Hi all.  Tom G. here!
   Well the surgery went well r Connolly said that everything went as well as it could have gone and that the donor vessel was perfect and healthy.
Now I have a question.  Am I the only one that was in a lot of pain after surgery?  Most of you that I've read about or talked to said that just some tylenol and you felt fine.  I was in tremendous pain and the hospital was stingy with their pain meds.  I'm just starting to feel a little better now.  Well it's over with and I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support, that really does help Now it's just time to wait for the artery to take root and do it's thing.
I have a seven to eight inch scar running from my head down through my temple and through the jaw muscle. 
   Should I post a picture?

   I'm also thinking of answering the door on Halloween and scaring the bejeezers out of the neighborhood kids what do you think

So take care and thanks for being so nice to my wife.

Tom G.

Tom,

First of all, glad all went well!  ;  I had no doubts about you, though.  I know you're one tough cookie!  

Hey, I don't remember being in pain when I was released from the hospital, but I remember having to take Vicodin, one tablet 2x daily. I do remember the area being "numb" for the most part.  It's wierd.  If anything, I think I'm feeling more "pain" now.  I get sharp sudden flashes of pain sometimes.  I also can feel something (i.e. like an alien) moving when I sit up or lay down.  I'm thinking it's the pressure of the blood.  I don't hear the whooshing that many here have spoken about though.  I also feel a sense of "tightness" when I squint my right eye (surgery was on my right side) or try to open my mouth wide.  

Immediately after surgery, I was in the NICU for about 3 days and was given Morphine intravenously.  Then, when I was transferred to the "step-down" unit, I was given Percaset (sp?), and when they discharged me, about 8 days from when I was admitted, they prescribed Vicodin.  

Wow, Tom, how long were you in the hospital total?  It seems like you were just in and out!    Amazing!  (You showing off again?  hee hee hee)

Yes, do post a picture.  At least, I'm interested.  I posted a pic of my incision, and then I realized I should've sent another somewhat "normal" picture since not many others sent in pics of their incision.  It's great to see what other's looks like.  

About Halloween...Tom, you definitely still got your humor!  I like that about you!  
Quote:
 I got a kick out of "bejeezers."  Hey, I was the "coolest" mom amongst my son's friends when I showed them my scar before my hair started growing back.  My son said it looked like I went to war and back!

Last, but not least, please thank Debbie for keeping us informed about your progress!  Tell her not to be a stranger!  

Take care,
Shan

Hi Tom,

WOW! That was quick!

I'm glad to hear your surgery went well and didn't affect your sense of humor.

Kevin (Cubbie) had lots of pain. He was on Vioctin and then Codeine type pain killers.  He was on the pain killers for about 2 - 3 weeks after the second surgery.  He had 2 STA-MCA's back to back.  He thought the pain might be the muscle that they laid back during surgery or heck just anything from slicing his head on both sides and having one 8 1/2 hour and one 9 1/2 surgery.

As for Halloween, You can't get more realistic than an actual 7 inch scar down the side of your head to your jaw muscle. 

Sure, post your Halloween picture. LOL!

Lore

Shan,

You too have been through a lot. 

I think the thing to keep in mind, especially with Kevin, is he had a significant stroke and his two surgeries were absolutely in an effort to save his life. He had no options and no time left.  He was in pretty bad shape.  Not all MMers are in such bad shape... not at the extreme stage and progression Kevin was at the time and some only require one surgery or can have surgical intervention other than the STA-MCA.  It goes without saying, that MMers are all different, some worse than others. My thought is it makes no difference whether it is one or two surgeries it's no "walk in the park".

I'm sure there are days when Kevin would like to give me a "good swift kick in the you- know- where" too.

I don't deserve nor would I ever consider a "pat on the back" for taking care of Kevin.  It is simply the right thing to do. I try to live my life by the saying "do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  When our parents where alive they would say "you better learn to get along because when we're gone there will only be you kids".  Well, our parents are deceased and so is our older brother.  That just leaves me and Kevin. We were brought up with a strong sense of family is family and you look out for each other. Wow! What a concept!

Tom, sorry to use your post to talk about Kevin.  Not intended to take away from your recent MM debut (LOL).  Kevin and I have a saying "Anyday above ground is a good day".

Take care

Lore   

     

Hi Tom!  Welcome home!  Glad to hear you are doing so well.  I'm sorry, I can't give you much advice on after surgery pain.  I was one of those people that just took tylenol as needed...Wish I could offer more insight...

-Shari

Tom,
I hurt quite a bit.  I needed Vicoden for around a month and....three months post-op I am still taking Darvocet .  But, I had killer headaches prior to surgery, so who knows?!

I am simply thrilled to read that you are home, safe and sound.  Your message was full of your great humor!  Keep recovering and healing. 
lots of hug,
Stephanie

Lore wrote on Oct 7^th, 2005 at 7:36am:


 

Without a doubt, this will become a favorite saying of mine!   

-= Dewski =-