up and coming surgery

[Lindyloo]

Hi all,

I have not visited this site in a while. I have now been through 3 appointments with my Neuro Surgeon as he adivsed that my anni is in fact 7.4mm (not 5 as previously thought). At first the docs told me that the anni could be coiled but now they have told me that due to the shape (wide neck) they will have to clip insted. Really scared to go throu with the op! I have a fab little 12 year old girl who is very protective of her mum and this is my main worry as I do not know what to prepare her for. My boyfriend has been great but I still worry how her life will be effected.

Right now I am feeling that the doctors just do not know what we go through as the patient....no bed side manner. My surgeon seemed to get irrated as I asked for a second appointment before making my decision on surgery.

I have also been told that I have a second anni on the other side of my head but this is only small so trying just to forget about it.

Gave up smoking as this has made me relize how important living really is!!!!:)

Does any one have any adivse how I will look & feel after the op...Iknow everyone is different but just need to know what to prepare for.

[snowy]

Welcome, I havn't had my clipping yet. I'm schedualed for the 12th. It is scary. Mine is 4.5 irregular. Read the blogs like Viper 's they explain alot of what you go through. My NS was irritated too when I put it off till I did more reserch.It's a very personal decision. You'll get alot of support here. My thoughts and prayers are with ya. :)

[jacoco]

Dear Lindyloo,
As you said, every surgery is different. Mine was relatively easy. I had my anne clipped in May. Luckily I had both my parents, my husband, and a 10 and 16 year old to help me. I slept A Lot the first month. I still tire easily. That has been the hardest thing for me. It was/is difficult to look at me and tell I've had surgery. The incision was about 1/4 inch wide, and they burried it in my bangs. I was not prepared for the black eye/swollen eye. It goes away quickly, but I was too drugged up to realize that for a couple of days. :) I thougth I was going to look like a boxer for the rest of my life. I was lucky with no complications, and little memory loss or speech complications. There is a bit, but I hope it will be 100% soon. I was lucky and did not have to go back to work for 3 months. The time was a blessing. I'd encourage you to allow yourself as much time as possible. I imagine, like me, you are most concerned about your child. I talked with my 10 year old and tried to explain that it was not likely, but that I might have short term memory loss. He said "Oh, like Dory!" (from Finding Nemo) and he laughed his head off. In the ICU, I croaked out "Just keep swimming" and all the worry left his face! My thoughts and prayers are with you. This site helped me have/keep sanity during this ordeal. I encourage you to keep posting and asking questions--here and with your doctors. Ask loads of questions--it's your body! You might look for a second opinion. My NS called me at home twice, and talked to me about what could/would happen. He's the MOST unpretentious man in a field where he could rightly have a huge ego. He did great surgery to top it off! Good docs are out there; good luck finding the right one for you.
Warm wishes and loads of prayers coming your way,
jacoco