Re: day one home from surgery have a few questions

[Guest guest]

You know, my daughter's surgery was yesterday and the doctor told me she could

bathe and by tomorrow (Wednesday) wash her hair. Weeelllll, I am freaked out to

even wash her hair. She has long blonde hair and I have no clue as to how to go

about doing it WITHOUT getting water in her ears (surgery on right, PE tube in

left). I have been using the cotton balls with vaseline on them, but like you

said, it looks like they just 'sit' in there, like they really wouldn't keep out

the water all to well.

Anyone have any suggestions??

She hasn't had a whole lot of blood which is good but I am making her keep the

cup/ muff thing on at night to protect her ear. So how long do I keep using the

cotton balls? They said until she stops bleeding, but really, how long does

that take??

Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

> From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>

> Subject: day one home from surgery have a few questions

> cholesteatoma

> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats

> okay.. i just took

> the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding

> and pussing

> but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the

> ear is ful of

> antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it

> off i dont

> want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning

> it and

> showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> cotton ball over

> it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> outside of my

> ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no

> pain thanks

> to lots of vicoden

[Guest guest]

So I am experiencing the same problem... I had to put the ear muff

back on with all of the cotton balls because the bleeding had gotten

worse this afternoon.... I did still dip the cotton balls in vaseline

and put them on my ear, then I packed the rest of the muff with just

cotton balls for cusion. My friend who is a nurse is coming by

tomorrow morning to clean out what she can without hurting me and is

going to check on the bleeding for me as well. I am petrified to wash

my hair because I cannot physically stuff a vaseline coated cotten

ball in my ear at all. There is so much packing and ointment in my

ear its sticking out. SOOOOOO I have no idea how to wash my hair...

my nurse friend may try but I am afraid to get any water near the

area. Anyone having this issue? And how long normally and how much

should I be bleeding? Sorry so long and thank you all so much for the

help. Thanks.

>

> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>

> > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few

questions

> > cholesteatoma

> > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats

> > okay.. i just took

> > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding

> > and pussing

> > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the

> > ear is ful of

> > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it

> > off i dont

> > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning

> > it and

> > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> > cotton ball over

> > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> > outside of my

> > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no

> > pain thanks

> > to lots of vicoden

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Pam. Gabby had her surgery last Thursday and I just washed her hair today. We were both afraid! She has steristrips behind the ear and cotton in the ear, her gel packing fell out yesterday. She's got LOTS of drainage. she has replced the cottonball many time today. Anyway, to wash her hair I sat her in the tub and used the detatchable showerhead thing. I put a cottonball in her ear(sitting there) and had her hold it in with her finger and lean her head sideways with surgery ear up. I wet it carefully then washed it and rinsed carefully with the shower thing. I also made a cup over her ear with my hand as I rinsed near the ear. It's ok to get the incision behind the ear wet-does she have one? Anyway,then we just put a dry piece of cotton there and I blow dried her hair to make sure it didn't get moisture in her ear. My back hurts, but the ear is

dry!!!! And the hair looks and smells pretty! Good luck with your daughter. Oh, you could just put an earplug in the ear with the tube. it'll be fine. Good luck. > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>> Subject: day one home from surgery have a few questions> cholesteatoma> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM> okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats> okay.. i just took > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding> and pussing > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the> ear is ful of > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it> off i dont > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning> it and > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered> cotton ball over > it

for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the> outside of my > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no> pain thanks > to lots of vicoden

[Guest guest]

Hey, I just responded to Pam about the hair washing. See my tips. You may need help, though. Good luck and good to hear you are doing well. Just don't put anything in your ear to clean it out. vicodin's good stuff for surgical pain-glad you're not hurting.

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>Subject: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats okay.. i just took the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding and pussing but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the ear is ful of antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it off i dont want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning it and showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered cotton ball over it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the outside of my ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no pain thanks to lots of vicoden

[Guest guest]

Hey, I don't think you should be bleeding so much. sure it's blood or might it be fluid with some blood like pinkish/orangish, which is ok? I am a nurse so I know about the drainage. What color is it?

