Latest news on my brain leak,, or,,,, never let a runny nose out run you..

[cowpuc]

This is pretty crazy stuff...

After all kinds of blood tests,, CT Scans, MRI's, Brain Exams, nose probes, swallowing massive amounts of anti-biotics and shooting steroids into my nostrils I am now on my way to the University Of Michigan... Apparently, the U of M is the closest brain fluid repair/replace joint to us here in West Michigan..

Everything we are being told sounds pretty promising,, its some rare stuff but not totally brand new.. Other than a little tiny sign that read "GONE BIKING - MAY NEVER RETURN", the MRI showed my brain pretty normal.. However,, it does appear that there is a suspicious spot in the lining that holds the fluid in around the brain - a tear if you will... As always,, thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated - THANKS TO ALL!!

 

I wanna share some insight into the symptoms of this path,, certainly NOT to scare anyone or to sound morbid, but strictly to inform!! For a while now I have been smelling weird smells (wires burning, hot fiberglass) noticed a feeling of confusion and just feeling down - not my normal sunshiny self.. Also sensitive to sounds, unusually irritable.. Headaches when standing up or moving my head around. Here is a kicker that I never really thought about.. I also noticed on a number of occasions that I could be standing around talking to someone and my nose would just start dripping,, not the normal mucussy stuff,, more like clear water... It would stop just as quickly as it started.. The ENT nailed this "tear" by me answering yes when he asked if my runny nose ever tasted real salty - it did.. A brain MRI confirmed it all.. Apparently, the fluid that your brain rides in and spinal fluid tastes very salty,, go figure.. A tear in this lining can come from many sources, from whip lash to a bonk on the nose and can go undiagnosed for years, until symptoms start showing up.. Fun eay,, NOT!!

 

On another note,, THANK GOD we have the medical society that we have here in our country - I take this moment to thank ANY of you involved in the medical field in any form - THANK YOU!! Inspite of all the turmoil and changes we have faced thru the years, some out of greed, power struggles and all the nay sayers I still contend that our country is second to none in its compassion and care.. It's a blessing being an American and I am proud to be one!! As I walked into the bathroom after meeting with the surgeon I noticed a small, simple note hanging on the restroom wall.. It read "TAKE WHAT EVER YOU ARE IN NEED OF",, below the note were tear off tabs with little words written on em,,, they read "strength" - "healing" - "peace" - "forgiveness" - "a hug" - "joy".. As I removed the "healing" tab I was reminded again how wonderful it is to live in a place on this great planet where, just like family here on VR, people still really do care...

 

Puc

Edited November 24, 2014 by cowpuc

[Guest divey]

You know you'll sail past this little bump in the road with flying colours Puc. I'm beginning to believe the power of all the prayers and thoughts from this group will never leave ya stranded! All the best. Doug

[oldgoat]

prayers to you.

 

get well I love to read all your post.

also just wanted to give you a little info on your old war Harley.

 

I did not know this . but after talking to my great uncle. and showing him a picture of your fine Harley.

 

he asked if you knew that at one time there was a wire cutter or sharp blade attached to the front fender. on a small pole.

 

he said this was done because the german army stung piano wire to cut off the heads of those who rode these bikes?

he is 93 years old. still has a mind like a steel trap.

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

Puc.... I kinda wish I knew what to say in response to this. I even invited my wife Lori to read it to see if she could give me words.

I am not sure if I should be sad you are going through this.... happy they found it.... excited to be able to follow you through this adVenture.

What I will do is smile thinking of the guy I met in The Dalles and think of you and Tippy often and hope to see you ad another chapter to this thread frequently. I hope the HEALING starts soon.

 

Kevin

[cowpuc]

You know you'll sail past this little bump in the road with flying colours Puc. I'm beginning to believe the power of all the prayers and thoughts from this group will never leave ya stranded! All the best. Doug

 

Ya got that right "Son"-shine!! Nothing but a small pit stop in that outstanding ride across your beautiful country and up into ALASKA - yeeeeeeeeehawwwwww!!

 

YE BE WARNED!!

Dad

[XV1100SE]

Glad you have been diagnosed and are able to get treatment right away. Best to catch any issues early.

Hope everything goes well and you heal quickly !

[cowpuc]

prayers to you.

 

get well I love to read all your post.

also just wanted to give you a little info on your old war Harley.

 

I did not know this . but after talking to my great uncle. and showing him a picture of your fine Harley.

 

he asked if you knew that at one time there was a wire cutter or sharp blade attached to the front fender. on a small pole.

 

he said this was done because the german army stung piano wire to cut off the heads of those who rode these bikes?

he is 93 years old. still has a mind like a steel trap.

 

Thanks for the thoughts and the feed back on my posts Oldgoat!!

 

Never did hear that before about Olivia,,, learn something new everyday!! Now I gotta dig out her original Military maintenance manual and see if it says anything in there about it.. If it does I will snap a pic and post it up for kicks!!

 

Brother,, you give that Great Uncle a hug for me and tell him I said THANK YOU for his service to the country (if he is a Vet) and that he is welcome to come by and lay hands on that Olivia ANYTIME whether he is a Vet or not!!

[cowpuc]

Puc.... I kinda wish I knew what to say in response to this. I even invited my wife Lori to read it to see if she could give me words.

I am not sure if I should be sad you are going through this.... happy they found it.... excited to be able to follow you through this adVenture.

What I will do is smile thinking of the guy I met in The Dalles and think of you and Tippy often and hope to see you ad another chapter to this thread frequently. I hope the HEALING starts soon.

 

Kevin

 

Kev,, I will take this one if I have anything to say about it = "happy they found it.... excited to be able to follow you through this adVenture." , as that, besides maybe warning someone else about this stuff, is the main reason I am posting it up!!

 

and you can count on this = What I will do is smile thinking of the guy I met in The Dalles and think of you and Tippy often and hope to see you ad another chapter to this thread frequently. I hope the HEALING starts soon.

[etcswjoe]

In our thoughts and prayers.

[BigLenny]

Still prayin for ya Puc. Hang in man. You're gonna make it through this with one heck of a Puc story to tell.

 

You're tougher than boot leather. It's gonna take more than a case of brain leaking to keep you down.

[uncledj]

You're a true asset to this site, and seem a pretty decent fellow. Best wishes for a complete recovery.

Prayers and good Karma being sent your way.

Take care.

[Gary N.]

So after the leak is repaired, will you need a refill? And if so where's the dip stick?

[Venturous Randy]

Hey puc, since they are going to be working around your nose, are they going to shave your beard off?

All razzing aside, you are definately in out thoughts and prayers.

RandyA

[naturbar]

Will continue to offer up prayers..... Romans 8:31....amen !

[Wizard765]

Have not met you yet Puc. Actually looking forward to that at some point. In the meantime saying a prayer for you to get better sooner than later..

[ragtop69gs]

As you know Puc, U of M Hospital is a leading world class hospital, if there's anywhere that can fix you up, that's the place to be. I hope they get you plugged up quick so you can smell the cactus flowers instead of wire & fiberglass.

 

Best wishes and a speedy recovery my friend.

[Hazenson]

Prayers for you to have a speedy recovery, and thankful they found it. Keeping your spirits up is a great medicine all by itself, and sounds like you got that!!

[KIC]

Puc... prayers sent your way, actually straight up on your behalf... anyway, I am not a medical expert by any means, but I could recommend a special nose spray that would probably work on an old road warrior like you... even comes with a sniffing tube ( attached) .. take care and heal fast.....

 

 

[cowpuc]

So after the leak is repaired, will you need a refill? And if so where's the dip stick?

 

Good question Gary,, they have me drinking a fair amount of water right now,,, I have no doubt that part of that has to do with the refill end of this thing... The ENT found what appears to be a water filled sack in my sinus cavity that is holding some of the fluid in,, not sure if that is reusable or not.. He was very very careful not to bump it while showing an Intern what it looked like today..

As far as where the dipstick is,, I left him out in California this last summer and havent heard from him in a while!! Last I saw him he was eating an ice cream cone and planning some of next summers riding out there.... Maybe he will read this, jump in and say hi!!

[cowpuc]

Puc... prayers sent your way, actually straight up on your behalf... anyway, I am not a medical expert by any means, but I could recommend a special nose spray that would probably work on an old road warrior like you... even comes with a sniffing tube ( attached) .. take care and heal fast.....

 

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]95412[/ATTACH]

 

Thanks for the well wishes Kic!!

I dont think that slime sets up fast enough Kic,, tried it once on a cut finger and it did nothing but turn into a mixture of green and red swirls... Believe it or not,, Tip and I were giggling and talking about some home remedies while sitting at the doctors office today... I told her that I thought Seal All (great stuff - have used it a lot) might be the ticket as the acetone they use in it to keep it fluid drys really quickly,,, bet it would burn like fire until it dried though!!

[saddlebum]

Other than a little tiny sign that read "GONE BIKING - MAY NEVER RETURN", the MRI showed my brain pretty normal..

So some export determined that your brain is pretty normal EH...........Well the only way I can figure that he would have come to a conclusion like that is.....................He must be a member here ....who is he ????? inquiring minds want to know

 

Ok, enough with showing you my sarcastic side.

 

The truth of the matter is, I hope and pray they fix you up good as new. That your recovery time is short and complete so that come summer we can once again share a laugh and a manly hug on the road together, where ever we happen to meet next.

[ricksbike]

God be with you Brother !!!!

[JDaniel]

Good luck Puc. You may be better off going to The Ohio State University. Couldn't resist.

[CaptainJoe]

Puc,

You'll be in Pennys an my thoughts and prayers.

Listen to the docs.

 

A similar thing happened to me in 2000. Mid Fossa surgery to the brain pan to extract a acoustic neuroma.

Everything went well, but like you, there was clear salty fluid dripping from my nose.

Doc said not to bend over (tying shoe laces etc...) as it would put undue pressure in my head.

Kept a close eye on it for the next couple of days and it stopped leaking.

 

Sounds like your in good hands...

Just tell the docs to make sure you're all fixed up in time for riding season....LOL

Edited November 25, 2014 by CaptainJoe

[stickhandle2]

Hey Puc,

 

Glad it sounds like they have it figured out for ya and you are on the way to getting that leak plugged. I always look forward to reading your thoughts on stuff, your adventures on where your travels take you guys, and of course the treasures that you find in those special places.

 

We haven't met yet, but I sure as heck hope we get to some time in the future. Keep the positive thoughts and best wishes from all of us real close to you while you get through this.

 

Mike