Detethered 11-16-2010

We made the exciting trip to New York City and my surgery went pretty uneventful. When I woke up, I did not have a headache! That was the first time that I can remember not have a headache, possibly in my life. I had to lay completely still for 24 hours. Justin was able to stay in a fold out bed/chair, the entire time. Thank goodness. The caliber of nurses are no where near that of the nurses that I work with! And that is no joke! One nurse ran and antibiotic without running it through a pump, without a saline flush, and then went to lunch. Thank goodness, I am smart enough to stop it prior to air running into my veins. I could go on and on about that but the Doctors were awesome. Now I understand when Dr B gives me a hard time about being a nurse. The first time I told him I was a "bossy nurse", he said "you don't even have to say those two words together".

I was released from the hospital a full three days early. Then we flew home two days earlier than planned. My brother, sister, and Justin were with me the entire time. I was doing quite well walking around the room. My speech was clear, my shaky booty was gone, I could turn my neck from side to side. Yay! My cognitive function has not come back completely yet. Time....Kelli....time! I was even able to walk down the hall of the hotel without any assistance. Now I just need a cane instead of a walker or wheelchair. That is a huge relief. We were not sure how much of my leg weakness was permanent. The neurogenic bladder is permanent. I was pretty sure that would be the case anyway. So, all-in-all, I was improving everyday in NYC.

Then we flew home. Keep in mind, New York is Sea Level. Then the plane is pressurized. We stayed in Phoenix for a little bit then made the trip up to a mile high. WOWZA! The mountains from Anthem to Sunset Point I cried my eyes out. It felt like my back was going to blow out and my head was going to pop right off. The next day, Justin went back to work and I was home alone. I had nausea, diarrhea, headache, speech problems, pretty much everything I had before surgery. I cried on and off all day. It was horrendous. I waited another day or so and called the neurosurgeon in NYC the day after Thanksgiving. Can you believe he was there and got right on the phone? Dr B rocks. He asked me a few questions, I joked with him a little, and then told me what to have my primary care physician order for me. I called my PCP, on call, and they were kind enough to call it in. I guess I am getting better everyday but it is hard for me to see. I have been in bed for three days straight (plus the seven months prior to surgery). My head has constant pressure. The speech has cleared up. I have some shaking. I am not sure if it is the medication, the fear that the surgery has not made me completely better, or being stuck in bed for the holidays, but I am very sad right now. My hubby and the kids put the tree up and decorated it today while I layed in bed. I have missed out on so much this year. I hope this is just the beginning of the healing and I will be jumping right out of this bed soon!