My headaches have been well under control since surgery in March. Yesterday I had a headache and thought ‘Where did this come from?’ Today awoke with a migraine and thought ‘What did I eat?’

A day or two ago I remembered eating an entire box of macaroni & cheese. Apparently even organic mac & cheese is on the ‘do not eat’ list.🧀

Cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, caffeine and artificial sweeteners still banned from my eating list.

After intracranial monitoring in March, and the adjustment to my shunt, the difference has been remarkable.

I hardly have any headaches, fingers crossed it stays that way. Also my body seems to be more tolerant to migraine triggers. I haven’t had a weather migraine since the shunt adjustment, I’m no longer a walking barometer. I don’t have to instantly anticipate a migraine in two days if I forget to say “decaf” at Starbucks.

Dodged another physician appointment with refills.

Today attending Chicago Writers’ Workshop. I will write my book despite headaches, memory issues, and brain surgeries.

Home from Europe. Two physician appointments; one this week, one next. No more appointments for two months. Fingers crossed head continues to behave.🤞

I’m on my way home. I’m ready. My head hurts, my shoulder hurts, my body is weary. I should be using this time to write, but even my brain feels tired. I can’t believe it, but for a while, I’m travelled out.

After arriving in England on May 8 and running non-stop since then, today’s a day to literally stay in bed. Being six hours out of my “home” time zone, and running on fumes causes vestibular migraines. #anounzeofprevention

Since my last brain surgery March 18, I’ve been traveling; a lot. My first trip was to DC, a week trapsing around museums. I commented it was recovery by fire. Next we went to Indiana for the weekend then Springfield the following weekend. Now as this weekend winds down I’m packing for a three-week trip to Europe.I’m grateful my hydrocephalus is stable enough to allow me to do what I love.

Saturday I walked the longest distance I have since surgery, roughly two miles. Before surgery, no problem; Saturday I felt weary with every step. One foot in front of the other to get the job done. Healing is real, but you don’t get further without a little push. I feel I have to be ready for long walks later this week, on my way to Washington DC. Not sure how the new shunt setting will deal with the difference in air pressure while onboard the plane, always an adventure.

Today is the first day since surgery that I feel as good and as strong as I do normally. The headache I had for three months is gone.

Yesterday, five days after minor brain surgery, I felt fine. Nothing hurt, I had breakfast, even after getting up early. I caught the 7:30am train to Chicago, then a bus to Michigan Avenue. Arrived on time for one-day convention on Crime Writing.

By 11:30am I was ready for a nap! That was only after one session; I couldn’t believe how little energy I had. All I’d done was sit all day, on the train, the bus, the talk…good night!

I took a small nap during their State of the State address. I plopped into a comfy chair and was out!

I went to the next presentation then their organized lunch. I was slugging around a bag that was at least ten pounds. I’m not supposed to lift anything over ten pounds, let alone lug it around all day!

At 2pm, I realized my body literally couldn’t endure the rest of the convention, even though my brain wanted to. I began my trudge back home. Waited for the bus, waited for the train. Arrived home 4:30pm. At 6pm I started a longer nap until 7:30. No dinner needed, appetite lost.

And that’s why, as small as the surgery seems; it’s not.

#neurosurgery