Surgery Date Set!

I saw the neurosurgeon in Little Rock on the 12th.  He came in the room and started asking me about symptoms and asked if I had been tested for a couple of things that I had been, and came back negative.  He nodded and then began telling me about the surgery.  He said he had never heard of a chiari patient getting back to 100%.  He said they also don't completely get rid of the headaches.  He said the most we reasonably expect 65%.  The main issue is the surgery should stop the progression of problems.  The last few weeks my arms have been getting weaker and numb.  The headaches have intensified and I just feel worse.  He scheduled surgery for August 15.  He said I will be in ICU a day or two and then in a room a few days.  After that he wants me to go into rehab in Little Rock for a few days and then be transferred to another Rehab hospital to try and get me back to walking.  I'm hoping 65% means I can walk without a wheelchair or walker.  A cane would be OK, but I'm going to work toward totally walking without any aids.

This morning my original neurosurgeons nurse called to tell me he had decided he wanted me to have surgery and she was calling to set up a surgery date.  He hasn't seen me in over a year and suddenly he decided surgery was a good idea.  I'm thanking God that call came after I had seen a good Chiari specialist.  His timing is not our timing and His timing is perfect.

Here we go again...

A long ride to Little Rock tomorrow to see a new Neurosurgeon.  He is supposed to be a chiari specialist.  I've got copies of all my mri's and filled out the necessary paperwork.  I pray he can  do something to help me.  I dread the trip and hope I don't overwhelm him with symptoms, but if I don't tell him he can't know what is going on (was that deep or what?).