ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Hearing Issues => Topic started by: dpetty on April 03, 2008, 04:23:40 pm
-
Well this morning I got the abutment installed, didn't have any issues with the surgery, Dr Dornhoffer did need to knock me completely out as he needed to remove some scar tissue and remove some scalpe fat for best fit. The procedure took about 1 hr, (begin about 8:30) the staff was great and made sure i was comfortable, the only problem I had was when they were trying to get the IV going, wound up sticking me 7 times as my veins kept rolling and blowing out but they brought in the expert and he got it done in one stick, least they numb up the spot beforehand, I've had far,far worse from those life insureance nurses.
I woke up about 9:50ish and got my wits about me by 10:30 and I was dressed by 11am. I went to lunch at 12 noon, still a little wobbly but making headway under my own power. Now it's about 5:30 and no pain to speak of, little burning but that's about it, the draining is kinda pesky but i have a towel rapped around my neck to catch it, it's not alot but just enough to be messy. I do look funny with my BAHA hat on and I have gotten some looks but that's ok. I go back next week for the post checkup and maybe the unit as well. More to follow.....
David
-
Great news, David. Congratulations. And best wishes with it.
-
Congratulations, postie David! Break out the Dawn!
I've been wondering how things turned out for you.
With all the additional work involved in your procedure it's a good thing they used general anesthesia. Sorry to hear they had to stick you so many times, though :( IMO the solution to successful placement is all in the technique of the person holding the needle. I donate blood regularly and believe me I've learned to remember the techs with the good technique!
Glad you are in no pain, and the burning sounds like it's not too big a deal. Draining is not something I've heard about in relation to BAHA surgery. Is this a normal occurrence that I was somehow lucky enough to escape, or is it due to the other issues the doc addressed during the surgery ??? Also, does your hat look like mine? or is it more like the cake box/bakery string thing Lori described ???
I hope you don't mind me asking, but now that people have discovered that I have the implant, I'm getting a lot of questions and I want to answer them as best I can.
Keep us updated on your progress,
Jan
-
Jan,
Yes things turned out well after talking with the doc about the scar tissue I decided I perfered to be knocked out. I suspect the draining thing is related to removing the scar tissue, it's just kinda messy is all. I just had my soon to be wife cahnge the dressing and it looks good but strange but I will get used to it. I went to Walmart this evening and loved the looks I got, we stopped at Startbucks and the gal had to ask so I explained to her what was up.
I got the same type bandage you had, it's pretty comfortable.
Funny I had to go feed the horses and cattle this evening as this a have to thing anyway my main horse came running up to me and had to check me out then of course the rest of the horses did as well, they were not to sure about it but they were waiting on feed so they lost interest.
David
-
Daviv
Congrad!@#$%^&*()_
Best Wishes with you new future
ClaireA
-
Hi David!
Glad it's all over for you! I too have been wondering how you were doing. Sounds like everything went well. You and Jan are going to have to post some pictures of this BAHA hat so we can see how cute you two look. Lori, it would be interesting to see your cake box and string too ;)
I'll admit this surgery does sound kinda scary to me. I'm still not sure how it works. As I have been told that they do not expect to be able to save my hearing, this is something I may need to look into to in the future. I'll be monitoring your progress to see how it works out for you.
Hope you heal fast and that it works really well for you!
Glenda
-
Glenda -
my "hat" pictures are posted in another topic entitled something like "my BAHA hat". The pictures are enormous, I never did get around to resizing them despite two people telling me how to do it. I'm not sure Lori has any pictures of her hat to share with us :( The surgery isn't really scary at all. Compared to my AN surgery, it was a piece of cake.
Once your head heals from the surgery there is a BAHA demo that you can try to get some idea of what it will be able to do for you.
David -
thanks for explaining the drainage, I suspect it is related to the scar tissue removal. Your site will look strange and kind of creepy for a while. Mine is just starting to look "pretty" and my surgery was 3/4/08. I've been taking pictures of the site every week or so and there is a definite improvement each week. I was going to post the pictures on this forum, but some of the earlier ones are a little gross.
