After a three-year medical leave, I am returning to scrubbing (surgical technician). It has been a long three years of unsureness as to when I would be able to resume a career that I love. I will be working at a hospital in the Central Ohio area. I tremendously thankful for all the support, encouragement, and prayers in the past few weeks as I have been interviewing and in the past few years.

Update: Before the surgery, Dr. Janis (surgeon) was extremely hesitant in doing this procedure, due to the possibility of Phantom Pain from the root of the remove nerves (even the day of the surgery he tried to get me to change my mind). While I do have phantom pain, it is not as bad as the Occipital Neuralgia. (I have had three episode where it has been worse, but then it went away.) Yesterday, I had a followup with Dr. Janis; he was amazed to hear that I have had minimal phantom pain. He has released me to resume my life. I then had an appointment with Dr. Patel, pain management, and he renewed my medication (non-narcotic) that has been helping with the phantom pain. There is very little knowledge, in-regards to phantom pain with occipital neurectomy, on how long the phantom pain will last or if it will go away. With the new meds, I am relatively pain-free.

These past three years have been filled with hope followed by disappointment. Though I am not entirely done with this season of my life, overall I have not felt this good in three years. I give the Glory to God for all that He has provided for me. I experienced some frighteningly dark times, though with love close friends and guidance from God I was able to get past it. I cannot begin to express my thanks to the host of people who have been praying, supporting, encouraging, and just being there for me during this time.

One of my goals is to get back into the OR as a scrub tech. I really miss scrubbing. Today I had an interview at a hospital that at first I was not excited about but now I am. This the third time in three years I have worn a tie.

I pray that this pain is the storm before the calm.

Update: I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Janis today. He said that the incision is healing well and pulled the drain out. He repeated what he said after the surgery that there was “trauma” to the other nerves and it would take a few weeks for the pain from those nerves to calm down. It could take 3-months before we know if the surgery was a success. He did not want to lean either way right now since there is no way of knowing. I am still on several restrictions: no driving, no lifting more than 5lbs, and limit activity. He said I could resume some activity such as going places at the end of the month. I can resume normal activity after my next appointment at the end of August. The current pain I am having now, we think, is from the nerves that were traumatized during the surgery. It is most painful at night trying to sleep, though today I have been pretty active and I am in pain now. My dad has left to return to Florida. Thank you all for your prayers, texts/calls, and visits.

For this surgery, I am taking six different post-op medications. My “other mom”, made it seven with her exceptionally tasty brownie meds. Thank you, Robin.

After each of my Occipital Neuralgia surgeries, people have brought food to over. I am forever thankful to each person who has done this service. I am especially grateful when their children bring drawings. I cannot say thank you enough!

I am home. Last night was very bad and I did not get any sleep. Please, pray that I will be able to rest this afternoon. Thank you.

I am excited, anxious, nervous, and ready for this surgery. Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. See you on the flip side.

 

The surgery went fine. About 4 hours. Dr. Janis was happy with the procedure. I am in a room now. I am in a lot of pain and tired but cannot sleep. I am changing my name to Lawrence of Arabia.

One of my goals, when I restarted this blog, was to have a weekly post, mainly the story of the Occipital Neuralgia.  Well, it has been a couple of weeks since my first post about that.  Several reasons: one, a little bit of writer’s block.  I can think of what I want to write about; it is just putting it into words is difficult.  Second issues is the pain, lots of pain.  With the pain, it becomes hard to focus on any task.

   I was chatting with a good friend who is going through her medical issues.  She said she is making a list of stuff she wants to do.  She gets satisfaction from checking off the tasks.  I hope she can accomplish her goals.  For me, I will keep on trying to perform one of mine.   Chapter 1 is coming soon…I hope.

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