ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: wendysig on January 06, 2009, 07:10:39 am
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Hi all --
Yesterday got off to a slow start -- my surgery got bumped (don't know why) to a much later time slot and I didn't leave the hospital until almost 4:00. By that time I was exhausted and starving. Everything went great and like Jan, I chatted with my doc during my surgery. I had local anesthesia but with sedation so I was very relaxed but refused to go to sleep. The OR I was in must usually be used for kids because there was a huge mural with elephants, monkeys and butterflies on the wall.
Much to my surprise, my doc gave my husband my processor in the recovery room and told him to keep it under lock and key. Rob handed me the box to look at and of course, I had to open it. Just as I was trying to open the box the processor was in, in walked Dr. Choe. Luckily, he laughed and said he should have known I had to open it. He actually ended up opening it for me and I promised not to try it on until he gave his okay in his office. I'm not sure if he didn't want to be responsible for it or if he just feels he knows me well enough to know I won't put it on until it's time. I haven't had a chance to read all the literature yet but will do that later. Rob took pictures of me and my lovely head wrap which I will post later -- I don't know where he put his camera. I have to say it looks much different from Jan's and Rob says I look like a sushi chef! I hope it stays together when I take it off later, maybe I'll use it for Halloween! ;D ;D ;D
That;s it for now -- I'll make sure I post the pictures later. Right now I'm going to go take a nap. I woke up this morning with one heck of a headache and took a Vicodin. Now I can barely keep my eyes open.
Wendy
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Great news, Wendy! Although I was sure things would go well, it's still nice to hear it from you ;D
My BAHA surgery got bumped also. I was there, my doctor was there, the problem was they gave my OR to another patient and we had to wait for that surgery to finish before mine could take place ::)
Tell Rob to lock up that processor!!! I'm glad my doctor didn't give me mine - he was smart enough to know that I'd try it out before my 90 days were up. If I would have had it in my hot little hands before then I would have been tempted and I don't think I could have stopped myself.
Looking forward to the sous chef hat - although I have to warn you, Kay has already won the award for best picture (post T3 surgery) in my book this year. She should receive her trophy any day now ;)
Jan
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Wendy~
Wondered about you all day yesterday - glad to hear things went so well! I think they could give me the processor too & I would wait. I was just telling my girlies the other day how I had NEVER even looked for a Christmas present early, in my WHOLE life. Also, I NEVER found out with any of my pregnancies if it were a girl or a boy...what can I say? I like to be surprised (& I hate to say am usually a rule FOLLOWER...unlike my two sisters...Jan & Lori)!!
Jan~
Really...a prize?? And you know my address too!!
K ;D
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Wendy,
Yay! Glad your surgery went well. But are you sure there were elephants and monkeys on the wall or was that from the drugs? :D
My doctor didn't give me my processor right away either. He knows me too well. :D I can't wait to see the latest trend in head wear you're sporting now. You're such a fashion plate! Hope the headache goes away!
And Kay, I resemble that remark! :D I can't help it - I don't like surprises.
Lori
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Wendy,
Congrats on a successful BAHA surgery! I'm surprised you were given your processor, too! I'm casually looking into BAHA or TransEar. I'm thinking (and others around close to me think so too) that the BAHA may look too much like a Borg implant (as cool as that sounds) with my nearly-bald hair style, so I'm leaning towards TransEar. I'm still investigating. Let us know how the BAHA works for you. I'm finding SSD increasingly frustrating in many situations.
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian~
Let me know about the TransEar & places in Houston that have it. I was going to check into that for when we were there, but I knew it would just be too crazy. Seems like a lot of money when I have gone so long without anything...but hey, when I win that lottery (that I don't play), I can just throw $$ around!!
K
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I had the BAHA surgery Oct 24. I have not seen my processor yet I get it Jan 15. I am so excited just reading about it from you guys. Let you know how it works.
Karen
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Hey Wendy,
Great news about the BAHA surgery. I had the same question as Lori regarding the "mural" you "saw" on the wall. So happy for you.
Marci
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Great Wendy! Do you have a bandage of some sort or you will be able to show everybody on Saturday what an abutment looks like?
