Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Many of you know, but for those of you that don’t, Michelle was recently diagnosed with Chiari I Malformation. She wanted to create this blog site to keep her closest family and friends up to date on her condition, surgery, and recovery. Chiari I Malformation is a very debilitating, rare disease and Michelle will need your support in the coming weeks and months as she battles through the surgery and recovery. Please feel free to post comments to this blog. Michelle will be able to read your comments, and they will help lift her spirits during this difficult time.

So how did Michelle get to where she is today?

Christmas day of 2005, Michelle was in a serious car accident in which she severely injured her neck and lower back. As a result of the accident, she underwent surgery in April of 2007 to repair damaged discs in her lower back and alleviate the nerve damage that had been caused by the herniated/ruptured discs.

In July of 2007, Michelle began to experience heart palpitations. These palpitations ranged from mildly uncomfortable to very debilitating; forcing Michelle to change her lifestyle. No longer could she consume caffeine or any other stimulants, and was generally unable to exercise at all. Even going out to run errands or attend social events became very difficult. There were times that the palpitations were so bad that she had to go to the emergency room. The ER doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the palpitations, so Michelle sought the guidance from a couple different cardiologists to ascertain the cause and treatment for the heart palpitations. The cardiologists put her through a battery of tests: tilt table testing, wearing a heart monitor for an entire week while keeping journal entries detailing when symptoms came on to track her heart beats, Doppler studies of her carotid arteries in her neck due to the "tightening" feeling she was experiencing, blood pressure pills (that made Michelle extremely dizzy and severely dropped her blood pressure causing her to, once again, visit the ER), several heart tests, such as echocardiograms, and more. Unfortunately, none of the tests determined anything conclusive. A few doctors even suggested that Michelle was having anxiety and panic attacks due to her planning the wedding and prescribed her anti-anxiety pills, which completely infuriated her. Michelle’s only option at this point was to just deal with the heart palpitations and related discomfort.

Her condition began to worsen as time went on. In addition to the heart palpitations, Michelle began to experience vertigo, dizziness, trouble swallowing, ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, and fatigue. The vertigo forced her to leave a movie theater just five minutes into the showing because she became severely dizzy from the stadium seating layout of the theater. Everyday tasks, like drinking or eating, had become difficult because it was hard to swallow and non-descript foods appeared to trigger her palpitations. Fortunately, she was able to enjoy her wedding and honeymoon, although, not completely as a result of the multiple symptoms she was living with.

Following the honeymoon, Michelle returned to New Jersey and attempted, for the first time since her back surgery, to go back to her job as an RN in the emergency room at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. While giving every ounce of energy to her job, Michelle ultimately was forced to discontinue working at that hospital because the rigors of the job were too much to bear in light of the symptoms; nearly passing out several times on the job because of the palpitations and dizziness.

In early January of 2008, another symptom reared its ugly head, severe headaches. From a severity and occurrence standpoint, these headaches immediately went to the top of Michelle’s list of symptoms. There were numerous occasions that she had to confine herself to a dark room, devoid of any light, and try to gut it out in silence. Over the counter pain medication had no effect on her headaches. Michelle went to her primary doctor to address the "migraine" headaches. Her primary doctor could not put her finger on anything but ordered Michelle to get a CAT scan of her brain to see if there were any neurological problems. The results of the CAT scan led Michelle’s primary physician to order Michelle to get an MRI of the brain because she suspected something was wrong, but didn’t want divulge anything until an MRI confirmation could be delivered. In fact, she notified Michelle of these unfavorable findings by leaving a voicemail on her cell phone, which made Michelle wrought with fear. At this point, Michelle was in so much pain so suddenly, she thought her doctor was about to deliver a terminal blow. When she finally got in touch with her physician, the doctor gave her a vague explanation, and said, "We will discuss more when the MRI results are in."