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:08 PM

So I am experiencing the same problem... I had to put the ear muff back on with all of the cotton balls because the bleeding had gotten worse this afternoon... . I did still dip the cotton balls in vaseline and put them on my ear, then I packed the rest of the muff with just cotton balls for cusion. My friend who is a nurse is coming by tomorrow morning to clean out what she can without hurting me and is going to check on the bleeding for me as well. I am petrified to wash my hair because I cannot physically stuff a vaseline coated cotten ball in my ear at all. There is so much packing and ointment in my ear its sticking out. SOOOOOO I have no idea how to wash my hair... my nurse friend may try but I am afraid to get any water near the area. Anyone having this issue? And how long normally and how much should I be bleeding? Sorry so long and thank you all so much for the help. Thanks.> > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few questions> > cholesteatoma> > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM> > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats> > okay.. i just took > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding> > and pussing > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the> > ear is ful of > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it> > off i dont > > want to touch it

really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning> > it and > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered> > cotton ball over > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the> > outside of my > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no> > pain thanks > > to lots of vicoden >

[Guest guest]

Hi ! Thanks for reding.. well I had the surgery yesterday at

4pm... went home at 9pm I was up all night didnt really sleep and

around 11am today, I had to take off the muff and I had orange yellow

discharge with a good amount of blood. So i put it back on for the

afternoon and with new cotton etc. Come 6pm I took it off and cleaned

it up around my ear. Within 20 minutes blood started seeping through

the cotton ball covered in vaseline that I had just sitting on the

packing that was sticking out of my ear. So I changed out the gross

cotton balls for new ones covered in vaseline and stuffed them back

in there. So I have the muff back on, I feel a little dripping but I

havent checked to see what color it is since 6pm ish. Should I sleep

with it on and see what happens in the morning? Or check it in a few

hours when I have to take more pain meds? Thanks so much for the help.

> >

> > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>

> > > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few

> questions

> > > cholesteatoma

> > > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> > > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats

> > > okay.. i just took

> > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding

> > > and pussing

> > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the

> > > ear is ful of

> > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it

> > > off i dont

> > > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning

> > > it and

> > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> > > cotton ball over

> > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> > > outside of my

> > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no

> > > pain thanks

> > > to lots of vicoden

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey , thanks for responding. I usually use the waxy type earplugs, and I

will for her left ear, but am just freaked about her right ear. I don't have a

detachable shower head, so maybe I can find one that attaches to the faucet,

I've seen those, but not sure where... or, just do what you did and have her

lean over and hold the cotton. Man oh man, I can hear the whining already!! I

guess what makes it hard is my 18 month old usually insists on getting in the

bathtub at the same time I bathe the other 4 girls, so she gets in the way...

now with my husband leaving I am so going to need help just getting the girls

bathed!

I usually braid her hair after I wash it, one to keep it back and not tangled,

but also because I don't want the moisture getting to the ear, but I guess I

will have to start drying also. Oh well, no big deal. And yes, she does have

an incision behind her ear. Oh, how long do the ears stay " lop-sided " ? Poor

girl, my husband said she looked like Yodda (I know I spelled that wrong), so I

slapped him... LOL She's still beautiful to me.

Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

>

> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>

> > Subject: day one home from surgery

> have a few questions

> > cholesteatoma

> > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but

> thats

> > okay.. i just took

> > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of

> bleeding

> > and pussing

> > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of

> the

> > ear is ful of

> > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean

> it

> > off i dont

> > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on

> cleaning

> > it and

> > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> > cotton ball over

> > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> > outside of my

> > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there

> is no

> > pain thanks

> > to lots of vicoden

[Guest guest]

Hey, no problem. You sound a bit anxious, as I have been with my daughter and am sure I would be if I was the patient. It's scary having this all going on with your body. Everything sounds normal. It doesn't sound like too much blood, however, I would leave the muff on til morning and as long as the blood isn't coming through that it should be ok. I don't want to give medical advice at the risk of steering you the wrong way, so if you truely are worried give the doc's nurse a call in the AM. My daughter complained of constantly feeling wet in that ear and dripping until that nasty gel packing fell out yesterday. Since, she has a lot of drainage, but she says it doesn't feel so gross. Is it that pinkish slippery packing sticking out? I think it's supposed to stay in til the next visit, but this is the second surgery that it came out within days after

surgery. take more pain meds when it's time so you can try to get some rest. That will help more than anything. Too much activity will cause more drainage and pain. Chill, like I tell Gabby. Your body needs to rest to heal. You will be ok.

