Assimilation Successful- Trial Day One

Yesterday I received my trial leads and device.

I arrived at the Surgical Center with my mother about 9:45am for a 10:00am check-in. A few minutes after signing in at the window, they called my name to come back. I was sent for a urine pregnancy test (standard for women of childbearing age) and shown to my bed. I was then asked to change into a hospital gown (Everything off except the underwear outfit) and given a bin to place my personal belongings in. The RN started my IV and added antibiotics. A blood-pressure cuff was placed on my arm and pulse oximeter on my finger. The RN periodically took my temperature and checked other vital signs. Each team member individually introduced themselves as they asked me the standard questions and explained their role in the procedure as I signed release forms.

A few of these folks were: The Anesthesia Nurse, who explained what medications they would be giving me and how I would be partially sedated, yet alert enough to answer questions and be aware of voices and activities in the room. Her job would be to keep me as comfortable as possible. (at which she did an amazing job). The Doctor himself, went over the procedure again and allowed me to ask any questions I had. My St. Jude representative and her colleague both explained the equipment, showed me examples of what they'd be using, how it would all come together, and gave me my goals for the trial. (To read a bit, walk around somewhere...things that would usually exacerbate my headache.) The X-ray tech, a few other nurses, and even the recovery nurse. Overall, a fabulous team of folks who were no less than awesome at every step of the way. (Even went out to the waiting room and relayed messages to my mother for me when I was concerned she might be worrying if I was in surgery yet.)

Once all of the actors were in place, they show began. The  Anesthesia Nurse added some Versed to my IV to relax me for the ride into the O.R. and we were off. We pretty much all entered the operating room as a group and they all went about to buzzing around like bees in a busy hive.

I was asked to lie face down on a table with a large wedge shaped cushion and a massage table-like headrest. *My only issue and my biggest discomfort during the procedure was being just a bit too short for this setup, and the fact that I have ample breasts which refused to cooperate and find a comfortable place to hang out. So, they were a bit squished and causing discomfort, but I pretty much had to ignore it so I could remain still and calm.

A nasal cannula was placed for oxygen, and the doctor then started feeling for landmarks around my head and drawing guidelines with a marker. He called someone with clippers over to shave a small area around the occipital ridge. (So, that meant losing the bottom of my mohawk...looks like once this comes out, I'll be shaving my head completely...which doesn't bother me at all, but they still apologized to me afterward.) He removed the clippered hair with tape like a lint roller.

Next, they placed towels around my face and put cotton into my ears so the Betadine solution wouldn't run into my face (They were so considerate and often checked in to make sure I was doing ok) They then cleaned the entire workspace on the back of my head down to my shoulder blade area...even warning, "This is going to be cold."

The next thing I was aware of was just some fuzzy discussion among the team and some slight pressure here and there, but I was perfectly comfortable aside from my squished chest. Then the doctor and St. Jude rep were asking me where I felt the stimulation of the first lead and if it was in the headache area. Then they went about the business of inserting the second lead and repeated the questions for the second. They were both placed on the right side, one more occipital and one slightly higher behind my ear. Then they placed steri strips to hold the leads in place, and taped everything down. The leads were connected to the small boxes which connect the cables for the control unit leaving a small amount of slack for head movement and everything was taped in a package near my shoulder with the cables exiting the bottom to plug into the controller.

I was transferred back to the bed and wheeled into recovery. I was alert fairly quickly and I was told I had made it look easy and everything had gone smoothly.

The St. Jude representatives came to my bedside and began programming the unit, making sure to discuss each sensation and amplitude with me to ensure I'd have good options to play with when I got home. During this process, my mother was able to come in and watch. I was given a box which contained a cheat sheet for the controls, extra batteries, (The trial system uses 9-volts) a journal to record my progress for later discussions at my follow up, and a booklet about the system with dos and don'ts and a DVD. The materials that accompany the system are obviously aimed at back and other pain patients, but the info is fairly adaptable. My rep gave me her card with contact info (We'd already been texting and staying in touch, but just in case...) and let me know she'd call to check in with me but if I had any questions to call her and not wait for her call.

The recovery nurse allowed me to sit up and got me a juice of choice, which I appreciated because I had a pretty strong medicine aftertaste in my mouth from the IV meds.

The doctor came in to check on me, gave me my prescriptions, (Antibiotics, pain killers for surgical pain) a card for my removal appointment and follow-up (Which is Tuesday, making this a 5 day trial) He gave me his weekend contact info and let me know he'd be in touch to check in on me.

The nurse came back and gave me discharge instructions (basic things like don't get things wet, return to normal medications, etc.) and began the process of disconnecting my vitals equipment and removing my IV so I could get dressed. My mother assisted me in getting my shirt and pants on (I had worn a tank and yoga pants to make things easy) and I was discharged to leave. My mom brought the car around and the nurse walked me out.

The drive to my Mom's house wasn't bad at all. I was ok with bumps and turns. I only asked that she avoid braking hard as it caused me to tense up and hurt a bit.

The headache relief was pretty much instant. I played around with the programs and found one that I liked... I have noticed that when I change the program and turn up the amplitude to where I would like it...I can feel the stimulation (The tingling or massaging sensation...which is quite pleasant) for about 5 minutes and even tough I acclimate to it and it seems to not be as evident of a sensation, it still provides relief. I like this because then it isn't a distracting replacement for pain, but truly a relief.

My mom got me some lunch and picked up my RXs. I took a Percocet, my usual nausea medication, and an antibiotic. The Percocet for surgical discomfort (I would say pain...but in comparison to everyday, this doesn't deserve that title). Lucky for me, the use of painkillers doesn't interfere with my trial, since narcotic pain relievers don't touch my HC headaches.

So, with medication alleviating the surgical discomfort and the stimulation handling the headache...I felt WAY TO GOOD to be encumbered by all of these wires and tape. :)

Aaron picked me up from my Mom's house when he got off of work, and we headed home. I was smiling and we both got a bit emotional at the words "I don't have a headache." We sat on the couch to watch The Big Bang Theory on DVR and after one episode, I let him know I wanted to go to sleep....BUT for the first time in longer than I can remember...I didn't want to sleep to escape my headache, or because pain had kept me up to the point of exhaustion. I wanted to sleep because I didn't have a headache, and I was calm, blissful, and more relaxed than I could remember being in the past three years.

I'm so optimistic for the future. I had to get up early in the morning for a surgical procedure...and it was one of the best days ever! :)