Tag Archive for: microvascular decompression

The Return Of Trigeminal Neuralgia

the return of trigeminal neuralgia cover
Small electrical slashes and flashes come back

Welcome to What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, Season 6 Episode 27, “The Return Of Trigeminal Neuralgia”

Small electrical slashes and flashes come back, but a lot quieter since I had micro vascular decompression

In this episode, the return of trigeminal neuralgia: TN discomfort came back. PLUS, Masonic Auditorium accessibility review, autonomous vehicles for disabled riders, and accessible furniture.

  • Great minds think alike, stupid ones too
  • I said last time that all my friends came over, but that was an exaggeration
  • people are leeching the thing, especially episodes about MVD
  • TN slashes: 2 on Tuesday 7/19, 5 on 7/20..
  • John John wants a year long vacation to Hokkaido
  • 6 Things Wheelchair Users Should Know About Autonomous Vehicles
  • Disabled representation on TV: “Best Foot Forward”
  • Burning Spear at the Masonic Auditorium: I ran into dr. Doug and he sat with @namihoppin & I. Then after the show Lurker & Lucky J – cool seats- way up but front and center.. used my chair. The Masonic auditorium was set up well for accessible patrons
  • Pottery Barn accessible furniture collection “Accessible Home”
  • Having small TN sensations when I drink or eat or brush my teeth. Had 1 at the Barrel House when I had a sip of beer 7.24
  • Had a couple on the deck. Swallowing a certain way 7.24
  • Had a handful for the day and 12 while brushing teeth. 7.25 twinges not pain exactly but more like mild electric shock
  • Planning to drop-off my espresso machine to be serviced in Berkeley aug 5

This Week’s Selfie:

the return of.. trigeminal neuralgia selfie
Feeling OK now

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

MVD Surgery Update

cover
Two years after my MVD surgery, checking in with how I’m feeling. Also: tattoo ideas, gettin’ paleolithic, different chorizos.

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

  • last borscht thing: Matt came over and had lunch and he said “it was the best borscht I’ve ever had.” Nami was there
  • not like he’s Lithuanian or anything.
  • I think Lithuanians eat it cold
  • Steve was talking about white borscht
  • Shout outs to Nathan Mary Butters and Tibby- thanks for the catnip hot sauce
  • Very Stable Genius is a good neck tattoo
  • I went to reddit to see if there were any posts about Epstein-Barr causation and there was only one in the Multiple Sclerosis forum and the study was met with an ambivalent reaction
  • We had white beans, kale, and dry chorizo stew. i talked to the butcher about the dry chorizo — joe: “is it chorizo, or is it choriz?”
  • “I’m in recovery again” update to my 2nd surgery in January 2020 – meds- relapses- where I’m at now
  • in Omicron isn’t milder for everyone I canceled my dental appointment but i just had it. I wore two masks for the first time
  • At the periodontist’s office all the doors are open because Covid so you hear everything- gross!
  • Thank you
  • Printer Poem
CLICK FOR TRANSCRIPT

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Good and Bad

cover
Both

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast

SETTING: Shopping Mall, Spooky Castle, “Run In The Wild” by Hot Mops.

The BAD: Trigeminal Neuralgia came back.

The GOOD:

Halloween is coming.

Click for transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Under a Martian orange sky

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

  • I saw the surgeon who performed my microvascular decompression surgery.
  • I went to my Ukrainian dentist a couple of weeks ago, she is the one I called, “The Iron Curtain.” 
  • I am not in trigeminal neuralgia pain anymore , and my life has changed for the better.
  • Now that I can shave my face, I’ve been wearing a mustache.
  • I am a lot happier.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

I’m in recovery again

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

I had microvascular decompression surgery to alleviate trigeminal neuralgia, and now I’m in recovery again.

CLICK FOR TRANSCRIPT

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

Grief and Trauma

Check the Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

Welcome to the What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast, “grief and trauma”

Overlapping grief and trauma and my new post-trigeminal neuralgia existence are causing anxiety and fear.

My brain chemistry, the amygdala, stress, fight-or-flight part of my brain is throttling my hippocampus, which is the intelligent part of my brain. The fear and anxiety part of my brain is getting the upper hand because of all of these traumas that are happening right now. I’m recording this episode to try and get it out there to say it all and to hopefully move beyond some of this fear, trauma, and anxiety.

Read Transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

My Life Feels Totally Different Now

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

I record this podcast to let people know when bad things happen you don’t have to quit. You can keep going. I’ve learned things along the way. I started out thinking that I was sick but now I know that I am in recovery.

My life feels totally different now

I have a lot more energy and I am much more present. I’m able to think complicated thoughts.

Read more

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

I’m recovering from microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

S3 E15 Notes
Notes

So they were like, “Something is weird. We got to put the EKG on him.” But I’m like a hairy individual, you know? So they got out the trimmers, they’re like, “What?” They’re just like, “What do we do?” … she says to me, she’s like, “Don’t worry. After we’re done, I’ll shave the rest.” I’m like, “Hell no you won’t shave the rest of my chest. Are you kidding?” I think of my chest hair a little bit like Samson, you know what I mean? Stay away from that. Come on, give me a break.

Read more

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

The Pre-Op + Amy’s Wedding

Get The Whole Story: Please check the Microvascular Decompression tag page to hear all the updates about my MVD surgery.

What’s The Matter With Me? Podcast Season 3, Episode 14 Excerpt: “Flapping My Arms”

One thing I did notice about the last episode is that I’m flapping my arms again. I first figured out of it about flapping my arms in episode five:

“and this is kind of joking, I guess. I get nervous, you know. You know, if you ever see me like making fart noise or flapping my arms, you know, somebody very close to me has died.”

What it means, basically that. When I’m flapping my arms again, you know I’m scared. I make jokes, it’s because I’m scared.

Read transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS