SunshineWalker/Katie Had Major Surgery - 2X in the Past 2 Weeks

I've been less active on the forum for some time. I've been dealing with my normal health issues (mostly kidney transplant related) and work stuff, but also, SunshineWalker/Katie, has been sick for months.

She started having a headache soon after we got married (we were married in May). It was intense and constant. Originally, the doctor thought it was a tension headache, but nothing touched it. Not muscle relaxers, not painkillers, etc. After weeks of worsening pain, we got a CT Scan and there appeared to be a mass in her skull/brain in the petrous apex (basically the part of the skull behind the ear). For a while, we didn't get answers, and didn't know if it was something serious like a tumor or cancer. After getting bounced around to different doctors for a month, I called in a favor at Yale New Haven Hospital here in Connecticut (where I had my kidney transplant and get much of my care). We quickly got into to see one ENT but he was pretty sure he wasn't the guy we needed. He focused on sinuses, and this was a "lateral issue" being in the petrous apex. He ordered more scans and told us to see his associate, who specialized in this region.

They told us we could see the specialist in 2 months! I raised holy hell and told them to call if there was a cancelation; we would be there. Katie could barely work and was a wreck and in pain all the time, 24/7. The pain was also getting worse every day. We ended up getting in to see the doctor/surgeon within a week and he told us he was pretty sure that this was not cancer or a tumor. He diagnosed Katie with a cholesterol granuloma. It's basically a benign fatty cyst that can form in the skull and when it gets big enough, it puts pressure on the skull/brain and causes intense headaches that do not quit.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. Katie went in for surgery to drain the cyst and put a tube in to help it continuously drain, as if you drain the cyst put do not put a drainage tube in, it will refill again. The surgeon, one of three in the state who does this surgery, said there was a 30% chance of 2-3 months of severe dizziness and balance issues, and a 30% chance of permanent hearing loss in her right ear. That's if everything went well. We discussed the possibility that if things did not look good, he would stop the surgery and go back another day.

After 4 hours of surgery, the surgeon did not like what he saw, pulled out, and Katie woke to intense surgery pain, still having the headaches, and the knowledge that she would have to do the surgery again. We were all upset. However, the surgeon stuck to the plan and I respect that. If he had continued to drill, there was a large possibility of worse outcomes (facial paralysis, permanent dizziness issues, etc.)

Katie got more imaging, and the surgeon now had a reference point (the path he had already drilled) to see how best to drain the cyst.

The surgeon went in yesterday, successfully drained the cyst, and Katie can hear and her balance appears intact. PHEW!

She's already starting to feel better and I am being nurse and helping with her meds and pain management, etc.

I wanted to share this with everyone as I feel part of this community and a) wanted everyone to know what we've been dealing with, and b) explain why I've been fairly absent of late.

We will know for sure if the cyst was indeed the cause of the pain in the next week or so as swelling goes down. However, all indications are good. The doctor figures 99% it was the cause.

Prayers and well wishes being sent your way. Hope for the best outcome possible.

Oh wow, what an ordeal! Yes, I've wondered about Katie being so quiet lately, but just figured you're both busy & all that. I hope she continues to improve with
no complications...we just never know what life will hand us, do we? She's lucky to have you by her side, Dave (& I know that works both ways). Here's to both
your health & happiness! You're a valued part of this forum... :sunny:

(& since these headaches started shortly after you 2 got hitched, I'm so glad you weren't to blame for the "headaches" Dave, hahahaha!)

Oh wow, hopefully she feels better soon and she makes a full recovery.

Sorry to hear about the ordeal you guys are having to go through. I wish you and your wife the absolute best.

Wow, wow, wow, so sorry to hear of this.

Prayers up!

Oh my goodness! That's quite the ordeal you two have been going through - glad to hear that things are starting to look up now. I hope Katie has a speedy recovery!

So glad the surgery went as well as planned this time round dave
Fingers crossed she's back on her feet soon
Good luck

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I wish you both luck on a speedy recovery!

I'm praying for you both Katie and Dave!

Oh my goodness! Thank you for updating us, you and Katie are definitely beloved members of our little community here.

Sending all my love and best wishes to you both.

Katie, I wish you a speedy recovery and hope the worst is behind you. Sending hugs your way.
Dave, you're an awesome man and a great husband. I'm sure you being by Katie's side through all of this made it so much easier on her than it would have been without you.

Please keep us posted, you're both in my thoughts.

My God you have both been put through the wringer by the sounds of it. :O

All my wishes for a speedy recovery and that her pain is a thing of the past. :please:


del

THANK YOU!

All of your support means the world to me and to Katie.

She's progressing well although today was a little bit of a setback as she had some dizziness. It appears that's medicine and exhaustion related, not due to any issues from the surgery. We will know for sure in the next few days.

We both spent most of the day in bed.

Thank you all again and I will keep everyone posted.

Wow Dave! That's quite the ordeal that you both have been going through. Thanks for sharing with us. We'll all be praying for the both of you!!

What a stressful time you have had! I'm so glad the problem was finally able to be fixed, but how scary! Glad she was able to keep her hearing and balance too!

i'm sending good vibes your way. i hope Katie makes a speedy recovery and glad that u are there as her rock.

