ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Inquiries => Topic started by: qzan19 on February 12, 2010, 05:40:18 pm
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Hi Everyone,
My Mom's AN was diagnosed at the end of January. She has a 1.5 cm AN. She is suffering hearing loss and ringing in her ear. I think she also has a balance problem, too. Anyway, the doctors want to have surgery on the 2nd of March. One of the things is, she is going to have surgery in Turkey (where we are all from). I currently live in America, but I will be in Turkey during and after the surgery. My question is, what should we take to the hospital with us? Also, can you recommend something that I can get from America which will help her? She actually follows your forum every day and she is the one who found it. She mentioned to me about a type of eyeglasses which could help make any eye irritation after the surgery better. She told me that it is Dr. Curtis W.Keswick's invention. Does anybody know what kind of glasses she is referring to? Also she is going to have surgery in a different city than we live, does anybody know which transportation vehicle would be better for her? She is going to stay at the hospital for 10 days and I want to take her home by plane, but do you think by car would be a better option? Thank you so much already for your help and concern.
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gzan -
welcome to the Forum. I'm very sorry to hear your mother has an AN, but I'm confident she'll get through it.
I'm not familiar with the eyeglasses you mention, but they sound interesting.
In my experience the less taken to the hospital, the better. I never wore anything other than the gown and robe the hospital provided me with and although I brought my own toothbrush, they even gave me that. I brought some books, but had double vision post op so I never read them; even watching TV didn't interest me. I slept most of the time - fatigue post op is incredible.
You mom's balance problem should eventually get better once her surgery is over. Initially it will probably be worse than it is now, but in time her body will adapt and learn to compensate.
My surgery was about 40 minutes from my home and I took a car. Some travel to other states and fly home via plane, but that just wasn't for me.
Best wishes to your mom for a successful, uneventful surgery and recovery.
Please keep us updated on her progress.
Jan
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Dear Leapyrtwins,
Thank you so much for your reply. It is very helpful. I will definitely let you know how everything goes. Thanks again.
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Also she is going to have surgery in a different city than we live, does anybody know which transportation vehicle would be better for her? She is going to stay at the hospital for 10 days and I want to take her home by plane, but do you think by car would be a better option?
Your mother's doctors should be able to advise you on the best mode of post-surgery travel. I can speak only of my own experience, but I flew home across the U.S. 10 days following my acoustic neuroma surgery and had no problems. The "flying 10 days post-surgery" is pretty much the standard routine at the place where I had my surgery, and the prevailing thought seemed to be that airplane travel was actually preferable to a lengthy car trip following surgery. But, again, you should certainly follow the advice given by her doctors.
Catherine (JerseyGirl 2)
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gzan,
Great that your mom is reading on the forum. Tell her to take a break from time to time- it can get very overwhelming. Hopefully she is reading the posts that just pertain to the surgery itself.
No use worrying about what "might" happen.
As far as the hospital goes, really just bring her! A robe, some skid slippers (though most hospitals provide skid socks), some chapstick/lip gloss, maybe a large nightie. Someone mentioned bring a tube of
eye lubricant, just in case the eye goes weak. (get the preservative free eye lubricant- i'm having a brain fart on the brand name)
She'll be home before you know it.....Then we'll go from there!
Good luck, any other concerns? We're here :) :)
Maureen
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Dear Maureen and Catherine,
Thank you so much for your advice and suggestion. I bought some eye lubricant and non-skid socks so far. And in another web side, someone recommend "Saran wrap patch" in case if she has a problem with closing her eye. It seems like a normal food wrap. Do you have any recommendations if that's happen?
My mom has an appointment with her doctor this wednesday. I will let you know, how everything goes. Thank you so much for your supports.
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gzan,
The hospital will hopefully be able to provide the eye gel and eye drops, but it's a good idea to bring it just in case. I would think they would also have something called an eye bubble to protect her eye in the event it won't close. It's a bubble shaped clear plastic thing with adhesive around the edges that will go over the eye and help to keep the moisture in. The saran wrap will work too but it's a little bit more work to get it on there and sealed, so if the hospital has the eye bubbles, I'd use those (and I'd also try to grab a few to bring home too!).
Other than that, I didn't use much of what I brought to the hospital either, other than a robe and slippers and my chap stick. The hospital has everything you would need, so it's really just a matter of bringing comfort items.
