Re: Tympanoplasty With Mastoidectomy.

[Guest guest]

Ann,

Hello, my name is from Orlando, Fl., I also had

the tympanoplasty/mastoidectomy, the c tumor was in

the attic, although a majority of it in the mastoid

bone and on facial nerve. I had a hole in my eardrum

for over 15 yrs. but nothing ever got too severe until

last summer on vacation. I had my surgery Sept. 30,

2005 and they go in for second look in April to make

sure it has not grown back. If you look back in

previous posts you will find loads of information from

alot of people with different experiences, some good

some bad. Everyone's body is different, some of the

posts (before my surgery) that I read scared me to

death! I thought oh no this is going to happen to me

etc... I am a big scaredy cat as it is, but things

went great. (knock on wood) LOL! I hope things go well

for you, I know all this is new and scarey but the

people on this site are just wonderful and have been

there too. Best of luck to you and everyone else.

B.

--- polkadot_2005 <mam@...> wrote:

>

> Hi I live in Mid Michigan and last May had a

> complete physical from my

> Dr. he noticed that I had a build up of wax in my

> left ear and had his

> nurse rinse in out with mild pressure and soapy

> water. I jokeinly said

> to the nurse ... " I'm not going to get swimmers ear

> from this am I...???

> Well low and behold three weeks later I was back in

> with an ear

> infection. Well my left ear plugged up and never

> unplugged. In August I

> was back for a recheck on my medicine and asked him

> again if he could

> look at my ear as it was still plugged. He then sent

> me to Mid Michigan

> Eye, Ear, Nose clinic. They put me on antibiotics

> and steriods and tried

> to clear it up. Well that didn't work so he decided

> to try to put tubes

> in my ear. (My Dr. confirmed that I had a Mastiod

> infection). They sent

> me for a Cat Scan on my mastiods and he put tubes in

> my ear and he also

> said he removed a small cyst. Then put me on

> another antibiotic and

> more prednisone. That was in Sept. I was seeing him

> every 3-6 weeks and

> also getting hearing tests. Well the beginning of

> this month he decided

> to send me to Farmington Hills to Michigan Ear

> Institute. I was examined

> by a couple of Drs. and they proceeded to tell me

> that I needed surgery

> and that he thought that the cyst was not

> completely removed. So he

> wants to make a small cut behind my ear and clean

> out the mastiod and

> make sure that there is not any cyst left and if

> there is as he suspects

> then he will clean it out, He gave me a book and

> told me that the

> article on Tympanoplasty with Mastoidectomy best

> described what I had. I

> also have a hole in my ear drum and he is not sure

> why it is there. He

> may or may not close it at. He will decide when he

> does surgery if he

> wants to leave it. I have not had much pain in my

> ear but the hearing

> loss is bothering me...he said that I have about a

> 80% hearing

> potential and right now I'm about 80% loss. I guess

> that it adds up to a

> 20% hearing out of that ear and my potential is 80%.

> Or at least that is

> how I understand it. The risk are there .....no

> matter what kind of

> surgery that you have. I am scared to death to have

> this done. The

> surgery is scheduled for Friday April 14. He said he

> would like me to

> take 3 or 4 days off work ideally 7. I was planning

> on going back to

> work the following Tuesday. Has anyone had this

> problem and does it

> sound like I'm on the right track to solving my

> hearing loss? I would

> appreciate any help with this. I am 56 years old and

> feel like I'm

> falling apart.

>

> Thanks Ann

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi, Ann,

I had a tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy in June, 2003. The

cholesteatoma ate one of my middle ear bones and I have had hearing

loss. However, it wasn't a bad surgery at all. I did have a lot of

pain initially following the surgery, but the medicine helped. I had

the surgery on Monday and went back to work the following Monday. I

was tired, but it wasn't bad. In December, 2005, I had a canaloplasty

with radical mastoidectomy because the cholesteatoma was back. I don't

know exactly why, but this surgery was very difficult. I felt

terrible all over and missed work for 2 weeks. I was in pain, I was

nauseous, couldn't sleep, my eye kept tearing, etc. Everyone is

different. I hope your experience will be like my first surgery. I

understand being scared to death...I felt the same way! So, hang in

there. You'll get through this. Say a prayer to God and remember that

all of us on this site are pulling for you. Keep in touch!

