ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: roub1 on December 29, 2006, 07:13:59 pm
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Had my surgery in April of this year at Ohio State. Thought I was gonna just spend a few days and walk out all better. Wow was I wrong. Guess I should have asked a few more questions. Physically I'm doing ok. I read some of the posts and see that others are, or have experienced the same issues. Just going though a little tough time right now. Seems that nobody believes some of the physical issues that have to be overcome. I read the fishbowl head topic and thought that was me not to long ago, think I still have the wonky head (Does that go away?). Guess I'm not as messed up as I thought I was. ÂÂ
 I lost hearing in my left ear as a result of the surgery. I have a bi-cross system that works fairly well. I've been using it since July. I have a terrible problem with noisy places. This is not a good thing because I am a Police Officer. I have the biggest problem I think with people that are closest to me. They just don't understand, how I look ok and still have physical problems like the balloon head thing when the wind blows, or how you get dizzy in the dark, or when you are really tired, or why somethings taste different to me and I don't like them anymore. I could go on and on but you all know that stufff already. At any rate I sure am glad that I came here and found you guys, and gals.
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Hi Officer Roub... and welcome.
Oh, you are defiantely NOT alone in what you have experienced, what you endure now... regardless if by surgery or radiation, many of us that are now post-treatment (what we lovingly refer to as being a "postie") can attest to the wonky head, the balance issues, the noisy environments, etc. I beleive in strength in numbers... and so many here have given me such strength... and we are here do to the same for you. We give our good ears (and yes, even our deaf ears), our shoulders have been soaked to the bones, but we remain committed to supporting each other here. Just when others in our lives don't really understand... we do.
Let me be the first to say welcome... good to see you here... truly.
Phyl
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Hi Officer R, You are about 8 months post op and probably right on time with your recovery. Things do start tasting better after the longest wait, it seems. Hearing in a space where lots of background sound accompanies the voice is most difficult to most of us. As for seeing in the dark that just doesn't seem to get better for me. I use a flashlight outdoors, if I have to be out there. It seems like walking on a dark surface and in the dark are so weird. It just proves how much our sense of balance depends on vision. The more you tax your brain and balance nerve the better you will become.ÂÂ
We could write a book on the problems of the vestibular system, right? As police go you need two badges, one for your honorable profession and one for doing a heroic job to go to work! Congrats!ÂÂ
Families and friends have a hard enough time accepting our problems. Our colleagues understand less.
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Officer R,
I just want you know, that You ARE NOT ALONE, I too am a Police Officer, and have gave the last 13 years of my life to service, it was extremely difficult for me at first, but I have found that the brothers and sisters here on this site, along with the Brotherhood have been very helpful, and supportive. You and I have been trained to cope with everyone else's problems and never our own, but for the first time in many years, I realize not everyone is out there to hurt us (Law Enforcement), most people don't understand our jobs, and how we think, feel about the decisions we make (having to make a life saving decision in milliseconds) on a daily basis. I was told that Police Officers have more thoughts go through their mind in one day, than the average person has in 6 months. We deal with all of the Worst that society has to offer, and manage to keep our sanity and go home to a family smiling as if we had come home from the circus. Then we have a Doctor tell us " you have a Brain tumor", as if our job were not enough. I have found people just like us on this site, and they have been very helpful, just like family who understands. You found the right place.
Are you still active duty?
If I can help I am here!
Sam
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roub1 -
Wecome to the board. Sorry you had to suffer with an AN but at least you realize that we are all in the same 'boat' here and understand your problems coping with this unique medical problem. You really are not alone. Not here, anyway.
You certainly have my respect for doing a job that is so badly needed, yet often not respected enough. I have known a few police officers, personally, and they were all honorable folks who would go the extra mile for anyone in need, yet often had to worry about being charged with some regulation infraction if they didn't do everything 'by the book' in instances where a suspect complained of 'police brutality' or some other such ploy in order to deflect attention from his crime. This is a real problem in some areas of the country but I trust not where you work and live.
