My best friend has to do an emergency surgery for her Chiari in the next two weeks. Does anyone have any advice to offer support? I would also like to prepare a care package for her after her surgery. I would truly appreciate any advice on items that were beneficial before or after the surgery that would make her recovery easier! Thank you in advance!
My daughter had surgery a couple of years ago. From what I remember, she couldn't look down for long periods of time, so watching T.V. was one of the things she would do a lot, I would suggest a dvd package of her favorite movies/tv shows. Her next will be sore from the surgery for about a while, my daughter had one of those cone pillows. Just visiting would be a nice thing to do, as she will be housebound for a couple of weeks for healing. I hope her surgery goes well.
Hi Mary,
I would get her an open front clothing/s (Pijama tops/any top/Front fastening bra) after surgery I felt for two months I would not be able to lift my arms and I felt really weeks on my neck and pain on the head for sometime.
Get her also a bottle warmer its nice to put it underneath the pillow case supporting the head and neck.
A bottle for putting the cold drink - make sure she drinks plenty of fluids.
Magnesium spray - its good to spray when/where/ever it suppose to be good to relieve pain.
Walking stick - is she still in a limbo (walking)
Tiger Balm from any chemist - its also good when you feel sik just rubbing it around your nose, neck and forehead.
Hand towel - so she can deep it into hot or cold water to dap it in her forehead.
Ginger pastilles (get it from any Numark chemist) its about £1 , I used to suck that when I felt really sick (ginger its good to redue the nousea)
Lovely lavender soap or any herbal soap of TK max..its smell delicious...
IF she can't drink direct from the glass - get her a bottle with a straw (Pound Land sell it for £1)Its summer soon, she will be so sensitive - sun glasses if she has not got one - sandal so she an walk freely in the garden.
Hands & Body lotions as my skin became very dry and also so sensitive - I bought coconut oil from a health shop to rub each night in to my head (mostly the stiching part-after the stiched being removed)
I think that is all I can tell you...I hope others will response to you..but ask her to be patiencce the first 2 months was hell for me.
Hi, I am getting prepared to undergo this surgery for chiari malformation and saw the care package idea. Could you describe a cone pillow? All I found was a pillow shaped as an ice cream cone. Is that what you're talking about or is it something different and how do you use it? Thank you
Sorry, I didn't realize I said cone. It's a wedge, like a big foamy door stop.
Hi, thanks for getting back to me. So with this wedge pillow does the pointed part. Face your butt or shoulders? I'M 'll also see if I can find a picture on line. I think I want to try it once I've had my surgery. TY, have a great day
Thanks for the suggestions. Could you take a bath or is it necessary to shower instead for awhile. I am thinking of a hand rail in my shower/ tub?
my daughter was nt allowed to get the incision wet
Yes, I did have a bath, but then washed my hair after a week