Hello All~
This is Katy Presson - Mark's daughter. My dad asked me to keep everyone updated on his surgery today. He just went in and the doctor said surgery should last approx. 4 hours - which would be around 1pm here in STL. If you pray - keep the prayers coming! He needs support more now than ever. Thanks everyone! I'll post updates as I hear them.
~ Katy
definetly will be praying!
give your Dad a big hug
Dear Katy,
Thank you for joining us. I’ve had an MVD as well. Mine took 6 hours, so don’t panic if it takes a little longer, ok? I know that the hours are going to drag for you, until he comes out. Everything will be fine, ok? You have a highly skilled surgeon working on him. My prayers are with you both today. Stay strong, we are here to support you if you need it.
Lily
Hi, Katy
I am fairly new to this site. He will be in my prayers. I have another friend on another support site who is also having MVD surgery today. She is having her surgery in Pittsburgh. I had MVD surgery in Aug. of this year and it was supposed to last 4 hours and it took only 2 hours. The recovery might seem tough at first, but it is so worth it. Do keep us posted!
Linda
UPDATE ON MY DAD: They are finished with the surgery. The doctor said he did just fine and everything went smoothly. He is already awake and talking to the doctor & nurses. The doctor also said that he is moving his head/arms/legs just fine. He’ll be in intensive care until tomorrow. Thanks for all the well wishes!!!
Great news Katy! He’s lucky to have you :o)
Lily
Good to hear!!!
ANOTHER UPDATE: I just talked to my dad on the phone. He sounded really well considering! He is having some pain at the incision but they’re going to get him some good meds for that. =) They already have him on a regular diet - so he got to order a yummy dinner. Since he’s in intensive care tonight I’m going to wait to visit until tomorrow after work when he’s in a regular room. I’ll be bringing him his favorite dinner - Lions Choice roast beef sandwich.
He wanted me to let everyone know that the doctor told him he had lots of adhesions from the gamma knife surgery 6 years ago - which is why the MVD took a little longer than expected. He also had a vascular loop (no idea what that means). But he’s in good spirits and will hopefully recover quickly. He says “hi and thank you” to everyone thinking about him today.
~ Katy
Hi Katy,
A vascular loop means that there was a blood vessel pressing up against his trigeminal nerve. This is a common cause of TN. If the NS thought that the situation merited it, he would have inserted a teflon shield between the nerve and the vein. Often the pulsing of the artery/vein wears the myelin (protective) sheath off of the outside of the nerve, leaving raw nerve fibers to be aggravated by the continued pulsing. The teflon becomes the protective cover for the nerve. Hope that this helps. I’m so glad to hear that he is doing so well!!
Lily
Thanks Katy,
Continue to let us know. And I’m praying for him.
Liz
Hi, Katy
I am so glad to hear your Dad is doing so well. Sounds like his surgery went real well and he is doing good. Tell him I will continue to pray for his recovery. Thank you so much for keeping us posted.