I had the MVD (Micro Vascular Decompression) for the Trigeminal Neuralgia on Monday (11/18/2002) at about 8:00 - 2:00 pm. Came out of recovery about 3:00 pm, and went into Intensive care.

I felt great, just could not sleep due to all of the ruckus in intensive care. WOW, they must run freight trains through there. Got up once during the night.. The next morning, I got up and started walking. I felt like I needed to walk and walk, so I did, I walked for over an hour, around the IC Unit. The nurses and doctors simply could NOT believe that I looked so good and was so strong. As I was to be transferred to a regular room. I had the catheter and IV removed and changed to pajamas and a robe. However, I just kept getting stronger and stronger during the day. They really had never seen anything like it.

Best of all, the pain was gone. The surgeon found two arteries resting on the Trigeminal Nerve, and he placed Teflon pads between the arteries and the nerve. I have 33 stitches behind my ear. I had numerous folks come up to me and tell me that Dr. Breeze was the best neurosurgeon they had ever seen, bar none. He is going to keep me on a low maintenance dose of Tegretol and Trileptal for 3-4 weeks, and then slowly wean me from them.

Anyway, the chief resident neuro had mentioned that I looked like I could go home on the 19th (last night). I kept waiting and waiting for a bed, and, alas, there were none available in the Hospital (University Health).

Dr. Breeze's nurse practitioner came by and said it was my choice - stay in the ICU one more night, or go home. The solution was REAL simple, so I changed clothes one more time and came home last night.

I was exhausted because of lack of sleep on the 18th in the ICU, and took some Vicodans and really slept last night. I feel as if I could go into work right now, but I shan't. I plan on taking at least two weeks before returning, as I do not want any complications.

The doc and I believe my rather amazing and speedy recovery was due to my excellent physical condition and the weight lifting, walking and bike riding that I have done for years.

According to the doc, I can start bike riding whenever I want, but must wait on the weight lifting for 3-4 weeks except for light weights like 20 pounds. At first, when I asked about weight lifting they said ok (thinking about 20 pound weights), but when I told them that I lift 200-250 pounds, they looked at me funny and said I better wait a while!!

Now we must all pray that the MVD continues to hold and that nothing goes wrong. And, yes, I will take it easy and take time to recover - although of you see a 63 year old zooming by on a bike it will probably be me!!