I didn't think the "hat" was too bad and it was kind of comfortable. I got a lot of funny looks when I was leaving the hospital, and my kids could not believe that I would dare attend my son's volleyball game wearing it, but I've seen people with worse things.
Jan
-
I'm still not sure how it works.
Allow me to explain. ;D
I'd better say Hi David first, just to be polite. I love the story about the horses; it figures they would a) know something was going on, and b) lose interest and get back to the subject of eating. Glad to hear it went well.
Now for Glenda. I should explain that I don't have a BAHA, but at least I have a hearing aid now. Anyway, it goes like this. They stick a post in your head, and you have to put ointment on it, then wash your hair with Dawn, and scrub the post with a toothbrush. You need a fishing line so you can tether the BAHA when you are out running. Be careful taking off the hat I will be knitting for you, so it doesn't pull it off. For fun, you carry it in your pocket, and then pop it on with a flourish when someone starts talking to you. Practice saying "Excuse me while I attach this device to my head." ;D
Or did you mean how do hear with it? The BAHA transmits the sound right into the bone of your skull. Like any piece of wood, your skull carries sound very efficiently, so it quickly makes it way over to the other side of your head, wear your good ear picks it up. Put your good ear down on the dining room table, and tap the table with your fingers. You'll hear what I mean.
Steve
PS: Jan, did I leave anything out? The BAHA accessory kit seems to be growing lately...
-
PS: Jan, did I leave anything out? The BAHA accessory kit seems to be growing lately...
Steve - for someone who doesn't even have a BAHA, you are getting quite good at this ;D
You did leave out a few things from the accessory kit that actually are provided by Cochlear America - I got this information from Lori on my "Running with a BAHA topic" since I don't have my "goodies" from them yet. She tells me that I will be getting "a whole bunch of fun trinkets - a little toothbrush to clean the processor with, some batteries, a handsome carrying case and even a little thing that allows other, hearing people to try it out - you have them plug their ears and attach your processor to this little plastic thing - they hold the plastic thing up to their head and they can get a sense of what it's like".
Oh yes, and another thing, you can't wear the BAHA when you swim - the abutment (or in yours words "the post stuck in your head") can get wet, but the processor can't.
All in all, I'll give your explanation an A+ - and if you're really lucky, maybe Lori or I will bring our little demo device to the symposium so that you can try it out 8)
Jan
-
Glenda no need to be afraid it is simple, painless and will be a blessing once I get it!
Jan I will get pictures tomorrow, the very bad weather has been keeping me busy this evening....well mine didn't look gross at all, just strange.
Steve Well they were curious about it as I am there sole provider and they are all my buddies, my gelding wasn't sure at first but he came to buddy up, my arabian mare who is miss nosey butt and have to watch her as she gets pretty personal at times I wouldn't let her get real close as she might go after my "hat", the rest ofthe girls were checking me out but soon realized it was feeding time. Now the cows looked at me and went on about looking for the feed except meany which you have to watch anyway. Btw nice to meet u!!
-
Well I get my BAHA this coming Thursday but have to wait a month for the healing process to complete then I will be good to go!!
David
-
Okay, question - am I the only BAHA patient with a doctor who makes you wait 3 months from the time of the implant to the time you can start wearing the processor ???
I'm just curious.
The doc and I talked about his reasoning for this on Wednesday at my appointment, and his explanation made perfect sense to me so I am not at all questioning him, but I am so "chomping at the bit".
Boy, I sound like one of David's horses LOL
Jan
-
Well I know my body and I blew the curve on recovery time as well with the brain tumor so that argument doesn't hold water as per our conversation with my Doc b4 hand, so I may not wait a full month either, least try it on a limited basis and see....
-
Steve,
You crack me up!! ;D I wish I had your wit and way with words. Now I am really scared :o LOL!
I can see how it works it just sounds scary and complicated.
Jan,
I did find your pics of your Baha hat. I think you could start a new look, Quite trendy!! Maybe Steve can knit little covers to go over them in different colors. Oh soooo cool! ;)
David, look forward to seeing your pics and see if your hat is as stylish as Jan's.
Seriously though, I do hope this works really well for both of you. Jan, I can understand your frustration if everyone is getting their processors before you. Maybe you doc is just being extra precautious.