Eve
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Hey Wendy,
Glad to read that everything went OK. I look forward to meeting you on Saturday.
Neal
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Hi Wendy,
Glad your feeling ok after surgery. I'm sure the next 90 days will seem to pass by slowly for you. Please keep us posted as to your progress.
Dawn
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Karen -
congratulations on your BAHA surgery; processor day will be a VERY exciting day. I LOVE my BAHA ;D Are you getting the Divino or the Intenso?
Pooter -
all I can say is try the BAHA demo before committing to a TransEar. The BAHA isn't for everyone, but the demo is extremely impressive - it's what sold me.
Eve -
if Wendy does decide to show her abutment when you guys meet on Saturday, don't be put off by the looks of it. Until the site heals, it doesn't look real pleasant - especially when it's gooped up with bacitracin or neosporin. It looks MUCH better in time.
Kay -
all I can say is, check the mail ;)
Wendy -
hope your pain gets better. Vicodin makes me think your pain was real bad :'( I didn't experience anything except a little discomfort for a day or two following my implant and I just stuck to extra strength Tylenol. But then again, I have a very hard head :D and it was still numb from my AN surgery. When my doc shot the lidocaine into my head before he started the surgery, I barely felt it. See, there are some good things about a numb head ;)
Check your mail, too. My partner in crime (and maybe my soon to be business partner) Lori and I sent you a little something in honor of your implant.
Jan
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Hi everyone --
I'm feeling better than this morning although my head still hurts somewhat. I took my head wrap off and the healing cap is really tiny, about the size of a quarter or a little bigger. I'm not seeing Dr. Choe again until next Wednesday, so I'll have it on when we meet for lunch.
Jan - One of the reasons Dr. Choe used the sedation was that much of my numbness from my AN surgery is gone. He felt the needles from the lidocane would be painful. Apparently I was sedated more at the beginning of the surgery because that part is fuzzy. I didn't mind not feeling the needles. Chatting with him and listening to the rest of the surgery was very interesting though. The only time I got at all nervous was when the nurse passed him the drill and I saw it go over my head. I didn't feel anything though except a little pressure. You have me very curious as to what you and Lori sent me. Whatever it is -- thanks!
Lori and Marci -- Thanks for your good wishes. :D I'm pretty sure I saw the mural when I first walked into the OR at least I think I did. If so, I hadn't had any drugs yet so I think I really saw teh elephants, monkeys and butterfllies -- now I wonder. ;D I'll have to ask Dr. Choe when I see him next week ;D
K - I hate to disappoint you I have always been a rule breaker though ;D -- I found out there was no Santa when I was five because I stayed up late and saw my older sister and mom putting the presents under the tree. I absolutely had to know my kids sexes too I have two girls 12 and 14. I had such a hard time having them I felt like I needed to know everything about them as soon as possible. I won't try my processor out until it's time and at my doc's office though -- as hard as it will be, it's one rule I won't break. I do like some things to be a surprise though. I got your Christmas card today by the way, the picture of your girls is just beautiful! I also enjoyed your newsletter -- you certainly have a busy life!
Brian -- Even though I adjusted to being SSD to some extent, I have to agree that it is frustrating at times. I get so tired of not hearing what's being said or asking people to repeat things and so do they. As for BAHA being Borg-like one of my brothers said that to me. My kids think of it more like me being the Bionic Woman. My hair will cover my BAHA so that's not an issue for me. If you think TrasEar is better for you, go for it! I personally agree with Jan -- try the BAHA demo before you rule it out. It is amazing!!!
Karen -- I'm so excited for you that you're getting your processor so soon and a little jealous. ;D I know it's now just a matter of time, but I still have BAHA envy! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Eve -- I will still have a small bandage in place but will be glad to show it off to anyone who wants to see it.
Dawn - Thanks for your good wishes too. I'm hoping the next three months will fly by.
Neal -- See you Saturday. I'm looking forward to meeting you too and hearing about your meeting with Dr. Bederson.
Wendy
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Wendy~
I know what your getting and you don't...
K ;)
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K - I hate to disappoint you I have always been a rule breaker though ;D
Well, K, that just cements it - your 3 sisters are all breaking the rules, so I think we will eventually have to "reform" you :D Are you with me Wendy & Lori ??
