Halo Complications

The pins that secure the halo to your skull are at significant risk for infection. Since infection in that area could lead to serious consequences, it is imperative that the pins be cleaned appropriately every day. In my case this was done by nurses who came in every single day, including week-ends, to do the deed. I had one nurse who came during the week, and then a rotation of different nurses on the week-end. Each and every one of these nurses was exceptionally competent, caring and compassionate. I can`t thank them enough. Apart from looking after my pins, their visits were a welcome diversion from my otherwise solitary days. (merci, merci).

Less than a week after I had left the hospital, my week-end nurse decided that the pin behind my left ear looked infected. This was the one that had been painful from day one. She urged me to go to the hospital to have it looked at right away. It was Sunday. Of course, this is the last thing I wanted to do as I was in no position to sit for any length of time in an emergency waiting room. So, I called the Neurosurgery Department for advice. Couldn`t they just prescribe an antibiotic? "Nope". They said I had to come to the ER and have it looked at but that I wouldn`t wait long as they would page a neurosurgeon as soon as I arrived. Right.

Back I went to the hospital. As luck would have it, the neurosurgeons were elbow-deep in some unfortunate person`s brain. Eight hours later, a pair of them showed up. By that time, the humming on the left side of my head had become a raging fire. I didn`t want anyone near that pin. Stay away. Alas, it wasn`t to be. The lead neuro took one look at it and said the pin had to come out and be re-positioned higher up. The infection would not heal with the pin in place. No, no, no, I said. Yes, yes, yes, he said. Once again, I was given an IV sedative, and once again it did nothing to stop the shaking in my legs.

As my husband sat next to me, the doctor tried to unscrew the pin. He tried with all his strength, but couldn`t do it. I clenched my teeth in pain and felt my husband`s grip on my hand tighten. Seconds later, the doctor came at me with an electric drill in hand, (I kid you not), and began to unscrew the pin with the drill, bit, by bit (again, no pun intended..). That`s when my stressed-out, tired, starving husband lost it. His grip on my hand loosened as he teetered on the bed. The poor thing was given a sugary drink and quickly escorted out the door. You would think loosening a screw in your head would be less painful than tightening a screw in your head. Well, it`s not. I`m sure it didn`t help that the pin site was infected. Unfortunately the one on the right also had to be moved because, surprise, surprise, it also, was infected.

I was asked to come back in two days so that they could have a look at the infection. It was a sneaky trick. They just wanted me back so that they could tighten the screws AGAIN! They didn`t tell me this as no doubt they knew I wouldn`t have come back..

The good news is, after a week of antibiotics, the infection was gone. The lesson is, if you're ever in the same boat, save yourself alot of grief and keep an eagle eye on your pins. An infection can come out of the blue and worsen at lightening speed.