I love all of you! You brighten my day!
Glenda
-
I love all of you! You brighten my day!
Glenda
Glenda -
right back at ya ;D And BTW, Steve cracks me up too; he's very witty!
Yes, my doc is a little on the cautious side, but he can be funny if the situation requires it, which in my case it does lots of times. Humor helps me cope :D
Anyway, he explained that while my head is healing faster than he expected, he wants me to heal more before I attach the processor. I thought there might be an issue with the weight of the processor, but he said that's not it. He said something kind of mechanical - I think he even used the word "torque" - so I'm not sure how to word this properly. It was something about the action of taking the processor on and off the abutment making the abutment loosen up or not sit properly ???
I don't know exactly; but I trust him implicitly. He's the one who went to medical school. As I've said before, I'm an accountant - medical stuff is definitely not my forte. Plus at this point, I couldn't really ignore him and go against his recommendations even if I wanted to. He probably knows from experience that lots of anxious people, like me, would not follow his advice. So the processor is given to you at the 90-day followup appointment. Looking at the bright side though, I'm assuming that I won't be billed for it until then ;D
I'm betting David's hat is as stylish as mine, but I have to brag that mine had two smiley face stickers on it like this :) I wish I would have thought to leave them on for the picture.
Jan
-
Hey Jan,
What you said the doctor said about torque does make sense. It sounds like he is concerned that the twisting motion that you make when taking the processor off could turn the abutment, or try to - that would be the torque. If it wasn't all healed up nicely, meaning the bone, not just the skin, the abutment could loosen. It is a little like the abutments they use for teeth implants, which they usually leave in for two or three months to let the bone heal, before attaching anything to them.
Maybe it's not an issue for David, because he has such a hard head. ;D
It does make it sound like you might need a torque wrench for taking the BAHA off, and though I'm sure you don't, it would make a nice addition to the kit, don't you think? :D
Steve
-
Hey Steve -
thanks for the explanation of torque. Despite the fact that you weren't at my appointment, you basically just described exactly what my doc told me - and in addition, you explained it so much better than I ever could. Sounds like I should give some serious thought to taking you with me next time so that you can translate what the doc is saying :D
It seems like our "kit" is expanding every day and I agree that a torque wrench would fit right in with the rest of the goodies. I gotta tell you, though, we're going to need a screwdriver also.
I don't recall if I posted this before, or if I just told my family members, but it seems there is a screw from my AN surgery very close to the surface of my scalp about 1/8" below my abutment. This is very normal since the BAHA surgery involves thinning the scalp and placing it back over the skull. The doctor has told me that if the head of this screw "pops through" my skin, he will have to remove it. When I asked how he might be doing that, picturing him peeling back my scalp again, he told me that he would "just use a screwdriver and unscrew it". And you know, the way he said it in such a nonchalant manner I almost felt like I should reply "of course, that's something people have done to their head all the time".
You know, sometimes it's amazing to me the things that doctors do in the normal course of their day. Freaky, I tell you LOL
Jan
-
he told me that he would "just use a screwdriver and unscrew it".
I bet he has been secretly waiting for years for a chance to say that. Now he is off telling the story to all his golfing buddies.
Lots of people have a screw loose; only AN patients would need to go to the doctor to have their screw loosened.
Steve
-
Very amusing ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-
That's how they removed the seven screws and plate from my left ankle three yrs ago. I had broken my ankle and had an open reduction. Within months three I had a reaction to the surgical steel and three of the seven screws were popping out. The Dr just cut over the original incision and used a normal screw driver to remove the screws. I had some local freezing, but bone doesn't freeze. When we had to push in to use force to loosen the screws @#$@% did that hurt!
Anne Marie
-
Hmm, now I'm wondering just how many doctors have their own tool box - for patient use only ???
And if they have one, do they keep it in the trunk of their car next to their golf clubs ;D
Jan
-
Back a number of years ago in another profession I crushed my foot and had to have pins in my foot, the doctor removed them with a pair of pliars.....
David
-
BTW I have a pic with my "baha hat" would have earlierbut my digital camrea died so I had to take one with a hard copy and scan it it, I will post it tonight. One more note I only wear it sleeping now, migrated to a normal bandage.
