Ear We Go Again Part 2

[beth1]

Well, since I posted in another thread about Monday, I thought I had better tell you all.

 

This monday coming I am finally having an operation to fix the perforated eardrum. Well the operation sounds like one fun yet strange tasks, sound horrid so wont mention it. I am expected to stay in overnight after my operation. With a lovely banaged right ear for 3 weeks. I wil require a week off work (if there is no complications) and then back to work with one bandaged ear. The best bit that is in 3 weeks time (if the operation works) I will be getting upgraded hearing aids! Yippeeee

 

Work have ended up sending me to see Occupation Health, after having 3 weeks off sick in October. So I will have to see them after 3 weeks, hopefully when my bandage is out, to see if there is any long standing reasonable adjustments. Althought I am very tempted with the contiouing lack of support (so far) to find a new job once my ear settles down next year and maybe move into Key Stage 2.

 

So fingers crossed that it works and I can get back to normal, only taken the best part of a year to get fixed! I am also going to relearn British Sign Language, since visually I can keep my concentration going for longer.

 

 

Beth

[suebear]

just wanted to wish you good luck and hope op goes well x

[Guest]

Good luck Beth - I hope it's very successful and not too painful

[sunnyday]

All good wishes.....

[Gezabel]

hope it all goes well Beth

[narnia]

....more good wishes,Beth!

[korkycat]

And Best wishes from me too!

korkycat

[Susan]

Good Luck Beth, hope all goes well for you.

[HappyMaz]

Hope the operation is a success Beth - be sure to pop in and let us know how things are going!

[Guest MaryEMac]

Good luck for tomorrow Beth, hope all goes well.

 

Mary

[Fredbear]

Every good wish for a successful op, let us know how your getting on.

[beth1]

Thanks for all the good wishes.

 

I think I manged to avert disaster, went for a shower (with the vasalined cotton wool in that ear!) which dropped a big blob of water. I felt water and quickly cleared and dried my ear. Just hope it doesn't get infected otherwise the operation will be for nothing!

 

I am expected to be in overnight. Hahahahhaha they have said that the last 2 times I was on the morning list! lol So no update will be given until I come back home from hosptial.

[SueFinanceManager]

Good luck and big hugs for a speedy recovery xx

[beth1]

Hi all, I am out of hospital only had a total of 2 hours sleep. Had 2 80's ladies nattering most of the night!

 

Woke up from the op with a pudsey bandgae over my right ear. Now seen the reason why, brilliant sticthing skills and medicated packing in the ear!

 

Got 2 weeks off work maybe 3 weeks until the packing comes out! Yak so I am planning on admixture of resting and doing my language assessment for uni.

 

Glad I am going through this, I am sure the pain and discomfort just to stop the ear infections. Shame it taking nearly a year to sort!

[SueFinanceManager]

Glad all went well, now just rest and recuperate x x

[HappyMaz]

Glad to hear it went well. Now enjoy some R&R!

[beth1]

Been resting all week, that lovely sleep medicine has sent me into a right sleepy head. I had a good day yesterday, today I woke up during the night screaming. We guessed that my ear is getting used to having middle ear pressure since 2002. I have felt dizzy on and off today, so much for getting back to work. I for one is not rushing back, even if it means taking the next few weeks off before christmas.

 

I haven't even started on my 2000 word lanaguage essay. Nor my 2 science lessons and 1 maths lesson plans. I think I shall just keep resting and start on my lanaguage essay in short bursts still got until next month to complete it. Science and maths on the other hand, can I run away, struggling to decide what to plan with being at home (can't remember next half terms topic) and the teacher being at school. Also got my independent study and personal development plan to start too.

 

I am looking forward to getting back to normal with no time off work ill! Also I shall be putting 2010 in the 'bin' since its not been a good year health wise.

[Guest]

Glad to hear the operation went well. Try not to rush to do everything while you are off, you are meant to be recovering and resting. BUT we all know how easy it is to not to rest and then recovery takes twice as long.

Take care and hope the improvements in your hearing continue.

 

Nicky Sussex

[beth1]

I might just have the rest of term off. After 2 good days I have now had a dizzy spells day. The pain is minimal but its my last day of anti-infamatories drugs. So I think I shall wander off to the doctors later on in the week to get another fit for work note. I don't think this cold weather is helping my recovery, if it wasn't snowing/being cold I would be going for a walk or visiting town.

[beth1]

Been to the doctors, he decided that I need to take all of next week and the following Monday/Tuesday off. I am dreading the phone call to work, since they seem to be annoyed at the fact I am talking time off sick all the time.

