The Second Surgery for DBS
A journey through the next operation
For those who did not read the first story, A Journey Through Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery, I suggest you read it first.
My second surgery was nine days after my first procedure. I was told wires stored inside my scalp would be threaded down my neck and into my right chest, which would be hooked to a battery/computer device. An incision would be made where the battery would be placed.
This time, I would receive general anesthesia. Luckily, I did not have to stay overnight in the hospital. I would go home on antibiotics, pain pills, and antihistamines to counteract my medication allergies.
My surgery was totally different from my expectations. When I came home and showed it to my husband, he was shocked. With wide eyes, he said, “Oh my gosh! It’s so big, and they did a number on you.”
I, too, was shocked when I saw it. The wires, looking like an overly-protrusive vein in my neck, hurt. My chest's red, swollen incision was 4–5 inches long. It was glued together in a prominent ridge and had a plastic-type coating all over it.
I am a naive person. I had a visualization of it being like a pacemaker-type thing. Both my parents had these. It was a small incision with a device the size of a small key fob. The only reason you could see it was because both my parents were skinny. It protruded only slightly.
Mine was all so much bigger than I planned. My new gadget-like battery was more the size of an old flip phone.
Besides the chest incision, I now had a new 3-inch incision in my head to match the other two from the first surgery. My head looked like Frankenstein with shaved areas and black stitches. I also walked somewhat like Frankenstein, stiff and cautious, with my ever-bobbing head. However, I did not scare my grandchildren. Thank goodness!
With all the medication and recovery, I was in a fog for quite a while.
I tried writing a Christian devotional, but that proved to be a disaster. I couldn’t succinctly put into words a concise thought. My husband stepped in and said, “Give it a rest, Jenny. Cut yourself some slack.” So, I did.
Now, during all these problems, shaking head, pain, two surgeries, and recovery, my husband had sudden acute pain all over his body. He was trying to get to the bottom of his malady. He could barely walk and could not turn his head at all. He wanted to help me, but I could see how difficult it was for him to do even the smallest tasks.
So off he went from x-rays to MRIs, from our PCP to therapy, from one specialist to another. We may be getting closer to solving his mysterious ailment. I can hope and pray.
It has been a challenging time. We are blessed to have children, friends, and neighbors who stepped up through calls, prayers, meals, cards, and a hand with some tasks, and I thank God.
People keep asking me, “Did the DBS work?”
I understand why they ask, but this ordeal is a long, drawn-out process. The battery will be turned on September 8, giving time for my brain to heal. My original neurologist will do that on a computer. He will program it to target my specific brain area causing the movement. It may take several appointments to fine-tune it.
Patience is key, so the scripture I cling to is this:
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:7a, KJV)
Waiting patiently and resting is what I am trying to do. These are also two things I struggle with. I see undone tasks that drive me crazy. I’m trying to look the other way. What else can I do?
If laughter is the best medicine, I also attempt humor. I saw a commercial advertising baseball player bobbleheads. I turned to my husband and said, “I take offense at that!” Either it went over his head, he was in too much pain, or it wasn’t funny because he didn’t laugh. I speculate it’s the latter.
Well, everyone, the verdict is still out on whether this was worth it. I will give an updated report after September 8th.
In the meantime, prayers are much appreciated.
