Pooter's surgery updates

[kimberly]

Hey Pooter -

Im curious if the puffiness went away.  I too get this puffy swollen thing kinda next to and under my ear, but it comes and goes. The swollen area is about the size of a golf ball.    I notice it more in the evenings and attributed it to doing too much activity.  It usually happens every evening.  I haven't called my doctor about it, now I'm wondering if I should.  I noticed that daydreamer posted that she had a similiar issue. 

Thank you,

Kimberly

[Debbi]

I agree with Jan and Jim - this requires a lot more patience than most of us normally have!  I guess the good news, Brian, is that your surgeon seems to think this isn't an emergency - and that's  definitely good!  I had my own hand-crafted pressure bandage for a few days, too - not sure if I got a pic of it or not.  Basically, it was an ace bandage and a gauze dressing wrapped artfully around my ears/head - designed by none other than Willie.  Maybe we shoudl compaire pictures?

I also agree w/Kimberly that I notice swelling more later in the day - along with other assorted tender spots and random pains in my head/neck.  Everything, including the facial droopiness, seems to get worse when I am tired.  Naps seem to help.   

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Brian...

Debbi

[Pooter]

Thanks to everyone for the responses.  The "puffyness" is less today after my homemade bonnet has been on more than not the last couple of days.  Perhaps it was just swelling or perhaps its a CSF leak under the skin.  I dunno, but it appears to be less today.  I also see more movement in my face on the AN side and I have more strenth on that side in general.  I guage it by my typing using my right hand, which was non-existent a week or so ago but much more today/tonight.  Again, progress no matter how slow it may be.  I have another appt with the doc 6/12, and I am aiming to get clearance to drive and/or work at least half a day.. I have a week to progress futher than I have already...  I will update on the "puffyness" as time goes on and what the doc says when I see him next week.

Brian

[leapyrtwins]

You're doing well, Pooter.

Keep up the good work 

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Brian:

Good to see you steadily progressing.  I'm hoping your June 12th doctor visit brings good news and the lifting of some restrictions...like on driving. 

Thanks again for keeping us updated on your progress.

Jim

[Pooter]

Thanks all!  I am getting better each day; I can "feel" it.  The puffyness is steadily going down.  I am getting more and more facial movement back.  I am getting come-and-go headaches though now.  I don't know if it's associated with the puffyness, the surgery, or what.  I feel like there is alot of pressure in head or eyes when they come on.  Anyone else have that?  I'm getting better (headaches aside) slowly but surely.  Hopefully, I will contnue to get my face back and continue to feel better, and hopefully the swelling and headaches will go away soon.  Being SSD and the tinitus haven't been an issue for me so far, but I haven't been out much.  Perhaps they will be affect me more when I get out more.  *shrug*

Brian

[sgerrard]

Hi Brian,

You seem to be reporting "more and more" facial movement, which is great news, it would suggest that you have the temporary kind of facial issue, which should resolve in a few months. It sounds like you are ready for your first "mall experience," which will be a bit of a shock, but you'll get over it, and it will get better every time you venture out into the world. I imagine the headaches are just part of the big adjustment you are going through.

It is good to see that you are coming along. I know it seems ridiculously slow, but before you know it you will driving to work like everyone else, and wondering why you were in such a hurry to get back to it.

Take care,

Steve

[cindyj]

Hi Brian,

Good to hear that you can feel that you are getting better each day!  Will be watching and hoping it continues for you - don't over-do, though

Cindy

[Pooter]

Thanks all!!  This is two close-up pics of my homemade bonnet taken a few nights ago.  I just got around to uploading 'em from my camera and using Photoshop to combine them.   

www.briandcampbell.com\Images\bonnet.jpg

I have even more movement of my face than is shown, but you can at least see that it's affected for now.  I will post more as time goes on and I get even more.   

Brian

[leapyrtwins]

Pooter -

nice bandage, and you say you made it yourself?  Very impressive - I think you may have a future in nursing 

This is a little freaky, but I have a brother who could be your identical twin    Seriously.  He is bald and with your bandage that covers your hair, you look very similar.

Thanks for sharing.  Glad to hear you're doing well,

Jan

[er]

Pooter - you look pretty good for just having surgery.
I still had bad drupe even after 6 months. I do like your bonnet
eve

[Debbi]

Brian-

LOVE the bonnet!  You look very cool!  Maybe you could have a career in rapping...

Your face actually looks really good - I wouldn't be able to tell there's anythign amiss when you aren't smiling.  ARe you able to get any movement on your mouth?  Can you blink?  (Sorry, I have an insatiable need to know how others are faring with the numbness!)

You look grreat!!

Debbi

[LADavid]

Hey Brian
You're looking good.  Especially your eye.  It doesn't look like you should have any problems with it.  Can you close it yet?  And yep, you got that good ol pirate grin.

David

[Pooter]

Haha...I will pass on the nursing gig, but thanks!!  I feel good today.  I have my 7 year old home with me this week and we're going to a birthday lunch (someone from work is driving since I haven't cleared yet to drive yet).  She's been good and let me lay down when I need to.  She's a good girl..

Thanks to all that said I looked good.  If I don't smile, talk or eat then you can't tell.  

To answer your questions, Debbi:   I get some movement of my mouth.  I bite my upper lip when I eat, but I am able to get around that.  I can blink my eye.  With the exception of the first few days, I don't get dryness in my eye at all.  That's good, I guess.  I have a little numbness on my scalp near the incision, but that's it I think.  Thanks for saying that I look good.  Like it or not, I compare my progress to your own.  

David:  Yes, I can close my eye.  Until I smile, talk or eat (or you see the incision or wrap), you can't tell.  That's good, I guess.  And, yep I definitely have that pirate grin.   

Thanks all!  

Brian

[lori67]

Brian, I think you look great. 

You know, if you put one of those "do-rags" over top of that bandage (you know - the ones the bikers wear..sorry still having flashbacks to that Bike Week in Daytona a few years back..) you'd never know anything was wrong!

Lori