Re: Hi - Surgery Stories Wanted! Please Respond! Thank you!

[Guest guest]

I had the cwd surgery one month ago. I was under for 7 hours - it was pretty extensive c'toma. I was very groggy when I woke up but went home that night (surgery started at 8 AM). Had some discomfort for about a week but very little pain. I had the surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday - a desk job, but I probably should have stayed out another day or two, I got tired very easily early on. I have had several follow-up visitis with my doc and am healing well. Only issue I have now is I am still draining after a month. My hearing is about the same as before - not too good in that ear. The surgery is not too bad and the recovery is relatively quick and painless - hang in there and good luck! DaveK.Ana Dabrowski <anadbxe@...> wrote: Hi

everyone, I didn't realize that my emails get sent to everyone, so I appologize for sending the same message out more than once. Anyways...thank you to everyone who has responded back! Just to introduce myself and update everyone on my situation, here is my story. As a child I had eartubes put in both years twice (6 & 8 years old) and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since then my left ear has matured experiencing barely any ear infections, while my right ear has continued to get ear infections atleast once or twice a year. Over the last year or so, I've had gunk draining out of my right ear and went to my ENT. After getting a catscan I was diagnosed with cholesteatoma and have scheduled surgery for June 1st at Mass General in Boston. I'm a 22 year old college student who is graduating in May and feel that my life is being put on whole as I enter "the real world".

I've done alot of research on the procedure, and as a communications/marketing major I'm extremely nervous about complications. Just to vent, the idea of my surgeon drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me out (as i'm sure it did or does with everyone). I'm nervous about experiencing imbalances that last longer than "normal" - and of course my facial nerve (which I believe is under 1%). I would really love to hear anyone's personal story who had the surgery - especially when they first woke up from surgery to throughout the first 2 weeks, and of course any long-term complications. I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this group online - thank you all again for being so supportive and answering my emails so quickly! Best, Ana D. Ana L. Dabrowski Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

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[Guest guest]

Well my story is this: I had tubes in my ears as a child. I had surgery at 12 from a chronic ear infection that resulted after tubes and they grafted my ear drum. At 26 I was diagnosed with a Ctoma and in one surgery I had the tumor out, the eardrum rebuilt and a titanium prosthesis put in. My hearing was great. 4 year years later I had another Ctoma flare up and the surgeon did another CWU, removed the 2" tumor and then went back in 6 months later and replaced the prosthesis again. This time the hearing is about the same as original diagnosis. The side effects are this: constant tinitus. I have learned that stress and nervousness makes it flare up as well as concentrating on it. Best advice is to ignore it and play background noise. My ear is dry. My face still looks normal and the Dr. did a good job stapling my ear back on. Sometimes I have trouble in rooms

with lots of noise and sometimes I have trouble hearing directionally if the sound isn't loud enough. Often I misunderstand people when they talk. The doc said though I don't need a hearing aid. SO, that's my story and I am sticking to it. Oh, the recovery after each surgery was fast for me, and little pain. Back to work in 3 days and I was an Air Conditioning service man as well as a desk job. Dave Kenyon <dkenyon57@...> wrote: I had the cwd surgery one month ago. I was under for 7 hours - it was pretty extensive c'toma. I was very groggy when I woke up but went home that night (surgery started at 8 AM). Had some discomfort for about a week but very little pain. I had the surgery on Friday and was back at work on

Monday - a desk job, but I probably should have stayed out another day or two, I got tired very easily early on. I have had several follow-up visitis with my doc and am healing well. Only issue I have now is I am still draining after a month. My hearing is about the same as before - not too good in that ear. The surgery is not too bad and the recovery is relatively quick and painless - hang in there and good luck! DaveK.Ana Dabrowski <anadbxe@...> wrote: Hi everyone, I didn't realize that my emails get sent to everyone, so I appologize for sending the same message out more than once. Anyways...thank you to everyone who has responded back! Just to introduce myself and update everyone on my situation,

