So occasionally I have been told that I have a swollen head or a stiff neck. But now I know, it's not my fault! My brain is just much bigger than yours. No, really. It is. It's so big it doesn't even all fit in my head--some of it has to squeeze into my neck.
All right, seriously, here's the story. I have this condition called a Chiari Malformation. It's caused when the brain extends past the skull into the neck. There's a little illustration here. How do I know I have this? A few years ago I had these severe headaches, so I went in for an MRI and they found this thing with my brain. They recommended that I might want to have surgery, but I decided against it. The headaches were pretty crummy, but I felt like I could manage them. And they did eventually improve.
But here we are a few years later, and the headaches are back and bigger than ever. I went to see Tiffany Darrow for a massage Friday (Go, Tiffany!) and she kept telling me how stiff my neck was! Then I remembered this chiari thing. As I read about all the symptoms online, I felt like the pain I was experiencing (and still am, right this second) is exactly like what fits the condition. Now I am reconsidering that surgery.
So if you see me in a few weeks sporting a really stylish buzz haircut, you'll know that immense brain of mine just decided it needed more room.
3 comments:
Isn't this the same condition Carrie has? She is planning to have surgery for it soon too. You could be surgery buddies and do it around the same time! It must not be that uncommon!
I didn't know that! I'll have to give her a call. I talked to Gayle Henrickson today to get the scoop on a good surgeon. Thanks for the tip.
Good luck, that's kind of scary. Keep me posted if you need anything!
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