Wendy -
glad to hear you're feeling better ;D
Very nice man, that Dr. Choe, using sedation and lidocaine. I'm confident if I would have said "ouch" when the first needle went into my head, my doc would have sedated me too.
I found it very interesting listening to the sounds of the surgery. I found the rushing water the most curious though. Did you have that? I kept hearing water moving and I couldn't figure out what it was. When I finally asked the nurse she told me they were irrigating my head ::)
I didn't see the drill - don't know how I would have handled that - my BAHA is on the left, so I was laying on my right side and my doc was behind me. So, they either just passed it behind my back or I didn't see it because of all the drapes over my head and face. I actually had a long tunnel of drapes and the only thing I could see was the nice nurse at the end of my tunnel. She held my hand and talked to me throughout the entire surgery. On occasion my doctor and I would chat back and forth, or joke around, but the nice "tunnel nurse" was a wonderful thing to have.
The drill reminded me of the dentist's office and I remember the pressure. Other than that the only other thing I felt was a kind of tugging on my head - it felt kind of like someone pulling my hair out by the roots, but it didn't hurt at all. I'm still not sure what that was all about, but one of these days I'll remember to ask my doc.
So, do you get to shampoo soon if you hold a plastic cup over your site? or does Dr. Choe have you doing something else?
Jan
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Hi K -
You're such a tease! It's just like a little sister to say that when you know I have to wait to find out what Jan and Lori are sending me! ;D ;D So, are you going to become a rule breaker like your sisters or stay a goody two shoes? :P :P :P
Jan - I had drapes around me, but could see straight ahead and above me with my peripheral vision -- I didn't have a tunnel like you did. I'm pretty sure there were just four of us in the OR -- me of course, Dr. Choe, the anesthesiologist and a nurse. No one held my hand, the nurse was helping Dr. Choe. I guess with sedation they expect you to be pretty much out of it. Dr. Choe did seem surprised when he first realized I was awake enough to be really aware of what was going on. He asked me if I was okay or thought I would freak out -- I told him I was fine and I was, so I guess he decided to let me stay pretty much awake -- just not as alert as usual. I was laying on my back with my head turned to the left and he was positioned behind me, so a lot of sound was muffled. I don't remember hearing water but I'm sure he used it, they pretty much have to to irrigate the wound. I didn't hear the drill as much as I felt the pressure from it either so that may be why I didn't hear the water. I didn't feel him pulling out the hair follicles either although I know he did it.
I'm feeling a lot better today. No headache, but now I'm noticing my jaw is a little sore, not bad though. Unless things hurt start hurting more as the day goes on, I probably won't take any pain meds at all, inlcuding Tylenol. I get to shower and shampoo today. I don't have to cover my bandage with a cup. He just said to put a good dollop of bacitracin on it and not scrub that part of my head, just let the water and shampoo wash over it.
Well, I'm off to have breakfast and take my shower! See you all later.
Wendy
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Jan~
I have been known to be a rule-breaker on occasion...especially if I have partners in crime...of course I am in, I wouldn't want any fun to happen without me!!
K ;D
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May I point out that I am a law-abiding citizen - complete with a halo. ;D
I'm not sure what you rebels are suggesting. ;)
Anyway, you ladies are brave - I wanted to be knocked out for my surgery! I was awake for emergency surgery on my ankle once and just the sounds made me want to pass out! I probably should have - then I wouldn't have heard anything.
Lori
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Jan
What is the difference between the two? I don't know which I am getting yet. Let you know.
Karen
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Hi everyone -
Well, I really enjoyed taking a shower today bv but it ended with a minor disaster -- I knocked off the healing cap and couldn't get it back on. I called Dr. Choe and he told me if I could put it back on myself that was okay but otherwise I had to come in to see him so he could do it for me. I ended up going to see him and he was, thankfully, in his NewJersey office today. Going into Manhattan would have taken close to two hours in the middle of the day (transportation is much faster during rush hours) the New Jersey office is only a 45 minute drive.
