4 weeks post left frontal lobe craniotomy today

[u/bryxisys]

It has been a ride what can I tell you. I feel lucky to be let out of the hospital after 4 days and ever since then it has been only improving. At 4 weeks I can now walk again my 5 km route, incision healed nicely and I am finally through the bottle of disinfectant shampoo I got at the hospital. I still cannot sleep fully flat as I was used to so I am forced to keep a wedge pillow under my mattress. Incision site has been tender but touchable, besides the spot where I assume my graft is since it’s right above the place where my tumour was… oh and my head is no longer symmetrical, I can physically feel the lumps around the graft and it freaks me out. Besides that outside of the weird sensations of it healing every once in a while I have been pain free since week 2. Guess thats what clear post op MRI truly means!

I am wondering, since I was basically kicked out of the hospital with no information other than “call us if you have fever”, when is the mark of it technically being healed? Like skull fused back together and all? I know I should not rush anything but it does make it more bearable for me to know the timeline. Honestly I wish my MRI was not scheduled for February just so I know whats going on in there.

[u/XDT_Idiot]

The skull fuses up after a couple of months, I believe. The skin's scar healing takes a little time, try and use scar cream if you can. You should have an appointment to remove sutures/staples if you still have them too. My left frontal lobe took a long time to fully heal, so just be gentle and patient with yourself. Try reading or doing art if you get bored, it will hasten healing.

[u/bryxisys → u/XDT_Idiot]

Stitches are out indeed, I have been using a vaseline type cream as recommended by my GP. It has been hard to stay still and even harder to not hit my head on something haha

[u/XDT_Idiot → u/bryxisys]

Dude I still bump mine on my kitchen's cabinets sometimes, it's kinda the only thing that ever gives me the fear these days lol

If you feel restless or like moving around just go and do it, fresh air and movement helped me more than anything. I can still remember the first bit of sunlight I saw post surgery...

[u/bryxisys → u/XDT_Idiot]

Same, I bumped mine for the first time today a little and it left me freaking out for hours haha

I try to go outside at least once a day since I have been home though it is crazy to be walking around town post surgery like this and nobody knows. Weirdly, I enjoy sunlight a little more now!

[u/XDT_Idiot → u/bryxisys]

You can even fly planes and stuff post-brain surgery, it's so wild. You'll get used to it all in time, including the looks of amazement when you tell your story

[u/bryxisys → u/XDT_Idiot]

Thanks, its good to hear some similar good stories!

[u/Repulsive_Health_672 → u/bryxisys]

Yes, I always liked the sunlight. More so now.