I will continute to update you on Nikki's status as I get the information. For now, she is home resting, and wants everyone to know that she feels your love and prayers.
I have heard from Nikki, and she has given me permission to share some information with all of you.
As you know, her condition and surgery are very complex. Some time ago, she did post a link on her facebook page explaining about the DAVF mass in her brain. I am unable to find it right now, but you can look it up in Google. She is disheartened that they were only able to fix one of the four feeds. It was too risky to do more. She may have to undergo more surgery, but for now, she needs to recover from this. She is having vision problems that the doctors feel will clear up.
She wants you to know that it was safe for her to come home. She lives with her sister, niece, and nephew, so she is being well cared for.
From Missy's post on Facebook this morning:
*Update* Nikki is still in pain, still having vision issues, but improving. She was able to go see Lynn at the nursing home yesterday for a short visit, which really lifted her spirits. It took me, my son Derek, my daughter Mikayla and a walker to get her there, but it was worth it to see the smile on Nikki and Lynn's faces. He saw her with the walker and even in his state, knew something was wrong and he was very concerned about her. Kept asking if she was ok, was she cold and said "next time come get me I will take care of you". WOW. Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.
Great to hear that Nikki is progressing and was able to visit Lynn. I know it warmed her heart to hear his concern for her. Steve will occasionally express concern that I'm cold, or if he accidentally brushes his foot against me when uncrossing legs, will ask if I'm ok. It is amazing to see the "AD fog" lift and the roles reverse briefly when he reverts to being concerned about me.
I was mixing up my letters so I was unable to write. That has cleared and I am grateful! My vision is still troublesome and they honestly don’t know if it will get better. My peripheral vision is greatly impaired and I have spots of blurry, fuzzy vision. But, it isn’t a stroke! So yes, again, I am so grateful!!
A lot has improved already and I amazed at how well I am doing all things considered. For awhile there I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I have an extremely high tolerance for pain, so when I say that, it gives you an idea of the pain I was in. We will just say, I had a horrible post op experience and I am so grateful to have the pain back to it’s normal roar!!
I am of course delighted I didn’t have a stroke!!!!!!!! I can not stress that enough <smiles> But yes, I am heartbroken that they were only able to correct one of the four feeds. The surgeon did the best he could, it just wasn’t operable. There are other surgical options…..
My Neurologist came to see me, he is the one I told you is more friend than doctor. The relief on his face, the tears in eyes, it was only then, in that moment, that I fully grasped just how serious the surgery truly was. He was so relieved to see me sitting up and talking. Then choked up he said, you know, there is maybe 3 surgeons in the whole damn country who could have even preformed such an intricate surgery!! WOW!! No, I did not know that!!! And I am soooo glad I didn’t know that BEFORE surgery. I would have been a wreck!
I will be honest, I absolutely hate the idea of walking around with these “things” in my head. Scares me to death to be truthful. But I have already decided I will not tempt fate and have another surgery at this point in time.
This surgeon is the best of the best. He told me we have a lot to talk about…… but right now I need to just concentrate on healing. He did go over the other surgery options, but I have said no!! He said we will talk more later…..But, he did comfort me by telling me, these “things” will progress at a slow enough pace that I will have the time I need to decide. It isn’t like I will wake up one day paralyzed. The symptoms will come on slow enough that he believes they will have the time they need to prevent this. It could be a month, it could be years!! They just don’t honestly know…
BUT, he assured me they are stable and I am safe. And I am damn grateful for that and will just try to come to terms with it all and take it one day at a time.
Truly, your thoughts, prayers and concerns have touched me deeply. I still wont be posting much, but I just had to get on to let you know I was ok. ((hugs)) ♥♥♥
Wonderful...wonderful nikki. Unreal that you can be sending a message this quick. Don't over do and get your needed rest for healing. We will still keep you in our prayers....rest...rest.
Nikki!!! WooHoo..so glad you posted! Whew, it was great to see your notice this evening and hear you are in high spirits. Now just rest up and take care of yourself...so glad all went well....
So glad to see your post, Nikki. Please pamper yourself as much as you can and if possible, have your sister give us an update now and then as you recuperate.
Nikki, I am just now catching up with the news of your surgery and so glad to know that you are home and are being well cared for. It is also wonderful news that you were able to see your dh and have that special moment. Your strength and courage is admirable and inspiring. I am keeping you in my prayers.
Nikki - you will be prayed for at our pastor's staff meeting in the a.m. I asked they pray for relief from your pain and comfort for you. I am praying for you and Lynn each day. I so admire your spunk!
Wow, Nikki, u just can't stay out of trouble :-), but like all great heroin Ies, you continue to fight the good fight; and, in spite of high hurdles, u prevail. The Lord is surely looking out for u. U r in all our prayers - we all love & admire u so much!
She posted on FB that she was still slowly recovery. The trauma to her nerves which triggers so much on her seems to be the worst. And her vision is still not get better any too quickly.
Vision is still an issue so posting is still difficult. I get wicked headaches if I try to read too much so I wont be able to keep up with all the threads. I can't wait for this vision to get better so that I can drive again! They keep telling me they think it will improve, it's been 3 weeks now and I am running low on patience.
I see the surgeons again on the 15th. I am trying hard to keep my brave face on. Seeing Lynn is what keeps me going and gives me the strength I need to fight. Amazing what a mass in your head can affect, it's getting old rather quickly. I am trying to get use to my "new normal". Some days are better than others. But if I work real hard at it my attitude is still positive and gratitude bubbles over.
“life ain't always beautiful, but it’s a beautiful ride!”
Nikki, can you have your computer read postings to you. My FIL has vision problems (headache after reading for 10 minutes) and I set up his Mac to read to him selected text. Should also be easy with iPad or iPhone, can't comment on Windows.
Windows has a text reader built in too: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Hear-text-read-aloud-with-Narrator for XP and Vista http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306902
Nikki--Just writing to tell you that I'm thinking of you, and wishing you the best. Healing takes a long time--just keep on keeping on. One foot in front of the other. It will happen.
Nikki, you have always been special to me, and my prayers have been and are still with you. I am so sorry you are having to undergo such dangerous procedures! And to deal with Lynn's health on top of it boggles the mind (no pun intended!). I hope that you get good news when you go to the doctor and that your vision improves and headaches go away soon!