Author Topic: Syl's surgery update  (Read 29633 times)

Syl

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #75 on: July 30, 2008, 09:47:18 am »
Good day to all,

Maybe it's wishfull thinking on my part, but I believe voice recognition in my AN ear is improving.
Since my surgery on June 16, my tinnitus has resembled the faint sound of a flourescent light that's about to die. Before that it came in the form of many different sounds, such as a moribund flourescent lamp, crickets singing away in the distance, a ping, ping, ping sound, among other sounds.

All of a sudden over the weekend, the fullness in the ear has diminished, and a new sound was introduced to my tinnitus. Every now and then I hear a beep, beep, beep. At first I thought the the tinnitus was probably getting worse, but now I'm hoping that it's because my hearing is improving. I've tested this theory by plugging up my good ear just to confirm my suspicion and I honestly think there has been some improvement.
 
I'll keep you posted.

Syl
1.5cm AN rt side; Retrosig June 16, 2008; preserved facial and hearing nerves;
FINALLY FREE OF CHRONIC HEADACHES 4.5 years post-op!!!!!!!
Drs. Kato, Blumenfeld, and Cheung.

MAlegant

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #76 on: July 30, 2008, 11:05:26 am »
Hi Syl,
I understand the temptation to get moving, I am guilty of it myself and have to remember not to overdo.  I am an over achiever though....I have a whooshing sound coming from both ears--explained as CS fluid sloshing around.  Headaches when I get really tired which I think is my body's way of saying stop.  I hope your sleep has improved as you find more comfortable positions.  You sound as if you are doing incredibly well and will be back to yourself in no time at all.  Your story, and those of others have really inspired me as I make my own recovery.  Wishing you headache free days and restful nights.
Marci
3cmx4cm trigeminal neuroma, involved all the facial nerves, dx July 8, 2008, tx July 22, 2008, home on July 24, 2008. Amazing care at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

Debbi

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #77 on: July 30, 2008, 11:15:00 am »
Syl-

Exciting news!  I'll keep my fingers crossed that the hearing continues to improve - I'm very happy for you!

Debbi
Debbi - diagnosed March 4, 2008 
2.4 cm Right Side AN
Translab April 30, 2008 at NYU with Drs. Golfinos and Roland
SSD Right ear, Mild synkinesis and facial nerve damage
BAHA "installed" Feb 2011 by Dr. Cosetti @ NYU

http://debsanadventure.blogspot.com

leapyrtwins

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #78 on: July 30, 2008, 06:55:07 pm »
Syl -

this is very exciting news!  It would be totally awesome if your hearing was improving!

Hope you're correct! 

Please keep us updated!  YAHOO!  ;D

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Kate B

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #79 on: July 30, 2008, 08:06:38 pm »
\I have a whooshing sound coming from both ears--explained as CS fluid sloshing around.  Headaches when I get really tired which I think is my body's way of saying stop.  Marci

Marci,

You mentioned a couple of things that at this point are most likely recuperation by products.

That being said, you mentioned CS fluid and getting headaches in your post.  If your headaches persist, it warrants a call to the doctor.  One of the symptoms of CFS leaks after surgery is a headache. I am not sounding an alarm, nor do I pretend to know your condition, it just raised a little flag when you mentioned both in the same post.

Kindest regards,
Kate
« Last Edit: July 30, 2008, 08:27:31 pm by Kate B »
Kate
Middle Fossa Surgery
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Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger
November 2001
1.5 right sided AN

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Kate B

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #80 on: July 30, 2008, 08:10:49 pm »
Good day to all,

Maybe it's wishfull thinking on my part, but I believe voice recognition in my AN ear is improving.
Since my surgery on June 16, my tinnitus has resembled the faint sound of a flourescent light that's about to die. Before that it came in the form of many different sounds, such as a moribund flourescent lamp, crickets singing away in the distance, a ping, ping, ping sound, among other sounds.

All of a sudden over the weekend, the fullness in the ear has diminished, and a new sound was introduced to my tinnitus. Every now and then I hear a beep, beep, beep. At first I thought the the tinnitus was probably getting worse, but now I'm hoping that it's because my hearing is improving. I've tested this theory by plugging up my good ear just to confirm my suspicion and I honestly think there has been some improvement.

Syl

Syl,
It sure sounds like your hearing is improving and not just wishful thinking. I conducted the same kind of "informal tests"!!! I still do at times:-)  My hearing improved within a short amount of time after my surgery. I have to look up my hearing test dates, but when I left House my hearing was a little less than it was after a short period of time... after the healing was complete.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Kate
Kate
Middle Fossa Surgery
@ House Ear Institute with
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger
November 2001
1.5 right sided AN

Please visit http://anworld.com/

MAlegant

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #81 on: July 30, 2008, 08:16:25 pm »
Thanks Kate, will keep an eye on it.  Appreciate the word to the wise.
Marci
3cmx4cm trigeminal neuroma, involved all the facial nerves, dx July 8, 2008, tx July 22, 2008, home on July 24, 2008. Amazing care at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

Pooter

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #82 on: July 30, 2008, 08:50:56 pm »
Improved hearing is great news!  My tinnitus got better / quieter post op too, although I have no hearing on my AN side.  Continued healing in the right direction!

