I made it! LOL There are two problems with working. One is I have to wear safety glasses. The other is my energy level is not where it needs to be. The RX safety glasses I normally wear are out of the question. With the swelling (which is getting much better) I can not handle having the "arm" of glasses on my right side. So, what I have done is, I am wearing my regular glasses that I have removed that arm and putting generic wrap around safety glasses over them. These are light weight plastic and bend easy so no pressure. I also had to get a strap to hold them on! Sorry, no pictures! LOL This is a busy time at work and everyone is working 12 hour days. No way can I do that! I did get them to put in my note to return to work with 8 hour days max. The funny/sad part is all this week I have been in bed before the others have been done working. It has been exhausting. By 6pm I can't go anymore so I am real curious as to how next week will go. I did email the nurse and ask if I could get a note for next week but I got no response. I have really been discouraged by the lack of response from this CI center. They know email is my only means of communication with them but still I get no response.
Next week is activation. Yes, I am very nervous! I have no idea if I will hear voices or just beeps but I do know I will have sound again. I am so hoping I have made the right choices because there is no changing things now. 5 days to go....
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Post-Op Visit Yesterday
My post-op visit went well. They tested my implant and all 16 electrodes are working so that is great news! I am healing nicely but still have some swelling which is to be expected. This is the reason we have to wait 4 weeks before being activated. The neatest thing was to actually get to see the Neptune! OMG it is so small, I was shocked. The pictures do not do it justice. I will be going to another BEA meeting tomorrow which will be all about the Neptune. I can't wait! There are so many choices to make. Colors, cable lengths etc. and it is so hard to decide without knowing what you might like better. So many places I can wear this so I need to get the right cable lengths for where I will wear it but I don't know. I am hoping that tomorrow's meeting will answer some of those questions for me.
I am really getting nervous about activation now. I have no idea what I will hear when they turn it on. My hopes are so high and I am trying hard to keep my expectations low but that is so hard to do. Hearing anything will definitely be a blessing but I am worried if it all sounds like mush, how will I handle wearing this and listening to that. 12 days to go until I find out.
I am really getting nervous about activation now. I have no idea what I will hear when they turn it on. My hopes are so high and I am trying hard to keep my expectations low but that is so hard to do. Hearing anything will definitely be a blessing but I am worried if it all sounds like mush, how will I handle wearing this and listening to that. 12 days to go until I find out.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Day 9
I guess this is not as easy as I thought. *sigh*
I really felt pretty good. Not much ear pain although some swelling and is tender but that is expected. I've had no balance issues or dizziness. No jaw pain or nausea and all my food tastes just fine. Ok, I do understand I just had surgery. The surgeon said it was ok to return to work if I felt up to it and I did. It didn't take too long to find out that I am not ready yet. Here is how it all happened...
On Tuesday I returned to work. I have to wear safety glasses and that was a problem. I had thought about this briefly (I should have thought about it more) and got some moleskin to pad the incision wear my glasses would hit. After trying multiple things, I gave up after 4 hours deciding there was no way I was wearing those glasses. Too much swelling and way too tight. When I got home I got busy trying to come up with an option. I did find one and it worked. I worked 8 hours on Wednesday. I was very tired at the end of my day but I was expecting that. So we get to today. I woke up this morning with a lot of pressure around my eyes. Getting ready for work I noticed that I am developing 2 black eyes! Now, bruising of the face/neck area is normal after this type of surgery but I have had none until today, 9 days post-op. That seems a little strange to me. I worked 2 hours before I gave it up for the last time. I am taking next week off. I did email my surgeon 9 hours ago and have gotten no response so I assume I am ok. I have an appointment with him next Friday the 13th and will see what he says then.
I really felt pretty good. Not much ear pain although some swelling and is tender but that is expected. I've had no balance issues or dizziness. No jaw pain or nausea and all my food tastes just fine. Ok, I do understand I just had surgery. The surgeon said it was ok to return to work if I felt up to it and I did. It didn't take too long to find out that I am not ready yet. Here is how it all happened...
