Re: Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

[Guest guest]

Yes, I was confused about this when my son had sx. Some said to cover the cotton ball with vasoline, then put it in the ear, My Dr said no, you do not want the vasoline in the ear canal. Put the cotton ball in then cover it with vasoline. I did not find this fool proof especially in the first few weeks when I wanted to be so sure. I found waterproof eyepatches at CVS and covered his eas and wraped it around it and sealed it.. I used the cottonball along with this and it is sure to keep the water out. I used this when we were around the pool to prevent splashes also. It does get expensive though!

Hope this helps you.

Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

Hi Stacey and Marilyn. I'm Joanne and my first surgery is Nov.7. Marilyn, thank you for all your postings, I havent replied before now but I have been reading them all and it is so helpful for me to hear your experiences while I'm trying to prepare myself for this. Stacey, I have a question for you on your replay to Marilyn, you mentioned puting in the cottonball first and than putting vasoline on it on the outside? Does it really work...even in the shower? And I'm really interested in what you said about using a waterproof eyepatch...what is that and how exactly could I use it? Thank you for your help.All the best, and much white light,Joanne> >> > Hi dear:> > > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me. > Children are > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner that > we do. Expect > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not > really that > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors want > to make sure > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction. > Recovery is pretty > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the ear) > have to > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.> > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find that out > after we > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage to the > hearing is > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear > bones,which may be > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she won't > loose any > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because of the > surgery. > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-toma > will keep > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her ear > really really > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, and > they love > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited, > unfortunately. But, look in > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases that > are a lot more > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.> > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will learn > a lot!> > God bless you!> > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)> > > > > > > > > > ************************************** See what's new at > http://www.aol.com> >>

[Guest guest]

Joanne, you can also cover the ear with waterproof knee bandaids. My son use to do the cottonball covered with vaseline then cover his ear with a waterproof knee size bandaid that covered his ear perfectly. I believe it is made by Nexcare and you can find them in the same area of the drugstore as bandaids. This was probably overkill but it made him feel better.

Audrey

Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

Thanks for getting back to me so quick Stacey! I still have a couple

of questions if thats o.k. What is "CVS" and you said you "wraped

around it and sealed it"...what did you use to do this and how did

you seal it? Thanks again Stacey,

Joanne

> > >

> > > Hi dear:

> > >

> > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me.

> > Children are

> > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner

> that

> > we do. Expect

> > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not

> > really that

> > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors

> want

> > to make sure

> > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction.

> > Recovery is pretty

> > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the

> ear)

> > have to

> > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.

> > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find

that

> out

> > after we

> > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage

to

> the

> > hearing is

> > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear

> > bones,which may be

> > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she

> won't

> > loose any

> > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because

of

> the

> > surgery.

> > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-

toma

> > will keep

> > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her

> ear

> > really really

> > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places,

and

> > they love

> > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited,

> > unfortunately. But, look in

> > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases

that

> > are a lot more

> > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.

> > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will

> learn

> > a lot!

> > > God bless you!

> > >

> > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ************************************** See what's new at

> > http://www.aol.com

> > >

> >

>

Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail!

[Guest guest]

CVS is just a local drug store. The eye patch is more like a bandaid, not hard at all and you just wrap the sticky part around to the back of the ear and stick it to the back if that makes sense? So you get what I mean?

Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

Thanks for getting back to me so quick Stacey! I still have a couple of questions if thats o.k. What is "CVS" and you said you "wraped around it and sealed it"...what did you use to do this and how did you seal it? Thanks again Stacey, Joanne> > >> > > Hi dear:> > > > > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me. > > Children are > > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner > that > > we do. Expect > > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not > > really that > > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors > want > > to make sure > > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction. > > Recovery is pretty > > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the > ear) > > have to > > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.> > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find that > out > > after we > > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage to > the > > hearing is > > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear > > bones,which may be > > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she > won't > > loose any > > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because of > the > > surgery. > > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-toma > > will keep > > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her > ear > > really really > > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, and > > they love > > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited, > > unfortunately. But, look in > > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases that > > are a lot more > > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.> > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will > learn > > a lot!> > > God bless you!> > > > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ************************************** See what's new at > > http://www.aol.com> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

You can not shower for several days, and the patch would only touch the top back of your ear, not where the incision is, You are no bother.

Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

Thank you so much Audrey and Stacey! You guys are great. Did either of you find that it was difficult (painful) to have the sticky bandage around where the ear might be sensitive from surgery? Thanks again...hope I'm not driving you crazy with my questions, I'm just a bit nervous and I want to be as prepared as I can. :)Than you both. Joanne> > > >> > > > Hi dear:> > > > > > > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me. > > > Children are > > > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner > > that > > > we do. Expect > > > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not > > > really that > > > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors > > want > > > to make sure > > > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction. > > > Recovery is pretty > > > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the > > ear) > > > have to > > > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.> > > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find > that > > out > > > after we > > > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage > to > > the > > > hearing is > > > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear > > > bones,which may be > > > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she > > won't > > > loose any > > > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because > of > > the > > > surgery. > > > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-> toma > > > will keep > > > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her > > ear > > > really really > > > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, > and > > > they love > > > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited, > > > unfortunately. But, look in > > > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases > that > > > are a lot more > > > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.> > > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will > > learn > > > a lot!> > > > God bless you!> > > > > > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ************************************** See what's new at > > > http://www.aol.com> > > >> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

The sticky part was never a problem as the bandaid only covered the ear opening and was no where near the stitches.

Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

Thank you so much Audrey and Stacey! You guys are great. Did either

of you find that it was difficult (painful) to have the sticky

bandage around where the ear might be sensitive from surgery? Thanks

again...hope I'm not driving you crazy with my questions, I'm just a

bit nervous and I want to be as prepared as I can.

Than you both.

Joanne

> > > >

> > > > Hi dear:

> > > >

> > > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe

me.

> > > Children are

> > > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot

sooner

> > that

> > > we do. Expect

> > > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is

not

> > > really that

> > > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because

doctors

> > want

> > > to make sure

> > > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction.

> > > Recovery is pretty

> > > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the

> > ear)

> > > have to

> > > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.

> > > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find

> that

> > out

> > > after we

> > > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The

damage

> to

> > the

> > > hearing is

> > > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear

> > > bones,which may be

> > > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are

she

> > won't

> > > loose any

> > > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because

> of

> > the

> > > surgery.

> > > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-

> toma

> > > will keep

> > > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep

her

> > ear

> > > really really

> > > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places,

> and

> > > they love

> > > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited,

> > > unfortunately. But, look in

> > > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases

> that

> > > are a lot more

> > > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not

have.

> > > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You

will

> > learn

> > > a lot!

> > > > God bless you!

> > > >

> > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ************************************** See what's new at

> > > http://www.aol.com

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free AOL Mail!

[Guest guest]

I think rolling the cotton ball in petroleum jelly and then inserting it

in your ear is the best method. The cotton fibers act as a substrate

that holds the shape of the petroleum jelly. You might want a second

barrier. I would hold a big thick washcloth over my ear as I washed my

hair with my other hand. It seemed to work fine. I don't like the

cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it because it's all slimy, but it

sure keeps the water out.

Matt

joannelpo121 wrote:

>

> Hi Stacey and Marilyn. I'm Joanne and my first surgery is Nov.7.

> Marilyn, thank you for all your postings, I havent replied before now

> but I have been reading them all and it is so helpful for me to hear

> your experiences while I'm trying to prepare myself for this. Stacey,

> I have a question for you on your replay to Marilyn, you mentioned

> puting in the cottonball first and than putting vasoline on it on the

> outside? Does it really work...even in the shower? And I'm really

> interested in what you said about using a waterproof eyepatch...what

> is that and how exactly could I use it? Thank you for your help.

> All the best, and much white light,

> Joanne

>

> > >

> > > Hi dear:

> > >

> > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me.

> > Children are

> > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner

> that

> > we do. Expect

> > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not

> > really that

> > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors

> want

> > to make sure

> > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction.