Jan - Now I know how you felt -- I too felt like an idiot. I'm not sure how I knocked the cap off -- I thought I was being really careful. I even kept my hand over the BAHA site when I wet my hair and rinsed it. I didn't even touch it, or at least I thought I didn't when I washed my hair. You can bet I'll cover it with a cup from now on. That brings me to my next subject:
Jan and Lori -- You two are too much :D :D :D :D :D! When I got home the package you sent was waiting for me at the door. At first I thought it was something I sent away for at Christmastime -- then I saw Jan's name. I was mystified until I opened the box (how do you like the way I'm building the suspense for everyone else who reads this?) When I saw my BAHA Recovery Kit, I was so touched and then I cracked up laughing! How really sweet and thoughful of you and of course, funny! I'm not sure what my favorite item is because they were all so great! They will all come in very handy except the toothbrush which he has banned (he even threw away the toothbrush that came with my processor -- more on that in the next paragraph). The Hershey's Kissables were a wonderful touch -- I could feel the love! ;D ;D Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness!!!
Dr. Choe told me people tend to brush theirabutments too vigorously because they can't feel what they're doing and end up with chronic irritation and inflamation or overgrowth. He also feels that toothbrushes are very unsanitary (He's very into good hygiene) because they tend to harbor bacteria. He told me to clean the abutment with a q-tip and alcohol a few times a week after it's fully healed and keep my hair and scalp clean -- that's it. I guess every doc gives out their own set of instructions. I love my BAHA Recovery Kit so much I plan to show it off to everyone I know! I'm even going to bring it with me when I see Dr. Choe next week. He has a great sense of humor and I know he will love it too!
Wendy
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Wendy~
When Jan told me about it (I still don't know exactly what's in it), I thought it was such a great idea. I know you love it!! I'm glad the Dr. was in the closer office I always tell them when stuff like that happens that I did it so they could see me again!
K
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Wendy,
You are so brave!!! Nice to hear our "favourite sisters" with the golden halos ::) sent you a care package. You two are great!! It is such a pleasure to be a part of this forum. Talk about random acts of kindness ;)
Take care Wendy,
Anne Marie
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Hi K!
I guess I should have mentioned what is in my BAHA Recovery Kit - it was very thoughtful and will be very useful, plus it will make me smile every time I look at it. It had a lovely handmade card made by Jan congratulating me on my BAHA surgery; a bookmark/banner that has "Congratulations" stamped on the front and a card attached on the back has my name and the date of my surgery; a nice big tube of Bacitracin (this will come in very handy -- I'll be using a lot of this!);a bottle of Dawn -- also very handy; batteries for my BAHA processor -- you can never have too many of these; a plastic cup to hold over my BAHA site when I wash my hair -- you can bet I'll be using this until the healing cap and bandage come off; a baby toothbrush made by Reach that stands up -- also very nice; two packages of Hershey's Kissables to make me feel better -- chocolate does it every time! All of this came in a very nice red foam gift bag to keep my kit contents stored in. All in all, a very thoughtful and wonderful gift!
My thanks again to Jan and Lori -- You two are just great!
Wendy
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Hi Wendy,
Sorry to hear about your sad ending to such a wonderful shower!! It is great your doctor has office in NJ as I know exactly what you mean about the commute and today was horrible. I was late getting to work myself. By the way....loved the pics of your headwear, you made it look cool!!!
Glad to hear your feeling better!!!
Dawn
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Wendy -
Glad your care package got there okay and that things went fairly well with your shower. These things happen!
I think it's funny that your doctor is afraid you'll scrub too hard with the toothbrush that comes with the processor. Has he felt that thing? I think you could apply more pressure with a cotton ball than with that! ha ha! I guess it's always better to be cautious when it comes to bolts in your head. :D
Now, be careful in the shower tomorrow! No more road trips to NJ!
Lori
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Wendy,
Glad to hear that your BAHA surgery went well!
And I'm so glad I'm not the only one whose doctor is opposed to the toothbrush technique!!! One of my doctors at House told me that he discourages the use of the brush because people tend to brush too vigorously and it causes more trouble than it's worth.
Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday.