On Tuesday I returned to work. I have to wear safety glasses and that was a problem. I had thought about this briefly (I should have thought about it more) and got some moleskin to pad the incision wear my glasses would hit. After trying multiple things, I gave up after 4 hours deciding there was no way I was wearing those glasses. Too much swelling and way too tight. When I got home I got busy trying to come up with an option. I did find one and it worked. I worked 8 hours on Wednesday. I was very tired at the end of my day but I was expecting that. So we get to today. I woke up this morning with a lot of pressure around my eyes. Getting ready for work I noticed that I am developing 2 black eyes! Now, bruising of the face/neck area is normal after this type of surgery but I have had none until today, 9 days post-op. That seems a little strange to me. I worked 2 hours before I gave it up for the last time. I am taking next week off. I did email my surgeon 9 hours ago and have gotten no response so I assume I am ok. I have an appointment with him next Friday the 13th and will see what he says then.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Day 6 Post-Op
To sum things up so far...
Day 1 and 2 were painful and I got little sleep. Day 3 and 4 were better as I was able to take Advil and slept a lot both days. Day 5, I actually put clothes on instead of PJ's and went to my brother and SIL's for dinner. I took no Advil this day and felt good but tired. Today day 6, I woke up with pain in the ear again. I have been planning on returning to work tomorrow but now I am second guessing that. The pain is easing up so perhaps it was because I was lying flatter than I should.
I have learned a lot this time around. I hope to be able to do this again for my left ear and if/when I do things will be a bit different. I did have one of the best surgeon's in the country doing this procedure and I am thankful for that BUT if he refuses to listen to me then I will have no choice but to go elsewhere. I do not blame him for his "tight rope" on pain pills but I am not the average bear here. I will not go through the first couple of days again without pain meds I need. There is another top notch surgeon in Miami so I may be heading there for the second one. We shall see.
I also learned to tell the hospital the day of surgery what not to give me for pain after the procedure. I am thankful the syringe was labeled and I saw it or it would have been much worse. All in all this procedure was not too bad but I think the next could be better.
I am going to drive for the first time today. Just a short trip but I need to see how it goes before I attempt work for 8 hours.
Day 1 and 2 were painful and I got little sleep. Day 3 and 4 were better as I was able to take Advil and slept a lot both days. Day 5, I actually put clothes on instead of PJ's and went to my brother and SIL's for dinner. I took no Advil this day and felt good but tired. Today day 6, I woke up with pain in the ear again. I have been planning on returning to work tomorrow but now I am second guessing that. The pain is easing up so perhaps it was because I was lying flatter than I should.
I have learned a lot this time around. I hope to be able to do this again for my left ear and if/when I do things will be a bit different. I did have one of the best surgeon's in the country doing this procedure and I am thankful for that BUT if he refuses to listen to me then I will have no choice but to go elsewhere. I do not blame him for his "tight rope" on pain pills but I am not the average bear here. I will not go through the first couple of days again without pain meds I need. There is another top notch surgeon in Miami so I may be heading there for the second one. We shall see.
I also learned to tell the hospital the day of surgery what not to give me for pain after the procedure. I am thankful the syringe was labeled and I saw it or it would have been much worse. All in all this procedure was not too bad but I think the next could be better.
I am going to drive for the first time today. Just a short trip but I need to see how it goes before I attempt work for 8 hours.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
4 Days Post- Op
Well dang! I was just about to complete my post when the power flickered so all was lost. I shall try this once again.
I am still having pain but I guess that is to be expected. I was able to sleep better last night with only waking a few times so that is a good thing. I am hoping to be able to return to work on Tuesday but at this point I am not so sure. I know I can not make it for 10-12 hour days but maybe I can do 8. It's hard to believe I actually have this device in my head. Doctors can actually give sound to deaf people, is that not incredible to think about? After living this for 2 years, I can only say it is a miracle.
My thoughts are now on activation day! This will be the day that sound enters my world again. I can not begin to express how thrilled I am at that thought but there is also a bit of me that is worried, even scared. There are NO guarantees! I have to keep that thought in my head and not be too hopeful. This is so hard. We are told to keep our expectations low but our hopes high. Just how do you do that?
Hearing Journey is a support group I am part of. I would have never made it this far without them. Since the recall ended there have been many, many surgeries and activations take place. The results have been remarkable. I want so much to be part of that "successful" group but what if I am not? There is no way to know until activation. It is going to be a long month with this weighing heavily on my mind. 26 days to go...