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:25 PM

Hi ! Thanks for reding.. well I had the surgery yesterday at 4pm... went home at 9pm I was up all night didnt really sleep and around 11am today, I had to take off the muff and I had orange yellow discharge with a good amount of blood. So i put it back on for the afternoon and with new cotton etc. Come 6pm I took it off and cleaned it up around my ear. Within 20 minutes blood started seeping through the cotton ball covered in vaseline that I had just sitting on the packing that was sticking out of my ear. So I changed out the gross cotton balls for new ones covered in vaseline and stuffed them back in there. So I have the muff back on, I feel a little dripping but I havent checked to see what color it is since 6pm ish. Should I sleep with it on and see what happens in the morning? Or check it in a few hours when I have to take more pain meds? Thanks so much for the help.> > > > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> > > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few > questions> > > cholesteatoma> > > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM> > > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats> > > okay.. i just took > > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding> > > and pussing > > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the> > > ear is ful of > > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it> > > off i

dont > > > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning> > > it and > > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered> > > cotton ball over > > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the> > > outside of my > > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no> > > pain thanks > > > to lots of vicoden > >>

[Guest guest]

You need to call your doctor's office and get instructions for care of

the wound. I typically was supposed to use hydrogen peroxide on a clean

washcloth to gently clean the wound each day and the ear. Then I'd use

the vaseline covered cotton ball - but only during showering - the rest

of the time I used a clean dry one. I'd also hold a big fluffy dry wash

cloth over the ear while I washed my hair. After showering, then he

wanted me to put on an ointment like bacitracin. That's what my doctor

wanted me to do - but I think you'd better ask. After my first surgery

(the most extensive), I had to do a vinegar and water rinse of the ear

itself - I can't remember at what point I did that though. I don't know

when these doctors will start handing out good written instructions.

They ought to know that we typically aren't hearing very well. My wife

had a pretty good handle on most things ... but the wound care was one

thing she avoided.

All the best,

Matt

sheshe2387 wrote:

>

> okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats okay.. i just took

> the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding and pussing

> but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the ear is ful of

> antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it off i dont

> want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning it and

> showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered cotton ball over

> it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the outside of my

> ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no pain thanks

> to lots of vicoden

>

>

--

[Guest guest]

It looked like a gray packing and it had ointment and blood on it and it was just there ya know? not really sticking out but not far in enough for me to stick a cotton ball in so shower or anything... I will admit I was moving around too much earlier so I am going to wait another hour and take my pain meds and try and get some sleep cause I am exhausted! I dont feel any more dripping or drainage so far because I havent really moved or tipped my head or anything. Thank you so much for the advice. I appreciate your help and I will call the doc tomorrow to see what is staying inthe ear and what I can and cannot touch or clean etc. I only have the stitches on my ear, no inscions anywhere else so I hope to get my hair washed some how tomorow! Thanks again

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatomaDate: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:25 PM