Kathy

In cholesteatoma , " polkadot_2005 " <mam@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi I live in Mid Michigan and last May had a complete physical from my

> Dr. he noticed that I had a build up of wax in my left ear and had his

> nurse rinse in out with mild pressure and soapy water. I jokeinly said

> to the nurse ... " I'm not going to get swimmers ear from this am I...???

> Well low and behold three weeks later I was back in with an ear

> infection. Well my left ear plugged up and never unplugged. In August I

> was back for a recheck on my medicine and asked him again if he could

> look at my ear as it was still plugged. He then sent me to Mid Michigan

> Eye, Ear, Nose clinic. They put me on antibiotics and steriods and tried

> to clear it up. Well that didn't work so he decided to try to put tubes

> in my ear. (My Dr. confirmed that I had a Mastiod infection). They sent

> me for a Cat Scan on my mastiods and he put tubes in my ear and he also

> said he removed a small cyst. Then put me on another antibiotic and

> more prednisone. That was in Sept. I was seeing him every 3-6 weeks and

> also getting hearing tests. Well the beginning of this month he decided

> to send me to Farmington Hills to Michigan Ear Institute. I was examined

> by a couple of Drs. and they proceeded to tell me that I needed surgery

> and that he thought that the cyst was not completely removed. So he

> wants to make a small cut behind my ear and clean out the mastiod and

> make sure that there is not any cyst left and if there is as he suspects

> then he will clean it out, He gave me a book and told me that the

> article on Tympanoplasty with Mastoidectomy best described what I had. I

> also have a hole in my ear drum and he is not sure why it is there. He

> may or may not close it at. He will decide when he does surgery if he

> wants to leave it. I have not had much pain in my ear but the hearing

> loss is bothering me...he said that I have about a 80% hearing

> potential and right now I'm about 80% loss. I guess that it adds up to a

> 20% hearing out of that ear and my potential is 80%. Or at least that is

> how I understand it. The risk are there .....no matter what kind of

> surgery that you have. I am scared to death to have this done. The

> surgery is scheduled for Friday April 14. He said he would like me to

> take 3 or 4 days off work ideally 7. I was planning on going back to

> work the following Tuesday. Has anyone had this problem and does it

> sound like I'm on the right track to solving my hearing loss? I would

> appreciate any help with this. I am 56 years old and feel like I'm

> falling apart.

>

> Thanks Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ann,

Welcome to the group. I have had 2 surgeries (age 53) in 2005. The

first was a CWU to remove the Ctoma. I took two weeks off work for

recovery after the first surgery, but returned to work feeling

good. I was more exhausted than in pain. I wore myself out

worrying!! My second surgery was 09/2005 and was much easier. It

was a 2nd look (through the canal), and all was good. Much easier

recovery for me. I was petrified when I first learned I had Ctoma.

I had no clue what they were talking about. With the help and

support of this group and lots of research, I felt I was as well

prepared as possible for the surgery. Knowing in advance what to

expect made the process more bearable. Hang in there, ask lots of

questions, and get the best otolaryngologist you can find. If you

don't know of one, ask the group. I believe the Mich Ear Institute

has been listed as a top facility, so you are most likely in very

good hands already! Do your research. Hang in there!

Bettie

cholesteatoma , " polkadot_2005 " <mam@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi I live in Mid Michigan and last May had a complete physical

from my

> Dr. he noticed that I had a build up of wax in my left ear and had

his

> nurse rinse in out with mild pressure and soapy water. I jokeinly

said

> to the nurse ... " I'm not going to get swimmers ear from this am

I...???

