Re: Hello from me - 8 years on :)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing your story.On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 1:51 PM, <melanieworthington@...> wrote:

 

Hi All

I was a member quite some time ago when I was diagnosed with Cholesteatoma in the left ear. I found this group so useful at the time. I just wanted to stop by and offer support to people who may be going through this!

I was diagnosed in June 2003 and I can't believe it will be 8 years in October when I had surgery! I had a really destructive cholesteatoma that needed 5 hours of surgery. But a radical mastoidectomy and a meatoplasty later I was left with a hole so big that I can get most of my finger down to the cavity (not that I do this!!)I also have no hearing bones left and reconstruction wasn't really an option so it's just one big cavity. But it beats what I went through before and, surprisingly, I was signed off at the hospital last year! Every year I went for the annual (and dreaded) clean out only to find I never actually needed it (thank goodness) so they decided to sign me off and asked me to contact them whenever I felt the need to. I was lucky I think.

The only problems I have now are considerable tinnitus in that ear and I am practically deaf in that ear(except for the rushing and hissing!)I do sometimes think the whole experience has affected my nervous system somehow but I'm not sure if that occurs or not! I do get dizzy occasionally and need a rather good hat to cover my ear when it's windy - any wind blowing in that 'ole and I am blown off balance.

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and say hello and offer any support!

Good luck to those awaiting surgery and those post-op xxx

-- Wood