here is my story. As a child I had eartubes put in both years twice (6 & 8 years old) and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since then my left ear has matured experiencing barely any ear infections, while my right ear has continued to get ear infections atleast once or twice a year. Over the last year or so, I've had gunk draining out of my right ear and went to my ENT. After getting a catscan I was diagnosed with cholesteatoma and have scheduled surgery for June 1st at Mass General in Boston. I'm a 22 year old college student who is graduating in May and feel that my life is being put on whole as I enter "the real world". I've done alot of research on the procedure, and as a communications/marketing major I'm extremely nervous about complications. Just to vent, the idea of my surgeon drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me out (as i'm sure it did or does with everyone). I'm nervous about experiencing imbalances that last

longer than "normal" - and of course my facial nerve (which I believe is under 1%). I would really love to hear anyone's personal story who had the surgery - especially when they first woke up from surgery to throughout the first 2 weeks, and of course any long-term complications. I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this group online - thank you all again for being so supportive and answering my emails so quickly! Best, Ana D. Ana L. Dabrowski Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

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[Guest guest]

Dave

Expect the draining to keep happening for 6 months to

a year. Mine drained for about a year, as long as it

is clear and not the C-toma pea green you will be just

fine. The drainage is from the inner ear healing,

keep in mind everything was disrupted, displaced or

removed and will take a while to heal up correctly.

One thing I do get 27 years + after my CWD I still get

the draining feeling even when it's not draining and

has not for many many years. This is the nerve

endings waking up, one of the side affect of the

surgery....

tom hansen

--- Dave Kenyon <dkenyon57@...> wrote:

> I had the cwd surgery one month ago. I was under for

> 7 hours - it was pretty extensive c'toma. I was very

> groggy when I woke up but went home that night

> (surgery started at 8 AM). Had some discomfort for

> about a week but very little pain. I had the surgery

> on Friday and was back at work on Monday - a desk

> job, but I probably should have stayed out another

> day or two, I got tired very easily early on. I have

> had several follow-up visitis with my doc and am

> healing well. Only issue I have now is I am still

> draining after a month. My hearing is about the same

> as before - not too good in that ear.

>

> The surgery is not too bad and the recovery is

> relatively quick and painless - hang in there and

> good luck!

>

> DaveK.

>

> Ana Dabrowski <anadbxe@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I didn't realize that my emails get sent to

> everyone, so I appologize for sending the same

> message out more than once. Anyways...thank you to

> everyone who has responded back!

>

> Just to introduce myself and update everyone on my

> situation, here is my story. As a child I had

> eartubes put in both years twice (6 & 8 years old)

> and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since

> then my left ear has matured experiencing barely any

> ear infections, while my right ear has continued to

> get ear infections atleast once or twice a year.

> Over the last year or so, I've had gunk draining out

> of my right ear and went to my ENT. After getting a

> catscan I was diagnosed with cholesteatoma and have

> scheduled surgery for June 1st at Mass General in

> Boston.

>

> I'm a 22 year old college student who is

> graduating in May and feel that my life is being put

> on whole as I enter " the real world " . I've done alot

> of research on the procedure, and as a

> communications/marketing major I'm extremely nervous

> about complications. Just to vent, the idea of my

> surgeon drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me

> out (as i'm sure it did or does with everyone). I'm

> nervous about experiencing imbalances that last

> longer than " normal " - and of course my facial nerve

> (which I believe is under 1%). I would really love

> to hear anyone's personal story who had the surgery

> - especially when they first woke up from surgery to

> throughout the first 2 weeks, and of course any

> long-term complications.

>

> I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found

> this group online - thank you all again for being so

> supportive and answering my emails so quickly!

>

> Best,

> Ana D.

>

>

> Ana L. Dabrowski

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone

> Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or

> less.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ana Dabrowski wrote:

> I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this group online -

> thank you all again for being so supportive and answering my emails so

> quickly!

Hello Ana,

While everyone's case is different, and everyone reacts to surgery and

pain differently, I wouldn't worry TOO much about the after effects. It

is good to read up on it and be an informed patient, but don't scare

yourself.