I am still having pain but I guess that is to be expected. I was able to sleep better last night with only waking a few times so that is a good thing. I am hoping to be able to return to work on Tuesday but at this point I am not so sure. I know I can not make it for 10-12 hour days but maybe I can do 8. It's hard to believe I actually have this device in my head. Doctors can actually give sound to deaf people, is that not incredible to think about? After living this for 2 years, I can only say it is a miracle.
My thoughts are now on activation day! This will be the day that sound enters my world again. I can not begin to express how thrilled I am at that thought but there is also a bit of me that is worried, even scared. There are NO guarantees! I have to keep that thought in my head and not be too hopeful. This is so hard. We are told to keep our expectations low but our hopes high. Just how do you do that?
Hearing Journey is a support group I am part of. I would have never made it this far without them. Since the recall ended there have been many, many surgeries and activations take place. The results have been remarkable. I want so much to be part of that "successful" group but what if I am not? There is no way to know until activation. It is going to be a long month with this weighing heavily on my mind. 26 days to go...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
2 Days Post-Op
Getting better everyday. :)
The (un)pressure bandage came off today. As you can see in the photo I posted yesterday, it was not tight. I am not complaining at all because this is often an issue with many. I am now able to take Advil for the pain and that is helping lots. I am able to shower today and wash my hair but I am going to wait a bit. I am a little nervous about handling that ear. There seems to be little swelling and little jaw pain. Bonnie says the incision is red so she is keeping an eye on that and I am praying for no infection!
Here is a picture of the bandage close up. I was surprised to see the smileys! LOL
The (un)pressure bandage came off today. As you can see in the photo I posted yesterday, it was not tight. I am not complaining at all because this is often an issue with many. I am now able to take Advil for the pain and that is helping lots. I am able to shower today and wash my hair but I am going to wait a bit. I am a little nervous about handling that ear. There seems to be little swelling and little jaw pain. Bonnie says the incision is red so she is keeping an eye on that and I am praying for no infection!
Here is a picture of the bandage close up. I was surprised to see the smileys! LOL
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Surgery Day
My first disappointment was when I arrived at the hospital at 5am. I was told that my surgery would be at 9:30 not 7:30. I was not nervous at all and if I could have gone at 7:30 I don't think I would have. But around 8:30 it was getting the best of me. I asked if I could have something to calm me down and was told yes but that didn't happen until they were wheeling me in for surgery. The next thing I remember is the anesthesiologist (however that is spelled) waved goodbye to me. Nap time! I was in for a rough start when I woke up. I have mentioned tinnitus before. I have seen many refer to "freight train" tinnitus before and I thought I knew what that was. Holy cow! There are no words to describe how bad this is. The nurse gave me something for that and also something for pain. I looked over and saw what she gave me and wanted to cry. The only time I know of taking this, I threw up all night. NOT GOOD! I tell the nurse and she gives me something for that. Nausea was bad but I managed not to throw up so I am thankful for that. I have had no dizziness, vertigo or balance issues at all.
Now we have the pain. This is an area that really upsets me. I NEVER get what I need because doctors do not listen to patients when it comes to pain meds. On my first visit with my surgeon, I had the conversation with him about the problems I have with pain meds. He asked what worked for me and I told him. He said he would write that so I was happy. So on my pre-op visit last week I brought in an old RX (over a year old) to show him because the mg. makes a difference. Mine were stronger than he was going to write so he told me just to take what I have. I questioned this because they were expired not to mention I only had 6 pills. He said it would be fine. Ok.... NOT!
I took one after leaving the hospital for the 2 hour ride home. It did nothing. Once we got home, my sister-in-law got on the phone. She was told to have me take 2 of what was not working. LOL I sometimes wish doctors had to deal with this end of things. I bet 99% would have a different attitude. I do understand their need to "control" pain meds but you would think my having an old RX with pills left would tell him I will not abuse them.I actually thought this doctor would listen to me but I guess he falls into that category with the rest.
I am better this morning. I ended up taking someone elses RX. Not something I wanted to do but I needed rest. I got some rest and the pain is better albeit 3am. LOL I am going to see if I can make it today without pain meds.
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