Heres what they dont tell you

about brain surgery.

Hi guys, I have put together a bit of "What to expect
when you are having brain surgery" type of story. I
recently had a craniotomy in December 2016 to remove a
Grade I Meningioma about the size of a marble. I have
never had seizures. Thank God! This was just a brain
tumor that was being watched over a few years. It didn't
seem to be growing at a fast rate until my last brain scan.
I'll include pictures so you can see what it looks like in the
MRI.
To anyone about to read my story: First, I want you to
know that whoever you are, I am praying for you! Being a
believer has gotten me through much of this, along with
an amazing support system. If you have no one to pray
with you, I will pray with you. Right now.

Repeat after me: God, I am asking you right now to

comfort me. Lord, Give me the strength to get through
this. I was created for a purpose, God and I know you are
not done with me yet.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
<3
 Here we go, Ashley! Are you ready? The anesthesiologist
asks me before heading back to surgery. I respond I am as ready
as I will ever be. Truthfully, I was not confident that I would come
back to the critical care unit. I know that may be really hard to
fathom, but this is a real story. When I woke up from surgery, I
thought something was severely wrong with me because I could
not stop vomiting. I watched my Aunt and my sister run for the
nurse and a bucket because I had already thrown up all over
myself within seconds of being awake. It didnt stop there, it
happened multiple times during the entire recovery process.
Lets rewind this a little and start from the beginning.

On October 24, 2016 I met with my new neurosurgeon in

Indianapolis (because my last one unexpectedly left for California
in May) and he gave me news that I could not even comprehend. I
heard every word he was saying until he said I needed to have
surgery sometime within the next six months. Every word after
that became a blur to me. I didnt cry, it was almost like I couldnt
feel anything at all. After following the instruction of my last
neurosurgeon, he led me to believe that it would be extremely
rare that I would need surgery any time soon. However, when I
had my next MRI in July it had shown that the meningioma we
were monitoring had more than doubled in size.

I want to share this information because I did not know what

to expect at all. No one in my family (that I know of) has a history
of brain tumors. I just recently had brain surgery on 12/13/16 and
had no idea what to expect! I was told over the phone that the
assistant would mail out my packet of information. As it turned
out, all the packet had inside was a detailed map of the hospital
and the list of things I should not do weeks prior. Such as, no
ibuprophen or blood thinners, no herbal vitamins or supplements
two weeks prior to surgery and nothing to eat or drink after
midnight before surgery day.

I thought I would have this elaborate list of things I can and

cannot do, or even something to the extent of What to expect
when youre having brain surgery. I wanted information because
the internet was not very helpful. It gave a significant amount of
what to expect AFTER but not before and many personal
experiences dealing with a variety of brain surgery experience.

I just want to cut right to the chase. Now, you have an idea of how
eager I was to find out more information. I am prepared to share
with you all that I have learned.

PRE OPERATIVE TESTING

I scheduled my preoperative testing for the day before surgery.
Oops! Little did I know, there were all kinds of preventative
measures that needed to happen (five days) prior to surgery. I
highly suggest getting the testing done five to seven days before
surgery and heres why

1. They need to start you on these vitamin filled shakes five

days before to make sure that you are healthy enough for
surgery.

2. There is this cream they will give you that you have to put in
your nose three times a day for three days to prevent MRSA.
Believe it or not, you are at risk because there are other
patients at the hospital dealing with infectious disease and
your doctors or nurses may be treating them as well.

3. You need to use a spirometer four to five times a day for

several days prior to surgery. This helps prevent pneumonia
because while you are under anesthesia, you take shorter
breathes and there is a chance that the fluid can build up in
the lungs.

4. Exercise. And at least 45 minutes of it. Walking at least once

a day several weeks before surgery. The healthier you are,
the faster you recover. TRUE! But, different for every
situation. I went to the hospital for surgery at 5am on
Tuesday (12/13/16) and was released at 11am on Thursday
(12/15/16).

