Am I the only one that is feeling just about every emotion constantly as surgery gets closer and closer? You all know better than anyone else the “guarded hope” that you develop on this journey after going to appointment after appointment with hope just to be told that “everything is normal.” It’s a genuine neuro pathway that is deeply seated into my subconscious. I am hopeful, nervous, scared, excited, apprehensive…all of the feels. I’m grateful to be in the same town as my surgeon (Fargen) and I don’t have to deal with the added stress of traveling for this (Left styloidectomy with C1 shave). Just looking for some reassurance that the wide range of emotions is normal. Also, add that I see Hackman this Tuesday to discuss the right side. I haven’t seen anyone that actually has a clue about any of this since being with KF since 2024. Again, guarded hope going into that appointment. Luckily, he’s also fairly local (1.5h drive). Just venting and letting some thoughts out since this is one of the only places that is full of people that actually get what it’s like to be on this journey. Thanks ahead of time for any insight or advice that you have to offer. I have taken peoples advice on how to prepare, such as having plenty of ice packs, a neck pillow, and things like that.
I definitely know how you feel, I’m sure most of us who’ve had the surgery felt the same! I kept a journal of my symptoms in the lead up to surgery to remind myself how rough I felt some days and why I needed it so badly , sometimes you’d have the occasional ‘better’ day and then have the doubts about whether I was doing the right thing! I kept reading my favourite Bible verses, the Psalms & Isaiah26:3,4 to keep me focused and not afraid…
I guess in the run up to surgery if you’re able to eat healthily to do that, I took B group vitamins which are supposed to be good for nerve healing, a good idea to check with your doctor if they’re okay with any other meds you’re on though.
I guess you’ve read up on post-op recovery stories , if not that’s a good idea so that you’re prepared for it not to be an instant fix, & understand there will be highs & lows, steps forwards & then some back with recovery…
Will be praying that all goes well for you 
@SouthernBuckeye I used to go into every appointment hopeful that this specialist would finally be different. Eventually that turned into guarded hope, and then into, “I am tired of being bullied by the medical world, and I need this surgery.
When it came to the actual surgery, though, I was incredibly hopeful and honestly could not have had it done fast enough, but I had 10 years of symptoms and six years of trying to find help. It felt like relief was finally on the horizon. I was nervous that it would not alleviate all of my symptoms, and it did not, but it was still the best first step forward I had been offered in six years of dealing with the medical system.
I would wager that the one emotion most of us share is guarded hope, that surgery will finally mark the end of this exhausting journey and give us our quality of life back.
I’m glad the surgeons you’re seeing are more local to you than for some of our members. At least you have peace of mind from that. I’m sure you’ve read that along with IJV compression comes vagus nerve irritation/compression & the vagus nerve is responsible for heightened anxiety, depression, apprehension, etc., so emotions can be ramped up when it’s unhappy. I expect that once your vagus nerve is freed, you’ll find your emotional state will be more steady.
All that said, whenever we face “the unknown” our bodies shift into self-preservation mode which can certainly cause emotional upheaval. You’re on the runway now, speeding toward your surgery date, so I’ll be praying that symptoms relief is coming your way soon. I’ve put your surgery date on my calendar & will pray for you that day in particular.
Saw Hackman today. Confirmed VES. He agrees with left sytloidectomy next Thursday. He doesn’t do C1 shaves as much, which I expected. He said to wait around 2 months and if I still have symptoms, he’d be happy to take out the right. He felt that left was definetly worse and that there was essentially zero room between the styloid and the IJV. Feeling more reassured, for sure!
That’s good news, @SouthernBuckeye. I’m glad you have a plan for moving forward should you need to do so.
Hoping the surgery helps