Endolymphatic Shunt Revision Update

Title sounds so important, doesn't it? Today marks 3 weeks since surgery. Wish I had good news to report but unfortunately, I don't. The past 5 days have been really bad. Only good thing is I haven't had a severe vertigo attack...yet. I am so dizzy that I can barely walk most of the time. I get so sick when I have to get in the car. Even just lying in bed, I feel dizzy.

I went back to my doctor yesterday. He put me out of work until after Christmas. He was adamant that I didn't need the stress of trying to teach a bunch of active, noisy 7th graders nor did I need the stress that comes along with other parts of my job. He pretty much insisted I had to stay home and give this some time to settle down. I'm depressed right now but know in my heart he's right.

While I was there, he pulled the tube out of my ear, ouch, because it was clogged and he couldn't get it as clean as it needed it to be. It's been in so long that I have a good-sized hole in my eardrum that will likely stay open for some time to come. Good news is I can use my Meniett again. I'm really hoping that it will make a difference. I've been without it now for 3 weeks. It will probably take a few weeks for it to start working again.

I go back on the 15th for another follow-up. Not sure what good that'll do but he said he wanted to monitor me closely. Probably check on the hole and see how my hearing is. Right now, in my affected ear, it's worse than normal which is to be expected after this surgery. I'm curious as to the condition of the hearing in my "good" ear. I don't think it's affected but I would feel better if I had it tested.

Now to find new and interesting ways to pass the time while stuck at home alone.

Family Outing!

Yesterday I made it out! Out with Tim and the kids! Went to eat at the lovely and awesome Bagelry and then headed across the street to a little Christmas Festival on the square type thing. The kids got to see Santa. They got their faces painted, made crafts, and we all went on a carriage ride around town. I was fairly steady throughout the whole thing which ended up being a few hours long. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a blast. I was really tired this morning but I'm not dizzy like after my last little adventure. Hopefully, that's a sign of progress. My ear is still making this popping/cracking noise. The tube is no longer clogged-found that out when the hydrogen peroxide I put in it ran down my throat...so lovely. But hey, that's good news. Should mean when I go back to the doc that he won't have to do much roto-rootering around in there. This week brings Thanksgiving and lots of activity. Should be interesting to see how it all goes.

In the meantime, I'm accepting the little victory of spending some time with the kids and trying to be positive.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I ventured out into the world on my own yesterday to test the waters post-surgery as my doctor wanted. Yesterday was Day 8. I went to pick up the kids from school (such a treat!), and then stopped by my school to try and get a handle on what's been going on in my classroom and what needs to be done. I ended up being there for almost 2 hours with a constant barrage of people talking to me, updating me with information, and also my kids were running around with some of their little friends having a blast but being very noisy. My brain was definitely on overload. We left and then I find out Tim isn't going to be home for 2 more hours. I decided to stop and grab food for the kids because one, I'm not a great cook, and two, our stove caught on fire a couple days ago and all we have for now is a microwave. That's a whole other story-new stove arrives tomorrow. During all of this I felt okay. Moving slowly but getting by. Today it seems I am paying for it. I have been very dizzy and off-balance and nauseous all day. Pretty much like I felt pre-surgery. I also have this popping in my ear that feels like my eardrum is trying to adjust itself. It's kind of a bummer but I know I can't expect to be healed all at once.

So that's the update. I feel like I'm back to square one. Hopefully it has nothing to do with not being able to use my Meniett. I'll try for a restful evening and a good night's sleep and see if that helps. The incision is healing very well. No longer bruised and the swelling is almost gone!