I hope all goes well for your mom and we look forward to hearing how she is doing. Have a safe trip!
Lori
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Dear Lori,
Thank you so much for your reply. When the surgery date is getting closer, I'm getting more nervous. I want to make her as comfortable as she can be. I'm not quite sure what Turkish Hospitals provide, so I want to get everything in here, if the hospital will have it that's fine but if it doesn't then We will be ready. I bought the eye bubble from online last week, it still hasn't arrived and I'm going to leave in five days. Do you know in which store can I find them, if I need to buy one?
My mom is the sweetest person you can ever meet. She is filled with life and enjoy every minute. I hope this surgery won't take that out of her.
By the way it is always wonderful to know that you're all there to help and share. Thank you very much for that.
Qzan
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Hi Qzan .....
You sound like a wonderful daughter. Your mother will do fine with such good support from you! My daughter came from her home for my surgery and it was wonderful to have her there.
Like Jan and Lori, I did not use anything from home except for the Chapstick. With the IVs or a central line, the hospital gowns and robe are the easiest to manage. It is good that you are prepared for possible eye involvement but I hope and pray she does not have that problem. I had no facial or eye problems and had a very easy time with my recovery. My balance was the biggest issue post-op so I used a walker while in the hospital. Two years later, I barely know I had a problem with it. I do have to be very careful in the dark and on uneven surfaces but my situation is a little different because I have had surgeries on both sides and thus no functioning balance nerves left.
Welcome to this forum and please let us know how you and your mother are doing.
Thoughts and prayers.
Clarice
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Hello there! So sorry your mom had to be a part of this "club" but we are glad you found us! You will get all kinds of great advice from everyone here, with a wide range of experiences. My experience was that after 9 days or so I drove to my in-laws house, about 1.5 hours. Then a few days after that I drove home, about six hours. That wasn't too bad as I was able to lay back in my seat and sleep if needed. I didn't suffer any from nausea but was definitely wobbly headed by the end of the trip and very tired. Hope this helps! Jay
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Hi everyone, my mom had the surgery today 03.02.2010
Dear Jay and Clarice, thank you so much for your help. Sorry for my late reply. I was very busy about my trip in Turkey so I just could find time to thank all your help.
My mom had the surgery today and now she is sleeping. She was taken at 8am and she returned back at 5:40pm. Today, the time couldn't pass. when she finally came back from surgery, she was shaking very bad. We made her wear a pajamas and covered her with blankets and we hardly stopped her shaking. So far her mind seems very clear. She talks with us, but she had (we believe) facial paralyzed on her left side. I am not quite sure that if it is permanent. My mom's doctor hasn't come and visited my mom yet.
She has some pain on her right side of the head (which she laid on that side of the head during the surgery.) She can close her both eyes, but she cannot move her left side of her lips. I hope it is not permanent. The first question she asked us if she had facial paralyzed and I said that "it is too early to say it". But she knows that she can't move her left side of her lips.
She occasionally asks what the time is and goes to sleep again.
So far that's all the news, I hope tomorrow I'll return with better news. During that time please pray for my mom.
Thank you so much for all your support,
Qzan
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Hi everyone, my mom had the surgery today 03.02.2010
She occasionally asks what the time is and goes to sleep again.
Qzan
Qzan,
I'm glad to hear the surgery is over.. I'm sure you'll get some more information when the doctor comes by to see her.. I keyed in on your statement that she occasionally asks what the time is and goes to sleep again.. I did something very similar after I was moved out of ICU and to a regular room. Time, for me, moved EXTREMELY slow.. I would ask the time minutes apart but for me it seemed like hours (about drove Jenni nuts with me asking all time).
The head pain, and either facial weakness or parallysis are all to common complaints of those who just had surgery. We like to say around here that the first 3 days after surgery don't count and not to come to any conclusions about long term affects of surgery based on the first three days. After that, you should see a slow, steady progression of improvement. If the paralysis is really just temporary facial weakness, be warned (and warn your mother) that seeing improvement from that is VERY SLOW... I had my surgery almost 2 years ago and I still see improvements. To the average person, you can't really tell there is still weakness, but I can tell and I still have improvement even now. Many illnesses are talked about in terms of days before you get better, especially with facial weakness they talk in terms of months and years sometimes. In fact, my surgeon told me that they wouldn't even begin to call any 'weakness' permanent until AT LEAST 1 year after surgery. It just takes a LONG time.. Be prepared for that, and prepare your mother if she's told that it likely will be temporary weakness.
