u/LanZhanandWeiYing

Hi everyone! I am a second year associate and I was recently diagnosed with a malformation in my brain that has led me to need brain and spinal surgery. It's coming up in the next 2 weeks.

I was wondering if anyone has had any similar experience or have dealt with chronic pain and have any words of advice? I am just a little sad that I've worked so hard to get to where I am just to have my life sort of derailed like this before I even got a chance to travel outside the county or even get very far in my career haha. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I am a 26F and I am having surgery for a 1.5 in a few weeks. I am so scared haha. I've been attending university for the past 7 years, graduated from professional school last year and finally started a job and making money only to be told I have to get the surgery asap. I'll be out of work for 6 weeks. My job has been so accommodating, so that's not what this post is about. I guess I'm just scared something will happen. My surgeon at Mayo was very honest about the possible side effects, and I am so scared I will face them. Additionally, I get sick often so I'm just worried recovery won't go well. I've spent so many years stressed in school and I feel like I haven't gotten a real change to enjoy life and now I have to face this major surgery with no idea how it will go. Of course I am optimistic, but I'm also trying to be a realist. When I met with my neurologist she told me that 9/10 people don't even need the surgery so when I finally met the surgeon I was so unprepared for what I was told and took it so hard. That's why I want to be prepared now even for the worst. If anyone has any words of advice or encouragement, I would greatly appreciate it. Even if it's just something tough I should be aware of, I'd rather know and prepare. Thank you in advance.