> > Recovery is pretty

> > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the

> ear)

> > have to

> > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.

> > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find that

> out

> > after we

> > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage to

> the

> > hearing is

> > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear

> > bones,which may be

> > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she

> won't

> > loose any

> > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because of

> the

> > surgery.

> > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-toma

> > will keep

> > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her

> ear

> > really really

> > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, and

> > they love

> > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited,

> > unfortunately. But, look in

> > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases that

> > are a lot more

> > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.

> > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will

> learn

> > a lot!

> > > God bless you!

> > >

> > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ************************************** See what's new at

> > http://www.aol.com <http://www.aol.com>

> > >

> >

>

>

--

[Guest guest]

HI Matt,

THat is what we did at first until I told the DR. He said it is not good to get the vasoline the ear.

Re: Re: removing the gauze in the canal after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

I think rolling the cotton ball in petroleum jelly and then inserting it in your ear is the best method. The cotton fibers act as a substrate that holds the shape of the petroleum jelly. You might want a second barrier. I would hold a big thick washcloth over my ear as I washed my hair with my other hand. It seemed to work fine. I don't like the cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it because it's all slimy, but it sure keeps the water out.Mattjoannelpo121 wrote:>> Hi Stacey and Marilyn. I'm Joanne and my first surgery is Nov.7.> Marilyn, thank you for all your postings, I havent replied before now> but I have been reading them all and it is so helpful for me to hear> your experiences while I'm trying to prepare myself for this. Stacey,> I have a question for you on your replay to Marilyn, you mentioned> puting in the cottonball first and than putting vasoline on it on the> outside? Does it really work...even in the shower? And I'm really> interested in what you said about using a waterproof eyepatch...what> is that and how exactly could I use it? Thank you for your help.> All the best, and much white light,> Joanne> > > >> > > Hi dear:> > >> > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me.> > Children are> > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner> that> > we do. Expect> > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not> > really that> > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors> want> > to make sure> > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction.> > Recovery is pretty> > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the> ear)> > have to> > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.> > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find that> out> > after we> > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage to> the> > hearing is> > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear> > bones,which may be> > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she> won't> > loose any> > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because of> the> > surgery.> > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-toma> > will keep> > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her> ear> > really really> > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, and> > they love> > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited,> > unfortunately. But, look in> > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases that> > are a lot more> > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.> > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will> learn> > a lot!> > > God bless you!> > > > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)> > >> > >> > >> > >> > > ************************************** See what's new at> > http://www.aol.com <http://www.aol.com>> > >> >>> --

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I guess our doctors simply have a difference of opinion on that one.

The vasoline largely stuck to the cotton and there were two plugs still

in the ear.

Matt

nels4487@... wrote:

>

> HI Matt,

> THat is what we did at first until I told the DR. He said it is not

> good to get the vasoline the ear.

>

>

> * Re: Re: removing the gauze in the canal

> after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy

>

> I think rolling the cotton ball in petroleum jelly and then

> inserting it

> in your ear is the best method. The cotton fibers act as a substrate

> that holds the shape of the petroleum jelly. You might want a second

> barrier. I would hold a big thick washcloth over my ear as I

> washed my

> hair with my other hand. It seemed to work fine. I don't like the

> cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it because it's all slimy, but it

> sure keeps the water out.

>

> Matt

>

> joannelpo121 wrote:

> >

> > Hi Stacey and Marilyn. I'm Joanne and my first surgery is Nov.7.

> > Marilyn, thank you for all your postings, I havent replied

> before now

> > but I have been reading them all and it is so helpful for me to hear

> > your experiences while I'm trying to prepare myself for this.

> Stacey,

> > I have a question for you on your replay to Marilyn, you mentioned

> > puting in the cottonball first and than putting vasoline on it

> on the

> > outside? Does it really work...even in the shower? And I'm really

> > interested in what you said about using a waterproof eyepatch...what

> > is that and how exactly could I use it? Thank you for your help.

> > All the best, and much white light,

> > Joanne

> >

> > > >

> > > > Hi dear:

> > > >

> > > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me.