Don't forget to rest and take care of you also...
Regards,
Brian
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Qzan .....
So glad to learn that your mother's surgery is over. As Brian said, the first three days (F3D) do not count in the recovery process. After that she will feel much better and you will know more, as well.
My prayers continue and do keep us posted.
Clarice
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Qzan,
That was quick! Sounds like a successful surgery. The fact that she can close BOTH eyes is a good sign, that the paralysis will be temporary. It is scary though I'm sure.
Gentle hugs, and let us know what the doctor says.
Maureen :)
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Dear Maureen, Clarice and Brian,
Thank you so much for your reply. It turn out the surgeant totally cleaned the facial nerve, so her facial paralyzed will be permanent. Even though after the surgery it seemed like she could close her eyes, it turned out she couldn't close the left one. Golden plate will be put on her eyelid. Another thing makes me very upset is CSF leak. This morning when doctor was dressing the wound, the leak started around the wound. Doctor said that it was normal but it freaked me out. Also she has still sound on her left ear. She describes the sound as a wind blow in her ear. Now we'll see how it will go tomorrow. I hope everything will be better.
Around noon, the surgeant finally came and said that he had to cut the facial nerve. Tumor covered facial and balance nerve, and he said he's never seen something that bad. But he added that 4months from now, he could do another surgery to fix the facial nerve. It cannot be 100% but improvement would be 70%.
The good news is, my mom can stand up and go to the restroom by herself without any help. Today, she had a fever issue, but with medicine nurses took the fever under control. She started to eat too. So far she had, around 2 cups of water, 1 cup of apricot juice, three spoon soup (which gave her nausea).
I hope, I'll come with better news tomorrow.
Qzan
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Prayers to your mom, Qzan.
There are two surgeries that people on this Forum have had for facial nerve problems. One is called the 7/12 jump and the other is called a T3. They are both a little too medically technical for me to really understand and explain to you, but hopefully someone else can.
Lori67 had the 7/12 jump about a year ago and Kaybo and Nancyann both had the T3.
Jan
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Hi Qzan.
I'm glad your mom's surgery is over and although it probably looks bad to you, it sounds like she's doing very well for so soon after major surgery. I'm sure each day she will look better and better.
My facial nerve was not functioning after my surgery either. I waited until 18 months after my surgery to have the 7/12 nerve jump (facial-hypoglossal nerve anastamosis is the medical term). It's been about 16 months since I had that surgery and I am still seeing improvements in my facial function. I still don't have much movement on the right side of my lower lip but I'm working on it and I can almost blink now. Healing of the facial nerve is very slow. At rest, my face looks pretty symmetrical. It was not a difficult surgery - I stayed in the hospital overnight and was able to resume most activities shortly afterwards.
The gold weight you mentioned will be helpful to protect your mom's cornea from damage. So will keeping her eye well lubricated with drops.
I hope you are doing well and taking care of yourself also. I hope you have good news tomorrow too!
Lori
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Qzan,
Sorry to hear that they did indeed have to cut your mom's facial nerve. Happened to me. Wondering if they stuck it back together during the surgery (reanastomosis). Usually they do. May want to ask.
Sounds like they are referring to the 7/12 nerve transplant, where part of the 12th cranial nerve (hypoglossal) is transected and attached to the facial nerve on the affected side, where it comes down through the jaw area. They don't have to go through the skull. The nerve then regenerates about an inch a month (I've heard different things on this), so you start to see results within months.
I had the 12/7 with partial results (2 years ago)and also 18 months from the original brain surgery. I would think she should have better results, if it is done within the year.
Is she having bad headaches? This would be present with a CSF leak.
So much going on-things should hopefully improve a little bit every day.
Remember- YOU rest too. Things will slowly work out. It's part of the AN journey so to speak ;)
Maureen
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Dear Jan, Lori and Maureen, thank you so much for your reply. I have one good news today, when doctor was dressing her wound this morning, he saw a little leak.( yeah, unfortunately leak still continues but at least it is not that bad.) Hopefully tomorrow morning it will be over. The only scary thing happen today was my mom passed out during the dressing the wound. She didn't passed out for along time but I scared to death.
