Should I Have surgery, or Shouldn't I?

Ok, so it has been over five years since I was diagnosed with brain sagging and my Chiari.  I have been putting getting it corrected for so long, but now, I no longer feel that that is an option.  I am at the point where I feel like I "have" to get it done.  I just hope that I didn't wait too long.

This fall, I plan on making a trip to New York to the Chiari Institute to see if anyone there can help me.  I know there have been changes over the years; I see them, I feel them.  My balance, as I've mentioned before, has really gotten bad.  I have seen a difference in my vision, my dizziness and more.  And the "more", is annoying.

I know I have to do this soon....now, or there may be no chance at all of them fixing these or helping these issues.  I was told a long time ago, that the longer I wait, the less chance there is in making things better....making a difference for me.  I don't remember what that window of opportunity was, but I hope I haven't missed it.

I am going to start being better about posting on my blog.  Especially as I start back to seeing doctors for these issues.  With my very bitter divorce last year, I really didn't go to the doctor.  I was already so burnt out on the whole "doctor, MRI and everything that goes with it" scene, that adding a divorce to my life just seemed like too much.  So I avoided going.  I was simply unable to muster the energy to take care of things with "me" like I used to.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they can help me.  I am also keeping my fingers crossed that if I go through surgery - this major surgery, that it will make a world of difference for me and it will not have been in vain.

Fingers crossed!

To Get Chiari Surgery or Not to Get Chiari Surgery

When I was diagnosed with a chiari malformation in October of '06 I was devastated. I knew exactly what that meant, that my brain stem had herniated into my spine. I was also aware of the symptoms that a chiari could bring and was already living with many. It was the reason I was almost falling down all the time, the reason I had such horrible nausea, and the reason my right eyelid was sagging. And I had excruciating pain on top of my head that felt like someone had taken a good shovel to my head. I was miserable. But at least I knew now. I now had a diagnosis, that for months I had to guess as to what was wrong with me.

My chiari was not one I was born with, a congenital chiari. It was an acquired chiari, meaning that it developed due to other reasons. And my reason was my shunt. For several months my shunt overdrained and caused me to lose precious cerebral spinal fluid. With that, my brain began to sag and the brain stem fell below the skull line and into the spinal column leaving me with unbearbale symptoms at times.

After living with this condition for nearly four years, I am done. My balance and dizziness drive me crazy. I am tired of feeling like I am on a boat all the time. So I am looking into corrective surgery to be done at the Chiari Institute in New York. I have been recommended the Institute by my neurosurgeon at Duke University. I will follow his recommendations and send the institute all my records and films and let them review my case to see if I am a candidate for the surgery. If not, I may just have to live like I have been and try to find a way to make peace with my body and my brain.

Functions of the Many Areas of the Brain

The brain is composed of many different areas. They all have a name and they all have their specific functions they are responsible for. When any of the areas of the brain are compromised, it can cause the brain to malfunction, which in turn can cause areas of the body to malfunction, the compromise can cause unnerving symptoms, or in certain situations, even cause death. Many times you can tell which part of the brain is being compromised by realizing the symtpoms you are having. If you know what areas of the brain are responsible for which tasks, then you may be able to detect which part of the brain is being compromised.

Some of the areas of the brain and their functions are:

Brainstem:

The brainstem has several functions. It is the base of the brain, or the lowest extension of the brain where many of the brain's functions pass. It is responsible for breathing, digestion, heart rate, your blood pressure, and your arousal, whether you are awake and alert, or asleep. The majority of the cranial nerves stem from the brainstem. The brainstem is the part of the brain where all fiber tracts pass up and down from the peripheral nerves, pass down the spinal column, and up to the highest part of the brain.

Cerebellum:

The cerebellum is located at the back of the brain and is responsible for balance and coordination. When the cerebellum is compromised, you may notice problems with ataxia, dizziness, balance and coordination problems, problems walking, talking, or eating. And even problems performing every day tasks.

Frontal Lobe:

The frontal part of the brain is responsible for planning, organizing, attention and other cognitive skills. When your frontal lobe is damaged or there is pressure being put on it, you may notice problems with your emotions or behaviors. You may have difficulty performing simple tasks, much less difficult tasks. Your frontal lobe is responsible for your higher cognitive functions.

Occipital Lobe:

The occipital lobe is the area of the brain that processes visual information. It is the area that helps to process shapes and colors. If there is any damage to this area of the brain, you will notice visual distrubances.

Parietal Lobe:

There are two parietal lobes, (left and right). They are located behind the frontal lobes. Damage to the left parietal lobe will cause problems with your ability to understand either written or spoken language. Damage to the right parietal lobe will cause problems with such things as getting around new and unfamiliar places, or even recognizing old and familiar places. The parietal lobes are also responsible for recognizing such things as touch, size, judgment, texture and weight.

Temporal Lobe:

The temporal lobes are located at each side of the brain (left and right) just about where the ears are. The temporal lobes are responsible for short term memories. The right temporal lobe is responsible primarily for visual memories. The left temporal brain is primarily responsible for verbal memories such as with names and your words.

Hi Everyone,

My name is Maria and I am a fellow arachnoid cyst survivor! I have created this blog to gather with my arachnoid cyst friends, lend support, and offer information about these rare brain anomalies.

This site will be a place to get together and learn and gain strength to get through and deal with whatever challenges you are faced with when living with a rare brain condition, namely arachnoid cysts!

I hope to see you on here regularly and get to know you.

Disclaimer:

I may accept ads and payments for ads on my blog.

Maria