Hi ! Thanks for reding.. well I had the surgery yesterday at 4pm... went home at 9pm I was up all night didnt really sleep and around 11am today, I had to take off the muff and I had orange yellow discharge with a good amount of blood. So i put it back on for the afternoon and with new cotton etc. Come 6pm I took it off and cleaned it up around my ear. Within 20 minutes blood started seeping through the cotton ball covered in vaseline that I had just sitting on the packing that was sticking out of my ear. So I changed out the gross cotton balls for new ones covered in vaseline and stuffed them back in there. So I have the muff back on, I feel a little dripping but I havent checked to see what color it is since 6pm ish. Should I sleep with it on and see what happens in the morning? Or check it in a few hours when I have to take more pain meds? Thanks so much for the help.> > > > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> > > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few > questions> > > cholesteatoma> > > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM> > > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats> > > okay.. i just took > > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding> > > and pussing > > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the> > > ear is ful of > > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it> > > off i

dont > > > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning> > > it and > > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered> > > cotton ball over > > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the> > > outside of my > > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no> > > pain thanks > > > to lots of vicoden > >>

[Guest guest]

Hey Pam. gabby's ears are lopsided, too. guess I never noticed. I think they will go back to being even once the swelling goes down. That's funny, she's still beautiful to me also. maybe you could just use a cup. I'm from New Orleans so I would suggest a Mardi Gras cup! lol Wow, you have five kids! I have two girls and my hands are full as a single mom. Well, she should bathe by herself,because she will be anxious, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I think sitting up in the tub and using a cup would work fine, too. Make it her special time and give the other kids something else special to do in the meantime like a movie or something and maybe you could play special music for your daughter while you do her hair(might at least help you relax while she screams) LOL good luck and good night Oh, I only dried the hair by her ears. she has thick

hair and it would take forever to dry all of it!> > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ . com>> > Subject: day one home from surgery> have a few questions> > cholesteatoma> > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37

PM> > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but> thats> > okay.. i just took > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of> bleeding> > and pussing > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of> the> > ear is ful of > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean> it> > off i dont > > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on> cleaning> > it and > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered> > cotton ball over > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the> > outside of my > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there> is no> > pain thanks > > to lots of vicoden

[Guest guest]

I agree with Matt. Check with the doc. Clearly written instructions from the doc would be nice. Everyone's too nervous to remember everything they tell you!--- On Tue, 10/28/08,

[Guest guest]

thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the

doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment or

packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not

supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is

going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone

down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned

up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one

out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after

surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the day

since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and

some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but

no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the

instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove

outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do

not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great

hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions.. thanks so

much for your help

--- In cholesteatoma , "

[Guest guest]

I know. What would the world do without us nurses? lol Hope you get some rest. Good night

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM

thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment or packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the day since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove outer dressing 10/28 leave

packing in ear for 10 days may shower do not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so much for your help--- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

thanks again! I am so trying to sleep but just can't! I'm exhausted!!

>

> From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>

> Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few

questions

> cholesteatoma

> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

> thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the

> doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment

or

> packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not

> supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and

is

> going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone

> down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned

> up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only

one

> out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after

> surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the

day

> since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother

and

> some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but

> no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the

> instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove

> outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do

> not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great

> hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so

> much for your help

>

> --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

I'm pretty sure that the vaseline covered cotton ball will only be for

showering and that you use a dry one after showering. Change the cotton

ball as often as needed. The reason the vaseline covered cotton ball

works is because you have a gel covering the cotton substrate - the

cotton gives it shape. It will be pretty effective. Hold a dry

washcloth over it while you wash your hair with the other hand ... it

works pretty well. Just don't let the shower water spray directly into

your ear. It will be fine if the wound gets wet - just be sure to blot

it dry - don't go rubbing it hard or you'll get it all irritated.

Don't get too freaked out by this. The hard part is over. Drink water,

watch a bunch of movies, take long slow walks, let that anesthetic wear off.

All the best,

Matt

sheshe2387 wrote:

>

> So I am experiencing the same problem... I had to put the ear muff

> back on with all of the cotton balls because the bleeding had gotten

> worse this afternoon.... I did still dip the cotton balls in vaseline

> and put them on my ear, then I packed the rest of the muff with just

> cotton balls for cusion. My friend who is a nurse is coming by

> tomorrow morning to clean out what she can without hurting me and is

> going to check on the bleeding for me as well. I am petrified to wash

> my hair because I cannot physically stuff a vaseline coated cotten

> ball in my ear at all. There is so much packing and ointment in my

> ear its sticking out. SOOOOOO I have no idea how to wash my hair...