Checkin' in with the doc

Had my follow up appointment today. I must admit to tiring of the trip back and forth to Winston. But if it has to be done, so be it. Good news is I'm healing well despite the fact it looks like somebody sucker punched me behind my ear. Only problem is my eardrum tube is clogged with dried blood. Mmmmm, so nice to visualize I know. Dr. May pulled out a large chunk of something while I was there but couldn't get this clot out without pulling out the whole tube. And for those of you fortunate enough not to have experienced that, it hurts like hell. I know because a year or so ago, he had to pull it out and replace it and he did it without any numbing medicine. Holy moly...is the nicest way I can put that. So I now have to try putting drops of hydrogen peroxide in several times a day and see if it will help soften the clot and get it to come out. While all of that may be annoying, it's definitely tolerable. What scares me is that the machine I use called the Meniett which has kept me vertigo free for 4 years is useless right now. I can't use it for a couple more weeks. I've never been so long without it and I have no idea how I'm going to react. On the one hand, the wonderful new shunt should help out a great deal. On the other, any other time my Meniett has not worked properly (usually due to the tube coming out of my ear), I have had a bad vertigo attack. I'm scared. True vertigo is the worst feeling on Earth. I would endure almost anything else to avoid an attack, including yanking tubes out of my ear without pain medication! Even childbirth with no epidural-yes, I've done that too!! Not by choice mind you. Let's just say, my cervix is all business when it comes to babies.
Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts. Positive thoughts. That's what my doctor kept telling me. He's absolutely right. I'll get there, maybe...having a lot of trouble reaching that point today.
Nevertheless that's the status report. This is now 6 days post-op. I go back to work on Nov. 30 and back to the doc on Dec. 1. I am to slowly increase my activity between now and then so we have an idea if work is even a possibility. I am worn out from today-trip to Winston, a lovely stop at Barnes and Noble-2 new books, yay!, stop at Lowe's to buy a new stove to replace the one that caught on fire the other day-yes, on fire and not from food, and then to pick up the kids from school. I shall spend the rest of the evening putting drops in my ear and trying not to worry.

Recovering, Recuperating, Hopefully Rejuvenating...

Alas, it came down to surgery to try and chase the dizzies away. Had it done this past Wednesday 11/11. Hopefully a little luck will go with that. I wanted to take a minute and document my recovery for future reference...
FYI-the surgery is called endolymphatic sac shunt revision and takes place in the inner ear. To get there, they make an incision behind your ear, drill out some bone, and do what they need to do.
Day 1-Surgery-Doctor is reassuring. I'm scared but it's over before I know it and they wheel me off to a place called "Day Surgery" where I spent the night. Dr. May said the surgery was one of the best that he's been able to do. The old shunt was covered with scar tissue, which was expected, he was able to remove it all, shave some bone to create some more room and give me a new shunt. Felt pretty good that night at the hospital. Had a massive "ear muff " type bandage that wrapped around my head. It wasn't comfortable. Note to self and others...if you wear glasses, you won't be able to with this bandage on. Bring contacts or an old pair of glasses and remove whichever side you need. That's what Tim did for me. Couldn't sleep well that night. Not because of pain. Just general adrenaline and constant interruptions from nursing staff who by the way are very stingy with the pain meds. One Darvocet every 6 hours? Thank God I wasn't in that much pain.

Day 2-Dr. May comes in at 6am! Making his rounds before a full day at the office. Removes the bandage...what a relief. Wound is healing very well. Ear is draining like crazy. Have to keep a cotton ball in it until I see him again. A couple hours later, I'm on the way home! Pick up my kids which makes me smile and fall into my bed for a glorious nap. Having some pain, unsteady, constant oozing out of my ear. Lovely.

Day 3-Tim goes back to work. Grandparents take turns coming over and watching the kids. I am exhausted. My eyes are so heavy that I can't keep them open. Pain is still bearable and I can walk around some. By the end of the afternoon though, I feel a strange pressure in my head and noises are bothering me. Dizziness is coming in waves. Fall asleep early but wake up at 3am and can't get back to sleep. Oh and I managed an awkward shower today-so awesome!

Day 4-Saturday! Tim takes the kids hiking. I sleep all morning hoping that this is the last time I miss a family outing because of my stupid ear. Having mini-spins and dizzies. Unsteady and weak. Realize I'm not eating and probably should. Nothing sounds good. The only food I want is from a place that isn't open. Anesthesia always dulls my appetite. Ear is still oozing.

Day 5-Sunday! Everybody home all day. I'm still tired but feeling a little more energy. Decide to get up, shower, and go to lunch with the family. But by the time I get dressed, I get hit with major dizziness and nausea and have to get back in bed. Pulled a small, bloody glob out of my ear. Wondering if it has been stopping up my tube and not allowing the ear drops to get in. Pain is a little worse today. Also noticing more soreness around the incision. Guess the nerves are waking back up and wondering what the heck happened. Also, feeling depressed and I don't know why. My kids are going back to school tomorrow and it almost makes me cry. Hormonal? Anesthesia? Seems like I've read people can feel like this after surgery. Have also read that the nerves for anxiety run alongside the hearing and balance nerves. If that's true, maybe they were somehow affected. No work until after Thanksgiving. I am somewhat relieved to not have to worry about that but know that it's gonna get old real quick.

That's where I am now. Will update as time goes on. Please let this surgery work.