If you're reading this and wondering why I didn't post an update at 2 months post-op, the reason is simple: at that point I felt like I was making progress very slowly and I didn't know what to write. So I didn't.
However, shortly after that point I began having days with less pain. I would wake up with a lot of pain, take a Tylenol, and go through the rest of the day feeling pretty good. I was taking half the amount of Tylenol & Advil that I took in the first month. I started building up my exercise again, working up to 60 minutes of exercise bike every day. My incision looked great and I thought I had finally gotten over the hump.
But nothing in life is simple. Brain surgery was relatively easy. Recovering? Well, that's not so easy. A couple weeks ago my pain (feels like brain swelling, I've been assured it isn't but I don't think I agree) suddenly came back. Plus, in the last week my nausea has returned, starting after lunch and lasting until bedtime. I don't know why these things are recurring. I've been sleeping, exercising, and eating well. I feel like I'm doing the most I can.
I'd like to insert here that the 16-year headache I had before my surgery is COMPLETELY GONE. COMPLETELY. That entire region of my brain is basically numb, like I close my eyes and picture it, but I can't feel anything there. So the pain I'm talking about now is since the surgery itself.
My follow-up neurosurgeon is concerned for me. He claims I shouldn't have had pain after the first two weeks. Well, I'm sure he is very smart and skilled. He did a great job opening and closing my incision. Having said that... Brain surgery is incredibly specific to each person, so the recovery is more of an art than a science. I'm not saying something isn't wrong; but I feel in my gut that this is just a dip in the road.
I am going to get an MRI soon as well as see an ophthalmologist. I hope these visits will offer some sort of explanation as to why I'm dealing with so much pain & nausea again. For now I just have to do the best I can to keep myself healthy. And try not to beat myself up. -_-
