Don,I had the adhesive type tumor too.
Know that if she had facial and eye function when she initially woke up from surgery -that there is much better chance that this will resolve. Most likely she had swelling that could have caused this… and you know that the facial nerve was not snipped or nicked being that she had function once initially conscious from surgery.
When I started to have eye issues, 3 days after surgery, I actually phoned home (Oregon) to my ophthalmologist from the hospital (California) on my cell phone, and ask for his advise one the
eye care (After the neurotologists and the neurosurgeons could not agree on the use of tape on the eye.)
Remember that the “E� in ENT does not stand for eye. I gooped up with the stuff they gave me at the hospital but as soon as I got home I went straight to and ophthalmologist for help and an exam. (Then I was drugged up and using a walker as I entered his office. Today he saw me, and was so please with my progress as I skipped in for a check up.) Many cringe when they hear that neurotologists are still taping the eye shut. Try to see if you can get her a temporary-eye-weight until the eye function returns. (Personally I wish that neurotologist just kept a supply of these on hand.) Also it is ok to tape
under the eye sideways,to reduce the droop (to keep fluid in), – but taping the eyelid shut is controversial.
The stick-on temporary-eye-weight was what was prescribed to me and it worked like a charm… much better than all the drops and goop.
I had to hassle a bit with our health insurance but they finally did reimburse us- for it.
http://www.meddev-corp.com/1%20product/Eyelid%20Closure%20Products/External%20Weights-FAQ.htm&
http://www.medcompare.com/details/34993/Blinkeze-External-Lid-Weights.htmlMy balance improved the day I got the eye weight on too. The eye plays an important part with balance.
Icing the incision may help with the pain and the nausea. No more than 12 minutes at time though -as you want to avoid frostbite. I was not offered ice at the hospital- I had to ask for it. It helped me.
You are right about the back pain being related to the positioning- for a long surgery. Also know having to always sleep on the non AN side can strain the back too. Be sure she takes advantage of seeing a physiotherapist (Occupational therapist) before hospital discharge.
I highly recommended the booklets on this page.
https://secure.baxinternet.com/~anausa/for_sale.htmlFacial Nerve and Acoustic Neuroma - Possible Damage and Rehabilitation (AN4) Tips and information for patients who have facial weakness or paralysis after treatment for acoustic neuroma. Includes an explanation of the facial grading system and some exercises that can be performed at home to improve facial tone. Updated: February 2007
Price: $2.00
Eye Care after Acoustic Neuroma Surgery (AN6) Details on caring for eye problems caused by facial weakness following acoustic neuroma treatment; includes information on corrective procedures and patient managed eye care. Updated: June 2007
Price: $3.00
(the “eye-lid taping� directions etc though needs updating… and they need to add the temporary eye- weight option)
Improving Balance Following Treatment for Acoustic Neuroma (AN8) Explains the balance system and causes of balance disturbance and offers exercises with easy-to-follow instructions that patients can use to improve balance function. Updated: December 2007
Price: $3.00
The balance booklet has some good neck stretches in it.
The nausea could be from a combination of the trauma of surgery (and inner ear) but also from the pain meds. Hopefully they can give her anti-nausea meds. Once those kick in see if she will drink a high calorie nutritional drink such as “boost� or “ensure�. The hospitals have these. (When you get home know that Carnation Instant breakfast powder, added to milk, has the same nutritional value at a fraction of the cost)
Don- my husband can totally relate to your post and watched this happen to his wife. Hang in there! Our hearts go out to you both. Tell Tammy that it does get better. I clearly remember that stage she is at (as much as I would rather forget)- HUGS to her… and you.
Daisy Head Maizie
