2 WEEKS POST SURGERY

[calimama]

HI ALL,

sorry this is my first chance in a while to update.

in laws arrived first thing friday morning. a blur of motion ever since.

so i am still suffering from horrible double vision (i had no idea about this!). face is still numb and broken, but otherwise i am  doing well. eye issues make time here tough.

got my staples out on friday. incision doing well thankfully.

seeing opthamologist tomorrow... hoping she can help in some way.

took m first shower (sitting) on my own today. washed and dried hair. amazing what that can do for a girl!

anyway, feeling good and sleeping better. just hoping my eyes straighten out!!

hanging in there....

trish

[Pooter]

Trish, glad to hear you are doing ok in spite of the recent challeges.  I still don't have full range of motion of my face on the AN side and I had pretty bad vision and attention right afterward, too.  No worries since they all will pass.  Jim said it aptly (haven't had the chance yet to give credit where its due) when he said that its like coming out of a LOOOONG fog.  You will get there.  Despite my issues with the incision, facial paralysis and all that entails (eating, talking, eye not clossing, etc...) I'm getting better day by day.  So, will you.  Give it some time.  Be patient.  Those around ya need patience too.  Have faith and stay strong my friend.

Brian

[cynthianz]

Good on ya, Trish!  Take it easy and get in those baby cuddles you've been missing.  I go into hosp tomorrow, with surgery Thursday morning and know that I'll be missing my kids so much, but I know they will be well cared for and I'll be home, in whatever form, soon.

What is up with your eyes?  You asked it so well  "I had no idea about this"  - I've read bits here and there, and some folks mention an eye weight.....I have not had double vision or headaches before surgery, so I am hoping to skip any big eyeproblems.  docs told me not to wear my contacts to avoid any further damage and I asked "what damage?"  and they said won't know if any until post surgery.    like you said....i had no idea.

at this point i just double check my bag and have to let it go. 

hang in there, mummy.  will check in with you when i'm out, too......  cynthianz
cynthia morris in auckland, nz

[leapyrtwins]

Trish -

it's amazing how wonderful a shower can feel, isn't it 

It sounds like you are doing well despite a few issues.  Two weeks isn't a lot of time in the scope of things.  As Brian said, give it some time and try to be patient - it's not easy, I know.

I wish I had some insight on your double vision.  Although I experienced it post op it went away on it's own in 2 or 3 days.  I remember asking my neurotologist how long it would last and he told me that he honestly didn't know.  I might be one of those things that no one has a concrete answer for, but I think seeing the opthamologist is a very wise decision.

Hang in there,

Jan

[wendysig]

Hi Trush,
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better.  The double vision sounds tough, but hopefully taking a shower on your own mad eyou feel better.  I have to agree with Jan, it is amazing how much better it can make you feel.  Good luck at the opthamologist.  I hope he/she can help with your eye problems.  Hang in there, I'm sure it will get beter.

Wendy

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Trish:

Wow...two weeks, already?  A shower is really a treat, isn't it?  I'm pleased that you're doing pretty well but the double vision thing does happen.  Like Jan, I had it for a few days post-op but it resolved by the time my hospital stay ended.  I very much hope your's is temporary, which is usually the case.  Glad to learn that you're feeling good and sleeping, too.  I anticipate your next update will have promising news about your vision.

Thanks for the update - and keep moving forward. 

Jim

[leapyrtwins]

Trish -

I just finished reading a post from Daisy Head Mazy over here http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6596.msg66967#msg66967.  The information she talks about might be helpful to you.

Jan

[Melissa778]

HAng in there Trish.  Once I hit 3 weeks post op I really started feelign (semi) normal again.  I'm now jsut about 5 weeks post op, back to work and feelign wonderful.  You're in my prayers.  Hang in there

Melissa

[Kaybo]

Trish~
How is everything with Cali??

K

[Debbi]

Trish-

Hopefully the opthamologist will be able to help with the eye problems.  I am still having to lubricate my eye all day and patch and "goo" it at night.  I am able to go longer during the day now between drops, which is very encouraging.

The numb face thing is definitely frustrating - I'm right there with you.  Patience is hard, but necessary.  I went to a facial therapist several weeks ago to get started on some nerve stimulating exercises.  Your surgeon should tell you when it is okay to see a therapist. 

Ah, the first shower!!!   Total bliss, wasn't it?  Amazing how something as simple as a shower can make your whole day seem brighter.

I know you know this, Trish - but be patient with yourself.  I'm sending you good thoughts and prayers.

Debbi - smiling at you with my left side!

[calimama]

hi guys...

thanks for your messages of hope and support and good luck with that surgery in NZ!

opthamologist was really of little help. poop.

i am feeling good despite these eyes of mine... at least it distracts from the crooked smile!

will hang in there as you all suggest... what else can i do!

Cali started walking and is cuter than ever. We are reconnecting after my week away. IN laws from Colombia are a great help.

more soon... thanks guys!

Trish

[LADavid]

Hey Trish

What's the deal with your eye doctor?  Mine was the post-op medical shining star amid a stack of duds.  Has your doctor done anything to protect your cornea?  I had an extended wear clear contact placed in my eye.  It did two things -- it protected my cornea from exposure and it held the goop in place.  Granted I was still dealing with regularly gooping my eye and the discomfort for three months and the moisture chamber, but I do think the eye docs advice saved me from a lot more agony.

And Cali is walking!!!!  That is really fun.  But wait till you see the mischief she'll get into now .

Hoping for your smooth recovery.

David

[sgerrard]

Glad to hear the in laws from Columbia worked out, I remember that was a scheduling issue a while back.

Is the double vision related to any balance issue at all? It could be part of adjusting to that change.

Best to you and Cali,

Steve

[Kaybo]

Melissa~
I had been wondering about the in-law situation and hoping that it was going well -- I'm glad they have been a help!!

K

[cmp]

Hi Trish,

glad to hear you are feeling a bit stronger and that your incision is healing well. Hopefully your other post-surgical issues will improve bit by bit as well. The double vision sounds awful, though! If it doesn't improve soon, I hope you'll press your opthalmologist for help with the issue, or find a new opthalmologist!

I'm actually wondering, though, whether double vision is a neurological issue or a opthalmologic issue. I don't remember experiencing double vision per se (but my memories from my '89 surgery are pretty fuzzy, as far as the hospital stay goes)--but I do remember that my eyes were moving independently of one another the first few days and it was really hard to look at anything,, much less focus. If something similar is going on with you, maybe a neurologist (or your neurosurgeon) would be an appropriate source of advice?

It's great that things worked out with your in-laws, and how exciting that Cali is walking!

Carrie