In my case (5 surgeries) I stayed in the hospital over-night for the

first two. These were in the 70s and were regarded as in-patient at the

time. They tend to be out-patient procedures now. I have no recollection

of much of any pain with any of my surgeries (the last was about '94). I

was given a prescription for Tylenol with codeine and used maybe 1 or

two tablets, then just OTC Tylenol after that. As I said, everyone

reacts to pain differently, but it was never much for me.

With my last surgery I ended up staying in the hospital one night, as

the doc had to get very close to the semi-circular canals to clean out

the ctoma. This upset my balance quite badly. This is unusual however. I

did not experience any more pain with that surgery than any other, but I

couldn't walk at all, couldn't sit up, couldn't even keep water down.

They tried giving me an anti-vertigo medication by injection but that

didn't help.

By the next day my balance was good enough that I could (carefully)

dress myself. I could walk (carefully), but was quite accepting of the

wheelchair that all hospitals insist they use when taking you out to

your car. Mom drove me home and I just stayed on the couch for the rest

of the day, mostly dozing. The only lasting effect from the surgery

(other than the goal of repairing my ear, which went QUITE well) was

minor effects to balance. Even today I need a visual cue for " up "

sometimes (crossing a completely dark room is something I do carefully).

However with lights on, I'm perfectly normal.

[Guest guest]

Glad your surgery went well and you are feeling ok. Your post helped to put

my mind at ease a bit, do you or anyone know about flying after surgery-

how long until we can or is it not an issue? I and my family have just got

our visa through for emigration to Oz and i have my surgery booked for May

15th!!! I am concerned i will be unable to fly for somw time and that hubby

will have to go on ahead, i will appreciate any advise available

many thanks

Louise

>-- Original Message --

>cholesteatoma

>From: Dave Kenyon <dkenyon57@...>

>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 06:24:15 -0700 (PDT)

>Subject: Re: Hi - Surgery Stories Wanted! Please Respond!

>Thank you!

>Reply-cholesteatoma

>

>

>I had the cwd surgery one month ago. I was under for 7 hours - it was pretty

>extensive c'toma. I was very groggy when I woke up but went home that night

>(surgery started at 8 AM). Had some discomfort for about a week but very

>little pain. I had the surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday

-

>a desk job, but I probably should have stayed out another day or two, I

got

>tired very easily early on. I have had several follow-up visitis with my

>doc and am healing well. Only issue I have now is I am still draining after

>a month. My hearing is about the same as before - not too good in that ear.

>

>

> The surgery is not too bad and the recovery is relatively quick and painless

>- hang in there and good luck!

>

> DaveK.

>

>Ana Dabrowski <anadbxe@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> I didn't realize that my emails get sent to everyone, so I appologize

for

>sending the same message out more than once. Anyways...thank you to everyone

>who has responded back!

>

> Just to introduce myself and update everyone on my situation, here is

my

>story. As a child I had eartubes put in both years twice (6 & 8 years old)

>and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since then my left ear has

>matured experiencing barely any ear infections, while my right ear has

continued

>to get ear infections atleast once or twice a year. Over the last year or

>so, I've had gunk draining out of my right ear and went to my ENT. After

>getting a catscan I was diagnosed with cholesteatoma and have scheduled

surgery

>for June 1st at Mass General in Boston.

>

> I'm a 22 year old college student who is graduating in May and feel that

>my life is being put on whole as I enter " the real world " . I've done alot

>of research on the procedure, and as a communications/marketing major I'm

>extremely nervous about complications. Just to vent, the idea of my surgeon

>drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me out (as i'm sure it did or does

>with everyone). I'm nervous about experiencing imbalances that last longer

>than " normal " - and of course my facial nerve (which I believe is under

1%).

>I would really love to hear anyone's personal story who had the surgery

-

>especially when they first woke up from surgery to throughout the first

2

>weeks, and of course any long-term complications.

>

> I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this group online - thank

>you all again for being so supportive and answering my emails so quickly!

>

> Best,

> Ana D.

>

>

> Ana L. Dabrowski

>

>

>---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+

>countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

>

[Guest guest]

My doctor first told me I wouldn't be able to fly for 2 months

following surgery because she was planning a tympanoplasty. I was

very concerned as my job entails lots of travel. During the surgery,

she decided not to repair my eardrum due to the time required for the

c'toma. After two weeks, she said I had healed well enough to fly. I

have flown several times aince then with no problems. It all depends

on your eardrum.

