4 ms·

Back in '96, I had a pretty serious craniotomy. Took me a couple of months to learn to walk and chew gum at the same time, but I was pretty much 100% recovered

Back in '96, I had a pretty serious craniotomy. Took me a couple of months to learn to walk and chew gum at the same time, but I was pretty much 100% recovered, in five years. One of best days of my life, was when my neurosurgeon said "I never want to see you again." They did it the old-fashioned way. Scalpel and Black-and-Decker circular saw.

adin8mon 2y ago
A family member of mine had to go through something similar, the old-fashioned way. I've never felt more scared for someone else than on that day.
Loudergood 2y ago
Brain plasticity is amazing.
- aborsy 2y ago
  So long as they are young!
  - loa_in_ 2y ago
    That's a myth. Brain plasticity was never properly studied beyond 26 years of age.
  - fredgrott 2y ago
    nope, neurons are fully regenerable including into old age.
blackeyeblitzar 2y ago
Is it actually a black and decker? It isn’t some sort of special FDA approved medical saw? Is that even a thing?
- bluefirebrand 2y ago
  What would the difference be in your mind? As long as the blade is suitable for cutting bone and it's all sterilized, what would make it medical grade over carpenter grade? My Dad was the manager of a tool store for decades. He has had a lot of knee problems and he has a funny story about his knee surgeon coming into the store looking for a drill bit to drill out a stripped screw. He jokingly asked if the stripped screw was in someone's knee, and sure enough it was.
  - robertlagrant 2y ago
    > what would make it medical grade over carpenter grade? In my experience, about $50000.
  - acchow 2y ago
    My woodworking equipment has a certain amount of jitter and give. It seems to have precision to about 1-1.5mm. I imagine medical grade machine cutting would have higher precision?
    - vasco 2y ago
      Probably, but when you're watching these surgeries as a layman for the first time it's surprising how much fumbling around they seem to do. I have a few pieces of metal inside me so took more of an interest at some point, and even those surgeons admit their job is mostly carpentry on hard mode.
      - wbl 2y ago
        My grandfather was an orthopod and an amateur carpenter. The skills really do transfer.
      - soared 2y ago
        Next time you go under ask your surgeon to take pictures and videos. Very interesting to see inside your body!
tomcam 2y ago
Wow. Genuinely grateful you got through it so well.
- ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
  So am I. It was a ... tense ... time of my life.

adin8mon 2y ago

A family member of mine had to go through something similar, the old-fashioned way. I've never felt more scared for someone else than on that day.

Loudergood 2y ago

Brain plasticity is amazing.

aborsy 2y ago
So long as they are young!
- loa_in_ 2y ago
  That's a myth. Brain plasticity was never properly studied beyond 26 years of age.
- fredgrott 2y ago
  nope, neurons are fully regenerable including into old age.

blackeyeblitzar 2y ago

Is it actually a black and decker? It isn’t some sort of special FDA approved medical saw? Is that even a thing?

bluefirebrand 2y ago
What would the difference be in your mind? As long as the blade is suitable for cutting bone and it's all sterilized, what would make it medical grade over carpenter grade? My Dad was the manager of a tool store for decades. He has had a lot of knee problems and he has a funny story about his knee surgeon coming into the store looking for a drill bit to drill out a stripped screw. He jokingly asked if the stripped screw was in someone's knee, and sure enough it was.
- robertlagrant 2y ago
  > what would make it medical grade over carpenter grade? In my experience, about $50000.
- acchow 2y ago
  My woodworking equipment has a certain amount of jitter and give. It seems to have precision to about 1-1.5mm. I imagine medical grade machine cutting would have higher precision?
  - vasco 2y ago
    Probably, but when you're watching these surgeries as a layman for the first time it's surprising how much fumbling around they seem to do. I have a few pieces of metal inside me so took more of an interest at some point, and even those surgeons admit their job is mostly carpentry on hard mode.
    - wbl 2y ago
      My grandfather was an orthopod and an amateur carpenter. The skills really do transfer.
    - soared 2y ago
      Next time you go under ask your surgeon to take pictures and videos. Very interesting to see inside your body!

tomcam 2y ago

Wow. Genuinely grateful you got through it so well.

ChrisMarshallNY 2y ago
So am I. It was a ... tense ... time of my life.