surgery

[Guest guest]

hahaha...that is funny. I've had dizziness for excatly a week. I am

now on my 10th day. I will be activated on the 30th.....more

waiting! I know whatcha mean!

Right now I feel like I have a ping pong ball in my implanted ear.

The staples came out yesterday with flying colors. I kept them for

souvenirs. Silly? well...I've look forward to this since I was born

deaf. I am wearing a HA on my good side...so it is not really

anything different as I am able to use my HA and carry on as

usual..but I like to use this excuse to " lay around " and enjoying

looking into website of Shhhh and was recommended to come in here.

Glad to be here....although I find it a little difficult to use the

board.....I will get it! this is my second letter! !!!

[Guest guest]

hahaha...that is funny. I've had dizziness for excatly a week. I am

now on my 10th day. I will be activated on the 30th.....more

waiting! I know whatcha mean!

Right now I feel like I have a ping pong ball in my implanted ear.

The staples came out yesterday with flying colors. I kept them for

souvenirs. Silly? well...I've look forward to this since I was born

deaf. I am wearing a HA on my good side...so it is not really

anything different as I am able to use my HA and carry on as

usual..but I like to use this excuse to " lay around " and enjoying

looking into website of Shhhh and was recommended to come in here.

Glad to be here....although I find it a little difficult to use the

board.....I will get it! this is my second letter! !!!

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

I found drinking liquids was better on my nauseous stomach than eating

solids. Stirred 7 Up and other pop have eased nausea for some. Resting is

important. It will subside in time.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi!

Ooops, I never did take Velma off my email tag;did I? When I

first joined the forums I thought I should use an anonymous screen

name. I have since switched to signing my posts with my own first

name so do feel free to call me Patti or if you'd rather Velma is

fine too.

I'm real sorry you are still dealing with nausea. Have you (or

someone) called your surgeon to let him/her know? I don't know if

you have been given any meds for the nasuea. I stayed in the

hospital for 2 nights and 3 whole days after my surgery. That's how

long it took to gain some control over my stomach. I was on an IV

of nausea meds up until a few hours of my release and then had some

meds to take for the next 10 days at home. Once home, I only had

one more bad day of nausea before I could start eating light foods

again. It took me 6 days before I could walk without someone

holding onto me, around the downstairs of my house and still

clutching onto furniture and bouncing off of walls. My best advice

to you is to let your surgeon know how you are feeling and rest as

much as you can. Eat when you want to eat and whatever you want to

eat. I hope you are feeling better real soon. Keep us posted on how

it's going for you!

Good luck to you!

Patti

Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!)

Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!)

3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!)

[Guest guest]

Patti...I am amazed how many days you've spent at the hospital. I have been

implanted since July 26th of this year, last month! and I was an outpatient!!

I would rather to stay at the hospital. Had to stay at the hotel nearby with

husband to go back to the hospital to take off bandages. But during the

night...I would recommended an ice cream bucket with a lid (none of that

hospital u-shaped puking bowl ...too small!) and a bed pan ...it was so so

difficult to get up to go to the ladies' room, I finally managed with a

motivation to get up and go!!!! should make sure that the hotel has a

wheelchair too. But I was out of the woods a week later...and feel fine now.

But it took a week. (for Kathi's information here).

Jane

velma214 <Scrabbler214@...> wrote:

Hi Kathi!

Ooops, I never did take Velma off my email tag;did I? When I

first joined the forums I thought I should use an anonymous screen

name. I have since switched to signing my posts with my own first

name so do feel free to call me Patti or if you'd rather Velma is

fine too.

I'm real sorry you are still dealing with nausea. Have you (or

someone) called your surgeon to let him/her know? I don't know if

you have been given any meds for the nasuea. I stayed in the

hospital for 2 nights and 3 whole days after my surgery. That's how

long it took to gain some control over my stomach. I was on an IV

of nausea meds up until a few hours of my release and then had some

meds to take for the next 10 days at home. Once home, I only had

one more bad day of nausea before I could start eating light foods

again. It took me 6 days before I could walk without someone

holding onto me, around the downstairs of my house and still

clutching onto furniture and bouncing off of walls. My best advice

to you is to let your surgeon know how you are feeling and rest as

much as you can. Eat when you want to eat and whatever you want to

eat. I hope you are feeling better real soon. Keep us posted on how

it's going for you!

Good luck to you!

Patti

Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!)

Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!)

3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!)

[Guest guest]

Hi Jane!

Nice to meet you! Your post cracked me up. I was supposed to be

outpatient too. When they were going to dismiss me that day, still

sick as a dog and green as anything, my two sisters took one look at

me and then back at my surgeon and said, " We can't take THIS home!

