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Missing school for surgery

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 09:29
Hello, I'm new to this thing but I'm glad I found it. I'm Angie and I have been living with petit mal seizures for about 5 years. I'm 20 years old and I scheduled my temporal lobectomy surgery for September 29th and honestly, I'm scared out of my mind. I've never had any type of surgery and never even broken a bone. The thing I'm worried about the most though is school. I go to Columbia College in Chicago and I study journalism and I start school on September 2nd. I can go to school through September and I'm hoping I can make it back by November to finish off the semester. However, the journalism department and really the entire college policy is more than 3 absences and I fail. My advisors are telling me just to take the semester off, but I need to be a full time student in order for my insurance to cover the surgery..There are some online courses but will I be coherent enough or have enough energy to take those classes? Has anyone else had this problem?

Comments

Re: Missing school for surgery

Submitted by Amber28 on Fri, 2008-08-29 - 12:16

Hello- I had the surgery also.  To be totally honest it was amazing how soon I actually recovered from it.  I was only in the hospital a week.  That first week is rough of course.  After going home I was a little shakey for a couple of days but otherwise I felt totally back to normal.  I was actually back to work within in a month and I probably would have gone back sooner if my doctor would have let me.  The worst part of the recovery really is just the first couple of day after the surgery because it will one giant headache but I bet you will be surprised how quickly you recover.  I was scared out of my mind when it happened and if you have any other questions about please feel free to ask me.  I remember every last  minute down to the first needle they poked me with.  I had it about four years ago.  I did improve some things.  So try to stay positive and I am totally serious any other questions and just ask I am totally ready to be open!!!

I hope this help

Amber

Hello- I had the surgery also.  To be totally honest it was amazing how soon I actually recovered from it.  I was only in the hospital a week.  That first week is rough of course.  After going home I was a little shakey for a couple of days but otherwise I felt totally back to normal.  I was actually back to work within in a month and I probably would have gone back sooner if my doctor would have let me.  The worst part of the recovery really is just the first couple of day after the surgery because it will one giant headache but I bet you will be surprised how quickly you recover.  I was scared out of my mind when it happened and if you have any other questions about please feel free to ask me.  I remember every last  minute down to the first needle they poked me with.  I had it about four years ago.  I did improve some things.  So try to stay positive and I am totally serious any other questions and just ask I am totally ready to be open!!!

I hope this help

Amber

Re: Missing school for surgery

Submitted by Angie87 on Sat, 2008-08-30 - 22:24

Thanks Amber,

 One other question, did you shave your whole head or part? The surgeon said he could shave half or full, and I have short hair and have been told just to shave it all becuase my hair grows fast and I keep it short. I'm terrified though :( I honestly have always loved my hair and spend so much time taking care of it. Not to mention, a bald girl really isn't that appealing. Also, how much and what kind of pain were you in? Was it just like a constant headache? I'm getting more nervous as the date approaches, but I'm still sort of excited about it.  

Thanks Amber,

 One other question, did you shave your whole head or part? The surgeon said he could shave half or full, and I have short hair and have been told just to shave it all becuase my hair grows fast and I keep it short. I'm terrified though :( I honestly have always loved my hair and spend so much time taking care of it. Not to mention, a bald girl really isn't that appealing. Also, how much and what kind of pain were you in? Was it just like a constant headache? I'm getting more nervous as the date approaches, but I'm still sort of excited about it.  

Re: Missing school for surgery

Submitted by Amber28 on Sun, 2008-08-31 - 12:02

Well, I actually shaved my whole head...basically to make sure that when the hair grew back it grew back somewhat evenly.    I wore alot of bandanas.  I had all different colors and patterns.  You can get all different kinds at the hobby stores if you haven't ever used them before.  Nice thing about them to is that they are cheap!!  I had a really hard time being bald.  The hair does grow back fast but just keep in mind you are going to have a scar that might not have hair ever grow back in to.  I did end up with a couple of spots that don't have hair anymore but figured out a way to cover them up so it is no big deal. 

The pain right after the surgery was rough.  The doctors and nurses at my hospital were great though and took real good care of me.  There were some interesting times during the surgery as well being that we have to be awake during it.  Just remember that they are there to take care of you.  In the long run I am still glad that I decided to have the surgery because it has made my life a little easier.

Anything else I can answer for you just let me know!!!!!

Amber :)

Well, I actually shaved my whole head...basically to make sure that when the hair grew back it grew back somewhat evenly.    I wore alot of bandanas.  I had all different colors and patterns.  You can get all different kinds at the hobby stores if you haven't ever used them before.  Nice thing about them to is that they are cheap!!  I had a really hard time being bald.  The hair does grow back fast but just keep in mind you are going to have a scar that might not have hair ever grow back in to.  I did end up with a couple of spots that don't have hair anymore but figured out a way to cover them up so it is no big deal. 

The pain right after the surgery was rough.  The doctors and nurses at my hospital were great though and took real good care of me.  There were some interesting times during the surgery as well being that we have to be awake during it.  Just remember that they are there to take care of you.  In the long run I am still glad that I decided to have the surgery because it has made my life a little easier.

Anything else I can answer for you just let me know!!!!!

Amber :)

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