Big Appointment Day

Today is a huge day for me....

Today I am meeting with Dr. Robert Friedlander, Chair of the department of Neurosurgery for UPMC Pittsburgh. This guy is the top of the top for my condition (Chiari Malformation) in the state.

I'm both excited and nervous. I'm really hoping to be able to get some answers about what I have going on. I'm praying his listens to my concerns and gives me knowledgeable answers as to the yes and no of things.

I'm nervous about the speed to which he got me into the practice, I know some people who have been waiting months to get in to see him. I was 2 weeks between initial call, review of films and appointment date. This is either really good, or really bad. Or maybe a bit of both. Either way, I'm nervous about how this is going to go. Today will most likely determine if I need Decompression Surgery to help mitigate the symptoms of my Chiari. . . and that scares the hell out of me.

I'm 37 years old. I've never had so much as a broken bone.... let alone a major life changing surgery. . . the thought is terrifying and the anxiety is more than real. But I try really hard not to get ahead of myself or I'm gonna talk myself out of the appointment.

So this morning I'm going through and really narrowing down some questions that I need answers too. . . because I want the whole picture. I'm praying he listens to me with compassion and understanding and gives me some real information about what is going on with my head.