Catherine (JerseyGirl2)
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Hi Ann Marie,
Sorry it looked like I skipped over you. I'm not sure I would say I'm brave -- the BAHA surgery sounded pretty straightforward and Jan, Lori and Tammy all assured me it was pretty easy going. It was great to have input from people who have had it and made my decision much easier. I also did a lot of reading on my own and thought BAHA sounded pretty neat and something I would much prefer over Transear. I just can't imagine having something in my ear for the rest of my life. BAHA seems like it will feel very natural after I finish healing too.
I hope you are feeling well and had a wonderful holiday. Hopefully this year will be better for us all!
Wendy
P.S. I have to agree it was pretty terrific of Jan and Lori to send me my BAHA Recovery Kit -- I really love it!
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Hi Catherine,
Dr. Choe went to medical school and did his internship, residency and fellowship in California so maybe this is a West Coast line of thinking, He raised some very good points and has yet to steer me wrong so I won't argue. As I said, it seems that each doctor has their own preferences -- I won't say any one is better than the other but I will follow his advice. I can't wait for Saturday, it should be a lot of fun to meet everyone I don't know yet and see Debbi, Eve and Joe again!
Wendy
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Wendy, Wendy, Wendy! You KNOCKED your cover off???? Only you would have such a tragic end to an otherwise delightful shower!
Lori, I'm with you - I want to be knocked OUT for any kind of surgery. I am a great big sissy.
Debbi
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Jan
What is the difference between the two?
Karen -
the Intenso is stronger than the Divino. I have a Divino because the hearing in my "good" ear is 100% If it was less than 100% I could have chosen the Intenso.
I also think the Intenso is a slight bit smaller than the Divino.
Jan
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Karen and Jan,
I have an Intenso since the hearing in my good ear isn't perfect. The Intenso is actually larger than the Divino -- but just about as unobtrusive; I have absolutely no trouble concealing it with my hair, which is fairly short.
Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)
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Wendy -
I'm glad I'm not the only post op BAHA patient who had a shower accident. If you get to the symposium I may have to introduce you to my doctor and tell him about this. I'm convinced he thought I pulled my bandage off on purpose just so I could make the 40 minute trek to his office to crack a few more jokes for him ;)
I can only imagine that you were as freaked out by your accident as I was by mine. I remember standing in the bathroom and hearing my cap hit the floor. I bent down and picked it up and just stood there in shock for a few minutes looking at it, thinking NO WAY !! :o Then I ran downstairs to page my doctor.
He told me I could put it back on, but as you know that's not as easy as it sounds. You can't really do it by feel and you obviously can't see the site since it's in back of your head! He asked about having one of my children put it back on for me - which made me wonder if he's ever had children ::) My nearest adult relative is 90 minutes away, so I opted to take the trip to his office.
Glad to hear you like the BAHA Recovery Kit - Lori and I may add or change items as time goes on and new ideas pop into our heads. We may just patent the idea - so even if there are look-a-likes, we'll still have the official version.
Kay - any mail for you yet? Does UPS go to Texas?
Catherine - thanks for the clarification on the size of the Intenso. I knew one of the processors was smaller than the other. I just got it backwards :D
Jan
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Hi Jan -
I didn't really freak out when I realized the cap fell off but I did have that "Oh no!" moment, and tried to put it back on myself before I called Dr. Choe. I kind of wondered if he thought I did this on purpose though, because I actually laughed (from embarrassment) when I told him what I'd done. He also told me I could put it back on myself, but fat chance of that happening. I tried using a hand mirror rso I could see the abutment, but every time my hand was near it, , I couldn't see it in the mirror anymore because my hand was in the way. I wonder if you and I are the only ones to have done this? I was home alone, Rob was at work, the kids were at school -- like they would have been any help anyway -- HA! Well maybe Rob would have been. One of my neighbors is a nurse, but of course, she was asleep. I can always tell because when her car is outside the house, if her blinds are open I know she's up -- her door is usually open too, just the storm door is closed as a rule. I used the plastic cup from my BAHA Recovery Kit yesterday and it worked like a charm. I will be sure to use it from now on as long as the healing cap is there. What a great idea!