> Well low and behold three weeks later I was back in with an ear

> infection. Well my left ear plugged up and never unplugged. In

August I

> was back for a recheck on my medicine and asked him again if he

could

> look at my ear as it was still plugged. He then sent me to Mid

Michigan

> Eye, Ear, Nose clinic. They put me on antibiotics and steriods and

tried

> to clear it up. Well that didn't work so he decided to try to put

tubes

> in my ear. (My Dr. confirmed that I had a Mastiod infection). They

sent

> me for a Cat Scan on my mastiods and he put tubes in my ear and he

also

> said he removed a small cyst. Then put me on another antibiotic

and

> more prednisone. That was in Sept. I was seeing him every 3-6

weeks and

> also getting hearing tests. Well the beginning of this month he

decided

> to send me to Farmington Hills to Michigan Ear Institute. I was

examined

> by a couple of Drs. and they proceeded to tell me that I needed

surgery

> and that he thought that the cyst was not completely removed. So

he

> wants to make a small cut behind my ear and clean out the mastiod

and

> make sure that there is not any cyst left and if there is as he

suspects

> then he will clean it out, He gave me a book and told me that the

> article on Tympanoplasty with Mastoidectomy best described what I

had. I

> also have a hole in my ear drum and he is not sure why it is

there. He

> may or may not close it at. He will decide when he does surgery if

he

> wants to leave it. I have not had much pain in my ear but the

hearing

> loss is bothering me...he said that I have about a 80% hearing

> potential and right now I'm about 80% loss. I guess that it adds

up to a

> 20% hearing out of that ear and my potential is 80%. Or at least

that is

> how I understand it. The risk are there .....no matter what kind of

> surgery that you have. I am scared to death to have this done. The

> surgery is scheduled for Friday April 14. He said he would like me

to

> take 3 or 4 days off work ideally 7. I was planning on going back

to

> work the following Tuesday. Has anyone had this problem and does it

> sound like I'm on the right track to solving my hearing loss? I

would

> appreciate any help with this. I am 56 years old and feel like I'm

> falling apart.

>

> Thanks Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Betty, and Kathy,

Thank you for responding and the support...I am extremely nervous about

this surgery. I see my specialist tomorrow in Lansing ..(not the one who

will be doing the surgery but the one who has been doctoring me since

last August. ) I will be asking him a lot of questions as he never once

prepared me for what the other Drs. at the Michigan Ear Institute told

me that they are going to do. ...

I have another question. I am having surgery on April 14th. and May 11th

our bowling team is flying to Reno to bowl in the nationals. We have to

fly out there. I know I discussed with him that I would be bowling and

he said it was ok after 3 weeks but I didn't mention to him about

flying. The post surgery pamplet that he gave me said that you could fly

after 3 weeks....I have thought about calling him to make sure but was

wondering if anyone has any imput for me on flying 4 weeks after

surgery.

The times differ from everyone that they have taken off from work. I

will have 3 days off then will work for 3 days then will be off for a

week...he just stated that he would like me to take 3-7 days off from

work ...ideally 7. I'm hoping this will be ok...also...about my

hair....I need to wash it daily..any help for this?? He said he will cut

behind my ear and will glue it instead of stitches. Hmmmm he never said

anything about washing my hair...am I looking not to wash my hair???

Thanks for helping me out...this site is awesome.

Ann

>

> >

> > Hi I live in Mid Michigan and last May had a

> > complete physical from my

> > Dr. he noticed that I had a build up of wax in my

> > left ear and had his

> > nurse rinse in out with mild pressure and soapy

> > water. I jokeinly said

> > to the nurse ... " I'm not going to get swimmers ear

> > from this am I...???

> > Well low and behold three weeks later I was back in

> > with an ear

> > infection. Well my left ear plugged up and never

> > unplugged. In August I

> > was back for a recheck on my medicine and asked him

> > again if he could

> > look at my ear as it was still plugged. He then sent

> > me to Mid Michigan

> > Eye, Ear, Nose clinic. They put me on antibiotics

> > and steriods and tried

> > to clear it up. Well that didn't work so he decided

> > to try to put tubes

> > in my ear. (My Dr. confirmed that I had a Mastiod

> > infection). They sent

> > me for a Cat Scan on my mastiods and he put tubes in

> > my ear and he also

> > said he removed a small cyst. Then put me on

> > another antibiotic and

> > more prednisone. That was in Sept. I was seeing him

> > every 3-6 weeks and

> > also getting hearing tests. Well the beginning of

> > this month he decided

> > to send me to Farmington Hills to Michigan Ear

> > Institute. I was examined

> > by a couple of Drs. and they proceeded to tell me

> > that I needed surgery

> > and that he thought that the cyst was not

> > completely removed. So he

> > wants to make a small cut behind my ear and clean

> > out the mastiod and

> > make sure that there is not any cyst left and if

> > there is as he suspects

> > then he will clean it out, He gave me a book and

> > told me that the

> > article on Tympanoplasty with Mastoidectomy best

> > described what I had. I

> > also have a hole in my ear drum and he is not sure

> > why it is there. He

> > may or may not close it at. He will decide when he

> > does surgery if he

> > wants to leave it. I have not had much pain in my

> > ear but the hearing

> > loss is bothering me...he said that I have about a

> > 80% hearing

> > potential and right now I'm about 80% loss. I guess

> > that it adds up to a

> > 20% hearing out of that ear and my potential is 80%.