Brian
Diagnosed 4/10/08 - 3cm Right AN
12hr retrosig 5/8/08 w/Drs Vrabec and Trask in Houston, Tx
Some facial paralysis post-op but most movement is back, some tinitus.  SSD on right.
Story documented here:  http://briansbrainbooger.blogspot.com/

"I must be having fun all wrong!"  - Roger Creager

Syl

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #83 on: July 31, 2008, 07:58:46 pm »
IT'S TRUE, IT'S TRUE!!! My hearing has improved. Voice recognition is not quite where I was pre-surgery, but I have regained some of my directional hearing and can hear a bit in stereo.

Syl
1.5cm AN rt side; Retrosig June 16, 2008; preserved facial and hearing nerves;
FINALLY FREE OF CHRONIC HEADACHES 4.5 years post-op!!!!!!!
Drs. Kato, Blumenfeld, and Cheung.

Pooter

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #84 on: July 31, 2008, 08:29:38 pm »
Woo Woo!  Improved hearing is GREAT!  Congrats!

Brian
Diagnosed 4/10/08 - 3cm Right AN
12hr retrosig 5/8/08 w/Drs Vrabec and Trask in Houston, Tx
Some facial paralysis post-op but most movement is back, some tinitus.  SSD on right.
Story documented here:  http://briansbrainbooger.blogspot.com/

"I must be having fun all wrong!"  - Roger Creager

MAlegant

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #85 on: August 01, 2008, 07:42:56 am »
Way to go Syl!   ;D
3cmx4cm trigeminal neuroma, involved all the facial nerves, dx July 8, 2008, tx July 22, 2008, home on July 24, 2008. Amazing care at University Hospitals in Cleveland.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #86 on: August 01, 2008, 07:48:57 am »
Syl -

as much as I LOVE my BAHA (have I mentioned that? LOL) I envy you.

Nothing is like "real" hearing!  You must be SO thrilled and excited.

Jan (thrilled and excited for you)  ;D
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Kaybo

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #87 on: August 01, 2008, 07:51:37 am »
Syl~
How exciting!!  We don't "hear" that good news too often - what a great thing for us all to get to celebrate!

K
Translab 12/95@Houston Methodist(Baylor College of Medicine)for "HUGE" tumor-no size specified
25 yrs then-14 hour surgery-stroke
12/7 Graft 1/97
Gold Weight x 5
SSD
Facial Paralysis-R(no movement or feelings in face,mouth,eye)
T3-3/08
Great life!

sgerrard

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #88 on: August 01, 2008, 08:43:45 am »
Syl,

Don't worrying if people catch you with one finger in your ear, as you tap on various surfaces with your head cocked sideways. Its perfectly normal.  ;D

Great news on recovering your hearing. I'm hoping you word recognition recovers as well.

Steve
8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.

Syl

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Re: Syl's surgery update
« Reply #89 on: August 01, 2008, 11:21:12 am »
A good day to all,

I am very excited about my improved hearing. I didn't have a hearing test after surgery, so it's hard to say how bad my hearing was then. I know I wasn't SSD and therefore not a candidate for the BAHA. And I am sure that there was very little word recognition, eleminating me as a candidate for a hearing aid. Dr. Kato told me that if there isn't any word recognition, a hearing aid only amplifies the distortion of sounds, making it useless. So now that I definitely have improved word recognition, I know that I am a candidate for a hearing aid. But I'll hold off on getting fitted for one, until after the internal healing is complete.

Glad I changed my mind about translab and chose retrosig instead. Not only was my hearing saved, but my face is back to normal after having a bit of a scare with facial palsy.  LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Now, if I can just put my cane away, start driving, and eliminate the headaches, I'll be good to go. I know, I know...patience Sylvia, patience.

I'm gonna say that my patience was removed with my vestibular nerve and decomposed out in the middle of some landfill or is buried in some hospital part cemetery. I know I've asked this before, but didn't get an answer. Does anyone know how removed body parts are disposed of? Not only did I lose a vestibular nerve, but a piece of my skull went with it.

Syl
1.5cm AN rt side; Retrosig June 16, 2008; preserved facial and hearing nerves;
FINALLY FREE OF CHRONIC HEADACHES 4.5 years post-op!!!!!!!
Drs. Kato, Blumenfeld, and Cheung.