Wendy
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Wendy -
glad you like the plastic cup. My doc suggested a styrofoam cup when I showered and I had none in the house, but having kids, I had lots of plastic ones. Worked well for me :)
You've mentioned jaw pain after your surgery. I didn't have any, so I'm curious to know if others had it. Lori? Tammy? Karen? Does anyone know if jaw pain is common? and if so, why you'd have it?
Jan
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Jan,
Dr. Choe told me he had to go through the temporalis muscle which is one of the muscles used for chewing. I looked it up and it looks like it starts near the temple and goes around your your ear, across the temporal bone and back to the mandiible (lower jaw). I also think this is what was causing my headache. Neither are giving me a problem anymore and I feel great!
Wendy
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I had jaw pain before my surgery from TMJ. I didn't notice that it got any worse after the surgery though. Although, not having much sensation on that side of my head and face has probably helped keep the pain to a minimum! A silver lining to that cloud! ;D
Lori
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Hi Lori,
I was very surprised to NOT have much numbness near my abutment at all. I have some numbness about halfway around the abutment and a little right above it. The side closest to the back of my head has feeling and directly in front of it has feeling and my jaw feels completely normal. That's probably why I did have some jaw pain I can also feel it when I touch the healing cap. I guess everyone is different.
Wendy
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Wendy -
thanks for the explanation. It always fascinates me to read about other's experiences with AN surgery and with BAHA surgery - and with radiation, too, for that matter. As you say, everyone is different, and I find I'm always learning something new from those differences.
Jan
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Hi Wendy,
How are you doing? Quick question for you or anyone else who's had the BAHA surgery. Why do you have to wait 90 days after the surgery to get the actual hearing transmitter or whatever its called.
I feel like I'm back in school with all the information I'm learning....lol
Dawn
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My understanding is that you give it 90 days so that the entire surgical site has healed. Putting the transmitter on earlier than that (like right away) you run the risk of infecting the surgical site. Just how I understand. I'm not a doctor, don't play one on tv, and I don't wear BAHA. Just based on research I've done.
Regards,
Brian
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Hi, Dawn,
I wear a BAHA (Intenso) and the 90-day wait between surgery and putting on the sound processor portion of the device for the first time is to give the abutment (the titanium "screw" which is implanted behind your ear during the surgery) time to grow into (I believe the technical term is "ossify" or something similar) and be surrounded by the bone. The "BA" portion of the name stands for "Bone-Anchored." Many doctors (mine included) adhere to the 90-day wait, though I've heard of others who don't wait quite so long. My BAHA implant was done at the same time as my AN translab procedure (i.e., while I was still under general anesthesia). This seems to be a fairly common practice at House Ear Institute in L.A.; many other doctors prefer to have their patients wait several months after the AN surgery. I was delighted to get my BAHA implant at the same time as my surgery, but I have yet to hear anyone who waited until later report anything negative about doing it at a later date. Most folks compare the BAHA surgery to a dental procedure and usually have it done under local anesthesia (though some patients prefer general).
I've worn my BAHA since June -- it's a big help -- and has become as totally second nature as popping in a pair of contact lenses.
Catherine (JerseyGirl2)
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Hi everyone,
I think I set a new record today. When I got up this morning and looked in the mirror there was my healing cap danglling in my hair. I can't believe this thing fell off again! I had a restless night last night and must have knocked it off while I was tossing and turning. I actually managed to convince Jennifer (my 14 year old) to help me put it back on. She just positioned it and I pushed on it until it locked in place. I hope it's easier to put the real thing on but I imagine it will be. There won't be a bandage between the abutment and processor and it will probably be easier to feel where it's supposed to go. I'm seeing Dr. Choe tomorrow and hope I can take this thing off once and for all. For now, I have to say I'm pretty proud of Jennifer for helping me since she is very squeamish as a rule. I guess she really loves her mom! ;D ;D ;D
Wendy
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Dawn -
the 90 day waiting period isn't for infection - as Pooter suspected - it's to give the abutment (titanium rod) time to calcify into the skull.
Some docs don't make you wait 90 days - some let you wear the processor sooner - but my doc told me he makes patients wait 90 days because he's concerned about "torque". From what I recall, he said that the motion of attaching and removing the processor can actually cause the abutment to become "misaligned" (or something like that) in the skull.
