As I mentioned yesterday, Julie has been suffering from a severe headache. I contacted the Dr. this morning and she had us come back to the hospital where a pain specialist (who just happened to be in the OR today) diagnosed her with an "spinal headache" caused by the epidural.
Apparently its fairly common (5-10%) where a patient gets this syndrome after an epidural. As I understand it, the epidural can upset the normal flow of spinal fluid causing severe headaches. Dr Ripp did a procedure called a blood patch, where there they take blood from your arm, then inject it exactly in the place where the epidural was and it somehow blocks (clots I guess) the spinal fluid that is not flowing right.
Well, it had an immediate effect. Her headache went from about a 14 on a scale of 1-10 to about a 2 in less than an hour. The procedure however requires she be on her back for a while (when she got up, it raced back up to an 8), and it opened up the door for her to realize the pain from the surgery - which is now pretty intense. So, she was admitted back into the hospital. I expect her to be released tomorrow morning.
Almost home, sweet home.
Ralina passed along your blog so we can continue to know how to pray for you. We will sign up for a meal and Scott would love to help in any way he can around the house. I am speechless right now, just now we have been thinking of you and praying for you since we heard the news last night. xoxo The Stramecki family (Scott, Jen, Allison and Madi)
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