Post Surgery Day 2/3 - 11th Nov 2011

Here we are then 3 days since surgery, the healing process has been very up and down, at some moments Robbie seems to be doing really well, and at others he still seems quite poorly... I suppose this is only to be expected so soon.

The bandage on his head which has caused so much irritation has been the main focal point of his discomfort, although for obvious infection avoiding reasons this has to stay in place, this bandage has gone through many stages from a professional, snug fitting tight bandage on surgery day, to a slacker, less snug fitting headband, and eventually to a tired old bandaged which touched his head in some places and not in others... to the extent Mum decided she would try and make it a bit more comfortable for him yesterday, and Robbie himself stated... "You have made me look like Alladin" in a non too pleased way... overall we had a good laugh at his comment, and his usual dry sense of humour... One thing Robbie has retained throughout this ordeal has been his wry wit.

Eventually today after telling the consultant his bandage was really itchy, and complaining about it several times, a compromise has been reached where Robbie has now been given a "Tubex" type bandage on the firm agreement between him and the nurses that he promises not to scratch his head... Or the old bandage will have to go back on... He seems much more comfortable with this for the time being.

Today has been the first time he has complained of his "battery" being sore, he is of course referring to the rechargeable battery which has been placed on his left shoulder, under the skin, just above his upper ribs. This is quite pronounced and noticeable at this stage, but I dare say this may well be down to the swelling within the fresh wound.

Overall thought we are coping well, the Doctors are happy, the nurses are happy so all is good on that front... The painkillers seem to make Robbie's pain bearable and he complains only a little, although you can see in his face sometimes he is uncomfortable.

Couple of interesting facts we have witnessed so far, although we are still at very early days, Robbie normally wears a splint due to the fact his right foot is affected by the dystonic posturing of the calf muscle pulling his foot up towards the inside of his knee, initial indications seem to suggest (or it certainly appears to us) this does not seem anywhere near as bad as it was, and he now seems to be adopting a normal posture.

The second interesting early change we have seen is Robbie always had a problem co-ordinating both his arms together, ie when he was writing he needed a support to hold a piece of paper in place whilst he wrote with his left hand (the right hand couldn't hold the paper at the same time)... Interestingly when he was filling in a drink chart today (which the nurses keep to monitor fluid intake) - he immediately held the paper with his right hand, and wrote with his left (He did keep losing grasp of the pen, but managed to pick it up) whilst still securing the paper in position with his right hand... this is a definite change to what he was doing prior to DBS.

I think it is also pertinent to remember these changes are likely to be slow, as he has adapted ways to deal with things he couldn't do prior to DBS so it will take a while to learn new techniques and skills which he maybe couldn't manage prior to DBS.... not to mention he has only had basic programming done on the stimulators at this time and I am sure as the review visits come over the coming months there will be further elements of fine tuning to be done... Yes initially we are very happy with his progress... what a wee star !!!