Slow and Steady

I’ve been posting less often – sorry about that. Week after week of incremental progress is bound to get a bit dull for anyone reading this stuff. Also, my ongoing dance with two partners – mostly Good Cheer with an occasional tap on the shoulder by Vague Crankiness – feels a bit indecisive and doesn’t make for super-engaging commentary.

When I met with Dr. Ferreira, he mentioned that all my symptoms are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. He said the head pain, memory and focus issues, jaw muscle limitations, tiredness, and other stuff would improve over the next 6 – 12 months. He also peeked in my ear, which probably wasn’t necessary, but made me feel better because I’d been worried about the ongoing earache. He said it wasn’t infected or swollen, so the pain is just normal healing from where he drilled in my skull during the surgery. I knew he’d be drilling in the area, so that makes sense.

I’ve been working diligently with my rehabilitation team – physical, speech, vocational, and occupational therapists – and they’re keeping me pretty busy with homework assignments. I’ve also been accompanying Abe to the gym, where every activity is way more of a challenge than it feels like it ought to be.

Yesterday was a big day, because Abe came with me to Costco optical to help me pick out some new glasses – yay! Now the prism lens that helps address what remains of the double vision will actually be built in to the glasses rather than just a Fresnel lens, which is basically a temporary sticker you attach to your regular lens.

Overall, I’m noticing progress in weekly chunks of time, rather than daily. My head scar feels less stabby. I can walk and read for longer stretches of time. Cheers to Dr. Ferriera and his team, who did an extraordinary job with this surgery. Without their awesome work, this entire process could have been a lot worse, and I’m profoundly grateful every day for how well it went thanks to their dedication and skill.