Hello from me - 8 years on :)

[Guest guest]

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