ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: mellowrama on August 31, 2009, 03:29:58 pm
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:) :)
I'm so happy and relived that the surgery is over, I think the waiting was as difficult as anything else.
8 hours to remove the tumor, I think due to stickiness's on the facial nerve, but the docs seem to have salvaged it well as I have minimal side effect. 99% of tumor removed. Some dry eye and balance issues.
Wed Day 1 - totally out of it in ICU
Day 2/3 Felt like I'd been hit by a truck,arrrggg. The pain from the incision wasn't too bad, but all the tubes, bad veins, and then nausea and lots of loud tinnitus really takes it out of ya. I think the anti-nausea med really made me worse, and once that was fixed and I could eat things got tremendously better!
Sun Day 4/5 - new life. Learning to take it slow, doing well with the balance (evidently was mostly gone prior to surgery) and adjusting to fatigue and tinnitus. I still have not had final follow up with docs but suspect all went exceptionally well, except of course I'm sure that I'm SSD. This tinnitus things is bad, its not as bad missing hearing as it is constant noise. And my good ear seems very sensitive to all noises....I think I'll start wearing an ear plug. This was a surprise.
They released me a day early, and I'm glad of it since it seems to help me recover much faster/better away from the hospital.
All the faculty at both House and St. Vincents has been awesome! The doctors were amazing, Dr. Goddard (in for Friedman) was especially great. And thanks so much to Nancy for visiting me prior to surgery, it really did make a huge difference for me to hear her story.
melinda
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Congratulations, Postie!! The LA bunch are awesome. I'm glad to hear you are experiencing only a few of the after effects of the surgery. Sending good thoughts and healing wishes and many prayers your way for a speedy recovery. One word of advice. Actually a couple, take it slow and be kind to yourself.
Hugs,
Brenda
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Hey, Melinda, that's great! Your experience sounds very much like mine. Just to comfort you a little, my increased tinnitus did abate two or three months later, and the hypersensitive good ear seems to have calmed a little as well.
Good luck with continued smooth recovery.
Nancy
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Milenda ~
Welcome to 'Postie Land!'
Thanks for the comprehensive update and congratulations on your successful surgery. I know many others join me in being very happy to learn of your good outcome. :)
Jim
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Melinda
welcome to podtie land...Cant comment on the tinnutus as mine disappeared (poof gone) post surgery...
Make sure you get lots of rest...naps...and walk when you can as it does help
JO
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Melinda:
Welcome to postieland! You'll be amazed at how fast your balance improves during the first few weeks.
Syl
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Melinda .....
It is good to read your post-op report. So sorry about the tinnitus and hyperacusis (I can identify!!) but glad everything seems to be OK. Rest as much as you can this next week and then be sure to listen to your body as you start exercising/walking more ..... you will still need rest in between walks.
Thoughts and prayers continue.
Clarice
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Mellow, congrats! Wow, that came and went quickly (well, for me in the peanut gallery -- prob not so much for you!) "Over" is the best! :D
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Hey, Melinda! So good to hear from you! Sounds like you're doing great! The noise oddness should settle down before too long and, hopefully, your tinnitus will quiet down a bit some. Yes, the good ear becomes very, very good at hearing...
Take it easy - will feel so good to get those stiches out and wash the hair - won't be too long now!
Cindy
(So glad you were able to meet Nancy :) )
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Wow, great result! Best wishes and take it easy. Another case of "surgery was harder" but "outcome was no worse" after radiation. :)
Steve
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That's so awesome! You've totally rocked it! Well done love!! Now just to get you on a paddleboard!!!!
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Welcome back Melinda.
Glad you're a postie!
Jan
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Great news, Mellinda! Glad you're on the other side. Take it easy and one step at a time.
Kathy
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You sound great, Melinda! I am headed to House/Seton on 21st so your synopsis helps a lot. Can't wait to follow your progress!
Cheryl
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Great news! a speedy recovery, best wishes, Mickey
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Hi Melinda,
Glad that you are doing well. Great news!
Vivian
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OH I soooh like to hear good news. :)
So glad that you are getting good care there with HOUSE and St. Vincent's.
Keep us updated!
DHM :)
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Hey Melinda..... oh, you double-postie. I'm soooooo thrilled to hear you are doing ok. I've been thinking of you. You KNOW I'm sending the healing hugglez and wellness wishes. You've been through enough.... now time for you to use my quote noted here in my sig line ;)
xoxox
Phyl
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Melinda,
SO glad you are beyond the waiting and past the surgery. It sounds like your doing well. Your newly found tinnitus sounds like mine is. SCREAMING LOUD. I pray that it is loud right now because it is just post op and that it will quiet down once things settle down in there. Over the years as I was loosing hearing I never really realized it because I just thought I couldn't hear over the million frequencies of ringing. After surgery it did get louder and like you said, hard to tell about the hearing because of the tinnitus. I had a dream the other night that I went in and had the second surgery, and woke to complete silence in that ear.
Can dreams come true. sure hope it does for you. Well see when I go in for round 2.
take care of yourself, be patient it all takes time.
patti ut
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Success...Glad to hear your surgery is over and you are doing well! Keep us updated.
Kate
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thanks all! :) I'm doing better than I would've hoped for, will see the docs today for followup and get their input.
