Monday, March 24, 2014

Week 5 Recovery

This week was spent getting use to having no hair.  Everybody that has seen me in person sees why I had to cut it all off so it can grow back evenly.  It is growing very fast so I'm happy with that.  I have been feeling good.  I tried to drive.  I didn't go far but driving was a bit too much for me.  My brain couldn't handle the cars moving around me.  So I won't drive for another couple weeks.  I notice on days that I move around alot I seem to suffer in the evening with head pain. Gotta slow down.  It was so pretty out this weekend. I took my youngest to the playground across the street.  He is a very good listener for a 2 yr old.  Thankfully there was another young woman there with her nephews close to Dylan's age, so they ran him around to help wear him out.  I got tired just watching.  After about  45min I needed to go back in.  I had to bribe him with pizza to get him to leave willingly....lol  I was done for the day and it was only 4pm.  I get very tired after doing simple things like folding clothes or just walking in the store.  Grocery stores are still a bit much.  I went to out to eat Sunday with my family when they came home from church.  We  went to a buffet style place.  Whewwww.  that was an experience.  Way to much going on around me and a little too much noise.  I did enjoy being out but having to walk around to get my food wore me out and was dizzying.  I did so enjoy the time with my family.  Even my Nay was with us.  It felt great having all my kids together.

Recovering from brain surgery is going to take more patience from me.  I see it is going to take a bit longer to get back to "normal" for me. Even if my body can do it the question becomes  can my brain handle it?  So far these days the answer has been NO!.  I want to go to church this week.  I miss church, my church family and just plain old fellowship.  So as long as I am feeling well I will be going.

 Oh guess what MY BIRTHDAY is FRIDAY.  I made it to 44. I have survived and came out stronger. And for the first time I know what I want for my birthday.  I'm going to a restaurant I want( no buffet).  I don't know what else is planned.  My husband is known for surprising me.  My daughter is coming down Sat for a girls day.  I'm excited.  God is soo Good!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Hair

It's funny how when I was diagnosed with breast cancer loosing my breast and my hair was heartbreaking then God spared me and I didn't need chemo or radiation so I was able to keep my hair.  Then came Mindy the Meningioma and I'm told I needed brain surgery.   I wanted to go natural especially when my daughter cut her hair but I was unsure about cutting the relaxer out and having short hair.  I was pending my decision on how much the surgeon was going to shave off for surgery.  When he told me I had my hair cut 2 weeks later and I liked it and was happy with my decision.  I had plan on rocking a mohawk after surgery but after seeing the 3 bald spots from the brace they used on my head and the side that was shaved I couldn't....."BIG SIGH"    I had hubby (he was a barber in the past) shave everything even last night.  All that thick curly hair on the floor.  But I had to do it if I wanted my hair to grow out even.  Because my hair was so thick you couldn't see 2 of the  bald spots when my hair was dry but when was wet.. You really could see all 3.   I laughed when I saw myself in the mirror.  Cancer didn't get my hair but a brain tumor did.  I really don't like Mindy!  Who would have thought 2 years cancer free I would loose my hair.  I'm not as sad about it as I was 2 years ago.  I guess after going thru 6 surgeries in two years and the changes in my body it is easier to accept.  The good thing is my hair grows fast. Plus good with hot flashes..lol  Now I won't be going in public without my head covered.  I am a bit self conscious about the scar along the right side of my head and the 3 bald spots. I do get to wear some pretty scarves and cute large earrings.  I guess I will play around with makeup more.  Also do you know the money I will save on hair care products now.  I thought I was saving when I first cut my hair but now $$$$$$.  Stuff will last me forever now..lol  I can still look cute after water aerobics (when I can start)  It will be cool for the summer and I can wear some cute spring hats.  So there are some good points ..... OH Yeah... my hair will grow back evenly.  My wonderful husband says he still find me sexy.  He even offer to buy a wig for me if it made me feel better(he hates wigs).  I said no just buy me some pretty scarves to wrap my head with.  He really like when I wear the scarves.  All I can do is laugh at all of this.  Who knew that my 40's would be so eventful..lol   Goodness I will be 44 next Friday.  At this rate I will be fully refurbished by the time I'm 50....lol 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Week 4 recovery