She has to stay! " I really had no say in the matter. Not that my

sisters would have let me have a say. ;-) My balance was sooo bad

that I couldn't even sit up on my own so my sisters got their wish

and stay I did. It took 2 nights and 3 whole days to gain some sort

of control over my stomach before my surgeon would release me. With

the help of several of my siblings, I was ushered through our front

door the night before Thanksgiving 2002. Those little u shaped

bowls aren't so bad, Jane. I was surprised how well I did with

them and the bedpans too. But, boy I was glad to be home again even

if it meant having to get up and sway my way to the bathroom bouncing

off of everything in sight. What a time! I was allowed to stay on

the couch for 6 days then after that my siblings rallied together and

I had small goals I had to achieve each day to get me up and

walking. For example, after the 6th day, I had to come to the

kitchen when I wanted something to eat. When I went to the bathroom,

I had to make a full circle of the downstairs before going back to

the couch. They sound like simple goals but they were hard for me at

the time. And they worked! Ever so slowly I graduated to walking

down to the mailbox to get the mail and by week 12 I was taking over

the dinner duties so that my siblings wouldn't have to stop in each

day. The local ones all took turns taking personal days to help my

dad and me during this time. I will be forever indebted to them!

I am so glad you are feeling well after your own surgery. Best

wishes to you on your activation. I'm so very glad I got implanted!

Keep us posted on how it's going for you.

Patti

Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!)

Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!)

3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!)

[Guest guest]

Patti ~

I had my daughter call the dr today & talk with him about the

persistent nausea I've been dealing with. He suggested taking

dramamine so I've been taking this & it seems to be helping.

Hopefully, I will be able to sleep better tonight. In between the

nausea, the tinnitis, trying to sleep on one side & waking up a lot

feeling sick, I haven't got much sleep. I was supposed to go back

to work today but there was no way I could make it. I may not even

be able to go back tomorrow. I'm a workaholic, obviously.... I

still deal with the dizziness but it's not as bad. Thanks for your

input. It really helps a lot.

Kathi

> Hi Kathi!

> Ooops, I never did take Velma off my email tag;did I? When I

> first joined the forums I thought I should use an anonymous screen

> name. I have since switched to signing my posts with my own

first

> name so do feel free to call me Patti or if you'd rather Velma is

> fine too.

> I'm real sorry you are still dealing with nausea. Have you (or

> someone) called your surgeon to let him/her know? I don't know

if

> you have been given any meds for the nasuea. I stayed in the

> hospital for 2 nights and 3 whole days after my surgery. That's

how

> long it took to gain some control over my stomach. I was on an

IV

> of nausea meds up until a few hours of my release and then had

some

> meds to take for the next 10 days at home. Once home, I only had

> one more bad day of nausea before I could start eating light foods

> again. It took me 6 days before I could walk without someone

> holding onto me, around the downstairs of my house and still

> clutching onto furniture and bouncing off of walls. My best

advice

> to you is to let your surgeon know how you are feeling and rest as

> much as you can. Eat when you want to eat and whatever you want

to

> eat. I hope you are feeling better real soon. Keep us posted on

how

> it's going for you!

> Good luck to you!

> Patti

> Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!)

> Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!)

> 3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!)

[Guest guest]

Based on the recommendation of my surgeon, I stayed overnight following my

surgery (for safety reasons due to my blindness and increased risk of

falling as well as to monitor signs of nausea and balance problems). Before

surgery I requested a sedative and anti-nausea meds to be put into my IV. (I

had two negative experiences with ORs as a child, so I didn't want to be

awake when I was wheeled into surgery.)

When I awoke in recovery, the only symptoms I noticed was feeling quite

groggy and a headache which turned out to be a migraine. (Due to the

grogginess I didn't realize I was having a migraine until 3 doses of Tylenol

didn't help the pain. I was given Imitrex and my migraine was gone in 15

minutes.) I also had mild dizziness on the day of surgery, but that quickly

subsided by the next morning. By the 3rd and 4th day following surgery, I

was very tired (thank goodness for recliners!) and had to force myself to

eat. By day 5 I was feeling more like myself again. By day 7, I was feeling

100%.