 

I will be happier when I have fully recovered from my operation and when the next round of TA jobs come out, I am going to apply for them. I think I need to start afresh somwhere new.

[beth1]

Got a nice surprise this morning. Some flowers and a get well soon card, so wasn't expecting anything since this is the umptheen time I have been offthis year.

 

I am feeling much better today, need to do a few jobs this afternoon for guides. Still not got very far with the uni coursework.

[HappyMaz]

Glad to hear about the flowers and that you're feeling lots better!

[beth1]

Update:

 

I went to see the specialist this afternoon. Took the medicated packing out today, very quick and swift movement. They also cleaned the area too. Early signs are that the graft is good, my ear is too swollen to see if its worked fully. So that mean no hearing aid in my right ear for a further few weeks, and to put yet more ear drops in at bed time until the bottle runs out. I also have to see them in 6 weeks time.

 

I feel better on this side of the operation because it looks to have closed my ear. That means at least I shouldn't get any more nasty ear infections and to be getting back to some form of normallity. I am just looking forward to the start of the next phase, sorting out my hearing.

 

I can also go back to work for the last few days of term. I will be glad when this is all over and I can move schools, when there are more jobs. After having 3 weeks off to rest and recovery plus lots of reflective time, I am thinking that I need a fresh start eaither after Easter or even having to wait until next September.

 

I am hoping by Easter I will be fully recovered and back to 'normal' again. That is my new year wish that 2011 is going to be a fab year for good health!

[HappyMaz]

That is my new year wish that 2011 is going to be a fab year for good health!

Hear, hear!

[beth1]

Sorry a week late update.

 

Went back to see the speicalist last Tuesday for the 12 week post operation review and this is what he had to say!

 

My eardrum graft is healing nicely, still looking a little sore. (well wouldn't you if been batted around a bit ) Had no hearing test so still down to one hearing aid. Now just need to have ear spray at bed time until the bottles run out. In the mean time i am still stuck with single sided deafness and the same left hearing aid.

 

He also described what a normal eardrum is like:

A normal working eardrum is the thickness of a postage stamp (yes that thin!).

The skin graft they put in is the thickness of cardboard.

So it may take up to six months to get the eardrum working because it needs to get to the postage stamp thickness to work!!!

 

So got another appoitment in 2 months time with a hearing test. 21 weeks post operation review, we can then look at my hearing too that day aka phase 2 getting the hearing aid back to normal. Slowly getting there!

 

And then a day after I saw the speicalist low and behold I end up with a full blown cold. So hoping it still stayed there. I am hoping it should be because I can't feel the cold from the icecream I eat last night.

 

In other news, I have finally got the social worker for the deaf to see me. Very postive sesson, getting some equipment for at home, flashing doorbell and smoke alarm. I need a better landline phone (just looking at them now) so I can hear better. She said that I am a postive role model for young deaf children; yes you can struggle at school but theres time to gain a degree and still be deaf! She has given me a couple of things and suggested that someone from Education to come to school and give them some deaf awarness, eg. instead of me running around the otherside to hear whats being said.

 

 

Onwards and upwards!

[Panders]

Yay! all in all a very positive post Beth. Well done xxxx

[Guest]

Great news - pleased that things are looking up for you!

 

Nona

[beth1]

Ooooh forgot to tell you all, some good news.....

 

Towards the middle of Feburary my...hearing started to come back, very faint sounds. 3 weeks on I am hearing sounds I heard before the operation, however they are no clearer as in the clarity of sound has gone. Also when people speak to me in that ear, I haven't a clue they are talking to me, unless they are speaking very loudly.

 

Today I have had a flashing doorbell and a vibrating/flashing smoke alarm installed. Might need more equipment later on in the year. And next week at work, Access to Work are coming to assess me. To see what support/equipment I need at work. I was shocked to hear that they are allowing them in to see me.

 

Less than 3 week until my hearing test/hosptial appointment. Can't wait to see what the next phase of recovery is going to be. I am about 90% confident that I will get a hearing aid back into that ear. I seem to have excema in my right ear, that is very slowly settling down. Now I finished the bottle of ear spray and been putting cream around the 'entrance'.

[Guest]

So pleased to read that things are finally improving for you. Hope that the next appointment is just as positive and that your visit next week is useful rather than advising lots of things that will never be put in place. Take care and keep us updated.

 

Nicky Sussex

[beth1]

Some funny news:

 

Walking around the supermarket tonight, I yawned and my ears popped. Should have seen the look on my face when I noticed I could suddenly hear!

 

Went to the doctors on Wednesday, who gave me a dose of stronger antibitocs. Seems to have cleared my ear.