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I didn't realize that my emails get sent to everyone, so I

appologize

> for

> >sending the same message out more than once. Anyways...thank you

to everyone

> >who has responded back!

> >

> > Just to introduce myself and update everyone on my situation,

here is

> my

> >story. As a child I had eartubes put in both years twice (6 & 8

years old)

> >and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since then my left

ear has

> >matured experiencing barely any ear infections, while my right ear

has continued

> >to get ear infections atleast once or twice a year. Over the last

year or

> >so, I've had gunk draining out of my right ear and went to my ENT.

After

> >getting a catscan I was diagnosed with cholesteatoma and have

scheduled

> surgery

> >for June 1st at Mass General in Boston.

> >

> > I'm a 22 year old college student who is graduating in May and

feel that

> >my life is being put on whole as I enter " the real world " . I've

done alot

> >of research on the procedure, and as a communications/marketing

major I'm

> >extremely nervous about complications. Just to vent, the idea of

my surgeon

> >drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me out (as i'm sure it

did or does

> >with everyone). I'm nervous about experiencing imbalances that

last longer

> >than " normal " - and of course my facial nerve (which I believe is

under

> 1%).

> >I would really love to hear anyone's personal story who had the

surgery

> -

> >especially when they first woke up from surgery to throughout the

first

> 2

> >weeks, and of course any long-term complications.

> >

> > I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this group

online - thank

> >you all again for being so supportive and answering my emails so

quickly!

> >

> > Best,

> > Ana D.

> >

> >

> > Ana L. Dabrowski

> >

> >

> >---------------------------------

> > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US

(and 30+

> >countries) for 2¢/min or less.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Louise,

I always ask my doctor about the flying timeframe when

I have surgery. I travel a lot for my job and I want

to make sure I don't do it too soon. My doctor

usually tells me 4 weeks after I stress the fact that

I WILL be on a plane the day he allows me to. I think

it is different if you do have a tympanoplasty or OCR

since the pressure can disrupt things.

Laurel

--- lkgpbs@... wrote:

> Glad your surgery went well and you are feeling ok.

> Your post helped to put

> my mind at ease a bit, do you or anyone know about

> flying after surgery-

> how long until we can or is it not an issue? I and

> my family have just got

> our visa through for emigration to Oz and i have my

> surgery booked for May

> 15th!!! I am concerned i will be unable to fly for

> somw time and that hubby

> will have to go on ahead, i will appreciate any

> advise available

> many thanks

> Louise

> >-- Original Message --

> >cholesteatoma

> >From: Dave Kenyon <dkenyon57@...>

> >Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 06:24:15 -0700 (PDT)

> >Subject: Re: Hi - Surgery Stories

> Wanted! Please Respond!

> >Thank you!

> >Reply-cholesteatoma

> >

> >

> >I had the cwd surgery one month ago. I was under

> for 7 hours - it was pretty

> >extensive c'toma. I was very groggy when I woke up

> but went home that night

> >(surgery started at 8 AM). Had some discomfort for

> about a week but very

> >little pain. I had the surgery on Friday and was

> back at work on Monday

> -

> >a desk job, but I probably should have stayed out

> another day or two, I

> got

> >tired very easily early on. I have had several

> follow-up visitis with my

> >doc and am healing well. Only issue I have now is I

> am still draining after

> >a month. My hearing is about the same as before -

> not too good in that ear.

> >

> >

> > The surgery is not too bad and the recovery is

> relatively quick and painless

> >- hang in there and good luck!

> >

> > DaveK.

> >

> >Ana Dabrowski <anadbxe@...> wrote:

> > Hi everyone,

> >

> > I didn't realize that my emails get sent to

> everyone, so I appologize

> for

> >sending the same message out more than once.

> Anyways...thank you to everyone

> >who has responded back!

