Today the packing came out of my ear. Not an uncomfortable procedure at all! I saw my hometown ENT so I didn't have to drive to Detroit to see Dr. Seidman for a short time only to turn around and drive another 3.5 hrs home. I'm 11 days post op now.
Dr. K removed my packing and cleaned my ear for me. He also noted a 2-3 mm hole in my eardrum. To be sure he knew what needed to be done, he called and spoke with Dr. Seidman and between the two of them, decided that a paper patch would be best. He performed the procedure right then, also not uncomfortable. I'm to follow up with him in 4 weeks to make sure the patch healed the hole. If the hole is still there, Dr. K felt I'd need to go back to Dr. Seidman unless they feel he can do whatever needs to be done. I really don't know at this point what will happen if the hole doesn't heal.
I have been in communication with Dr. Seidman since and I'm to follow restrictions for 2 more weeks (no lifting anything over 10 lbs, sneeze with mouth open, etc) and need to shower with cotton ball covered in vaseline for 4 more weeks until Dr. K can confirm the eardrum has healed. Dr. Seidman did say this likely will affect how the Esteem sounds once I turn it back on. I guess I'll see on Friday.
**Just spoke with Dr. Seidman shortly after writing this. If the eardrum does not heal in four weeks, the next step would be surgery to repair the hole. POSITIVE thoughts only!! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the hole heals!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
1 Week Post Transcanal
Sore throat. Check. Ear congestion. Check. However, I one upped the congestion and got some Mucinex-D and that has really helped! Much better than Zyrtec-D ever did. I guess by thinning the secretions it helps to get it out of the sinus cavaties easier vs just drying it up.
The intensity of my throat pain is going down finally and I haven't gotten any fevers. Highest temp over the course of the week was 99.3.
Hearing only out of my left ear is tiring. I feel even more so now since I have had the advantage of the level of the Esteem for a year. I don't feel like being social and I panic when the phone rings! Thankfully I should be able to use my Esteem ear again soon, within the next 2 weeks.
The most annoying thing now is the cotton ball in my ear and slathering it in vaseline everytime I want to shower. Yuck. And itchy! But I have to be careful not to scratch at my ear...ugh! Ear pain is nothing so that's great! Most concerning thought now is, will it feel uncomfortable when the doctor pulls the packing out of my ear??? Details to follow on Monday!
The intensity of my throat pain is going down finally and I haven't gotten any fevers. Highest temp over the course of the week was 99.3.
Hearing only out of my left ear is tiring. I feel even more so now since I have had the advantage of the level of the Esteem for a year. I don't feel like being social and I panic when the phone rings! Thankfully I should be able to use my Esteem ear again soon, within the next 2 weeks.
The most annoying thing now is the cotton ball in my ear and slathering it in vaseline everytime I want to shower. Yuck. And itchy! But I have to be careful not to scratch at my ear...ugh! Ear pain is nothing so that's great! Most concerning thought now is, will it feel uncomfortable when the doctor pulls the packing out of my ear??? Details to follow on Monday!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Post op Day 4 (Monday)
I lied. Today I feel the worst. My throat feels like I've got one giant sharp serrated knife grating up and down in it everytime I swallow or drink and eat. My voice is getting better once it starts getting use. It's pretty scratchy. But really, shouldn't I be feeling better about my throat by now, not consistently worse? And I'm terrified to do anything they warned me not to: sneezing (can sneeze with my mouth open), blowing my nose, lifting more than 10 lbs, being careful how I bend over, and no straining with bowel movements. How easy it is to forget and do any of these things! I haven't sneezed yet, just keeping kleenex on hand for drips, I'm sure I've lifted more than 10 lbs already (oops) and I have been taking mirilax since I got home to help not strain during a BM.
On to better things; Dr. Seidman phoned me the other night to check on me and answer any questions I might have had. He told me the adhesions were rock hard, something he's never really seen before. Leave it to me :) I wanted to know if there was anyway to prevent the adhesions from coming back and of course there is no known way, just hope and pray! I asked about the cotton ball with vaseline during showers and if I could stop with doing that once the packing is out. He wants me to keep that up at least 3-4 weeks just to be sure everything heals and no infections will begin. We went over the pictures and also how exciting it is that my dB gain went from 5 to 35 dB according to the Envoy tech's testing. Turning on the device will be at my comfort and I won't need to see anyone to do it. If I feel I need an adjustment then I can call and set an appt up. Dr. S thinks 3-4 weeks before I'll feel like I can turn it on without interference of fluid, but the Envoy tech wrote 2 weeks, so I'm going to start there! I promised not to get too upset if it didn't sound great right away though.