Prayers are going up for both of you and I wish your wife a continued speedy recovery! :please:

Prayers, big prayers

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the prayers and the kind words. I think they are working because I am starting to feel better!

My ear right now feels clogged, and "rings" alot. I cannot tolerate lying on my right (surgical side), which is a pain because apparently that is typically my position of choice as I cannot get comfortable to sleep easily on my left side.

It's very bizzare that I have been out of work as long as I have. I was talking with my family today, and literally this is the first time that I have had this long of a chunk of time unemployed since Junior year of high school. Two of the weeks I was really in recovery/sleep mode, but now I'm starting to putter around the house and using the opportunity to get some cleaning and decluttering completed.

Dakski has been a godsend, even though this has been incredibly hard on him. He has been there for me in so many ways and I don't know what I would do without him. Thank you all for thinking of me! Lots of love. Katie

Hey, it's SO great to hear from you! What a terrible thing to go through...I hope it's smoother sailing from now on. Hugs from all of us! :grouphug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SunshineWalker

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for the prayers and the kind words. I think they are working because I am starting to feel better!

My ear right now feels clogged, and "rings" alot. I cannot tolerate lying on my right (surgical side), which is a pain because apparently that is typically my position of choice as I cannot get comfortable to sleep easily on my left side.

It's very bizzare that I have been out of work as long as I have. I was talking with my family today, and literally this is the first time that I have had this long of a chunk of time unemployed since Junior year of high school. Two of the weeks I was really in recovery/sleep mode, but now I'm starting to putter around the house and using the opportunity to get some cleaning and decluttering completed.

Dakski has been a godsend, even though this has been incredibly hard on him. He has been there for me in so many ways and I don't know what I would do without him. Thank you all for thinking of me! Lots of love. Katie

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Honey, While you are puttering around and cleaning, why don't you clean some reptile tanks?

All kidding aside, the BP.net community has been awesome and I've been showing SunshineWalker the posts along the way. I am glad everyone got to hear from her today.

I am also incredibly relieved she's feeling better.

I had a bad day health wise, and spent most of it in bed, as my normal health issues on top of being a caregiver for close to month, got the best of me. I wish Katie could sleep too, but, on the plus side, the house is looking great! :).

I couldn't be more proud of SunshineWalker. She's such a trooper and has pushed through pain, anxiety, and uncertainty of late while still being my best friend and supporting me (with Toref, work, my health, etc.). I am a lucky guy.

It's so good to hear from both of you!!!

Katie, I'm glad you're feeling better and on the up-and-up!! That's great news :D
Don't push yourself though, if you're body tells you you're doing too much, listen. I only say that because as I've gotten older I've finally started listening to my body. Turns out it's usually right, hahhahaha. If only I knew that 20 years ago...
It was so great seeing you on here catching us up. I'm glad you're feeling the BP.net love, we truly have a great community here. Keep up the great work and know our support and love are continued.


Dave, sorry you had a down day today. Hopefully getting some rest today gets you feeling better too. Now that Katie is feeling better don't be afraid to get some rest for yourself, you need it and deserve it my friend.


To both of you, hearing you guys share glimpses into your lives and love for one another is inspiring. Your positivity and support for one another is uplifting in a time when this works needs it. You two are each other's angels, the same way I see my beautiful fiance. In all honesty, you two make me that much more excited to be engaged, and next year married, to my best friend and my angel. Thank you.

I truly wish you both all the best.
---Craig

I'm so glad to hear that Katie is on the mend and I hope you start to feel a bit better soon Dave
Cheers Rich

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I hope the recovery is going well for Katie! Blessed thoughts and well wishes sent to you and yours! We are fortunate to have loved ones to help us through these times. This is the second time I’ve had surgery that disables me to a point and my husband has always been there for me with anything I need. Blessed be David!


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I hope this day finds both of you, Katie & Dave, feeling much better. :sunny:

Katie saw the surgeon today and is cleared to go back to work next week.

He says the pain she is feeling is normal given the type of surgery and having two surgeries two weeks apart. He feels she is progressing nicely, but warned her the pain could get a little worse before it gets better because of nerves growing back.

The important thing is although Katie still has pain, she feels that it's surgery related pain and the headache that lasted for months, appears to be gone. I don't want to sell the farm yet, but those are her words and I think we are both optimistic.

Thank you all again for the support. We both appreciate it and it meant a lot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dakski

Katie saw the surgeon today and is cleared to go back to work next week.

He says the pain she is feeling is normal given the type of surgery and having two surgeries two weeks apart. He feels she is progressing nicely, but warned her the pain could get a little worse before it gets better because of nerves growing back.

The important thing is although Katie still has pain, she feels that it's surgery related pain and the headache that lasted for months, appears to be gone. I don't want to sell the farm yet, but those are her words and I think we are both optimistic.

Thank you all again for the support. We both appreciate it and it meant a lot.

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That's great news dave.
So glad the surgery seemed to have worked for Katie and you can both get back to some normality

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That’s great news!!!! Keeping the positive vibes going!


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Yay!!! Great news!!!

Thanks for the update, Dave. I'm glad things are progressing in a positive direction for both of you.

Katie, keep the positivity going, it's obviously working!!!

Wishing you both the best today and every day.