I read an article about BAHAs shortly after I had my surgery and it said that once an abutment is calcified into the skull the only way to remove it would be to actually cut around it and take it out with a "chunk" of skull.
My doc did mention to me that out of the 200+ implants he's done, only one patient decided the BAHA just wasn't for her. In that case, he did not remove the abutment, the patient just stopped wearing the processor and the skin eventually grew over the abutment.
Jan
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Wendy,
I think that is some sort of record! Maybe you should duct tape that thing into place!!
Lori
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Lori, Lori, Lori -
I knew I could count on you to come up with something funny!to say about this -- thanks for the laugh!
Wendy
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Duct tape! What a novel concept, Lori!
Did you find that out in the garage - leftover from the last surgery?? :D
j
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Well, at least duct tape comes in multiple colors now - you can accessorize properly!
Debbi
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Well, I have the usual grey and some hot pink!
We used to have red, but I guess we used that on the last patient! :D
Lori
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Hi everyone,
Well, I went to Dr. Choe today and he removed my healing cap. He was very happy with how I am healing and said the site looked great. and also gave me my healing cap back. He said these things cost $80! He loved my BAHA Recovery Kit but I did forget to tell him about our plans for the healing cap. I wonder what he'd think about that. I took a good look at everything when I got home and have to say it is very interesting to see. I think I'm going to have Rob take a pictrure or two and post them in the next day or so.
Wendy
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I got my BAHA today. I love it. At first I didn't know if I like it or not. When I got home I could talk on the phone and hear the tv at the same time without it driving me nuts. I have the Intenso. My doctor always goes with that no matter what. She says it is more powerful. You can always turn it down but you can't turn the other one up higher than the Intenso. It is small enough that you can't see it and I have short hair. It is guarenteed for 2 years but she suggested that I take the maintence that they offer after that. I keep forgeting it is back there. So far it was worth it.
Karen
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Karen,
Happy BAHA day! The best part is being able to turn it off when you want to! (I have kids, can you tell?).
Wendy,
I don't know why you had to go to the doctor to have the healing cap removed - you seem to be getting pretty good at removing it yourself! :D Probably best that you didn't tell him about our little healing cap money making scheme - he might want to get in on it!
Lori
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Karen,
Congratulations on your BAHA Day-- how really exciting! You sound like another satisfied customer!!! ;D
Lori -- I did tell Dr. Choe about the idea of goldplating or painting the healing cap. He advised me not to do that just yet and to keep it handy just in case. I suddenly realized that on the off chance (very small chance) that I need the revision surgery, he would need the healing cap again. I'm pretty confident this won't happen though. It looks good to me and he said it looks great. My next door neighbor is a nurse and took a look at it today. She said she thought it was healing beautifully too. I'll keep my healing cap handy and clean, but I'd be amazed if I ever need it for medical purposes again.
Wendy
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Karen,
Congratulations on your BAHA...it is nice to hear that there is hope for others of us out there who are just starting our journey in the AN world..
Good luck with your new BAHA
Dawn
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Karen -
I remember my BAHA day - it was amazing! Congratulations to you and happy hearing!! ;D
Wendy -
is the healing cap that little round, white, plastic piece? If so, I can't believe it cost $80. The day my doc removed mine, it shot across the room and ended up under a chair. He promptly picked it up and threw it in the trash. So much for the $80 ;)
Glad everything looks good and is healing well. Gold star for you ;D Also, glad that Dr. Choe liked the BAHA Recovery Kit - I wonder what he'd think of Lori's and my potential garage surgery business LOL
What's this about possible revision surgery? I must have missed something somewhere along the line. Explain, please.
Jan
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Hi Jan,
Yep - the healing cap is the white plactic disc that's placed over your abutment after surgery. Amazing that this thing costs $80! My deductible for the surgery was only $75. From what I understand from the articles I've read, it doesn't happen often but sometimes the implant will be rejected or the skin will over-grow the abutment and you need revision surgery, in which case you would need your healing cap again. Actually, Dr. Battista wrote one of the articles I read. Very interesting stuff.