Looking forward to the 13th :)
On to better things; Dr. Seidman phoned me the other night to check on me and answer any questions I might have had. He told me the adhesions were rock hard, something he's never really seen before. Leave it to me :) I wanted to know if there was anyway to prevent the adhesions from coming back and of course there is no known way, just hope and pray! I asked about the cotton ball with vaseline during showers and if I could stop with doing that once the packing is out. He wants me to keep that up at least 3-4 weeks just to be sure everything heals and no infections will begin. We went over the pictures and also how exciting it is that my dB gain went from 5 to 35 dB according to the Envoy tech's testing. Turning on the device will be at my comfort and I won't need to see anyone to do it. If I feel I need an adjustment then I can call and set an appt up. Dr. S thinks 3-4 weeks before I'll feel like I can turn it on without interference of fluid, but the Envoy tech wrote 2 weeks, so I'm going to start there! I promised not to get too upset if it didn't sound great right away though.
Looking forward to the 13th :)
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Post op Transcanal Day 2 (Saturday)
Ughhh, I almost think I feel worse today than I did yesterday. My throat is so sore I can hardly swallow and I have no voice. My ear just feels full and once in awhile there is a sharp pain in it, but it's managable. I've noticed my tinnitus to be waaaaay worse now that the sound is off in my ear. My taste is once again really metallic and bitter. The post op instructions say this could last days to months!! My guess is that since it was damaged before, it's going to be months. Blech....just when I was getting used to the way things were tasting. I'm not liking this! But at least I have taste at all.
I've changed my cotton ball 3 times now, but the drainage actually isn't much. I hope it won't be uncomfortable to get the packing taken out of my ear! Sleep is still pretty fractured so I'm really fatigued during the day. I think I'm more worn down from the anesthesia this time than the actual Esteem placement surgery.
I am praying my scarring doesn't go crazy this time and actually allows my device to work as it should. Countdown is on til December 13 when I can turn this on!!!
I've changed my cotton ball 3 times now, but the drainage actually isn't much. I hope it won't be uncomfortable to get the packing taken out of my ear! Sleep is still pretty fractured so I'm really fatigued during the day. I think I'm more worn down from the anesthesia this time than the actual Esteem placement surgery.
I am praying my scarring doesn't go crazy this time and actually allows my device to work as it should. Countdown is on til December 13 when I can turn this on!!!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Post-op Transcanal
I had a very good experience yesterday, success to be determined!
My surgery went on time at 2 pm, out of OR at 4:30 and in recovery til 7:30. Dr. Seidman told me it went well but it was right as I was waking up so all I could do was give a half drunk thumbs up. I did not need the full revision, so I still have all my hair!!! (and so does Dr. seidman ;)!!!!) According to what my husband told me, there were a lot of adhesions. Some right on the driver and stapes and some on the ear drum too. He removed it all with a laser (Activate the laaaser...anyone who's seen Austin Powers would appreciate that). Then he also noticed part of the driver was sticking out from the stapes so he recemented it back in place with some Envoy cement.
The Envoy rep that was there tested the device before surgery and said I was only getting a 5 dB gain. Normal is 25-35 dB gain. After surgery it was tested and I had a significant improvement to 35 dB gain! Praise God! Everyone was ecstatic! Results to be determined at 2 weeks when I can turn the Esteem back on. Yep, 2 weeks, not 6-8 like originally thought!! I'm very happy with that. I have packing in my ear that will need to be removed at 10 days post op and Dr. S is kind enough to let me do it at my audiologist who is close to home vs driving 3 hrs to see him for 5 min to remove the packing. Love this guy! He gave me 4 pictures with explanations from the surgery. It was very cool to see.
My pre-op nurse and recovery nurse were amazing! They were so kind and did everything possible to make me feel confortable. After surgery I couldn't pee (I was expecting this) and had to be straight cathed again. My nurse gave me some good advise about this. I should go to my pcp or a urologist and get a signed letter stating I have to have a catheter for all procedures no matter how short or small it is d/t difficulty urinating. It's a good idea. I'll probably see about doing this.
Over all this whole thing was very positive.
I couldn't have had it go any better I think.
The most discomfort I have right now is a sore throat that feels like strep throat from the ET tube and my ear feels like it has a bad ear ache. No neck or shoulder pain like last time. No incisional pain. Instructions are similar to a stapedectomy; no lifting objects over 10 lbs for 4 weeks, no strenuous activity for 4 weeks. I can shower right away but have to have a cotton ball with vaseline in my ear to keep water out of my ear. No blowing my nose and must sneeze with my mouth open for 3-4 weeks. Appt to take out ear packing in 10 days. And the best instructions; don't make anymore adhesions!!!!! Hahaha
I will add the photos here:
My surgery went on time at 2 pm, out of OR at 4:30 and in recovery til 7:30. Dr. Seidman told me it went well but it was right as I was waking up so all I could do was give a half drunk thumbs up. I did not need the full revision, so I still have all my hair!!! (and so does Dr. seidman ;)!!!!) According to what my husband told me, there were a lot of adhesions. Some right on the driver and stapes and some on the ear drum too. He removed it all with a laser (Activate the laaaser...anyone who's seen Austin Powers would appreciate that). Then he also noticed part of the driver was sticking out from the stapes so he recemented it back in place with some Envoy cement.