> >

> > Just to introduce myself and update everyone on

> my situation, here is

> my

> >story. As a child I had eartubes put in both years

> twice (6 & 8 years old)

> >and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since

> then my left ear has

> >matured experiencing barely any ear infections,

> while my right ear has continued

> >to get ear infections atleast once or twice a year.

> Over the last year or

> >so, I've had gunk draining out of my right ear and

> went to my ENT. After

> >getting a catscan I was diagnosed with

> cholesteatoma and have scheduled

> surgery

> >for June 1st at Mass General in Boston.

> >

> > I'm a 22 year old college student who is

> graduating in May and feel that

> >my life is being put on whole as I enter " the real

> world " . I've done alot

> >of research on the procedure, and as a

> communications/marketing major I'm

> >extremely nervous about complications. Just to

> vent, the idea of my surgeon

> >drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me out (as

> i'm sure it did or does

> >with everyone). I'm nervous about experiencing

> imbalances that last longer

> >than " normal " - and of course my facial nerve

> (which I believe is under

> 1%).

> >I would really love to hear anyone's personal story

> who had the surgery

> -

> >especially when they first woke up from surgery to

> throughout the first

> 2

> >weeks, and of course any long-term complications.

> >

> > I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found

> this group online - thank

> >you all again for being so supportive and answering

> my emails so quickly!

> >

> > Best,

> > Ana D.

> >

> >

> > Ana L. Dabrowski

> >

> >

> >---------------------------------

> > Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone

> Calls to the US (and 30+

> >countries) for 2¢/min or less.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ..

I am flying out May 11th to the west coast and my orginal surgery was for April 14th. They cancelled it until after I fly only because they said IF there was any complications then he would stop me from going....that would have been 4 weeks after surgery and the post surgery said 3weeks was normal but .........if there were any complications that the dr. would stop me. So........... my surgery is now scheduled for June 9th.

I hope I did the right thing..but 2 more months to worry about this will drive me crazy...

Hope yours turns out well.

Ann

Re: Hi - Surgery Stories Wanted! Please Respond!>Thank you!>Reply-cholesteatoma >>>I had the cwd surgery one month ago. I was under for 7 hours - it was pretty>extensive c'toma. I was very groggy when I woke up but went home that night>(surgery started at 8 AM). Had some discomfort for about a week but very>little pain. I had the surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday->a desk job, but I probably should have stayed out another day or two, Igot>tired very easily early on. I have had several follow-up visitis with my>doc and am healing well. Only issue I have now is I am still draining after>a month. My hearing is about the same as before - not too good in that ear.>> > The surgery is not too bad and the recovery is relatively quick and painless>- hang in there and good luck!> > DaveK.>>Ana Dabrowski <anadbxe@...> wrote:> Hi everyone,> > I didn't realize that my emails get sent to everyone, so I appologizefor>sending the same message out more than once. Anyways...thank you to everyone>who has responded back!> > Just to introduce myself and update everyone on my situation, here ismy>story. As a child I had eartubes put in both years twice (6 & 8 years old)>and also had my tonsils removed when I was 8. Since then my left ear has>matured experiencing barely any ear infections, while my right ear has continued>to get ear infections atleast once or twice a year. Over the last year or>so, I've had gunk draining out of my right ear and went to my ENT. After>getting a catscan I was diagnosed with cholesteatoma and have scheduledsurgery>for June 1st at Mass General in Boston. > > I'm a 22 year old college student who is graduating in May and feel that>my life is being put on whole as I enter "the real world". I've done alot>of research on the procedure, and as a communications/marketing major I'm>extremely nervous about complications. Just to vent, the idea of my surgeon>drilling into my skull absolutely freaks me out (as i'm sure it did or does>with everyone). I'm nervous about experiencing imbalances that last longer>than "normal" - and of course my facial nerve (which I believe is under1%).>I would really love to hear anyone's personal story who had the surgery->especially when they first woke up from surgery to throughout the first2>weeks, and of course any long-term complications. > > I can't tell you how relieved I am that I found this group online - thank>you all again for being so supportive and answering my emails so quickly!> > Best,> Ana D.>>> Ana L. Dabrowski> > >---------------------------------> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+>countries) for 2¢/min or less. >>