5. Last but certainly not least, they need blood work and quite
a bit of it. IF you are a hard stick like me, this is usually the
hardest part. It didnt help that I had one of the newer
phlebotomists taking my blood twice in one arm before the
PRO had to step in and take care of things.
Long story short, I had to have thirty minute numbing cream
on my left arm while everything else was happening because
I have a vagal nerve response and Ill pass out easily if
someone sticks me and misses.

I walk into the lab. The first lady calls me back. I show her
my arm and right away I knew she was new because she had
no idea what the cream was or if she should stick the needle
through the cream or clean the area off. LORD, HELP ME. I
said this so many times throughout this experience. And He
certainly was with me the entire times. Anyway, she cleaned
the area, found a really good vein and missed. Ok. Ive been
missed before. She then continued to dig around to try to
recover the vein she went for. OW. It almost hurts thinking
about it.
Naturally, I think that things cant possibly go this bad two
times in a row. Little did I know? She cleaned off my arm
again and did the exact same thing twice in a row. I actually
begged her to stop because the pain was radiating down my
arm.

I immediately had a meltdown. She called for her head

phlebotomist to come in and talk to me and she calmed me
down a little but I was still in shock that it was so hard for
her. I told her I was done. I said I was calling off the surgery
and everything because at that point in time, I felt defeated.
I knew this meant that they would have to stick another arm
and I wasnt mentally prepared for that. She told me
everything was going to be okay and it was. I remember
saying Are you going to be prepared if I pass out? Her
response was You are not going to pass out, I got you She
used a little numbing spray, poked my arm once, got all the
blood she needed (and quickly at that) and I was done. Ill
never forget her name. Before I left, I looked at her and said
Annisha, you are an angel. Thank you for everything.
The Day before Surgery
Walking. Check.

Nose cream. Check.

Bloodwork. Check.

Fasting after midnight. Check.

Spirometer. Check.

Okay, Im ready. Ready as Ill ever be.

The Day of Surgery

My alarm went off at three am. I had to shower with a special

soap that they gave me at the hospital the day before. I was so
nervous; I could hardly sleep the night before. Upon arrival, I
checked into the registration desk, then another registration desk
where they gave us information about where we will be going.

The nurse calls me back; I get into the hospital gown. First order
of business is starting that IV. Another nurse walked into the
room, told me that prior to being a nurse on this level, she had
been poking babies for twenty years so I was CONFIDENT that she
had this!

She looks at my left hand, finds a good vein, about an inch above
my pinky knuckle. Hits it, and begins to flush and it stopped
working. I was almost devastated with how overwhelming sticking
me had become. They didnt waste any time calling in the backup
team and I loved them!

Rob and Mary. The first thing Rob said was If I miss, Mary whops
me in the back of the head, so I dont miss! I loved their senses
of humor. It was probably the first time I laughed that day. I
needed to laugh. He tried in my right arm between my wrist and
forearm and like he promised, he got it on the first shot!

Next order of business, my MRI. After I came out of imaging, the

anesthesiologist was waiting for me to take me back to surgery. I
was able to say goodbye to my family and as he injects the fluid
into my arm I felt myself falling asleep so fast, within thirty
seconds. I looked at them and said okay, I am falling asleep
really fast and then I asked them to pray with me before I went
back. I remember the beginning of the prayer but then I was off to
sleep.

Next thing I know, I am back where I was before in the same

hospital room. My head is wrapped up in what they called a
turban. I seen my family for a few moments and said hi, then I
was immediately feeling like I was going to throw up. I remember
saying Bucket, please And it was too late. I threw up all over
myself. Then threw up in the bucket they gave me, and I was
asleep again.

I woke up several hours later in the ICU and the doctor told me
surgery took a lot less time than expected. I thought that was
awesome news! I just had to take all my medicines and try to
start eating again and I would be okay!