I'm also almost 7 months post-op (retrosigmoid) and while I have a few lingering symptoms (occasional taste issues, like you, sporadic 'scratchy eye' at night) they are diminishing by the month and I can handle them as they are not noticeable to others. I'm permanently deaf in my left ear but, as a retiree, I don't have specific responsibilities to fulfill, making things much easier, I admit. I admire you for what you do (police work) and for handling the usual AN post-op issues as well as you obviously have. Hey, we all have our 'bad days'.
Officer, you are welcome to vent, ask questions or whatever you wish to contribute here. I wish you well.
Time Heals[/color]
Jim[/color]
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Thanks for all the responses. I'm especially glad to hear from you Sam. I've been a cop for a while longer than you and plan to stay a while longer if I can. Are you still working? Get back with me maybe we can swap some war stories.
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Hello roub1 and welcome:
Yes, this is the place to come if you need for someone to understand how you feel, hear and taste!!ÂÂ
The wonky head and the taste gets better with time. The only problem I have with my head now that I am 2 and a half years post-op is when I get a cold. All that extra fluid in there makes me feel like I did before I got it out. And that feeling, I do not like.
There is a firefighter on here too. Her username is amylynn. She had surgery a few months ago and is back to work and doing well.
There was a thread on here a while back re: they just don't get it (I tried to find it, but no luck). The jist of it was we want them to get it but they can't get it because they don't have an AN or have not had AN surgery. Simple as that. We can't explain the wonky head or what it is like to only hear out of one ear.  One of the women on here made her sister walk on a very wobbly dock. She told her sister that that was what she felt like all the time. Her sister was shocked :o !!! Whaaaaaaaat?? You are kidding me??????ÂÂ
Nice to have you on the forum Officer, Kathy ÂÂ
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Roub....welcome here...I know that my doctor did surgery on an officer that was able to go back to active duty...not sure where he is now, but I heard he was doing OK. While I am not an officer, my boyfriend of 14 years is and I work in the prosecutor's office, so I know as well how life must be for you...Some of the hardest battle is within ourselves in that we know we still have issues, but we look fine to everyone else, and you want to put up a stiff upper lip and tell everyone that you're fine (in a cop's world, it's not good to show that something might be "wrong"). Plus, you're in situations where you know you aren't as "safe" as you were before, and that's pretty rattling....just know that your body will adjust, you will be tired for awile as your senses are on high alert a lot, and you will find a way to be comfortable and confident in your job. Hat's off to you for how far you've gotten....I'm a couple months behind you and sounds like we have some of the same issues.
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Love the comment about walking on the wobbly dock, maybe I should try that. Guess that is the biggest problem I have right now, trying to get my wife and family to understand how things are. It is way to difficult to explain some of these things. I get very frustrated and stop trying to explain, which brings us right back to where we started. Anger sets in and I shut down. Makes for a lousy evening.
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My way to explain and people really seem to get it is to have them think about a time when they had 3-4 drinks and started feeling the slurred speech and hard time walking (like the floor is moving out from under you), and you think that everyone is looking at you trying to walk and talk and noticing that you're having a problem, when they really aren't noticing anything. So having that feeling 24/7 and trying to function in your life with it. Most people get that.
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great description gennysmom *blows kiss!*.... I usually try to describe wonky head as taking cold meds (that "disconnect" head from body feeling) while balance thrown off at the same time.... heck, I even got my dr's using the term now after I told them about the term... it was the only way they could really understand what was/is going on.
Phyl
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I'm happy to find others in law enforcement that have already experienced what I'm about to go through. I was diagnosed with AN several weeks ago and I am still going through tests and stuff.
I'm meeting with the Neurologist for the first time on Wednesday.
I emailed Officer R and Sam with some specific questions about returning to work.