Wendy
P.S. I told him about the garage business, but didn't mention surgery -- he might have thought I was losing it! Exactly what type of surgery do you have in mind for your garage clinic anyway? I'm sure if Lori has her way you'll be using lots of colorful duct tape on yoru patients! LOL
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Wendy~
As far as I know, we can do anything...we have saws AND power tools! ;D
K
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Wendy -
I didn't know that rejection was an option, but prior to my BAHA surgery I talked to someone who had an issue with the skin around the site healing. They actually had to do a skin graft from his upper arm or maybe his leg - I'm kind of unclear on the specifics. I guess that doesn't happen often, but it can happen.
I missed Dr. Battista's article, if you come across it again, please email it to me; I'd be interested in reading it.
So if your $75 went towards the healing cap, what did the other $5 pay for? ;) It's unbelievable that those things cost that much - they're probably only a few bucks to manufacture. Maybe we should put the garage surgery business on hold and buy caps to resell and we'd make a fortune :D
Jan
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I think, but am certainly not positive, that the skin-gowing-over-the-abutment problem is more prevalent among children who have BAHAs than adults. I have met one man who originally had a "short" abutment and had to have it replaced with a longer one because of that problem. He's doing fine with the new abutment. I was relieved when he looked at mine and said I had the longer abutment -- I frankly hadn't given it much thought.
Catherine (JerseyGirl2)
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I knew a girl growing up who left her earrings in for so long that the skin actually grew over the back of them. Maybe if you don't use or maintain the abuttment the skin can grow over it? Who knows. Let's hope none of us ever have to find out.
I can't believe it's $80 for that little thing. It just looks like a little foam washer with plastic in the middle. I think we've got some craft foam in the garage, and I know I've got saran wrap - so I think we can duplicate them and charge, say...$79.99...
Jan, I think the other $5 of Wendy's went to buy the doctor a latte at Starbucks.
Lori
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Lori and Catherine,,
I think you're right about that happening if you don't take care of the abutment. Dr. Choe also told me this is usually more of a problem for big men because they have thicker scalps than women do, I'm not sure about children though, I really didn't read anything about that. I remember one of the articles I read saying something about in cases where there is a problem with the skin around the site healing would be another reason for revision surgery. I know from reading the articles I did, all of these things are NOT usual, just a small possibility.
Jan -- I'll look for the article Dr. Battista wrote and send it to you. Recycling healing caps is a very interesting idea. I guess if we bought them cheap enough, we could sell them at half price and still make a bundle. ;D As for the garage surgery, since Lori is a nurse and I am a former emergency medical technician (I did this when I was in my 20's but having two active kids has given me plenty of oportunity toi renew many of my skills. My own klutzyness and recent surgeries have given me some practice too) and whatever skills you and K have could make this interesting. ;D ;D
Wendy
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I was told that in general there is no concern that the skin will grow over the BAHA abutment - if the processor is worn regularly.
If the processor is not worn regularly the skin will grow and cover the abutment. Similar to someone who has a piercing and then fails to wear an earring in the hole - eventually the hole will close up. From what I gather, the placing of the processor on the abutment prohibits the skin from growing.
I don't know what defines "regularly", but I'd imagine it means if you don't wear the processor for an extended amount of time - as in months and months.
Wendy - as for skills, I can spend money with the best of them. Does that count?? ;D
Jan
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Hi Jan -
I guess since you're good at spending money, you'll have to be in charge of our purchasing department -- what can we have K do?
Wendy
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I'm thinking public relations/marketing would be right up Kay's alley. She's so positive all the time ;D
If she can't "sell" our business, no one can. ;)
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That sounds like a great job for Kay. She's probably pretty good with arts and crafts too - with three little girls in the house.
And I'm good at spending money when it belongs to other people! Now there's a talent!
Lori
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Hi Jan and Lori,
It sounds like K is perfect for public relations/marketing and I think Jan is perfect for purchasing. Lori it goes almost without saying that you and Jan are both perfect for the creative side of the business and I can pitch in with that too. I think since you and I are the only ones with medical training we should take care of the surgery end of things and I guess James can teach us how to use whatever tools we don't already know how to use! You can take the surgical lead though, your training is more extensive than mine. ;D ;D ;D
Wendy