Well, my plan to post regularly was foiled. The past 3 days since surgery I've been feeling pretty dizzy and my stomach is almost constantly unsettled. Focusing my attention to write makes it worse. I was in surgery for nearly 4 hours, so I think it's mainly the affects of anesthesia. I think I'm starting to get over the hump on it now. Later on when I'm feeling better I will go back and fill in the details. Right now I will just touch on the main points, and it will probably come out scattered since that's how I am right now.
One thing that has been great is that we live only about 10 minutes from the hospital were surgery was performed and 20 minutes from my CI center office. On Friday, my wife drove me to the CI center and my surgeon removed the bandage. He said it looked great, surgery went great (though it took longer than normal because of some boney growths he had to deal with), and that I could set an activation appointment for 10 days post surgery. Wow! I was surprised it will happen so soon. My activation appointment is set for Monday, Dec. 10th, with a follow up mapping the next day.
Overall I think I'm doing well. The pain is manageable. Starting Thursday night I was taking a vicodin every 4 hours. Friday went okay, but by late Friday night I was getting too loopy on it. So I started using ibuprofen, with just an occasional vicodin when the pain surfaces. I'm icing my head almost every hour for ten to fifteen minutes. At night I wake every couple of hours and ice it. The swelling seems to have peaked. But I'm expecting to get hit with more pain in the next day or two based on others' experiences.
I think there is some very slight drainage from the eustachian tube on the implant side. Not bloody. Tastes salty. Do any of you implantees recall having that? I imagine with all the work done in the middle ear it would be normal to have some drainage. Also, my throat is still a bit raw from the breathing tube so it could just be post-nasal drip associated with that I suppose.
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4 comments:
I find your narrative so interesting since my Ci son is only 2 and can't relay any of his own experiences. I'm amazed at that early activation date, not to mention a mapping session the following day! You are so lucky to live close to the Ci Center. We're 3 hours from ours and it really sucks.
Looking forward to reading about how it all goes for you!
Ugh, Jeff...I'm sorry you're feeling so icky. I felt horrible with my first one...really dizzy and nauseous (I threw up for about 24 hours straight). My dizziness went away at activation...I hope yours does too!!!
It sounds like your pain's manageable...that's great. The swelling and pain peaked around the third day for me, so you should be headed for brighter days now! :)
Dec. 10th...WOW! I'm putting that on my calendar...I'm really excited for you!!
I don't think I had any drainage, but I had a salty taste for several weeks...maybe months...with my first CI. Everything tasted too salty...it was weird. This time I have had the opposite...everything tasted a hair too sweet for a few days. Strange!
I'm glad to see you posting...have been wondering how you're doing! Hang in there! :)
Jeff,
I don't remember a salty discharge, but I had dizziness and balance problems even now 4 months later. Don't push yourself. You have to allow yourself to rest and heal. I had bilateral implants and was in surgery for around 7 hours, so I know how you feel. Most of the problems disappear with activation. Also don't lay down flat, make sure you elavate yourself. That helps with the dizziness.
try grape juice, for some reason it takes away the taste. I had the metal taste for a few days.
Rest and only 10 days - I'm so excited for you.
Valerie
Wow! It took me a week before I could change over to regular tylenol. My doctor prohibited me from taking anything aspirin related. My 3rd to 5th day was probably the worst. I felt generally all around yucky. I was in no mood to do anything.
I tried doing something the following Saturday which required me to walk into a supermarket. Lets just say, I felt like I was going to pass out but I wasn't dizzy. I don't suggest taking the gung ho way lol.
I don't remember any salty discharge taste with my CI surgery but with my deviated septum one I did. I had no problem with my taste buds. Try drinking some tea with honey and lemon to soothe your throat or get some ice pops but it is a little too chilly for that. I was downing ice pops left and right but then again my surgery was done in 90 degree weather.
All in all, you sound like you will be right as rain by Monday, you got seven days to go! I have a mapping that day as well with an Advanced Bionic audiologist and I can't wait! I'm going to be patiently waiting to hear from you :) Keep up the good work and relax a little longer..
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