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| Lifestyle Suggestions |
Note: These are simply "suggestions"
from the list membership that have worked for them.
Some may help and some may not.
Pre Surgery:
1. Increase self confidence when dealing with Doctors.
Our confidence is often so demoralized after a period
of time dealing with arrogant Professionals who won't
listen to us.
2. Educate yourself re ACM and ACM specialists, both
Neurologists and Neurosurgeons.
3. If surgery is happening, relax; enjoy yourself as
much as possible by going out for Coffee or whatever,
esp. the 2 weeks pre surgery. It takes your mind off
it for a while at least.
4. Go shopping a couple of weeks pre surgery and buy
a nice PJ set (or two or three!!) dressing gown, toiletries,
a few magazines, as your concentration will not be up
to reading a novel for some time. Wear cotton underwear,
it is more comfortable and flat slippers. A mask for
the eyes is good, in the event you have severe photophobia
post surgery, as hospital lights are always on 24/7.
Take a small hairdryer into hospital with you, so that
when you can wash and style your hair, plus, you will
be able to dry gently (NOT BURN)
5. Nice cotton material/scarves to place around your
head just to make you feel 'prettier' whilst also covering
the incision and or dressing at the back of your head.
Surgery Suggestions While In Hospital:
1. Have plenty of fruit and nuts and fruit juice in
hospital with you on the bed side table to eat/ nibble
on as this helps to reduce and prevent constipation
post surgery and the need to 'push down' as little as
possible.
2. Be sure to have all analgesics organized and checked
before you are discharged, and to continue to take what
you were taking in hospital as of the time of discharge,
.......you are leaving hospital, the pain sadly doesn't
remain at the hospital door!!
3. Supportive pillow for sitting up in bed and a soft
pillow for resting the back of your head on and sleeping.
I used a Kangaroo style for sitting up and a 100% feather
down pillow for my head. I still use the feather down
pillow where-ever I go, even in the car for a long journey
(I keep a spare in the car!!!)
4. Don't suffer unnecessary pain post op, keep/demand
if need be, your analgesia is regularly given.
5. One thing that was never mentioned to me in the hospital
was the potential use of an ice pack. My staples, especially
in the neck area, pinched a lot. Remembering back top
the "joys" of childbirth, I remembered the help that
an ice bag had offered. I asked for one. No problem.
That made a HUGE difference with my discomfort from
the staples.
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