2 weeks post surgery

[Guest guest]

Hello again,

I've just spent the morning catching up on everyones posts. It

struck me how diverse the group's experience is. My surgery on the

15th July at the Eye and Ear hospital in Melb. went really well. It

was my first and unfortunately the cholesteatoma had been there for

quite some time before I was diagnosed. In the end it had filled the

mastoid cavity, eroded the bone covering the facial nerve, was

heading for the semi-circular canals and had attached itself to the

dura. Not bad for something that was producing so little in the way

of symptoms, I only had the constant drainage with a little bit of

blood in it and even that stopped altogether once I was diagnosed and

was keeping my ears completely dry.

The surgeons once they saw the extent decided on a CWD procedure with

a meatoplasty. Which suits me just fine, I will be much happier if I

never have to go through this again, and the surgeons seem confident

that they got all out in the one go.

The initial shock of the operation took a while to pass. I was able

to go home the next day, but I was released without any pain

medication. I thought this was cruel and unusual punishment until,

as I said the shock wore off and I realised I didn't have any actual

pain. I also managed to get a rash from the antibiotics which has

never happened before and fortunately wasn't a penicillin allergy but

must have been due to the colouring used in the gelcaps or something

else equally odd, at least I didn't have to go through the process of

having the antibiotic paste washed out of my ear.

Things have been so good since the surgery that I'm now back at work

and although my colleagues are ensuring I take it easy, I have to say

I feel really well. Relieved mostly, the C-toma is gone, I'm on the

mend and I have had no side-effects or complications whatsoever. I'm

looking forward to healing by the summer, getting some ear plugs

fitted and finally going for a swim.

Also just thought I'd mention something I have found really useful in

the past weeks. Dry powder shampoo. You spray it in like hair spray

give it some time to absorb the oils and just brush it out. Works a

treat and should be available at any chemists.

Cheers Liesel