SURGERY -Dr wants to do a Canal Wall Down procedure!

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Hello group.

I had my first CWU procedure for cholesteatoma in 1999. The ear surgeon said it was large and damaged one of the hearing bones. The surgery went well. While I was recovering, I caught a bad infection in the ear (I caught a bad cold that was going around) that would not heal and needed a second op (CWU) 6 months later. It's been a tricky, long road with my poor left ear. The doctor said my ear canal is widening on its own but it's not being controlled. I'm 44 years old now. The ear dr. sent me for a ct scan a few weeks ago and he says the cholesteatoma is back! He wants to do a Canal Wall Down and I'm pretty scared. He said my eustacian tube is not working. I've had the same ear doctor all along. I live in N.Y. and had the surgeries in Manhattan. The ear doctor is head of many departments, is qualified (accepts my insurance) and my ear looks very normal on the

outside...He said the CWD is actually an easier surgery. This doctor told me years ago that I'm his one "problem patient." I guess all his other patients recover fully with no problems?? I felt so awful when he said that. I'm a respectful, quiet person who keeps her appointments. I never needed any other surgeries in my life and like the rest of us, never, ever, expected to grow an invasive ear tumor that I've never heard of before.

I hate having to go through all this again 11 years later....He said the outcome would be similiar to what I'm doing now - office visits every 6 months, keep water out, etc. Any advice? Thank you - .