> > > Children are

> > > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner

> > that

> > > we do. Expect

> > > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not

> > > really that

> > > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors

> > want

> > > to make sure

> > > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction.

> > > Recovery is pretty

> > > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the

> > ear)

> > > have to

> > > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.

> > > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find that

> > out

> > > after we

> > > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage to

> > the

> > > hearing is

> > > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear

> > > bones,which may be

> > > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she

> > won't

> > > loose any

> > > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because of

> > the

> > > surgery.

> > > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-toma

> > > will keep

> > > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her

> > ear

> > > really really

> > > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, and

> > > they love

> > > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited,

> > > unfortunately. But, look in

> > > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases that

> > > are a lot more

> > > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.

> > > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will

> > learn

> > > a lot!

> > > > God bless you!

> > > >

> > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ************************************** See what's new at

> > > http://www.aol.com <http://www.aol.com> <http://www.aol.com

> <http://www.aol.com>>

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

> --

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Matt,

May have somthing to do with the type of packing. My son has gel packing which became dry and cracked looking, so I can see how the vasoline could get in there and not a good idea.

* Re: Re: removing the gauze in the canal> after surgery....tympanomastoidectomy>> I think rolling the cotton ball in petroleum jelly and then> inserting it> in your ear is the best method. The cotton fibers act as a substrate> that holds the shape of the petroleum jelly. You might want a second> barrier. I would hold a big thick washcloth over my ear as I> washed my> hair with my other hand. It seemed to work fine. I don't like the> cotton ball with petroleum jelly on it because it's all slimy, but it> sure keeps the water out.>> Matt>> joannelpo121 wrote:> >> > Hi Stacey and Marilyn. I'm Joanne and my first surgery is Nov.7.> > Marilyn, thank you for all your postings, I havent replied> before now> > but I have been reading them all and it is so helpful for me to hear> > your experiences while I'm trying to prepare myself for this.> Stacey,> > I have a question for you on your replay to Marilyn, you mentioned> > puting in the cottonball first and than putting vasoline on it> on the> > outside? Does it really work...even in the shower? And I'm really> > interested in what you said about using a waterproof eyepatch...what> > is that and how exactly could I use it? Thank you for your help.> > All the best, and much white light,> > Joanne> > > > > >> > > > Hi dear:> > > >> > > > We all understand your concerns and frustration, believe me.> > > Children are> > > > extremely resilient, and they bounce back a whole lot sooner> > that> > > we do. Expect> > > > for her to go through surgery for at least 3-4 hrs. It is not> > > really that> > > > risky of a surgery, but it takes a long time, because doctors> > want> > > to make sure> > > > that they get all of the c-toma out to avoid reproduction.> > > Recovery is pretty> > > > quick actually, but the bandage and the packing (inside the> > ear)> > > have to> > > > remain in usually about a week, and they are very annoying.> > > > C-tomas are a lot more common that we think. We only find that> > out> > > after we> > > > get involve. The surgery is to remove the c-toma. The damage to> > the> > > hearing is> > > > caused by the erosion and the removal of some of the ear> > > bones,which may be> > > > damage. If her hearing is basically good now, chances are she> > won't> > > loose any> > > > more of it, and in any case, it really would not be because of> > the> > > surgery.> > > > One thing for sure: she has to have that surgery, or the c-toma> > > will keep> > > > growing, and will do a lot more damage. You need to keep her> > ear> > > really really> > > > dry now and after surgery. C-tomas thrive in humid places, and> > > they love> > > > water! That means that swimming gets pretty limited,> > > unfortunately. But, look in> > > > the bright side and think of other conditions and diseases that> > > are a lot more> > > > compromising and debilitating, which your baby does not have.> > > > Keep your chin up, and continue to visit this site. You will> > learn> > > a lot!> > > > God bless you!> > > > > > > > Mother of ,c-toma patient, now 17 yrs. old (4 surgeries)> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > > ************************************** See what's new at> > > http://www.aol.com <http://www.aol.com> <http://www.aol.com> <http://www.aol.com>>> > > >> > >> >> >>> -- >>