Well I am in week 4 of my recovery from brain surgery.  I am doing well. Walking without the walker.  I even got to go for a walk outside on one of the warm days last week.  It felt so good to be outside.  Hubby took me out for a ride and some frozen yogurt on Saturday.  The car ride was ok, became a little nauseous and the sunlight was a bit much but it was nice to out and about.  needed a nap after our little date.  I have been having pain at the incision site.. a throbbing pain. The Dr. office said it was my nerves waking up.  I still have some numb parts on my head.  This weather change has been giving me headaches a lot.  It is called barometer head, where the barometric pressure effects my brain... it sucks.  I can tell you when a storm is coming now.  Oh yeah..... I got to sleep in the bed room last night..YAYYYYYY... I have been sleeping on our love seat to sleep sitting up.  If I lay down flat the pressure hurts quite bit and I will wake up with a headache. I piled up a lot of pillows for support and my neck pillow and I was able to sleep with no pain. I didn't wake up with a headache...now I did slide down some during my sleep but my head was still prop up enough.  It was nice being next to my hubby again  :).  I am not driving yet and I don't bend over anymore.  I do exercise some by doing squats and knee raises.  It feels good.  I do get fatigued easier and more often but I am taking it one day at a time and listening to my body when I need to rest. A lot of noise and lights and motion still bothers me but I feel I'm getting stronger everyday.

  My creative juices have been flowing like crazy.  There is so much I want to make it is hard to know where to start.  So Mindy the Meningioma didn't screw with my creativity. I have been crocheting since it is something I can do sitting still.  I will start sewing next week.  I will start my jewelery making up again also.  I am excited that my head is clear again and I can focus better than before the surgery.  So keep a look out for my creations. Candy J Boutique

Monday, March 10, 2014

Week 3 of Recovery

Week 3 of recovery has been a learning experience.  I have my good days and bad days.  I dunno if I will call it "bad days" maybe more like bad hours.  I have started getting a pain at the incision site.  The PA said that it is the nerves waking up.  I am still numb on some parts of my head.  I do get headaches but not as bad as it was before the surgery.  I am learning my limits.  Like I can bend over but not too much and not too long before my head starts to hurt.  I can walk without the walker. I can't walk at my normal pace.  I have to walk much slower or I will become very dizzy. I can't sleep laying down yet. Too much pressure in my head when I do.  Lots of noise and lights and movement still bother me.... just too much stimulus to the brain.  I feel good.  I can taste food again.  My appetite is back somewhat.  I don't eat a lot at one sitting.  I can cook just not large meals.  Driving is still out.  Looking forward to getting my independence back.  I have been crocheting a lot more and listening to audio books.  The fatigue is still there but I know it will take time to build my stamina back.  I m getting stronger everyday.  Even on the days I feel bad.  I focus on what I can do and each day I am able to do a little more.  I'm not rushing myself cause I am dealing with my brain. My scar is healing well.  I thank God for blessing me with an easy recovery and the warm weather...lol  I can start walking outside now... Yayyyyy!!!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Ups and Downs in One Day

It is exactly 2 weeks today since Mindy the Meningioma was evicted.. WHEWWWWWWW.  I have been doing pretty well. I am walking more and more everyday without the walker.  Thank God for spellcheck cause my spelling has gone downhill since the surgery but that is slowly getting better also.  It's funny because I have to take everyday hour by hour.  Yesterday morning I was up at 3am dancing around ( well the best I can for now...lol) trying to do the yoga tree pose....lol that took about 15min just to get in to the pose..lol  I did 5 squats, 1 push up off the wall... my head didn't like that so I will stick to squats.  Then I was trying to do some zumba without too much head shaking.... that didn't go too well...It was just that I has so much energy and I felt so good at the time.  I even cooked breakfast.  Then I needed a nap.  Everybody was home because of the snow so I did have help around the house.  I wanted to do some laundry... had the energy for 10min.  After I sorted the clothes into 4 piles.  I needed a nap.  It is crazy how tired I get so quickly. Plus the more I try to do the more my head started to hurt. So I was down by 4pm for the rest of the day.  I was able to make dinner.  I wanted spaghetti with italian sausage.  I love to cook.  I am listening to my body during this recovery  period.  I might want to do something but I can only do what my body can.  No extras yet.  If I tried to do more than my body wanted I will get this strong pressure in my head. Sometimes it hurts sometimes it is just very uncomfortable. 

I know this is off subject but I found a bald spot in the back of my head and another one over my left ear.  It is sore there also.  I guess that is where they bolted my head for surgery or something.... but the Bald spot about as big as a 50cent coin.  Now I really don't know what to do about my hair.  I just might be rocking headbands and scarfs and hats until everything grows out. 

I won't be driving anytime soon.  I still have trouble turning my head to the left without feeling like it is stretching my scar.  I feel a lot of pressure in my right ear.  Hope that goes soon also. I can only think it is from my brain healing.Hey I can do a real punk rock look with both sides shaved...lol.  I miss being independent.  I am resting and letting my brain heal.  I only seem to sleep 2 -4 hours at a time.  It doesn't bother me now cause I can rest when I want to (when the kids are gone..lol)