After all is said and done, it was well worth it! My neighbor and sister

were kind enough to help with cooking, cleaning and other errands. During

the week I was recovering from surgery temperatures were in the teens and

sidewalks were too icy to walk on. I have no idea how I would have taken

care of Tigger without their help. I also found my mother's walker came in

handy when making trips from the mailbox back to my apartment. (I didn't

realize how tiring it could be to walk down a hallway and back just to

retrieve the mail. LOL!) If any of you have access to a walker or cane, by

all means, use it. I found a walker helpful not only for maintaining my

balance but also as a nice " bumper " which helped me avoid running into

objects that seemed to jump out at me every which way I turned. LOL!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to clarify in my last message that CI surgery does *not* cause

migraines. I have a history of frequent migraines which can come about at

any time.

You can bet that if I go bilateral and wake up with a headache, the first

thing I'm going to ask for is Imitrex. There's no way I'm spending an entire

afternoon with a migraine -- not again. LOL!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

,

I had anti-nausea meds prior to surgery and after too and still was quite

sick for the first few days, and the nausea lessened but continued for about

a week, along with the head pain (despite pain med), eakness and fatigue. I

had read of so many people having minimal post-surgery effects that I hoped

the same for me but that was not to be.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi!

I'm glad the Dramamine seems to be helping you, although I am

surprised your surgeon didn't call in a perscription for your nausea.

Rest and pace yourself for a good week or more before going back to

work.

Good luck to you!

Patti

Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!)

Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!)

3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!)

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi!

It's me again. I have a few more comments for you.

First, the tinnitus (sp?) No, I don't have a solution for it. I was

actually fascinated with the gurgling tinnitus after the surgery.

Until then, tinnitus always seemed kind of muffled jet engines to me

so I was fascinated with the roaring gurgling sound I heard. Luckily,

it died down after I was hooked up. I have not noticed the tinnitus

when I have my processor hooked up. Other sounds come in loud and

clear so they mask the tinnitus.

Secondly, are you eating light things like toast, soup, jello,

applesauce, mashed potatoes and water ice? Hey, I didn't ask if you

were eating healthy? These foods worked for me the first week I was

home. I drank a lot too since I had a dry cottony mouth.

Finally, here is a tip for your balance and walking. When you walk

do not move your head all around as you are moving. Focus on one

object, in the distance, as you move. Additionally, as you are sitting

you can stare at an object 10 feet away from you and without moving

your head, you can move your eyes from side to side, 20 times, while

still staring at the object. Do this 3 times a day. Then when you

are comfortable doing that, move your head up and down like nodding

yes. Then do the same exercises tilting your head from side to side

but keeping your face forward still looking at the stationary object 10

feet ahead. I have more you can graduate to if you still need

them. You can email me privately for them.

Hope you are feeling better and better each day!

Patti 8-)

[Guest guest]

Beth, I had painkillers and all the meds available. But being sick for as long

as some ppl are...that is totally amazing. We are all different as they say.

No two snowflakes alike. And I guess that makes us flakes! JK! ;o)

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

How soon I forget! it has only been 2 weeks anniversary today! (since my

implant)....the morning sickness it seemed, a hangover it seemed (killer as if

I drank all night) Now I am fine. I am envious that you all had help with

cooking. Did not eat the first day back at home...and was sick (barfing) cuz I

had meds on an empty stomach. Didn't feel like eating anyway. Husband helped

with finger foods before he leaves for work. Pity Party! it took me a week to

feel like typing in here, walk around freely and drive. But I quit doing so

much as it tired me out so I am back in the " recovery " room and I have no

complaints about that!! ;o) Gives me a good excuse not to clean or cook.

---------------------------------

---------------------------------

Start your day with - make it your home page

[Guest guest]

Shirleyjane,

LOL! That's a good way to look at it! Just think...in a few weeks you will

be hearing again -- and *that* will make everything worthwhile. I know it's

easier said than done, but try to hang in there! It *will* get better!!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

,

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time after surgery. I'm thankful the

anti-nausea meds worked well for me. I have a weak stomach and was surprised

I came out of surgery without any problem. I was also able to keep food down

the night of and morning after surgery. If I eventually go bilateral, I hope

and pray nausea isn't in the picture.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Beth,

I can't imagine what the heat and humidity have been like for you while also

trying to recover from surgery. (Yuck!) Heat can wear you down even when

you're healthy, but when your body is recovering from surgery, it can make

recovery even harder.

I can't say enough about my surgeon. He's wonderful! I wasn't planning to

stay overnight, but when my surgeon recommended that I do so for safety

reasons (as well as to monitor for nausea and dizziness), I thought it was

a much safer bet -- especially since my sister and neighbor couldn't check

in on me overnight. I'm really thankful I took his advice and am glad

everything turned out as well as it did.

