Insomnia and Pain

Life as of Right Now

I have been having such a hard time with pain, migraines, and insomnia. Every night I either can’t get to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. I’ve counted and I take roughly Twenty pills a day. Twenty!! Between my muscle relaxer for my back, my anti-anxieties to sleep, my need for tylenol, and my daily vitamins and meds. I now have an infection of my mastoid, which absolutely is painful. It’s finally stopped throbbing after three days of heat compression and antibiotics. My neck and back aches constantly from the Chiari and I really just want to lie in bed all day. I am struggling to stay positive, but I know that I am a strong individual and that I CAN do this. I miss my not having my dad and mom by my side every step of the way, but I’m growing up and this is one challenge that I’ve been given to tackle. I will continue to fight and stay motivated, it’s the only thing I can do right now.

My referral to the neurosurgeon has been approved and put in and they will be contacting me next week. I can’t wait to finally have a plan for things.

Cassandra’s Chiari

I can’t tell you all enough how much it means to me to have a support system in place. 15 shirts is incredible so far. I’m very appreciative of everyone’s love and willingness to help.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1077188662300543/
Click the Image!

Above is the link for the Facebook event to buy the shirts; Please invite your friends and family and share.

About Cassandra

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In case I have individuals who don’t know me personally reading my blog, I decided I would introduce myself and talk a bit about my passions. First of all, I’m a full time student at Texas Tech University and majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Yay science. I used to hate science in high school, but I absolutely love it now that I’m in the real world. My favorite subject is microbiology.

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I also work part-time at a wonderful little vet clinic as a vet assistant. Animals are my absolute favorite. There is nothing more satisfying knowing that I helped an animal and made a difference in their care. I am seriously thinking of becoming a veterinarian for dogs, cats, and small animals. I used to watch Animal Planet 24/7 and Steve Irwin was my idol. They have a permanent place in my heart. I love style, yet I usually dress super casual in a sort of I-don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks way, but there are occasions where I show my sense of fashion. I’m addicted to pinterest! Who isn’t these days? I actually have a board for my chiari malformation. I think it was one of my ways to cope when I found out. Pugs are my favorite animals and when I graduate, I will adopt one! I live with my boyfriend of 14 months and his brother in a cozy duplex with our Pomeranian, Eli, and our Tabby, Oliver. My mother lives right across the street so I get to see my other babies often too: Tasha and Ginger, the sweetest Chihuahuas with loads of personality. I have the most amazing parents and am so lucky to be close to both of them. My dad lives in Livingston on the lake with our Doberman, Max. He’s a nurse and served in the military for twenty+ years. My mother is my best friend and is the sweetest and most bubbly person you will ever meet.

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 I have one brother, Rhett, and sister-in-law, Jackie, the parents to my two little nieces: Emelia is almost three and a new little girl is due in January. I also have another “sister” that I’ve bonded with so closely since we were sixteen. Dianne is my other half and keeps me sane. I am so lucky to have the amazing family I do. I love my Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles very much and my boyfriend’s family are wonderful too!

My favorite things include: science, horror films, kewpies, netflix binging (right now we’re watching Sons of Anarchy), hedgehogs, crafting (sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc.), Lily Allen music, hiking, Halloween, tattoos, decorating, vans, aliens, unicorns, stop-animation films, pugs, of course, fashion, decor, the paranormal, nature’s beautiful places, action movies, online shopping, and uncrustables.

Things I want to do: be more physically active (get in shape), visit New Zealand and Thailand, start cooking, beat this fight.

Thanks to all!

xo

Diagnosis

I got my MRI results on October 2, 2015 at 3:20 am.

My diagnosis: I have a congenital defect called Chiari Malformation Type I, my cerebral spinal fluid outflow is being blocked by my cerebellar tonsils protruding through my foramen magnum. So in other words , my skull is too small for my brain. (That’s where my smarts come from!) This is a rare disease and effects 1 in 1000. This is what is causing the pain and tingling in my arms and legs. Everything has finally matched up and I am relieved to have an answer finally. So what does this mean?

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I have to undergo decompression surgery to allow the CSF to circulate like it’s suppose to, a type of brain surgery. It luckily isn’t too invasive as they will only have to remove the bone at the back of the skull and spine. The dura overlying the tonsils will be opened and a patch will be sewn to expand the space.The goal is to relieve compression of the brainstem and spinal cord, and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

The surgery will take 2-3 hours and I will be in the hospital for 2-4 days for recovery.

I do not yet have a scheduled date as I need to meet with my neurologist and my neurosurgeon.

Purple is the color to support Chiari Malformation Awareness, so I’ve changed my profile images to purple to raise awareness about this rare disease.

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If you have the ability please share or purchase one of these shirts I designed to share awareness about Chiari Malformation and to support me in my recovery, it would be much appreciated.

https://www.bonfirefunds.com/cassandras-chiari

Much Love,

Cass