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+--- Thread: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... (/showthread.php?tid=123404)
So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - mikebw - 09-10-2011
Wednesday evening- I'm working out in the gym with my friends, doing some weight lifting. I finish a set, stand up and everything starts to go black. I try to lower myself safely so avoid hitting the floor too hard but that's the last thing I remember. Apparently I rolled onto the floor, then my body tensed up and was seizing for a few minutes. Paramedics arrive, I am conscious, they get me on a stretcher and are asking if I want to go to the hospital but I am resistant. Even talk to my wife on the phone about it, but I don't remember any of that. First thing I do remember was the paramedic saying "We're going to take you to the hospital OK?" and I said OK.
So they take me in, do a CT scan and find a 2cm mass in my head that shouldn't be there. Need to transfer to another hospital for an MRI. I am there all day Thursday waiting for the MRI which finally gets done that evening. Everything else is looking normal. The lead neurosurgeon reviews the MRI results and consults with me about what to do this morning.
Basically they are not sure what it is yet, but we are calling it a tumor for now. We decided to go ahead and operate on it soon. The goal will be a fairly aggressive removal with a biopsy later on just to see what it was. The surgeon said if there ever was a spot on your brain where you would choose to have something like this exist- that's where it is. Right hemisphere, frontal lobe, on the outer layers; so basically they won't need to mess with my brain at all to really get at it.
For now I am on an anti-seizure medication. Because I am stable and otherwise in perfect health I was allowed to go home for an important family event this weekend. I will be going back in on Tuesday for the surgery. WIll probably be recovering at the hospital for up to a week, and then probably off work for a few more weeks. About a 1% chance of things going wrong during the surgery, including but not limited to bleeding in the brain or other brain / neurological damage. There may be a need for physical therapy afterwards.
So for now I am trying to relax at home, no drinking or driving, and no strenuous or over-stimulating activities. I'm just hoping everything goes well and I am back to normal in a few weeks.
Not sure how common brain-surgeries are within our group, but if you have any stories I would like to hear them!
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - decocritter - 09-10-2011
Wow. I am glad you were somewhere where you had a lot of people around you and could get help quickly.
I guess the exercise triggered the blackout.
I wish you the best for a quick recovery from your surgery.
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - Black - 09-10-2011
Sorry about your pending intimacy with the medical establishment, but great news about the location of the tumor. I'm sure you'll be posting within a few hours of surgery.
Please keep us posted (or empower someone to do so on your behalf if temporarily necessary.)
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - space-time - 09-10-2011
wow, good luck.
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - Carnos Jax - 09-10-2011
Wow Mike, as I read the first few paragraphs of your post, I though to myself "this sucks". Well, I'm sure you ain't jumping for joy (just yet) about it, but sounds like this should be a slam dunk and you will soon be able to forget about it. Ok, maybe I'm being to reaching in regards to forgetting about it.
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - lafinfil - 09-10-2011
This is exactly why I don't exercise! No good ever come from it.
: -/
Sounds like they have discovered this on the very early side of things and hopefully your outcome will be positive. I can't imagine that it will be easy to relax for the next couple days, but do the best you can. In order to avoid stress do not start any bike threads.
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - Winston - 09-10-2011
Wow. Scary thing to have to deal with. I have one friend who had a brain tumor which was "excised" with a gamma knife (focussed radiation). He was a singer with the local symphony chorus. The surgery affected his voice, but he was determined to get it back. After several years of therapy he was able to rejoin the chorus. It was a remarkable achievement.
From what I've read, the brain is more adaptable than was previously thought. It sounds like you are unlikely to have major side effects, but if you do, don't give up hope of regaining anything you've lost.
We'll be thinking about you, and I'm sure those of us who feel it might help will be praying too.
Good luck (meant with even more heart than usually).
- Winston
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - Paul F. - 09-10-2011
Holy crap! Thats a little more eventful a day than I'd be comfortable with...
I'm going to suggest you take an iPad, a roll of good toilett paper, a clown nose and water pistol to the hospital with you.
Priority One: get well.
Priority Two: be the patient that the staff remembers for having a great attitude, a clown nose, and a water pistol.
Get well soon!
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - haikuman - 09-10-2011
I can certainly echo deco's thoughts . It is truly a good thing you were surrounded by friends and proactive people. I also wish for the best outcome for you. Please take care Mike and keep us posted when possible.
Rudie
Re: So there I was in the gym, next thing I know I am on a stretcher... - mattkime - 09-10-2011
Thanks for sharing, be well.