1. apparently my pain nerves are re - growing on my scalp and my scalp/hair is sore. Like it hurts when I run my fingers through my hair. I guess they were damaged when they peeled my scalp back during surgery
2. I can feel 2 of the tiny screws they used to screw the piece of skull they took out to do their exploring. It's weird.
3. Since surgery I've lost close to 40 lbs and am starting to lose my hair
4. My short-term memory is shot. I can remember things that happened long ago, but I can't remember where we parked or what I wore yesterday.
5. Not being able to drive sucks.
I'm open to any questions regarding the procedure and my recovery
ETA - my Dr. Only shaved the area he was cutting vs shaving the entire quadrant. Which is great bc I'm vain and my hair! Lol but it's starting to grow back and it sticks straight up. It looks like a mini - Mohawk.
Yes. This Is normal as the tumor was located where my short term memory Is stored. With time my brain will learn to use other parts of itself to store memory
I'm sorry you're having trouble. How have your follow up appointments been? Is all go that normal? Will it improve?
My first MAJOR follow up is on 8/25. They will do another MRI to see how everything is settling. All f/u's to date have been to see if my wound is healing well and psychiatrist visits since the tumor affected my frontal lobe where my emotions are affected.
Yes. This Is normal as the tumor was located where my short term memory Is stored. With time my brain will learn to use other parts of itself to store memory
Can you get in to see a Speech-Language Pathologist? You should be able to find someone who does outpatient at a hospital or nursing home. Someone with experience with strokes would have lots of tools and tricks to help you maximize your recovery potential and hopefully quicken the recovery time, too. Yes, your brain will heal some on its own, but therapy can (& should!) do wonders!
Yes. This Is normal as the tumor was located where my short term memory Is stored. With time my brain will learn to use other parts of itself to store memory
Can you get in to see a Speech-Language Pathologist? You should be able to find someone who does outpatient at a hospital or nursing home. Someone with experience with strokes would have lots of tools and tricks to help you maximize your recovery potential and hopefully quicken the recovery time, too. Yes, your brain will heal some on its own, but therapy can (& should!) do wonders!
I don't have a tumor nor am I a doctor but I get ECT every few years for anxiety and short term memory loss is a side effect. I was told by my doctors that short term memory loss is perfectly normal pretty much any time you start physically fucking with a brain.
Post by allaboutme on Jul 30, 2014 20:11:24 GMT -5
Is there any type of 'therapy they can get you in like; physical therapy, or occupational therapy, or like Lilac mentioned speech therapy to help you get stronger or back to where you were pre Timmy? Did they mention when the screws would come out? I'm sorry you are having some of these post op problems, sending you my best.
Is there any type of 'therapy they can get you in like; physical therapy, or occupational therapy, or like Lilac mentioned speech therapy to help you get stronger or back to where you were pre Timmy? Did they mention when the screws would come out? I'm sorry you are having some of these post op problems, sending you my best.
Screws stay forever. They will prescribe therapy if they see the need. But honestly, I'm pretty much back to normal. Physically, i look like i did pre-tumor. Most people I talk to are shocked when I tell them I've had surgery a couple of months ago.
Please do. Better yet, just tell him you need a referral. Not all doctors are proactive about therapy, but the benefits are amazing! (And any SLP who works with adults would LOVE to work with someone like you!)
In the meantime, you could also try some apps that are geared toward memory/brain development. I can't think of the big one, but a search will give you lots of free options. They'll be frustrating at first, I'm sure...but hopefully over time, you'll see some improvements. ETA: the app I was thinking of is called Luminosity.
Just don't sit back and wait for it to happen. A few minutes of work a day can make a big difference!
Is there any type of 'therapy they can get you in like; physical therapy, or occupational therapy, or like Lilac mentioned speech therapy to help you get stronger or back to where you were pre Timmy? Did they mention when the screws would come out? I'm sorry you are having some of these post op problems, sending you my best.
Screws stay forever. They will prescribe therapy if they see the need. But honestly, I'm pretty much back to normal. Physically, i look like i did pre-tumor. Most people I talk to are shocked when I tell them I've had surgery a couple of months ago.
Don't people notice that you've lost 40 lbs and that you're losing your hair? That seems like a pretty big change. Are those things also typical side effects?
Screws stay forever. They will prescribe therapy if they see the need. But honestly, I'm pretty much back to normal. Physically, i look like i did pre-tumor. Most people I talk to are shocked when I tell them I've had surgery a couple of months ago.
Don't people notice that you've lost 40 lbs and that you're losing your hair? That seems like a pretty big change. Are those things also typical side effects?
Yes my dr's have noticed and are monitoring me. It's mostly stress/depression/anxiety related. That and the medication makes me not hungry.
I'm glad it went well. Take care of yourself. 40 pounds in a few months is a lot of weight, maybe talk to your doctor or a nutritionist of some super foods that will help with protein/vitamins that you need.
Post by wildfloweragain on Jul 31, 2014 11:39:22 GMT -5
A girlfriend of mine had a grapefruit sized tumor taken out of her head and not too long after that, she lost a lot of hair. A LOT, not like after pregnancy. It came back, though. She is doing great!
A girlfriend of mine had a grapefruit sized tumor taken out of her head and not too long after that, she lost a lot of hair. A LOT, not like after pregnancy. It came back, though. She is doing great!
I had posted this a while back when I found out, but the tumor is benign! No other treatments except for regular MRIs (like every 6 months) to monitor.
Post by cinnamoncox on Jul 31, 2014 12:26:27 GMT -5
I'm concerned about the weight, are your doctors encouraging you to eat even if not hungry from meds? You could try carnation instant breakfast, just to make sure you are at least getting nutrients.
I think the hair falling out post op is common , any operation.
It won't be able to properly grow back if you aren't getting enough nutrients so I strongly suggest talking to doctor about your nutritional health. I get it's great being a size 2, but make sure you're also healthy.
I'm concerned about the weight, are your doctors encouraging you to eat even if not hungry from meds? You could try carnation instant breakfast, just to make sure you are at least getting nutrients.
I think the hair falling out post op is common , any operation.
It won't be able to properly grow back if you aren't getting enough nutrients so I strongly suggest talking to doctor about your nutritional health. I get it's great being a size 2, but make sure you're also healthy.
I'm eating every meal, but I'm just eating A LOT less. For example, if we go out, I usually order of the kids menu and have trouble eating it all, but I can usually finish.