David
-
Jan~
Why do you have screws in your head from your AN surgery??? I don't know ANYTHING about that (of course, obviously, I don't know much about anything!!). I wonder if I have some... ???
K
-
Ok, where to start... first of all, Steve, I think you should look into becoming a BAHA specialist. For someone who doesn't have one, you know an awful lot about them. I'm wondering if you really do have one you're not telling us about.. .hmmmm.. a closet BAHA wearer....
And then there's the issue of the torque wrench.. how big are we talking here - we may need bigger cake boxes!
David, I think it's great that your horses and cows can notice something that's pretty subtle - my husband can't even do that. Maybe I should send him to hang out with your cows. He might learn a thing or two!
Jan, doctors do have an interesting array of tools - especially orthopedists. When I was in school for nursing and PT I had to watch a lot of surgeries - and half the time they had things that looked like they had come from the tool department at Sears.
And... I think I have a picture of my cake string... It might take a little while to find it, but I'll put it on here..
Lori
-
Ok, let's see if this works....if it does, I'll be amazed...
(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj237/lor1parrot/IMG_1600.jpg)
-
Lori -
I have to say the comment about your husband and the cows has me howling with laughter ;D
As far as tools go, after my BAHA surgery, the OR nurses and I had a discussion about a theory they have. They told me that all doctors are basically construction workers of one kind or another - they just work on people rather than objects. One of their examples was comparing radiologists to electricians, orthopedists to builders, etc. After reading about how many docs use every day tools, I'm starting to see the analogy more and more.
A picture of your "cake string" would be great - our resident BAHA specialist, Steve, will be so happy ;D
David -
am anxiously awaiting your hat picture; I want to see how it compares to mine. And I think it's very interesting that you have to wear it while you sleep. I never realized that docs did so many different things with BAHA patients - everything from the type of bandage you have to wear, to how long you have to wait to use your processor.
K -
Lots of AN surgery patients have screws in their heads - I've heard anywhere from 4 to 6. We also have titanium plates and, lots of times, fat in our heads. From what my doc tells me, my screws are holding together the bone they had to cut when they did my surgery. I don't know all the details, because I've never actually wanted to know all the details. A little too close to home for me :D
Although I have read my surgical reports, they are written in fairly technical medical terminology, so some of the details are over my head. I did, however, just mention to the doc at my last appointment that I'm almost ready to hear about both my AN and BAHA surgeries in graphic detail. So, one day soon, I may be able to explain everything to you.
Jan
-
Well, be amazed Lori, because it DID work!
Man, that is interesting - I've never seen anything like it. It looks like it's stitched directly to your head. And it looks so "clean"! Very nice :)
Not to be disgusting, but the pink bandage under my hat had blood on one half of it, and while I wanted to post that picture along with my hat picture, I decided against it.
-
There is a special tool made by Cochlear for tighting the BAHA or removing it.
-
Sam, maybe we should have one of those on hand in our trunk next to the spare tire? Just in case... :D
Jan, yes, the cake string is stitched to my head. After a few days when the bandage started to shrink, I had my husband cut the strings and remove the bandage. On the very top you can see the white healing cap I had - the bandage had actually started to slip down already by the time we took the picture. But I was allowed to wash it that night, which was GREAT!!
When I went back to have the healing cap removed, he gave it to me and said to hold onto it because he said I wouldn't believe how much they charge for those things - a little circle of foam!! I don't know why I'd need it, but I told him if I didn't, I'd sell it on E-bay.
My doctor is young and probably not as set in his ways as some of the older guys. He trained under one of the "older guys", who has since retired, so he knows the old ways, but certainly can update things as needed. When I first found out how old he was I was a little concerned - isn't your brain surgeon always supposed to be older than you? But, he's done a lot of research, trained under some of the best, has a lot of papers published and has patented a few tools (thanks to me - I was a guinea pig for one!).
And I can't believe that picture showed up. I tried to make it smaller, but that didn't happen, I see. I guess I should be happy I at least accomplished one thing successfully!
