Devins Battle
With Chiari Malformation
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Devins Battle With Chiari Malformation |
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support with a Chiari Awareness wrist band. These wristbands fit any wrist
and easily stretch if needed.
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The cost of these
wristbands are 4.00 each which includes shipping and handling! Lets show our color (PURPLE) and at the same time donate money to research so all Chiarians can get the treatment and medical knowledge that we need! |
I will be adding information to this page in the hope that my experiences will be helpful to you. If there is any other information about my experiences that you would like me to add please email them to me.
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What lead to the discovery of my Chiari Malformation (Car Accident Story) |
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| In April of 2005 I was rear ended at a stop light. Little did I know that this accident would change my life forever! My seat belt did not restrain me well, due to the fact that I was in an older vehicle. My head hit the steering well and immediately I felt a major headache along with severe neck pain. I drove myself to the emergency room ( not the smartest move since I felt dizzy) and they performed a cat scan which showed nothing. I was released with pain medications and told by the E.R., that I probably had severe whiplash and trauma....(what an understatement!) Boy, did they sure miss the problem that was to become extremely life altering and overwhelming. I was working full time at this point, and after 2 days break and some bruising on my face I was back to work. Every day became a struggle; feeling tired, neck stiff and sore, severe headache at the front of my head and base of my skull. Over time ( and not much) I started to experience tingling and numbness sensations/symptoms in the right side of my body that affected my right arm, face, and leg. I was visiting my family physician 2-3 times a week at this point, explaining my symptoms and crying of severe pain and about all the differences from the normal/physical me that were changing. | |
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What were my Chiari symptoms |
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Chiari treatments that I went through |
| My diagnosis did not come quickly in fact it took 8 months for a proper diagnosis and 1 year Until I was scheduled for decompression surgery. I was receiving adjustments from my family physician. (I do not advise this, had it been known that I had Chiari; my doctor would NOT have performed these) I was to undergo physical therapy to help with extremity weaknesses. I went to 3 different PT therapists. Many times it was just to painful and I was too tired, weak and in too much pain to do the strength training exercises. I was referred to a Neurologist that thought the severe problems I was having were simply due to the car accident including pinched nerves, headaches, lack of sleep and stress. I will never forget at that appointment I was referred to the Neurosurgeon. The man who would listen to me, understand, order extensive testing including MRI tests and reach a proper diagnosis. I was very frustrated at this point. I felt the more I explained to anyone about my symptoms, the more it hit me like a brick that my life post-motor vehicle accident; was not the life I once had. I had changed and I could not understand why! It was amazing to me that my neurosurgeon had heard my symptoms before. Sentences were being added on by him as I spoke, he genuinely knew what I was going through. Approximately 2 weeks after having my Brain MRI scan, I was back at my neurosurgeons office looking at my films on an x-ray board. It was explained to me that my Brain MRI concluded that I had Arnold Chiari Malformation I. All I could do was cry? What was he talking about C h i a r i what? At this point I was taken into his office and shown a model of a human head and skull. |
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My life since being diagnosed with Chiari Malformation |
| What can I say, my life has changed for me 100%. I want to say it's all positive but I can't; I would be lying to you and to myself. One BIG positive is how many GREAT people that I have met through this website. I have good days and I have VERY rough days. I feel as if I am climbing up a huge mountain at times that I fall off of every time but, I keep trying regardless. |
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Post decompression surgery life |
| LONG HEALING PROCESS~ This part is so different for everyone. My healing from the actual surgery was like any; other than my huge scar that took longer than normal to heal. Physical therapy, learning to do things differently. Monitoring my pain medications and keeping all doctor appointments. |
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Best advice that I can give you |
| STAY POSITIVE no matter what. Reach out when you need help. Love those around you. Remember that they are dealing with a very different, emotional person. Simply smile. We have Chiari and all that we can do is be very careful, spread awareness and support each other. Most importantly always have faith and hope. ~ Devin~ |