> my nurse friend may try but I am afraid to get any water near the

> area. Anyone having this issue? And how long normally and how much

> should I be bleeding? Sorry so long and thank you all so much for the

> help. Thanks.

>

>

> >

> > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>

> > > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few

> questions

> > > cholesteatoma

> <mailto:cholesteatoma%40>

> > > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> > > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats

> > > okay.. i just took

> > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding

> > > and pussing

> > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the

> > > ear is ful of

> > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it

> > > off i dont

> > > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning

> > > it and

> > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> > > cotton ball over

> > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> > > outside of my

> > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no

> > > pain thanks

> > > to lots of vicoden

> >

>

>

--

[Guest guest]

With the vaseline and cotton balls, you really only need to avoid having

the water spray directly in the ear. Let her hold a big fluffy dry

washcloth over each ear while you wash her hair.

Don't make her put that muff thing back on. If it was on the first

night, toss that puppy out! It's horribly uncomfortable and really not

necessary. I always had to use the dry cotton balls for a couple of

weeks. For night time, let your daughter use old pillow cases you

really don't care about just in case some stuff gets past the cotton

ball or the cotton ball falls out. It's likely she'll take out a pillow

case at least once, but that isn't a big deal. When the cotton ball

stops getting stuff on it after a number of hours ... then you've

probably reached the point where it isn't needed.

If it makes you feel more secure, some folks have mentioned waterproof

bandages that they put over the ear during a shower. I forget exactly

what they were called though. Maybe someone can recognize what I'm

yammering about.

Hang in there! :-)

Matt

Pam Bankston wrote:

>

> You know, my daughter's surgery was yesterday and the doctor told me

> she could bathe and by tomorrow (Wednesday) wash her hair. Weeelllll,

> I am freaked out to even wash her hair. She has long blonde hair and I

> have no clue as to how to go about doing it WITHOUT getting water in

> her ears (surgery on right, PE tube in left). I have been using the

> cotton balls with vaseline on them, but like you said, it looks like

> they just 'sit' in there, like they really wouldn't keep out the water

> all to well.

> Anyone have any suggestions??

>

> She hasn't had a whole lot of blood which is good but I am making her

> keep the cup/ muff thing on at night to protect her ear. So how long

> do I keep using the cotton balls? They said until she stops bleeding,

> but really, how long does that take??

>

> Pamela Waling " smile, it confuses people... "

>

>

>

> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@... <mailto:sheshe2387%40>>

> > Subject: day one home from surgery have a few questions

> > cholesteatoma

> <mailto:cholesteatoma%40>

> > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but thats

> > okay.. i just took

> > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of bleeding

> > and pussing

> > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of the

> > ear is ful of

> > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean it

> > off i dont

> > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on cleaning

> > it and

> > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> > cotton ball over

> > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> > outside of my

> > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there is no

> > pain thanks

> > to lots of vicoden

>

>

--

[Guest guest]

Multiple topics in one thread! Too much to digest - lol!

Sheila - when in doubt - call the dr. Nurse or no nurse coming in the morning - if you are BLEEDING that much and not DRAINING - call the doc. Not okay.

/Sheila/Pam (and Matt for good measure) - my last ear surgery - in college in like 1997ish, I started BAWLING when I found out after surgery that my dr. didn't want me to wash my hair for like two weeks. Good WRITTEN after-care instructions should be given out in the office BEFORE surgery is scheduled so a person can properly plan ahead while they are still in their right mind. I also remember much drama with washing my hair as I child as I was instructed to NEVER get my " bad ear " wet. My new doc didn't really seem like he gave a crap about me getting my ear wet - but his bedside manner is questionable at times. I guess I will find out Thursday post-surgery about getting my ear wet. I say that unless you are going to be appearing in the Ms. America pageant tomorrow evening, to pull your hair up off of your head and wash it next week sometime, but that's just me. I am going to wash my hair really good before surgery next Thursday and get my good friend from church to french braid it for me - and hopefully that will last a couple of days.

