Brain Things Part 3 (Chiari Malformation)
Hey guys, it’s Mr. Kay Saga back one more time for the final part of this mini-series. We have made it to Brain Things Part 3. Don’t forget to catch up on part 1 and part 2 if you missed anything. Now, we are at the point in the story where I am being interviewed for a position with USPS.
After one of the most confusing interviews and hiring processes I have ever been a part of, I GOT THE JOB! I would be starting the position soon and I had never been more excited to get back to work. Again, my body still was a little shaken from the trauma doctors called “a standard procedure“, but I was sooo ready to get back out into the world. The Walking Dead tv season was over, AND I’d read all of The Walking Dead comics, AND I’d totally nerded out by joining The Walking Dead chat rooms and forums, so it was time to get away. I’m sure of it, judge all you want.
As I wait for the calls to start training, I’d noticed that the headaches had returned. It had only been a month and a half after surgery, and again, I’m starting to experience the very same symptoms from the very first procedure. Since September of 2015, I haven’t gone 6 weeks without seeing my neurosurgeon and I’m starting to think he wants to date me. (Just kidding guys).
During the six week check up, I am scheduled to return the dreaded place of radiation machines to have my one millionth CT scan done. The radiologist and I are on a first-name basis now. When I walk into the clinic, it’s like walking into a diner where I’m an everyday customer and the cooks and waitresses know exactly what I want to eat.
So, after the monthly brain pictures are taken, we return to my neurosurgeon to await the news. I’m totally numb to this stuff now. We are informed that I now have a condition called Hydrocephalus, which basically means I have fluid on my brain. This causes the central spinal fluid leak, the numbness in my neck and arm, and my blurry vision. This condition is common with people who’ve had brain surgeries. The most successful fix is by inserting a shunt in the brain that matriculates down to the stomach. The stomach will then absorb the excessive spinal fluid.
Darn it.
I had just been offered a position with the USPS, now there’s another surgery?! Not only a surgery, but you want to put what in my where? Mind you, this is only a couple of months after my second procedure in April. Oh man! At this point, I can’t even be devastated anymore. We have realized that nothing we can do will stop the necessary flow of time. Nevertheless, as we prepare for this procedure now, we PRAY that this is the final and fix all!
Either way, I won’t give up. I will continue to look at life through my rose-colored glasses. I feel that any day on earth is indeed a cause for celebration. During the waiting period, Kamika wrote a post called “That Should Have Been an Email” and that is totally how I felt. But I am here, nevertheless, telling my story in hopes that I can encourage someone else.
Okay, I’ll stop here for now. Sorry if this is a bit long, but do know it is a pleasure getting this stuff off of my mind. Recently, someone told me that the hardest battles are often given to the strongest soldiers. This proverb is something I repeat to myself at least twice a day. When receiving difficult news or being a part of a bad situation, it is easy to forget that life doesn’t begin or stop at that point.
The energy we have created before receiving that news has to continue, and the only way YOUR energy can continue is with YOU. It is then up to us to determine whether what we will create is negative energy or positive, and I’m here to sway you…ALWAYS go with positive. My personal positive is that I won’t give up. I can’t wait to build and sustain my family with Kamika. My shared positive is that I will always strive to help others see that life is a series of mystifying experiences that lead up to an ultimate goal. While all of the goals are a bit different, it is absolutely necessary that we understand that there is only one sure fire way to approach that goal. That is through confidence, perseverance, and most of all, peace.
Peace!
Not sure if you’ll see this but stay strong Mr.Kay! I believe in you and I know what invasive surgeries are like, I had a jaw surgery myself a few months back. That’s nothing compared to what you’re having but the most important thing I can say is you either overcome the surgery or the surgery overcomes you. I wish you the best!
He saw this and it made his day. He wanted me to tell you thank you!