would be no setbacks. I figured that if the surgery lasted longer than expected, it would be a bad sign. The good news is that the surgery took less than 2 hours! The surgeon reported that he believes he was able to remove every bit of the tumor! He told my wife that he carved it away as though it were a piece of leather, and that he was able to carefully peel the last bit away completely. Also, that it did indeed appear to be a type I meningioma, and benign. As of this date, the actual results of the lab haven’t been revealed, but they will surely agree.

I had also been told that two aneurysm-type clips would remain in my brain following surgery, but he found that this was not necessary.

I have since learned how the surgery was performed to my skull. Looking at the scalp incision above on the left, a portion of my skull was removed in a sort of oval shape, approximately the size of the incision. This was done by drilling a series of eight holes, which were roughly the size of a quarter, around the area. They use a drill for this with a specialty drill bit which stops the bit as soon as soft tissue is encountered. I was told with some mirth that the first three holes give the skull the appearance of a bowling ball <heh heh>. Of course, the number of holes required depends on the size of the piece to be removed. Once the holes are drilled, the skull is sawn open by connecting the holes; this is done with a drill also, using a cutting bit, similar to using a Dremel with a cutting bit. Then the piece is placed in a safe area while the surgeon does his more tedious work inside.

When the skull section is replaced, small titanium plates are installed over each hole to secure the bone in place. The surgeon had a mock-up skull in his office which shows the size of the holes and the plates, which look a bit like metal snowflakes.

Obviously, the difference between my surgery and this mock-up is that the cut was larger and sort of oval-shaped, and required eight of these holes and corresponding plates.

Recovery

Once I recovered from the anesthesia, I was very much my former self. I remained in ICU for two nights and got no rest whatsoever, but I was generally in very good shape. I received anti-seizure medication and lots of morphine those first two days.

The doc visited me around 5:30 each morning, and on the second day, he told me I would be free to go home after breakfast. True to form, I promptly removed all electrodes, etc. and went to the bathroom unescorted, which caused a bit of consternation among the ICU nurses, who promptly hooked me back up with a minimum of scolding.

On my return home, I used a couple of walking sticks to get around for a few days … started out using two, then went to one, and then when my shoulder and arm began to ache a bit from using it, I gave it up. I was a bit shaky for a few days, but recovered well. I had a home-care PT nurse for two weeks, but quickly met all the goals they set. I had my follow-up with surgeon on Dec. 23, which is when I learned what had actually happened in surgery, and was fully discharged from home PT on Dec. 26.

I have been told that I will be free to drive again once my anti-seizure prescription has run its course; that will be around January 12th or so.

Christmas This Year

Occurring not much more than two weeks following surgery, Christmas this year was a time for recuperation, and my wife and I stayed home. I had some visits from children and grandchildren around the holidays, and my brother and his wife came up from Louisiana to visit on the Saturday after Christmas which was a pleasant surprise. My wife bought a large fire pit for the deck, as she knows I love to stay outdoors, and so we sat around the fire with my brother and a couple of our friends that Saturday. I cooked up some food on the grill. For New Years, we again sat around the fire with friends, eating and drinking and making merry until we saw the new year roll in.

Birthday Bash, And Back To The Music

As soon as I was able – while still using walking sticks – I got back to piddling around with the mandolin and guitar. It took a short while for my fingers to begin really finding their way around, but I was doing pretty good. I have a makeshift music room about three miles from our residence, and my wife has driven me there and back numerous times.

I play a monthly gig on the first Friday of each month, and this month that date fell upon my 70th birthday – January 3! So my first big outing was to play that gig, and I had a blast. Our current lineup consists of two guitarists, me on mandolin, and a female vocalist. I went for a practice session Thursday, and brought a song I’d worked up – Copperhead Road (Steve Earle, 1988) – which was a big hit with the crowd that Friday night.

Some friends went in to the venue early and decorated the place up for my 7oth. Some of my children and grandchildren showed up for the gig and party, as well as friends who are regulars at our gigs. It was a truly awesome time! Wore me out a bit, but I was still able to get in the groove and add mandolin to the mix in a meaningful way. It was like a miracle that I was able to gig only a few weeks after brain surgery.

Looking Forward

At present, most of the sores on my head, left over from the incision, are continuing to heal. Sometimes they itch like crazy, and sometimes I scratch, though I know I shouldn’t. By the middle of January, I should have my truck out of the shop, and I’ll be able to drive again, and I’ll be able to imbibe an alcoholic beverage again if I choose to. Honestly, I was terrified of the surgery, and terrified that my brain would be damaged, and terrified that the recovery would be difficult, prolonged, and painful. The actual experience has been so much better than I imagined that it seems miraculous.

I’m a happy man, I love my life. I love my wife, Denise, and thank her for taking good care of me. I appreciate our good friends, Peter and Theresa, who took us to the hospital and brought us home, and spent time around the fire with us. I’m thankful for my family, for my friends who follow our music, for the ability to play, and for the prospect of resuming our travels and camping trips in March.

Next up, I’m due for an MRI and follow-up visit with the surgeon in February. I’ll be sure to let everyone know the results. Thanks to all my readers who have kept me in your thoughts and prayers through this journey.

Keep on picking!