This is a great forum and I've learned a great deal from it already.
Dan
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Hi Dan and welcome!!
Oh, oh. Are we starting to see a pattern here? 3 in law enforcement?ÂÂ
Sorry you need to be here but so glad you came on.ÂÂ
Do you know the size of your AN yet? And are you in the USA?
Best of luck in your research, dr. appts. etc....if you end up deciding on surgery, I can try to answer any questions you might have.
Kathy
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Kathy,
The Otologist said it appears to be 1.8-2 cm. I don't think he measured it.
I live in Orange County, NY-USA.
I'm more than likely going to have surgery. I've lost 72% voice recognition in my right ear. It happend around Halloween which led to the diagnosis. I think because of the loss of hearing that the Otologist was steering me towards trans lab. I'll have to see what the Neurosurgeon says.
Dan
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I think we are loading up on you guys. I am a deputy sheriff in KY and had my surgery in April. I just got back to working the road right at the thanksgiving holiday. I just now joined this web site.......I wish I would have joined it much earlier! Anyway, I lost about 80% of my hearing in my left ear, being right handed, I carry my police radio on my left side (opposite my gun side). This has caused the most problems since I have had difficulty hearing the police radio over traffic noise. (I am assigned the Interstate patrol). I look forward to particiapting in this message board and hope I can help someone! John
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John,
We were all issued Motorola hand mikes that attach to the radio and clip on our shirts, epaulettes, jackets,etc.
I would use mine infrequently in the past...but know I'm not without it. It broadcasts nice and loud right next to my face. I have to even turn the volume down sometimes because it's too loud!
I don't know if you can use them...if you can give it a try.
John, what kind of surgery did you have? I have'nt gone for surgery yet but I am also in the same boat as you are being right handed and basically deaf in my right ear.
Dan
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You already have have help someone John. Me! It'sa great to know you guys are there and not just the cops but all of you. I never expected this and never thought It would help but it does and I'm thankful.
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Dan, my surgery was officially called "suboccipital transmeatal microsurgical removal of acoustic neuroma"........but there was nothing MICRO about it. It was 6 hours long and I was in the hospital for a week, then after being out for a week and a half, was put back in for 5 days with a spinal fluid leak at the surgery site. Despite that, I know I made the right decesion for me to have surgery. I am only 39 (38 at the time) and in good health, so surgery was really the only true option for me. I have had some issues with returning to work, but those have been easy to deal with because of my sheriff and supervisor being VERY supportive. My fellow co-workers even donated several months of vacation time for me to use as sick time---on those days that I just don't feel too good. Living here in the Ohio River Valley (just south of Cincinnati), the weather changes alot. Every time the barometric pressure changes, my head hurts and some times it is very severe pain and this is 6-7 months post surgery. It is gonna be a long winter for me, but thats ok. Dan, make sure you do what is best for you and your family. I hope that your department is as supportive as mine was during my surgery and recovery. I will be happy to tell you more of my experiences and recovery.
Roub, you seem to have been going through much of the same things I went through. So I know how you are feeling. I plan on checking this message board everynight after work, so feel free to post away! John
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Hi John and welcome to the Law Enforcement Acoustic Neuroma Forum!! Ok, now we are up to 4.  Are all of your ANs on the side your radio is on?????  I know they have ruled out cell phones being the culprit but what about the kind of radios you use?
Hang in there. The barometric pressure change does not bother me at much as it did the first year post-op.
Kathy
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My radio is always on my left hip. My AN is on the right.....buuuttt, I frequently work in a control center and am the base station for all of the radios. All of the radios not in use at night (over 150) are being charged in the same room as me.
I doubt that has any thing to do with it, heck the radiation probably retarded the growth :D
Dan
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The other thing that some of our guys have is an earpiece that hooks into their radio where no one but them can even hear the radio traffic. Most others use the clip on hand mikes. I know that even when I have my ipod earpiece in (similar in nature) I can still hear things going on around me. If that's something you guys don't use and want to know about, let me know and I'll find out from our guys what is the best one to use.
