3 Weeks Post-Op, 3rd surgery in 13 years/HELP, stressing surgical concerns:

[Guest guest]

Hi,Well I never thought it would happen again; but after 11 years I just came out of a 3rd MAJOR ear surgery! I have, by the way, ALWAYS had the BEST Surgeons (Manhattan, Hopkins); I"m not so sure all of this just isn't in the hands of God (actually I am pretty sure it is!). I came out to visit my son in the Midwest, in an obscure place (to me); this after caring for my mom who passed from lung cancer; and after the previous year of losing my beloved sister - she was 49, my age now. Anyway, back on track - I got so sick while here w/my son, for the first time in over 11 years my ear started oozing pus and never stopped. Long story short, after a CT that showed a very likely possibility of a return cholesteatoma, I opted for surgery (really there was no other choice). I have trusted the Surgeon (little known teaching hospital and all); he is confident, experienced, kind, runs a very busy ear institute; I am VERY PLEASED w/what he has done. I had a 2nd cholesteatoma removed (1998 had one removed from my facial nerve; was lucky, this one ate down and back and not into the brain); I had a 2nd tympanoplasty w/graft; titanium placed as I lost 2 hearing bones due to infection; I had a modified canal-wall-down mastoidectomy w/meatoplasty (lovely - NOT!!!); and will now have to go bi-annually for cleanings (yuck! Hopefully I will have NO MORE INFECTIONS, nor cholesteatomas EVER!). Here are my concerns - 1) I am sneezing! I cannot help this, I have horrible allergies and this is the worst place in the nation for them (Indiana) - my Surgeon told me so. I do not blow my nose.2) My left ear feels so swollen/clogged (from sneezing? gelfoam? ). Most packing was removed last week; again I had surgery 3 weeks ago.3) I am FREAKING-OUT that I will or have destroyed my new eardrum; that my cholesteotoma will return from the perf/infections.4) Also, I was told that my infection ate so close to the balance system, from now on I have to be very careful w/temp. or wind changes to my ear, as I will get dizzy - Does this mean vomit??? I am now buying ear mitts/muffs/caps, etc. - (translates to whatever I find that will keep water/wind out of my ear!)5) I REALLY wanted to be able to swim again - have not been able to actually/safely go under water in over 11 years. Surgeon said NO MORE SWIMMING UNDER WATER EVER, again I will get dizzy.Does ANYBODY have comments/answers to my concerns??? Is this sneezing (approx. 10X a day) going to ruin my new eardrum??? WHEN does the clogged feeling go away; and when will my hearing return??? Answers are greatly appreciated!!!It's been over 10 years since first surgery; I forget about 'post surgery' and what I might expect; also this time is a bit different.BTW, ALL this happened due to a REALLY, REALLY BAD HMO DOCTOR (in Pennsylvania) that said I had an allergy in 1997, when in fact I had a head cold. He REFUSED to give me antibiotics and destroyed my life!!!Thank you.