Lori
-
Lori~
All I can say is that you just make me laugh - everytime i see that you have posted something, I can't wait to read it b/c it is always so funny!!! I don't know why, but I just remembered something from last week -- I'll have to put it on my blog -- it was about part of my bandage and how I had panties on my head!!!
Also, we joked about how they would remove my staples -- Dave said he could save time & $$ & just use a staple remover from Office Max -- when we got there, Dr. Byrne laughed and said that is pretty much what they use. He showed us the little sterile package with the tool in it! He told me I could have the wrapper (I wanted to take a picture but forgot the camera) so I could post it!!
Gotta run!
K
-
Yep Kay, when I had the twelve staples removed from my ankle (open reduction) that's what the nurse used a stapler remover. Two weeks after surgery the skin was healing over OUCH!!! But I am woman hear me roar. I had 4 babies, two posterior with an induction, and two with no meds......strong like bull. Yeah right there is no way my hubby would have had 4 if he was delivering!!!
Like Lori said everything is in little sterile packages, but I'm sure in a pinch rubbing alcohol will do the trick to sterlize a Home Depot special.
Anne Marie
-
Anne Marie~
You are a REAL woman!!! I was wanting an epidural the day BEFORE they induced me -- I have babies super fast and I didn't want to miss it!!! ;D
K
-
Wait Lori !!! If you were a guinea pig on a new tool, don't you get royalties or something ???
And just how old is this young doctor? Mine is by no means old - I say that because he's only a year older than I am ;)
BTW, maybe we could get one of those staple removers from K's doctor - couldn't hurt to have one in our tool kit ;D
Jan
-
And to think that some people ask why I show so much interest in BAHA's. We've got screwdrivers, pliers, staple removers, cake string sewn into someone's head and tied with a bow, with a picture to prove it - the show never ends!
Bring it on!
Steve ;D
-
I know Steve, if we keep this up, everyone is going to want a BAHA - even if their hearing is perfect!
Jan, I should get some royalties. You're right. I was just hoping to get my name or picture in a medical book somewhere - but they'd probably change my name and put that black box over my eyes anyway. There goes my 15 minutes of fame. Guess I have to try something else. Oh well, how often can you say you taught a brain surgeon something he didn't know? And just because i was asleep at the time doesn't matter.
My doctor was 38 at the time of my surgery. I almost fell over when I read through his credentials and saw that he graduated from high school after I did. Once I met him though, I felt completely comfortable with him and figured his hands probably weren't too shaky yet and he probably wouldn't have to double up on his Geritol the day of my surgery to stay awake the whole time.
We were at an appointment with him right before my surgery and my husband started asking him some technical questions about nerves and such. So the two of them were talking about electricity and blah, blah, blah.. things I don't understand...I felt like I was at a tennis match in between the two of them, who apparently forgot I was there. I finally said "I'm stuck in a room with a brain surgeon and a rocket scientist (my husband is a nuclear engineer). How fun for me - can I have the anaesthesia now please?". Like I said, he's got a good sense of humor!
Annmarie, thank you for reminding me I need to get some rubbing alcohol.. a friend of my oldest daughter cut his hand and got stitches and he doesn't want to go back to the doctor to have them out, so he asked me to do it. Looks like this garage medical office is getting it's first customer! There's a sucker born every minute!
Lori
-
Annmarie, thank you for reminding me I need to get some rubbing alcohol.. a friend of my oldest daughter cut his hand and got stitches and he doesn't want to go back to the doctor to have them out, so he asked me to do it. Looks like this garage medical office is getting it's first customer! There's a sucker born every minute!
Since you probably already have screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, balls of string, and stapling equipment in your garage, you should be all set! :D
Steve
-
Steve, my husband is the original "Tim, the Tool Man Taylor", so you'd be amazed at the stuff in my garage. Of course everything needs to have more power around here! I usually try to hold off on any household projects until he's out to sea (he's in the Navy) and then i can hire a professional to do whatever I need done. And I have also come to the conclusion that if it's not nuclear powered, he probably shouldn't touch it. How can a person run a nuclear reactor but not know how to set an alarm clock??? ???
By the way, the stitches came out just fine. It didn't hurt me a bit! :D
Lori