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I had surgery on Left ear for 1.5CM that left me deaf. That was back in 1988. Now I have one in right ear 2.4 CM-which makes me an NF2. Well I had one sided hearing for 18 years-now (even though I had radiation this past summer) I have some hearing but voices are distorted and muffled. Had too strp down as Supervissor at work-could not hear my employees talk. Geez-now I would give anything for one sided deafness back. It is all an adjustment folks. I am sure a deaf person would give anything I have. It depends which side of the fence you are riding on I guess. I got o the point where one sided deafness was normal for me. However-all loses in life that time to heal and we tend too adjust to our disability. Right now if people do not look me straight in the face and talk-I have no clue what they are saying. TV is out without closed captioning and cannot even think of listening to radio or music. WOW-BUT I HAVE TO EXCEPT AND ADUST. Thanks-and take care. Ron
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with all of this law enforcement around here, remind me not to rob a bank to pay off holiday gift shopping debt
You are now returned to your regular AN posting broadcast :)
Phyl
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I don't believe the radio has anything to do with it. I'm left handed and carry my radio on the right, opposite of the AN. There was a thing a few years ago where a number of officers were finding that they developed cancer. They alleged that it was caused by the radar. Most of those guys would ride around with it in their lap. Not a good idea but I don't think that was the cause either.
All us cops around and not one doughnut joke, very strange!
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....All us cops around and not one doughnut joke, very strange!
I was holding off about buying stock in Dunkin Donuts.... :)
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Hey! Its 2007, the new age cops of today like DANISH with our coffee anyway, not donuts :D.
Speaking of the earpieces...I have been trying one that plugs into my radio that I wear in my bad ear (AN side). I can hear enough that I know dispatch is calling me, but the voices are muffled to the point if i have to comprehend exactly what they are saying i would have to take the ear piece out and use my right ear. (I have about 20% hearing in the bad ear) I am just experiementing right now, just trying to adjust.
Kathy, I hope the barometric changes/problems subside for me, like the did for you. That has been my biggest struggle. My Dr. even said that I would be better off moving to Arizona then living in Greater Cincinnati. Our weather changes so much here it is crazy. As I type this, it is 59 degrees @ 850 am on Jan 5th! (hard to complain about that though!).
Okay, time to get ready for the daily grind! Be safe all! John
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I would think an ear piece would be more difficult to work with rather than a hand mike. Your AN ear is basically shot, so plugging in there is just like the phone ringing.You know someone is calling you and that's all. If you plug it in your good ear, the radio is all you will hear whenever there is radio traffic. It will interupt conversations, etc.
I still think the hand mike is the way to go. It will put the sound close to your good ear and you can adjust the volume of the radio if you speaking to someone or listening to a perp's exuse. But you'll still hear the transmission regardless.
Besides...unless you are in plain clothes, the hand mike goes well with the uniform.
Dan
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I was thinkin about getting my radio guy to dial my cros system into the radio frequency. It is bluetooth so why not get the cell, radio and all that in one unit. Maybe we could get enough guys together and market it. Share with Fire and EMS too. What an idea.
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Let me know what your radio guy says, I am talking to my Dr about hearing devices this spring and I know the cros system is one that will be discussed. How is that working for you? As far as the shoulder mics for work, I think Dan is right on the money with that. It is the best way to go. I have been trying the ear piece but I think my best bet is the tradtional shoulder mic.
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I was thinkin about getting my radio guy to dial my cros system into the radio frequency. It is bluetooth so why not get the cell, radio and all that in one unit. Maybe we could get enough guys together and market it. Share with Fire and EMS too. What an idea.