My partner took me out to dinner the other night, ;) Neither of us was thinking much about it but it was awful....loud valley girls with obnoxious music! Wow, that was a rude awakening....will plan out where to go better in the future. I have a bit of salty/bitter taste bud action, hope this goes away or I'll be changing my fav foods!
Eating like crazy, I suppose the steroid decadron is working.
My balance is quickly coming back! I think the tinnitus might be a bit better, and I'm anxious to find out more about Hyperacusis. Maybe just getting used to things being different will help.
The physical therapist told my parter to push me, so we did the LA county museum yesterday! Special exhibit on Pompeii - I was in a wheel chair and it did tire me, but it was sooooo great!!!!!
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Melinda - so glad to hear you are doing great. You have made excellent progress. Make sure you still take those naps! Can you smell the smoke from the fires there? Alicia
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Melinda,
You may not feel like it, but it sounds like your recover is going well. The taste change should go away with time. Try dark choclate!
Regards,
Rob
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Melinda,
You are doing amazingly well! Out to eat, and a museum?????
That is a true test of your recovery skills with all the noise.
Remember to listen to your body cues. It took me quite a while to feel whole again, though I had issues with anemia/blood loss post op.
So as we say, rest, walk, drink, eat, rest, walk, eat, drink repeat cycle......
Don't try to impress anyone! Only yourself. Slow and steady.
Some days you may feel great, over do it, and maybe feel it the next day. This is normal recovery BTW.
Keep us updated ;)
Maureen
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Contragulations Melinda!!
Glad to hear everything went fine.
I'll be checking into Seton on Monday, and will have my surgery on Wednesday!! I am looking forward to joining you in Postie land very soon. ;D
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Congratulations Melinda, sounds like another successful outcome! Now just be good to yourself and heal!!! May your blessings be many,
Jackie
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WOW Melinda you sound great!!!
I am so happy you did not have to endure facial paralysis. I think it was at least a month before I went out for lunch.
Rest and take it easy.
Michelle ;D
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Yippie I'm finally home! ;D Officially a toatie postie.
Although I was released wed after stitches were removed (1 week after surgery) we had flights scheduled for today (sat). Hanged around the Redondo beach area and laid low, good r&r. Everyday is better and easier. I can't believe how good I feel and no pain! I really feel almost back to myself, and have to remind myself not to pick up heavy stuff, etc.
I'm holding my breath as steroids are wearing off (good thing cuz I'm eating like a pig) and hoping that the tinnitus calms down more. By far the most difficult times are in restaurants, and in the car with my friends it was hard to follow conversation, I expect this will get easier as I learn to cope ssd? Or maybe a baha.
My ear and side of head is numb still, guess this is normal. My balance must have been compromised pre-surgery as I've adjusted so easily.
One of my original docs had told me to come in for possible surgery in Jan, I'm so GLAD I didn't wait! The stress was so bad and I didn't realize it until it was over!
Jays and Cheryl I'll be waiting for ya'll in postie land,
Particularly after the failed radiation and success of the surgery I feel so lucky!
happy and relieved, melinda
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You're so right - you don't realise how stressed you are about this until after the op and you just breath this massive sigh of relief that it's all over eh? I'm really happy for you to be past all the horribleness!
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thanks all! :)
Special exhibit on Pompeii - I was in a wheel chair and it did tire me, but it was sooooo great!!!!!
Melinda,
I was fascinated by the Pompeii exhibit when it was in Chicago!
I am glad to hear that you feel the relief of a successful surgery and that you are home now. Just think how you will feel in January knowing that you are four months post op...
Kate
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I am a little late getting on board here. BUT I am so happy for your progress! I couldn't wait to read your surgery story. Everyone's is little different. Congrations with the surgery and please keep us updated. Debi
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Melinda,
Congrats on your recovery and thanks for posting your progress- it was reassuring to know that you are feeling better so quickly.
I'm scheduled for Sept. 23rd and I'm thrilled to have found this forum and others who can relate to what's going on.
Thanks for sharing,
Laurie
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Melinda,
Hope recovery is continuing to go well. How are you feeling? Your post op recovery was amazing!
Continue to listen to your body cues and don't over do it ;)
Maureen
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Melinda,
Happy for your good recovery. Just to compare notes . . . I'm creeping up on 6 months out and still have salty taste, tinnitus is better, hyperacusis not so much but I'm getting used to it. I just scheduled a BAHA consult for November 4. I feel like there's a brick wall on that side of my head.
Keep on truckin'!
Nancy
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Thanks all! I'm still doing very well, learning to cope with the ssd and tinnitus....I did not expect the tinitus to be so bothersome! It seems like the louder it is in a room, etc, the louder it gets. :-\
Nancy, I know what you mean about the brick wall.
m
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Hey melinda! :-* :-*
Shame on me for being late, but I think you know I'm sending massive healing hugglez. I think you know my mantra ("day by day, inch by inch...") and thrilled to see you posting and keeping us updated.
Please hang in there... I'm cheering you on!
xo
Phyl
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Congrats Melinda, sounds like you are doing well. I am happy for you. Just remember, patience is the key...
Marci
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.I did not expect the tinitus to be so bothersome! It seems like the louder it is in a room, etc, the louder it gets. :-\
Unfortunately this is the case so you'll figure it out- what restaurants to avoid, which places to avoid. Kind of a bummer, but just all about getting to know the "new you."
Also good excuse to not go places that you didn't like going to in the first place! (I have those anyway ;))
Know how you feel....
Maureen