The Envoy rep that was there tested the device before surgery and said I was only getting a 5 dB gain. Normal is 25-35 dB gain. After surgery it was tested and I had a significant improvement to 35 dB gain! Praise God! Everyone was ecstatic! Results to be determined at 2 weeks when I can turn the Esteem back on. Yep, 2 weeks, not 6-8 like originally thought!! I'm very happy with that. I have packing in my ear that will need to be removed at 10 days post op and Dr. S is kind enough to let me do it at my audiologist who is close to home vs driving 3 hrs to see him for 5 min to remove the packing. Love this guy! He gave me 4 pictures with explanations from the surgery. It was very cool to see.
My pre-op nurse and recovery nurse were amazing! They were so kind and did everything possible to make me feel confortable. After surgery I couldn't pee (I was expecting this) and had to be straight cathed again. My nurse gave me some good advise about this. I should go to my pcp or a urologist and get a signed letter stating I have to have a catheter for all procedures no matter how short or small it is d/t difficulty urinating. It's a good idea. I'll probably see about doing this.
Over all this whole thing was very positive.
I couldn't have had it go any better I think.
The most discomfort I have right now is a sore throat that feels like strep throat from the ET tube and my ear feels like it has a bad ear ache. No neck or shoulder pain like last time. No incisional pain. Instructions are similar to a stapedectomy; no lifting objects over 10 lbs for 4 weeks, no strenuous activity for 4 weeks. I can shower right away but have to have a cotton ball with vaseline in my ear to keep water out of my ear. No blowing my nose and must sneeze with my mouth open for 3-4 weeks. Appt to take out ear packing in 10 days. And the best instructions; don't make anymore adhesions!!!!! Hahaha
I will add the photos here:
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Transcanal Tomorrow
Transcanal revision tomorrow at Henry Ford West Bloomfield! I'm to arrive at the hospital at 12:15. Dr. Seidman is certain he will not have to access the auricle incision (original incision behind my ear) to fix the scar tissue but it always is a possibility. I am going to tell him that if I wake up with half a shaved head like last time, he better have a shaved head too!
Basically he will be peeling back the eardrum, shaving off any adhesions and removing bone and cement dust that may be impeding the full potential of the Esteem device. He figures on about 2 hours operating time. I hope it'll be smooth going and no need to do the full revision. Regardless, I have to leave the device off for 6-8 weeks. That's going to be extremely hard now that I've become so dependent on this ear. Bye bye phone conversations!
I'll have a 1 week follow up on Dec 7 at the office to remove the packing on my ear and then just waiting on re-activation. I kinda hope I can just turn it on myself and move on...I really don't want to pay for activation fees! This surgery will be paid for by Envoy, for which I am terribly thankful. Beyond that I've got to hope and pray with all my might that everything goes swimmingly and works and I can HEAR without issues and not need extra visits that I'll need to pay for. I keep working on my insurance to cover any part in this whole thing. I've been denied, so I'm on to the appeals process and have my pcp helping me. Fingers crossed it gets me somewhere! Considering Dr. S is only 1 of 11 surgeons who can provide the services required for the Esteem, I'm thinking I might have a fair shot at Priority Health picking up some of the tab.
"Hear's" to a smooth surgery tomorrow!
Basically he will be peeling back the eardrum, shaving off any adhesions and removing bone and cement dust that may be impeding the full potential of the Esteem device. He figures on about 2 hours operating time. I hope it'll be smooth going and no need to do the full revision. Regardless, I have to leave the device off for 6-8 weeks. That's going to be extremely hard now that I've become so dependent on this ear. Bye bye phone conversations!
I'll have a 1 week follow up on Dec 7 at the office to remove the packing on my ear and then just waiting on re-activation. I kinda hope I can just turn it on myself and move on...I really don't want to pay for activation fees! This surgery will be paid for by Envoy, for which I am terribly thankful. Beyond that I've got to hope and pray with all my might that everything goes swimmingly and works and I can HEAR without issues and not need extra visits that I'll need to pay for. I keep working on my insurance to cover any part in this whole thing. I've been denied, so I'm on to the appeals process and have my pcp helping me. Fingers crossed it gets me somewhere! Considering Dr. S is only 1 of 11 surgeons who can provide the services required for the Esteem, I'm thinking I might have a fair shot at Priority Health picking up some of the tab.
"Hear's" to a smooth surgery tomorrow!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
A Thankful Thanksgiving
I have a date! November 29 will be my revision, or transcanal approach, on my right (Esteem) ear. Happy dance!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)