We don't always have choices as to when surgery takes place, but if I had

the choice between July and December, I'll take December hands down! It may

have only been 15 degrees outside, but at least I was comfortable indoors

tucked underneath a warm down comforter!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

~

I'm having the exact same post-surgery problems. My head & neck are

hurting a lot but the pain medication doesn't seem to help. I'm now

feeling like my ears are plugged up & can't clear them. I was really

praying I wouldn't get sick but seem to always do when under

anesthesia.

Kathi

> ,

> I had anti-nausea meds prior to surgery and after too and still

was quite

> sick for the first few days, and the nausea lessened but continued

for about

> a week, along with the head pain (despite pain med), eakness and

fatigue. I

> had read of so many people having minimal post-surgery effects

that I hoped

> the same for me but that was not to be.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Patti ~

My husband & I were kind of surprised the dr. didn't prescribe

medication for the nausea. I wanted to go to my physician here

where I live to get a shot for the nausea but my ear dr. advised

against this. I'm doing better but need to take it easy. I have a

tendency to overdo & not rest enough.

Kathi

> Hi Kathi!

> I'm glad the Dramamine seems to be helping you, although I am

> surprised your surgeon didn't call in a perscription for your

nausea.

> Rest and pace yourself for a good week or more before going back

to

> work.

> Good luck to you!

> Patti

> Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!)

> Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!)

> 3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!)

[Guest guest]

~

I was chuckling about the part where you said you would rather hurt

than be vomiting. I was just saying the same thing to a friend

today. I guess some people just get sick no matter what. I'm just

so glad this part is over.

Kathi

> ,

> It sounds like you had a very sensible surgeon and a pretty good

recovery,

> if any surgical recovery can be considered good. LOL I think

part of why

> mine was difficult was it was HOT HOT HOT. My surgery was in late

July, and

> the temps were in the 100's. I hate feeling sick when it's hot.

The other

> surgeries I've had have been in Oct., Nov., and Dec. Of course,

none of

> them were on my ear, and I've never had a hole drilled in my head

before,

> despite my dad saying I don't need any more holes in my head. LOL

>

> Kathi,

> Are you taking prescription pain killers? If so, you might want

to try

> switching to OTC Tylenol. Prescription pain killers, any of them,

make me

> sick as a dog. I learned that with my first surgery and have

refused them

> ever since. Sometimes, like with my CI, there's a mistake and I

get the

> morpheine (sp?) drip. I'm sick until I can get the IV changed

out. As soon

> as the drugs are gone, I start to feel better. I'd rather hurt

than vomit.

> To me, there's nothing worse than nausea. I sure hope you get

over it

> soon!

>

> Beth

>

> Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is

> Liberty.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

Sorry to hear that you have lost your health insurance. That really

is a difficult situation. Maybe you could try to qualify for some

type of financial aid from either the hospital or some other

programs. I don't know what the rest of your financial situation is

like.

I would say without any reservations that it is so much better to have

the surgery and then within a month or so after the surgery to have

the desensitization. I have done it both ways and it was 300 percent

better doing it right after surgery. My surgery and desense history:

polyps removed 3/92

polyps removed 12/94

aspirin desensitization 8/95

polyp surgery (went off aspirin for surgery) 5/98

desensitization 6/98

next surgery was not until 10/03 - so I went five and a half years,

which was the longest time, and that was when I had the desense right

after surgery

Lori

\

[Guest guest]

Sonet, good luck with your surgery. Just think in a few days

it will all be over. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs

Maggie

[Guest guest]

Sonet,

Good luck with your surgery! It sounds like you've researched and

found some good doctors. Now, you can go into this feeling confident

that you're getting the best treatment you can AND you can look

forward to eating food again! We will all be waiting to hear how

you're doing.

Wishing you a successful surgery and easy recovery!

in Michigan

> Well I am off to Omaha in a few hours. Feeling a little anxious, but

> not too bad. I think the thought of food is really helping, I dream of

> food. Hope all of you are doing well. I should be home on Saturday so

> I will let you know how things are going then. Sonét

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonet - You're in my thoughts and prayers as you leave today! Very

soon it will all be over!! You're going to do great!!! The countdown

is on!!

Hugs,

in BC

> Well I am off to Omaha in a few hours. Feeling a little anxious, but

> not too bad. I think the thought of food is really helping, I dream

of

> food. Hope all of you are doing well. I should be home on Saturday so

> I will let you know how things are going then. Sonét

[Guest guest]

Best of luck on your surgery. Think thoughts of food going down!

Hugs Peggy

> Well I am off to Omaha in a few hours. Feeling a little anxious, but

> not too bad. I think the thought of food is really helping, I dream of

> food. Hope all of you are doing well. I should be home on Saturday so

> I will let you know how things are going then. Sonét