We visited my neurosurgeon,        Dr. Lee today. We reviewed my MRI taken last week, which showed significant improvement from the pre-surgery MRI.  Dr. Lee was pleased with the shrinkage of the cyst and the ventricles. My headaches  still exist  with a  level 4/10 most days; more of an annoyance now than the debilitating headaches as they were before. I’m taking ibuprofen and Tylenol to manage those and I’m still taking Topomax (a common maintenance medicine for people with brain cysts and migraines) to prevent severe symptoms.  It is not a pain medicine, which is why I am able to drive now.  I still have pain in my head when I bend over (from pressure),  I have issues with my balance,  I have short-term forgetfulness, although all of that is not nearly as bad as it was before surgery.

Dr. Lee explained that these symptoms can be a result of my brain adjusting to the new space in my head; the cyst that had been there for years is much smaller than it is now than it was before my surgery, leaving space that was never there before.  Perhaps a true version of an airhead now?!

Although another surgery is not out of the question, he has,suggested to  monitor my symptoms for another 3-4 months.  I will see a neurologist to help with prescribing the right medications during this time to help with my headaches.  Dan and I have come to the understanding that Dr. Lee just does brain surgeries, he does not prescribe meds for migraines, so he is passing me on to a neurologist for that purpose.

Am I happy there is not another surgery?  I don't know. Is this good news?  I don't know.  Is this bad news?  I don't know.  All I can say at this point is that I am still in a waiting game and I still have no definite answers.  I understand what Dr. Lee is saying, my brain has only had 5 months with its new space and in the grand scheme of my 54 years, that is not very much time.  I just wanted an answer TODAY!  Doesn't he know we have met our out of pocket for 2021?!

On another note, I am heading to Florida with a friend on Tuesday.  She will stay until Saturday.  Dan will join me in Florida on Sunday.  Dan and I will stay until  Saturday the 16th.  On Sunday the 17th we have reservations to take our hot air balloon ride, which is an anniversary gift from our kids last year that we never got to redeem due to repeated windy weather conditions.

We were expecting me  to have surgery sometime this fall, so now that there is no surgery we can party on!

In the meantime, I will continue to remain on the BCSC substitute teacher list, decorate area homes for the holidays, organize local homes and all the other miscellaneous things I can get myself into.  

As always, I thank you all for your kind cards, endless prayers and understanding when I randomly don't show up due the last minute and unpredictable headache.  

Hugs to all and happy fall ya'll.

Love, Elizabeth