The MRI results came back in the middle of February and they confirmed what the primary doctor suspected, Arnold-Chiari Malformation, or Chiari Malformation. Very little is known about Chiari Malformation, so the primary physician ordered Michelle to go see a neurologist. In the meantime, the doctor prescribed Michelle some pain medicine. Unfortunately, the next several weeks were punctuated by nothing but frustration. The neurologist that Michelle saw failed to make a connection between her symptoms and dismissed her condition as nothing more than migraines, and even laughed at her when she insisted on him delving more into the finding of Chiari Malformation on the MRI. He prescribed her migraine medication and told her to check back with him in six months. This was a road that Michelle had been down before, suffering from "migraines" as a teenager, and she knew that there was more wrong then just migraines. In retrospect, the "migraines" that she experienced as a teen may very well have been an early onset of Chiari Malformation symptoms, which went into remission until the head trauma from her car accident. This is all speculation, of course, but it makes sense. Furthermore, the pain medication her primary doctor prescribed was having little to no effect on her headaches.

Michelle got onto the computer and began researching Chiari Malformation intently; learning any and all information that was available regarding this rare disease. It was at this time that she found the Chiari Institute, a unique and world renowned center for treating this disease. Getting an appointment with the institute was no easy task, but with a little persuasion from a distant relative of Michelle's we were able to get her an appointment on April 2, 2008. Michelle received a complete and thorough medical exam from a physician’s assistant, a neurologist, and a neurosurgeon. The institute utilized their own imaging center to take MRI’s, CAT scans, and Doppler images of Michelle’s brain and brain stem. Dr. Paolo Bolognese delivered the diagnosis of Chiari I Malformation. In addition to the Chiari diagnosis, Michelle was also diagnosed with POTS, EDS, and possible Tethered Cord Syndrome (see definitions below). While no one of these diseases directly causes Chiari Malformation, a great number of patients that suffer from CM I have been found to have the other rare syndromes as well. Chiari I is a congenital disease, which would likely explain the migraines that Michelle experienced in high school. However, the migraines and other symptoms were re-activated, if you will, as a result of the trauma she experienced from the car accident back in December of 2005; coming on slowly, one at a time almost.

Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting a Posterior Fossa Decompression surgery, Dr. Bolognese wanted Michelle to try two different things. The first was to begin taking an osmotic diuretic called Diamox. This pill could potentially alleviate some of the pressure in Michelle’s brain, which might rid her of the terrible headaches by helping her expel some of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) that is being prevented from properly draining out of her brain due to her CM I. The second thing that Dr. Bolognese wanted Michelle to do was to get urodynamics studies. This test is designed to determine whether or not a patient has a neurogenic bladder, or a bladder that isn’t functioning properly. If Michelle was found to have a neurogenic bladder then it would confirm the Tethered Cord Syndrome diagnosis. Tethered Cord Syndrome requires its own surgery; however, it is much less risky than a Posterior Fossa Decompression surgery. Sadly, the Diamox made Michelle feel absolutely horrible and the urodynamics test was inconclusive. Dr. Bolognese still states he has an underlying suspicion that she does in fact have Tethered Cord Syndrome, and wants to continue to monitor it closely in the future. We met with Dr. Bolognese one more time on May 22nd and Michelle decided to proceed with the Posterior Fossa Decompression surgery.

So what does Michelle have in front of her?

Michelle’s surgery is scheduled for Monday, June, 23rd at 7:00 AM. The entire surgery will take between 8 and 9 hours and she will be in the hospital for 6 days total, without any complications; fingers crossed! Michelle will be at home recovering for at least 3 months before she can begin resuming normal activities and work. The prognosis is good, most of her symptoms should go away entirely, and she should be able to live her life like any other adult.