Another improvement today is the surgeant, decided how big the gold weight would be, 1.4 gr. It seems like she could close her eyes with 1gr without any problem, I don't know why doctor still thinks 1.4 gr would be better. Do you think her eyelid will get weaker in time?
In daily routine, she still eats and drinks very well, she walks everyday with help of me.
Recently she has problems with sleeping. Because of bandages on her left ear, she cannot turn that side. She mostly lies flat on her back or lies on her right side. Now she complains about the pain in her butt and spine.
That's all the news I have now. I hope I'll come better news tomorrow. Also I would like to thank all of you to share your experience and be with me and my mom. It means a lot to me.
qzan
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Qzan~
Sorry I am just now getting to this - i have been on 2 different trips the last 2 weeks so I haven't been on here much. I have permanent facial paralysis (& have since i was 25) but life does go on. While i greatly empathize with your mother, please know that the surgeries out there ARE good and that they are only getting BETTER!! ;) Nothing that I know of can restore the face to the way it was (just don't want you to place expectations too high) but they can GREATLY help the overall appearance. The eye weight is a WONDERFUL thing. It is a VERY easy surgery on the patient and the body as a whole. I had it 3 times at first (over months) to get the right weight but it was just a minor inconveniece - NOTHING like the surgery/recovery that she has now! I agree with Lori - it sounds like she is doing GREAT for just having had MAJOR surgery. Make sure & tell her to listen to her body, though, & not to overdo it! It will be a change - especially getting used to a face that doesn't look the same - but it will be OK! Take care of that eye!
K ;D
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Hi there gzan - sorry I missed this post. Jan told me about it & I'm very glad she did ! I have total facial paralysis, my facial nerve was cut also.
The surgeon is probably talking about the 7/12 nerve graft, they slice the tongue nerve & attach it to the facial nerve. I was too scared to have that done ( I was 50 years old at the time ). Many people have had it done on this site & have had wonderful results. I went the route of the T3 = Temporalis Tendon Transfer. It lifted the bad droop I had & when I gently bite down on my back teeth I get a close mouth smile, looks like the Mona Lisa smile ! I am very happy with the results. The surgeon, Dr. Patrick Burne @ Johns Hopkins also did a face lift on the other side for symmetry & brow lift, eye lid lift... it was quite a surgery but I'd do it again in a heartbeat (you can google his name - he has before/after photos under facial reanimation - I think that's the name he uses).
I use Refresh PM exclusively for my eye dryness - it's a lubricant, eye drops don't work for me, not thick enough. I also wear an eye moisture patch @ night called NITEYE the Dry Eye Comforter. I got tired of using plastic/saran wrap & taping it to make a moisture chamber. The NITEYE is a domed plastic piece that goes over the eye & has adhesive all around it - I use alcohol to clean where the adhesive goes for a real good seal. It also protects the eyeball when you sleep since the eye doesn't close all the way even with the eye weight because you're laying flat in bed & the lid will open more than when you're standing. It costs about $25. for a box of 14 nonsterile patches.
Since I use it every night I buy them by the case & save over $100. ! Their phone # is 1-800-874-5797 if you're interested.
Regarding the weight: I 1st had a 1gram because it seemed to work on top of my eye, but was not heavy enough once it was in. I now have a 1.6 gram weight & if I ever need it replaced I'm going to ask about a 1.8 gram weight.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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, she cannot turn that side. She mostly lies flat on her back or lies on her right side. Now she complains about the pain in her butt and spine.
qzan
I had that pain in the butt and back too ... not to worry, it will go away in a couple days !!
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Qzan,
Sounds like your Mom is doing good. I know it is very scary for you, my kids were here for me and the whole thing really scared them. You have to remember to also take care of yourself. I am sorry to hear about the facial issues but there is a lot of GREAT advice and info on the Forum. My prayers and thoughts are with you both.
Lynn
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Dear Kaybo, Nancy, Joef and Lynn,
Thank you so much for your reply. Today, my mom feels a little more better. We bought 1.4gr gold weight and they will put it in on Monday. So far I'm using Niteye (thank you so much for recommending it. Unfortunately Niteye is not available in Turkey and it becomes very popular in the hospital.) It helps a lot to relief my mom's eye condition. Leaking is still continue. Doctor said, it was a few drop. I hope tomorrow it will be stop.