As for the comments about nurses. LOL. My hubby IS one - and I always say that " he gave at the office " when he takes care of me. He does post-anesthesia care primarily, so all he really does for me when I'm sick is make sure that I'm still breathing - other than that, I'm usually on my own. He has promised to " improve my level of care " this go around - so we will see what happens. We watched the Fireproof movie together and I was poking him in the ribs during a part where the husband is being really sweet to the wife when she was sick/not feeling good. I was all like - HE'S A FIREFIGHTER - not a nurse - and look how nice HE IS! LOL.

Thanks for all of the " wound care " comments too - I am praying that the doc can just go in through the ear canal and not have to go behind. Of course, he won't know for sure himself until he gets in there to get the stupid c-toma out. I have an amazing amount of scar tissue and stuff behind my ear though and I really, really, really don't want to deal with the recovery from that incision if I can help it.

Anyway, thanks for the long and interesting thread - it gave me something to do until my melatonin kicks in --- with all this throbbing in my ear/head/face I am not sleeping real great lately!!

On 10/28/08,

[Guest guest]

Hey. No prob. Did bleeding stop? Did you get some sleep finally? Let us know what the doc or nurse says. Hope all is well. Hey, to anyone, Gabby went back to school today, surgery was Thursday. Anyone think it's too soon or ok? I feel bad for her. She was nervous. And said her eyes hurt.

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 11:04 PM

thanks again! I am so trying to sleep but just can't! I'm exhausted!!> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questions> cholesteatoma> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM> > > > > > > thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the > doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the

ointment or > packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not > supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is > going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone > down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned > up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one > out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after > surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the day > since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and > some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but > no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the > instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove > outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do > not

get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great > hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so > much for your help> > --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

What does her doc say? I never liked going back to school after surgery. I loved school but I didn't like looking different and feeling cruddy and all that jazz. Me and the school nurse got to know one another REAL WELL. I had standard permission that if my head hurt or my ear was throbbing, etc. that I could just go lay down as long as she had a bed open. Of course, that was 1980ish - so there's probably some stupid school regulation doesn't allow that nowadays. LOL.

I'll say a prayer for Gabby to make it through her day with flying colors for you right now!

On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 9:07 AM, lauren giessinger <lagiessi@...> wrote:

Hey. No prob. Did bleeding stop? Did you get some sleep finally? Let us know what the doc or nurse says. Hope all is well. Hey, to anyone, Gabby went back to school today, surgery was Thursday. Anyone think it's too soon or ok? I feel bad for her. She was nervous. And said her eyes hurt.

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@...>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 11:04 PM

thanks again! I am so trying to sleep but just can't! I'm exhausted!!

> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few

questions> cholesteatoma> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM>

> > > > > > thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the > doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment or > packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not

> supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is > going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone > down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned

> up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one > out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after > surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the

day > since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and > some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but > no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the

> instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove > outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do > not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great

> hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so > much for your help> > --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

Hello all. I just woke up about 30 minutes ago! I got a lot of rest

thank goodness and feel a little better. I took the muff off and

cotton balls and there was maybe 2 balls with some blood on it and

some with some puss on it so I guess I leaked both last night. It

seems to have gotten better but I am going to watch it carefully... I

sooo want to wash my hair but I think I may wait a few more days.. we

will see..

> >

> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>

> > Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few

> questions

> > cholesteatoma

> > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call

the

> > doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the

ointment

> or

> > packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not

> > supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and

> is

> > going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has

gone

> > down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area

cleaned

> > up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only

> one

> > out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me

after

> > surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the

> day

> > since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother

> and

> > some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well

but

> > no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the

> > instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may

remove

> > outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower

do

> > not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great

> > hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks

so

> > much for your help

> >

> > --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

Hey. Thanks for your reply. I am cracking up right now. I am Gabby's school nurse! This means she can come up anytime. I'm only there once or twice a week because I have 3 schools and so what about the rules. I guess it's why I was ok sending her back cause I'm there or available if I'm not and the staff is always on my side. I love my job. I just felt bad, but she's been just fine today, really. Doc said it was ok, but I worry. Also, today is wear a hat day, so no one can see her incision or the cotton in her ear. Thanks,