The Day after Surgery

I ordered breakfast first thing, I was starving. I had scrambled

eggs, hash browns, cereal and orange juice. I was so happy to see
the ladies from physical therapy the next day. They said I was the
only patient up and walking that day. I thought it was really
awesome until I looked around and realized most of the other
patients were much older. I did really well on the walk and they
came back the following day and told me I did excellent!
 * This is a picture I took three days after surgery, and the incision actually cut
right into the back of my left ear. (OUCH) This was an awfully big incision for a 3cm
by 10cm meningioma, but thats just my opinion. He said it was the size of a
MARBLE. :/

One month after surgery 1/13/17

I quickly learned over the last month that the pain management
was going to be the least of my worries. My main concern was the
NAUSEA. There were two occasions that I could NOT stop throwing
up. I called Dr. Shahs office and the Nurse highly recommended
that I go to the Emergency Room both times. I took food with my
medicines but that did not stop the throwing up. Maybe thats just
what happens.
*Behind every person is a story. <3

Thats me smiling, embracing life one day at a time.

I wanted to share some of my story as an informative piece more

than anything. I dont know anyone who has gone through this
before. I just really wanted to share my insight, possibly prepare
someone else for what they are about to experience.

First Post-Operative appointment

Do you remember that feeling when you first got your license?
The rush, the excitement, that freeing feeling, that is what it feels
after not being able to drive for an extended period of time. Try
not driving for a day, a week, a month. It is probably one of the
hardest things I have ever experienced. I love feeling free when I
am driving. It has always been so relaxing to drive and listen to
music. I was so happy to have that freedom back!

Here is a list of Questions that I asked my neurosurgeon on

January 27, 2017.

1. When can I return to work? Today.

2. When will the sharp pain in my forehead go away? He said
that it was from the pin which placed my head in the
operating table and that it could be a few months.
3. When can I drive? He asked if I had a seizure. I said no. He
said then you may return to driving.
4. When can I stop taking the anti-seizure medicine (Keppra)?
He said that I could stop taking it immediately. **Which I
thought was interesting because I have always had to
gradually ease off of the medications. But it was only a
preventative medicine after surgery and I have never had a
seizure before in my life.
5. Do I have any restrictions? No, but you may continue to feel
tired for months. (GREAT!) =/

Just when I thought it was over

This news I am about to share caught me completely by
surprise.

I have basically been documenting everything that has

happened to me and that night was rough. I couldnt fall asleep
for anything and I wondered if it was because that night I didnt
take my usual dose of the Keppra (500mg x2 a day) or the fact
that I found out something new that I wasnt expecting.

Apparently I need to have another MRI in February to see if the

brain tumor was completely removed and if it wasnt, then we
 have to track it all over again. He said right now he believes
that he removed it as close to 100% as possible. However, I will
require annual MRIs for the next five years. Just when I
thought it was over. This news caught me completely by
surprise.

Fast Forward to March 2017

It feels like I blink my eyes and months have completley slipped
away. I sleep more than I ever thought possible. It could just be
that I am adjusting back to a normal life. It could be the amount
of emotions I have felt so deeply. I wonder what other people
have felt through this experience.

I want to relate to people going through this. I want to share my

story. I want people who are diagnosed to know that they are NOT
alone and they are not a NUMBER, STATISTIC or a DIAGNOSIS. I
want to share that they are stronger than they ever thought
possible. I never knew how strong I was until being strong was the
only choice I had.

Remember that saying, Take the good with the bad?

I had my post-surgery MRI on Friday March 10, 2017. My

neurosurgeon said this The MRI looks great, but we will
be following up with another MRI in six months because
these tumors are likely to recur).

<3
When people see me, I don't want them to look at me and feel
bad. I have overcome a lot and continue to keep on keeping on! I
have seen the worst times of my life and came out on top. I want
my story to encourage you, I want you to know that you are
strong. I want you to know you are a fighter. I want you to know
you are not alone in this. You are brave. You can do it. If you start
to feel alone, remember there is someone out there cheering for
you! I am cheering for everyone going through a tough situation. I
want you to know you will come out on top too. I want you to be
able to share your story, just like me. This is tough, but you are
stronger than you think you are! I felt incredibly blessed when I
woke up from surgery. It was like I was given a new chance at life.
Every day is a BEAUTIFUL gift. <3

God bless you. God bless your family and friends going through
this with you. God has your back, just like he had mine. <3