Today, my mom also has some sneeze problems too. We try to stop it but it is very hard. ( but, she handle it very well)
Also, she laughs and smiles today too. She is joking around which makes me really happy.
She has some issues when she chews stuff. Sometimes she bites her left side of inside of her mouth. But other than that, her appetite is very good.
Thank you so much for all your pray. I strongly believe my mom will better with help of all your prays.
Qzan
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Qzan~
There is some great mouthwash that you can get here that is made for mouth sores (I think what I have is made by Orajel) - it is high in peroxide so anything like that would do. I know that it will probably be hard for her to "swish" something like that, but if you can find that and have her put a little in her mouth and swish or sometimes i move my whole head around, it will help those places where she bites her mouth! I always forget this stuff but it helps right away if I do it!
Glad she is laughing - I remember my family saying they were relieved when I finally laughed. I had a stroke too so that didn't happen for me for a while!
K ;D
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Dear Qzan,
I just saw this today for the first time and will start praying for your mother. I am so so sorry for what is happening to her and her life changes, but admire her spirit and that she is finally cheering up and laughing.
I wanted to share with you that I had an anastomosis 21 years ago in California with the nerve that moves the tongue that they were talking about to help the recurrent laryngeal nerve that went parylyzed in a different surgery. It was a 5 hour surgery and easy to recover from and home the next day. The problem is that the re-innervation to 5 years to take place so there aren't any miracles with the anastomosis. The nerve is partially recovered and it is better than nothing. I am grateful for that and I can breathe much better after that surgery which was the purpose.
I hope that there is some suggestion from the surgeon but it is early to tell. She is still recovering from this surgery.
My prayers are with you. Rest well...
Mei Mei
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Hey Kaybo ! Talking about mouthwash, Boppie turned me on to Biotene & I love it ! Today I was looking for the biotene gum @ Target where I got it before but couldn't find it - really keeps the mouth moist.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Dear Kaybo, Mei Mei and Nancy,
Thank you so much for your reply. Dear Kaybo, I'm so sorry to hear that you also had stroke. It should be really difficult for you. I'm glad that you feel better today.
Dear Mai Mai, I'm sorry for your experience too. I can imagine how scary would it be to not breath properly. Now my mom has problem with breathing from her nose. Occasionally she feels like her nose is running. (we all wonder if it CSF Leak). Her nose is stuffed, but thank god she doesn't have any problem with breathing her mouth.
Thank you, Nancy and Kaybo for suggestion of mouth wash. I looked biotene and orajel mouth wash. It seems like, I can find Biotene in Turkey. I am not sure if they have biotene gum, but i think I can get it from USA and ship to here.
My mom actually has some questions; first one is after gold weight is implanted, when can she start to wash her face? Her second question is; How long does she need to wait to take a shower?
My mom's dressing the wound hasn't occurred yet. After they clean the wound, I will let you know if sh has any leaking today. Please pray that she won't have any.
Qzan
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Hi there Qzan: I couldn't wash my hair until after the stitches/staples were removed - check with the doctor, call their office. I can't remember about the eye weight, maybe Kaybo remembers - I know I washed my face & was careful around the eye area, not to get the bandage wet.
Have mom use a gentle face wash. You are both in my thoughts & prayers.
Keep a peaceful heart. Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Hi Everyone,
Unfortunately I don't have a good news today. My mom's CSF Leaking is still continuing. Everyday doctors say, leaking is very little, just a few drop. But it still continues, I don't know when it is going to stop. Is it important how much it is leaking. Is anybody there had the same problem with my mom. What is the danger of this leaking. It has been 5 days after the surgery day.
Qzan
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Dear Qzan,
I had some leaking but only a few drops now and then. It would stop and then a few days later start. Nothing much. They didn't do anything about it.
As for shower and shampoo, I was told not to do that until three days after the stitches were removed. The stitches are removed a week after surgery.
Please encourage your mother to rest and you yourself rest well!
Sincerely,
Mei Mei
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Dear Qzan,
Is your mom having headaches associated with the leakage? I can't add anything to this part.
I had the gold weight implanted, and as far as showering, I took a bath, I think I washed my hair in the tub,and kept water off the incision. Washing the face gently too.
Her eye will be all pretty purple and swollen, so ice packs immediately after surgery are a must. I guess she is at home now?
It is a slow process. It seems like one step forward, one or two steps backward. The docs probably don't want to do anything invasive unless they absolutely have to, so are just watching the fluid situation.