The surgery itself is very delicate, as you might imagine, however, the Chiari Institute is the only place in the world where two neurosurgeons scrub in on the surgery. They do not use resident doctors or physicians' assistants to perform the surgery. This method greatly reduces the risk factors involved with such a complex surgery. Before her actual surgery, Michelle is scheduled for a smaller surgical procedure in which they will put her under anesthesia, and insert two titanium screws in each of her temples. When she wakes, she will be connected to traction by those screws, which will attempt to elongate her spine. Why you may ask? They suspect that in addition to her posterior fossa being malformed, she may also have another area contributing to the compression of her brain. The 2nd cervical vertebrae has a long bone that extends upwards called the odontoid. Usually it extends up at a 90 degree angle, but sometimes that bone can actually tilt backward towards the brain stem, causing a sandwich effect of the brain stem between her posterior fossa and the odontoid. The traction will attempt to alleviate some of the symptoms by bringing the odontoid back to its proper position. If that is the outcome, the surgeons will have to operate on that area as well. Before her scheduled PFD surgery, Michelle will have an area in the back of her head shaved outlining the area the surgeons will be operating on, much to her dismay! The neurosurgeons will be making an incision from Michelle’s first cerebral vertebrae all the way up to the crown of her skull, roughly 8 – 10 inches. They will then go in and cut open the dura, which is the protective, sterile membrane that surrounds the brain stem, brain, and CSF. After this, the neurosurgeons will coagulate the part of Michelle’s cerebellum (the cerebral tonsils) that have been forced downward into her spinal canal by the malformed posterior fossa. Once the tonsils have been coagulated, or shrunk back up out of and through the foramen magnum back into its proper place in the skull, the neurosurgeons will then harvest a part of Michelle’s skull, near the crown of her head. They then will open up the malformed posterior fossa, and use the harvested skull piece as a sort of patch to make the space that houses her cerebellum larger, to mitigate against the cerebellum descending in the future. The removed portion of skull regenerates, and will actually grow back in time. Once these steps have been done, the neurosurgeons must complete the delicate task of closing the dura and other membranes that were opened to gain access to the cerebral tonsils. This is a critical step because any small holes in the stitches could lead to life-threatening infections.

Your prayers and best wishes are certainly needed. Michelle will be in considerable pain following the surgery because the doctors will have to cut completely through all of the muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues in her neck to gain access to the surgical sight. If the recovery weren’t enough, Michelle has also recently discovered that she is deadly allergic to almonds, hazelnuts, and other tree nuts, along with a severe allergy to wheat gluten; a problem that has forced her to visit the ER about 5 times since January. Michelle will have to navigate very carefully around what she eats for the rest of her life; just another one of the many perks of being a Chiari Malformation patient. She has been following a very strict Gluten/nut-free diet the past 5 or 6 weeks. These allergies will not alleviate after the surgery, as was secretively hoped; as her doctor states, "Once a Chiari patient, always a Chiari patient."

Please stay tuned to this website for additional updates as they become available and thank you to everyone for your love and support for Michelle during this trying time.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks so much for the update. Very scary disease.I am happy to be educated on it but by all means not at the cost it is having on Michelle. I will defintiely be forwarding this. You both are surrounded by so many people who love you and will do whatever is necessary to help in any way. I am definitely one of them. I am off all summer and can be there whenver I am needed - even if it just because Michelle doesn't want to be alone. Aaron - you really are a great person. thanks for this - Jenn

Anonymous said...

OMG! Thank you for the information I had no clue. Michelle, I know at the moment you are not very well, but it won't be for long. For I am praying very hard for you right now so soon you will be fit and strong! Get well soon, Cuz, I love you. If there is anything I can do please let me know.

Anonymous said...

Michelle - I had no clue. Please let me know if there is anything I can do or if there is anything you need. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers
Alissa

Anonymous said...

Michelle, Aaron, I'm very sorry. I have a strong feeling that the surgery will be not only a success, but the beginning of a better life. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I'll pray for the speediest recovery!
Lenny

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
I am so so sorry to hear that you are sick. I hope that all goes well with your surgery and your recovery. Please know that I am here if you ever need anything. Get well soon....
Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Oh my Lord, what is up with the world when you have to deal with stuff like this? Remember Michelle what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger... you are about to be the strongest b***h in the world!! It sounds like you are in very capable hands, take comfort in that. My thoughts and prayers are with you both always. Thanks for keeping us updated.
Much LOVE, Heidi

Anonymous said...