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatomaDate: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 11:04 PM

thanks again! I am so trying to sleep but just can't! I'm exhausted!!> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few

questions> cholesteatoma> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM> > > > > > > thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the > doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment or > packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not > supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is > going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone > down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned > up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one > out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after > surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the

day > since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and > some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but > no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the > instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove > outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do > not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great > hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so > much for your help> > --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

Oh, and thanks for the prayers, Melinda. They help more than anything!

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatomaDate: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 11:04 PM

thanks again! I am so trying to sleep but just can't! I'm exhausted!!> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few

questions> cholesteatoma> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM> > > > > > > thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the > doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment or > packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not > supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is > going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone > down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned > up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one > out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after > surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the

day > since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and > some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but > no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the > instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove > outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do > not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great > hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so > much for your help> > --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

LOL!!! Yesterday was wear a hat day here - today is " slippers day " - snort. Are y'all celebrating " Red Ribbon " week too?

I hope she did good today!

On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 2:32 PM, lauren giessinger <lagiessi@...> wrote:

Oh, and thanks for the prayers, Melinda. They help more than anything!

From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few questionscholesteatoma

Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 11:04 PM

thanks again! I am so trying to sleep but just can't! I'm exhausted!!

> > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387@ ...>> Subject: Re: day one home from surgery have a few

questions> cholesteatoma> Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:54 PM> >

> > > > > thank you this is what i was planning on doing tomorrow to call the > doc. I havent touched the stiches on my ear or any of the ointment or > packing in my ear... I am afraid I will move something I am not

> supposed to or infect something etc. My girlfriend is a nurse and is > going to check on me in the morning to see if the bleeding has gone > down and to make sure I can get my hair washed and the area cleaned

> up without getting the area wet... Glad to know I am not the only one > out here is has questions... I mean the doc didnt even see me after > surgery to tell me what he did because he had to go home for the

day > since I was a late day surgery! He told my fiance and my brother and > some friends who were waiting for me that the surgery went well but > no aftercare instructions on how to keep the ear clean.. etc the

> instuructions on the discharge sheet read as follows... may remove > outer dressing 10/28 leave packing in ear for 10 days may shower do > not get water in ear.... that's it I mean seriously... great

> hospital, great surgeons.. bad aftercare instructions. . thanks so > much for your help> > --- In cholesteatoma, "

[Guest guest]

The day I took of my head bandage, I looked at my ears in my bathroom

mirror. I looked like I had just risen from the dead, but that didn't

bother me. What horrified me was when I noticed my ears looked

lopsided. I was sure my doctor sewed my ear up crooked. Shortly

after, by reading some posts by this group, I found out it was normal

and that it takes several weeks for all of the swelling to go down.

Mine is better but still sticks out a bit. I almost worked myself

into tears, though. Maybe the ear doctors should add this to the list

of side effects so it doesn't cause so much of a shock!

> >

> > > From: sheshe2387 <sheshe2387 (DOT) com>

> > > Subject: day one home from surgery

> > have a few questions

> > > cholesteatoma

> > > Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 5:37 PM

> > > okay well I didn't sleep a wink last night but

> > thats

> > > okay.. i just took

> > > the ear muf thing off.. I had a decent amount of

> > bleeding

> > > and pussing

> > > but I had to get the darn thing off... the inside of

> > the

> > > ear is ful of

> > > antibiotic ointment and blood and i cant really clean

> > it

> > > off i dont

> > > want to touch it really... sooo any suggestions on

> > cleaning

> > > it and

> > > showering etc? they told me to put a vaseline covered

> > > cotton ball over

> > > it for now.. which i have but its just sitting on the

> > > outside of my

> > > ear.. any help would be great! thanks all.. and there

> > is no

> > > pain thanks

> > > to lots of vicoden

>