But she is smiling and she has a sense of humor. Ya hoo :) :) Her facial nerve is intact! The chewing problem is probably short term.
Keep the faith, overall she is doing great and YOU are doing great. Take care of yourself too. Rest when she rests!
Peace to you,
Maureen
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Qzan~
About washing the face, I was just careful around my eye. When I had the T3 a couple of years ago and they put in a new weight, I remember using those "cleansing cloths" - they were great b/c I could decide where I wanted to clean...does that make sense? I don't remember for sure how long it was before I took a shower after my surgery. I know that it was AFTER I was home and after I had the stitches out of my tummy from where they harvested the fat.
K ;D
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Dear Mei Mei, Maureen and Kaybo,
Thank you so much for your reply. My mom is doing great. :) The opened her bandage today. I think there is still a little bit leak but I don't think doctors care. Our surgeant told us if we want we can leave tomorrow. But my mom and I were agreed to stay one day longer, so we will leave the hospital on Wednesday.
Today, gold weight implanted on my mom's left eyelid. Her face already looks better. Finally she can close her eyes. That is such a relief. As you told before, her eyelid is swollen and purple. But thank god, she doesn't have too much pain.
Dear Maureen, I believe her headaches from the tight bandage, but I'm not quite sure. She doesn't have headache so far, but she complains about earache. (ache inside of her ear)
Dear Mei Mei, my mom's stitches won't be removed. The stitches are inside of the wound. We asked the doctor about the shower situation, he said wait for 10 days. (my poor mom) But thank you so much for your help.
Dear Kaybo, you mean like baby wipes? We bought some baby wipes for cleaning her body with.
Dear Kaybo and Nancy, I bought biotene mouth set today. Thank you so much for all your help. We will fly back home on Wednesday and then I think I'm coming back to America on Sunday. I will try to update her experience after I arrive to USA but my mom also would like to write and help too. She is so happy all your help and your prays. Now she wants to do it some other people too. So maybe she will be the one who continues this form.
Thank you so much for everyone,
Qzan
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Qzan~
They make specific wipes now for the face - esp to take make-up off too - she prob doesn't need that - jsut the ones to clense...
K ;D
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Dear Kaybo,
Can you tell me a brand name so I can check it if it is in Turkey?
Thank you very much,
Qzan :)
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What will she do when you are in the US? Does she live with family to help her? You said you took an airplane ? My mother was from Istambul so I know Turkey. Where does she live? What city was the surgery in? If she needs follow up care, how hard will it be to get back to the doctor in the other city to see him since you have to take an airplane to get there?
Mei Mei
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Qzan: Sp glad to hear things are slowly improving. Re: the eye weight, great news, but remember, once the swelling subsides, her eye may not close as good as it does now (that happened to me). So make sure she has lots of eye ointment, etc.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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Dear Mei Mei, We are from Izmir and the hospital (Gazi Hospital) my mom had the surgery is in Ankara. My mom's surgeant is Dr. Nebil Goksu. Unfortunately there is just two doctors in Turkey who can do this surgery, one is in Ankara ( Dr. Goksu), the other one is in Istanbul. In both case we have to go another city. But Turkey is not like America. The farthest part takes 1 hour by plane. So does Ankara. After we go to Izmir, my mom is going to stay with my sister, who is also doctor so her husband, for couple weeks.
Dear Nancy, thank you for your warning I still have niteye and we still have eye drops. ( I hoe she won't need any of them).
Thank you,
Qzan
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Qzan~
I don't really know specific brand names...I know here that there are a bunch out there. I think I used Neutrogena...maybe you could google "facial cleansing cloths"??
K ;D
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Dear Qzan,
I'm glad that your mom is in good hands with family doctors in the home once you are back in the U.S. Izmir is a pretty large city and they do have ENT and good Primary Care Doctors for follow up care to interact with your Ankara doctor if need be.
About the facial wipes and eye drops and other necessities, do you have a Carrefour there? They are all over the world where I've traveled and are just like Costco. They are from France and have everything you need. I find them in so many towns!!!
Best of courage and strength in settling your mother down peacefully before your departure for the U.S. It will be a difficult good bye after all you've been through these last few weeks.
Sincerely,
Mei Mei
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My mom is doing great. :)
This is wonderful news and I am very happy to hear it ;D
My best to your mother,
Jan