> > Or at least that is

> > how I understand it. The risk are there .....no

> > matter what kind of

> > surgery that you have. I am scared to death to have

> > this done. The

> > surgery is scheduled for Friday April 14. He said he

> > would like me to

> > take 3 or 4 days off work ideally 7. I was planning

> > on going back to

> > work the following Tuesday. Has anyone had this

> > problem and does it

> > sound like I'm on the right track to solving my

> > hearing loss? I would

> > appreciate any help with this. I am 56 years old and

> > feel like I'm

> > falling apart.

> >

> > Thanks Ann

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Ann,

I can't help you with the flying question. Unfortunately for me, I

never go anywhere! lol

Not being able to wash your hair drives you crazy. My daughter washed

mine in the sink. We were very careful near the incision. It felt so

good to get it done. I had tried " dry " shampoo, but it just didn't do

the trick. I hope you have someone who can wash it for you. It's a

wonderful feeling! The doctor never said anything to me about not

shampooing until after the surgery.

As for how many days off, it really varies from person to person. I

was back to work in a week after the first surgery, but I needed two

weeks after the second.

Good luck with everything and keep in touch!

Kathy

> >

> > >

> > > Hi I live in Mid Michigan and last May had a

> > > complete physical from my

> > > Dr. he noticed that I had a build up of wax in my

> > > left ear and had his

> > > nurse rinse in out with mild pressure and soapy

> > > water. I jokeinly said

> > > to the nurse ... " I'm not going to get swimmers ear

> > > from this am I...???

> > > Well low and behold three weeks later I was back in

> > > with an ear

> > > infection. Well my left ear plugged up and never

> > > unplugged. In August I

> > > was back for a recheck on my medicine and asked him

> > > again if he could

> > > look at my ear as it was still plugged. He then sent

> > > me to Mid Michigan

> > > Eye, Ear, Nose clinic. They put me on antibiotics

> > > and steriods and tried

> > > to clear it up. Well that didn't work so he decided

> > > to try to put tubes

> > > in my ear. (My Dr. confirmed that I had a Mastiod

> > > infection). They sent

> > > me for a Cat Scan on my mastiods and he put tubes in

> > > my ear and he also

> > > said he removed a small cyst. Then put me on

> > > another antibiotic and

> > > more prednisone. That was in Sept. I was seeing him

> > > every 3-6 weeks and

> > > also getting hearing tests. Well the beginning of

> > > this month he decided

> > > to send me to Farmington Hills to Michigan Ear

> > > Institute. I was examined

> > > by a couple of Drs. and they proceeded to tell me

> > > that I needed surgery

> > > and that he thought that the cyst was not

> > > completely removed. So he

> > > wants to make a small cut behind my ear and clean

> > > out the mastiod and

> > > make sure that there is not any cyst left and if

> > > there is as he suspects

> > > then he will clean it out, He gave me a book and

> > > told me that the

> > > article on Tympanoplasty with Mastoidectomy best

> > > described what I had. I

> > > also have a hole in my ear drum and he is not sure

> > > why it is there. He

> > > may or may not close it at. He will decide when he

> > > does surgery if he

> > > wants to leave it. I have not had much pain in my

> > > ear but the hearing

> > > loss is bothering me...he said that I have about a

> > > 80% hearing

> > > potential and right now I'm about 80% loss. I guess

> > > that it adds up to a

> > > 20% hearing out of that ear and my potential is 80%.

> > > Or at least that is

> > > how I understand it. The risk are there .....no

> > > matter what kind of

> > > surgery that you have. I am scared to death to have

> > > this done. The

> > > surgery is scheduled for Friday April 14. He said he

> > > would like me to

> > > take 3 or 4 days off work ideally 7. I was planning

> > > on going back to

> > > work the following Tuesday. Has anyone had this

> > > problem and does it

> > > sound like I'm on the right track to solving my

> > > hearing loss? I would

> > > appreciate any help with this. I am 56 years old and

> > > feel like I'm

> > > falling apart.

> > >

> > > Thanks Ann

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >