Yep. This must be the right office.
Brain surgeon report: Good news. No brain surgery. But I knew that already! Dr. Kim reviewed my MRI and is convinced that the little artery loop on the right side is just an interesting anatomical quirk and has nothing to do with the left-sided trigeminal neuralgia. And for now, the TN remains idiopathic.
Since the “electric bear” has mostly gone back into hibernation, he doesn’t think I need medication or any procedures at this point. The good news is that we now have a plan for next time. When the bear wakes up, and if I get back to the point where I can’t eat or drink, I am not supposed to tough it out. I’m supposed to head to the Emergency Department, where there is an IV medication that can sometimes stop a severe attack. He wrote an order for the medication and left it in MyChart. Not exactly an exciting medical adventure, but I’ll happily settle for “go live your life and call us when the bear comes back.”
Grateful to everyone who supported me and insisted that I “DO SOMETHING.”
But what I’m really grateful for is knowing you’ll be there when the electric bear comes out of hibernation.