Michelle - I wanted to let you know that Audrey and I are thinking about you and that you are in our thoughts and prayers! Please let us know if there is anything that we can do, and I do mean anything! I am certain your upcoming surgery will be nothing but one hundred percent successful. Hopefully we'll be albe to get together in near future, and who knows, it may be time to put the ski helmet back on for another round of fun (I ran across those pics on my computer)
Lots of Love,
Tim & Audrey

Anonymous said...

Michelle and Aaron, If it's true that we are only dealt challenges in life that we can actually handle, then you two must be the strongest people that we know. We are here for you and love you both. And don't worry, unlike some of us, your hair will grow back, Michelle!
Love, Rob, Lila & Colin

Anonymous said...

We am so sorry to hear you are going thru this, Michelle. We know with Aaron by your side, your surgery will be a success and a pain-free life is just around the corner! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Love, Bob and Karen (Rob's parents)

Unknown said...

Dear Michelle,

Just as she was at your wedding, grandma will be there with you holding your hand and taking care of those doctors. You are in our constant thoughts and prayers and anything you guys need please let us know. i hope to go sit with mommy at the hospital that day. love, hugs and kisses,

maryann and ted

Anonymous said...

Michelle My Belle, I'm so very sorry for all that you have been through and are going through. If I could take this away from you, I would in an instant. You have always been a strong woman, but when you need to cry my arms will always be here to hold you and my fingertips to wipe away those tears. I know you will be healed soon and free of pain.

You and Aaron have been put through so much and both of you have shown so much dedication, devotion and true love for each other.

I pray each day for you and I know that God is smiling down on you and blessing both of you health, wealth and happiness.

Love you always,
Mom and Dad

Anonymous said...

Michelle,

My thoughts and prayers are always with you. I love you and will always do anything for you. You and Aaron are truly blessed to have each other. I thank God every day for bringing the two of you together.

Andrew, John and myself will be here for you for whatever you need.

You are strong, you are a fighter and you will get through this and come out even stronger and better than ever.

Love,
Aunt Paula

Kellette said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys, the blog was very educational.
-Rob's sister Kellie and husband Templeton.

Anonymous said...

wow you guys. I had no idea!! Thanks for the information. I am so sorry to hear about what you have been and continue to go through with all of this. At least you now have a dr who is listening to you and a plan of action. It's a good thing your a nurse! If there is anything that you need or that we can do for you please let us know. We are here if you need us, any time. You both are in our thoughts and payers. I wish you a speedy recovery Michelle and look forward to a time in the future when we will all be together celebrating your recovery and this will all be a thing of the past. Hope to see you both some day soon.

XOXO
Emily

Anonymous said...

Hi Aaron and Michelle,
Can't imagine how you both are coping--I am exhausted just reading about everything! Please know that you are both in our thoughts and prayers. I'll call my prayer buddies and place Michelle on our list. Aaron, let us know if there is anything you need--family is here to help!
Trish

Anonymous said...

Aaron and Michelle,

Be assured that Bill and I will add you and Michelle to our own prayers and the prayer list of our church. Our thoughts and love are with both of you during this difficult time, thank you for keeping us up to date.

Lots of love,
Bill and Jana Bullinger

Anonymous said...

Dearest gorgeous Michelle,

I think that you're going to be ok. I just know you will. Plus look at what Arron wrote in the blog. I couldn't do something like that in such a professional and perfect manner. You are married to my Godson, one of the most loving and capable people I know. You have done the work, testing and you have found out what needs to be done and who to do it. To be honest, I'm a little frightened for you. But I'm not as strong as you two together are. Hell, I'm having a colonoscopy next Monday and I'm scared of that!! I just want you to be all done with the terrible symptoms and to be all done with the successful surgery and for you to be able to get on with your life, new marriage, and back to helping others in your career. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! I hope and pray that you can find a way to look past this process and on to being normal again. My and my Mom's hearts and prayers are all over you both! Always remember, the Lord will never give you more than you can handle. Be as strong as you can be, and HE will take care of you.

