I arrived at the hospitals Surgery center at 5:20am on 11/23/11 with a TN pain level of about 8. I was checked in quickly. I filled out paper work about life saving options, organs donation etc... THey called me back to the pre-prep area where they asked me to strip and change into a gown. The nurse then asked me a series of questions regarding my health. They then started an IV line, Gathered my belongings and gave them to my family. The nurses let all the family that was with me come in and wait until they were ready to take me into the surgical waiting area. Soon, i said my goodbyes, got all my tears out and i was ready! They wheeled me into another room, where my surgeon was. He asked if i was ready, when i gave him the ok he left to scrub up. The anesthesiologist came next and ask if i had any questions. I told him to please pay close attention to my blood sugar. ( its wacky at times) He then told me he was gonna give me something to relax cuz my heart rate was rising. It didnt put me to sleep, but did relax me. 5 minutes later they told me "its time" and wheeled me to the OR. There, i hopped onto the OR table. There were about 7-10 people in there, several trays with surgical equipment on them and of course the ominous OR lights. I layed back and my surgeon told me " your TN pain will all be over soon, your going to fall asleep now". The surgery lasted almost 3 hours.
In what felt like 5 minutes, i was awake and propped up in my bed, waving my hands frantically cause i was about to vomit. The nurse quickly gave me a basin and i got it out. I fell right back to sleep. I was moved to a room, where my partner and family were waiting for me. I could hear them talking but i could barely answer. I felt no pain at all. I slowly started to wake up and very quickly asked that the catheter be removed. People had come and gone to visit. I barely remember who actually came. By the evening I had come out of the drugged up feeling. I had vomitted a couple more times. They gave me a medicine for that and it didnt happen again. Soon the pain from the MVD started setting in. I had a HORRIBLE headache. Similar to maybe being hit in the head with a sledgehammer! But as soon as i said the word pain i was offered morphine. IT didnt completely relieve me, but it was enough. My neck was stiff, my vision was blurry and I felt dizzy just laying there. BUT the TN pain was gone. I could feel where they messed around inside my head to the T. I could feel that the right side of my head was very swollen. I could feel the staples. But weird enough, most of the right side of my head was numb. I kept wondering, how this was happening. Well I figured it out, the outside (scalp) was numb, but the inside was in PAIN. I stayed over night, waking up about every hour to switch positions. Sleeping is not easy with your head cut open and staples closing it. i could feel every little ounce of blood rushing around through my head, making a swishing sound with the beating of my heart. I needed/recieved morphine about every 2-3 hours. I was up and down on my own throughout the night to use the bathroom. When i woke up the morning the pain was worse. I felt like an elephant stepped on my head. More visitors, more meds, hospital food etc... i was released on 11/24/11 around 7:30. I came home and have been trying to rest. But im just so anxious to get back to life. My youngest kids were at grammas so the house was calm and quiet. Friends brought me a THanksgiving plate.
Since ive been home. The pain has worsened by the day. But i have hope that its gonna switch up and soon it will start getting better. Im applying ice to relieve the swelling and taking the pain meds as needed. Walking slow, talking softly and trying to take it easy.
So far, the pain is manageable and the MVD was totally worth it for me. Oh if you are like me and desperate to have clean hair, DO NOT waste your money on the "spray shampoo" it doesnt work. I had my partner wash my hair for me as i layed on the kitchen counter with my head over the sink, worked great!
If anyone has any other questions dont hesitate to ask.