We'll all be six million dollar men...or robo cops...I guess depending how "old" we are. ;D
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Hey John, the cros system works pretty good for me. Hed some problems getting it dialed in but once that was done I'm pretty ok with it. Not like having two good ears but a step above one. At least I'm hearing sound on the deaf side.
You should be able to tery it out for a few weeks to see if you like it.
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Thanks. I am actaully looking forward to it. I hope it works.
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John, I was reading your other post about the walker...how big was your AN? Sounds like we travelled the same path...I couldn't watch TV for a couple weeks either and that's when I went in for my CSF leak...I could finally watch TV during the 8 days I spent there, but the big windows and the light coming through were driving me crazy.
I have a co-worker that is a firefighter that had the surgery 3 years ago....but he's retiring in a month, otherwise I'd pass on the radio info...that's a good idea, hope it works!
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Genny, my AN was a relatively small compared to others on here (1.2 cm). The CSF leak was a hassle as it was dripping from my nose. It felt like a bloody nose, but was a very clear water like liquid. I didn't think any thing of it, but my wife insisted on calling the Dr., and sure enough...back in the hospital with the lumbar drain in the back. That drain-thing was not fun. Did you get the same thing? Also, after about 2 weeks the sun light never really bothered me. But for several months the WIND made me disoriented. That was weird. I would walk outside and the wind would make me dizzy and off balance.
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John...yup, dripping from my nose, had read about it on here so knew immediately what it was....lumbar drain that on the 3rd day worked itself out, started leaking again, they put in another drain, but told me to prepare for surgery. Had that drain in for 5 days, had nearly worked itself out by then even though I told them to stitch this one, they were sure I couldn't hold my fluid and were preparing for surgery on the 8th day when lo and behold...I held my fluid and have held it ever since (I did NOT want my wound re-opened). That 8 days in the hospital the second time nearly killed me...I guess I had an air bubble in my head and I could not hold any food in...so I got really weak. Then on the ride home, I layed down in the back of the car and my mom took a fast turn and I could actually feel my brain squish up on the top of my skull (Doc confirmed that that's probably what happened) and I thought I was gonna die. Anyone reading this....on the ride home sit up no matter how much you don't want to!!!! Luckily, we don't usually have much wind around here for the first few months after I had surgery (geez, we have it now, more than our share!). I'm still mostly just disoriented by complex intersections...with lots of cars and peds. One reason why I don't envy you this and your job, what do you do when you have that and have to go code? Yikes!!! Besides that, my other half had to take a train/ped suicide this weekend, with parts strewn 1/4 mile, and although it doesn't bother him, it probably would me. I find I'm much more sensitive to things post-surgery...I have to look at photos all the time and it's harder now.
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I found that going back to work helped my focus alot especially while driving. It was tough at first but got easier and easier. Although I'm not as good at it as before I can watch traffic and the goons in the parking lot on the other side of the street.
Had a couple of those train/ped things. Never good when that happens. One of the bad parts of the job for sure. Glad he's ok with it.
Charlie
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I think I'd be better at driving if I had to do it....but everyone is so willing to cart me around, I'm taking advantage of it for now. I do meander in about a 5 mile radius from my home on the back streets, but avoid the crowded mess.
GL....isn't that the truth! I still can't ride on that freeway onramp without thinking of how I felt. My boyfriend drives a F350 with a really tight suspension and I hate it. I hate being bounced around. They need to build car seats that have the thing like video cameras do, where you can bounce them around but the picture stays straight. Any engineers out there want to build something like that? Let me know, I'll be the first in line to buy it.
How are all the P.O.'s doing with the ice storms? Everyone here has got cabin fever and we had a weekend full of DV and DUI's.
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gennsymom...we have had no snow or ice yet this winter (knock on wood ;)) We had just about non-stop rain the last several days but the temps. were high enough that we did not have any problems with ice or snow so no crashes or things like that....just barometric pressure headaches from people like us on this message board. Several of the small rivers have begun to flood in the greater Cincinnati area and that has caused problems for some.