All our love, Uncle Dano and Mom

Unknown said...

Michelle - I had no idea just how much you've been going through. And here I thought just planning a wedding was painful enough. I think i'll stop complaining now. But you will get through this. And your life will be richer, funnier, and more beautiful for having battled through so much adversity. Your friends, your family... we are all here for you now, and will be for a long time to come. I look forward to looking back on all this with you and Aaron. Preferably on a boat somewhere with little umbrellas in our drinks. From Emily and myself, you have all our love. And we'll see you soon.
Matt

Anonymous said...

Hey babygirl. I just finished reading all the comments everyone wrote. It's amazing how much love both you and Aaron are surrounded by.

You know, when I first heard about your diagnosis, I was ecstatic because I knew you found the answer to all your suffering. Even though the road ahead would be tough, the end was in sight. Life is full of walls you have to get past; you climbed over the wall that was your suffering to find the diagnosis, the next wall was what to do about it and you went around that wall to find the best doctors in the world to operate, and you're going to bust through that wall of surgery head first(well, maybe not head first),to come out on the other side feeling great!

So don't you worry sugarbaby, you are the strongest young woman I know who is married to a man full of love for you. I know this to be true because on those rare occasions when you might test my patience a little(?!?), Aaron's response is to just love you a little more. I can see it in his eyes and it makes me feel so much better knowing that if I can't be there to take care of you, Aaron will.

Thank you Aaron.

I've rambled long enough. I guess I just wanted to say that mommy and I love you both very much and we will always be here for you.

Dad and mom

Melisa said...

DUDE !!! GOOD LUCK TODAY!!!! C'Ya soon... Give me a call if you need help or just wanna talk... ttyl

Anonymous said...

May God watch over you Michelle, guide the surgeons hands, give you, Aaron and your family unlimited inner strength and courage to face the coming days. May the love of your family and friends heal you. And remember that you are not alone, that we are all there with you. Love ya,
Craig

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you--hopefully this surgery provides the relief you need. Please let us know if there's anything we can do.
Mike & Jenn Colodney

Anonymous said...

Hi Michelle. We have been praying for you since Mom told me what the Doctors have found. In my heart I know you will be raid of all this, and go on to give your Mom and Dad all the Grand children they want so so bad..lol. If I can go thought 4 opertions and looking at another in the past 4 yrs ( And I am much older then you) I am sure you can get thought this. You are very strong (mind and body). We will keep you in our prays. We love you, and will see you soon.

Love Jo and Lydia

Unknown said...

Michelle,
Words cannot express what you mean to my life, and I was positive no one would ever be good enough for you. I was wrong, Aaron is a great person and I love him more dearly than a brother. No two people are better armed to face and deal with this adversity than both of you. You know I'm here for you both no matter what and no matter when all you need to do is ask. As you know many times you won't even need to ask. You'll be in my heart and my thoughts as always...seeing you today after you opened your eyes reminded me why your my best friend and how no one can take your place in my heart. Great things lie ahead of you and I'm priveledged to know I'll be there to see them happen...
Frankie

Anonymous said...

Please rest and take good care of yourself and feel better soon my friend. Hold on to your positive attitude. I want you to know that I am here for you & I will be praying for you and Aaron to get through this difficult time in your lives. Love you much Tye

Unknown said...

Michelle,

Wow! thanks for all all the information because I had no idea. I'm glad the surgery went well and just take it easy. I know the surgery was not easy as my mom just had brain surgery a month ago. Just stay srong and just continue being, well, you, and I'm sure everything will turn out great. You're in my prayers.

Hons