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| My awesome parents, relieved the day after surgery! |
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| The incision |
Hello family and friends,
I am still feeling great! I've been rating my pain on a scale of 1 - 10 and it has not gone past 3. My head was numb for a while after surgery, but I still haven't felt unbearable pain. I have been taking Tylenol Extra Strength every five to six hours, but even then the pain is not that bad, just don't want to push it. I have been walking around on my own with no issues and feeling good! Food does taste bland, this is a common effect after surgery to lose some taste, but will return with time.
I was planning to stay at my parents for a week and a half to recover, then go to my 20 year class reunion on the 20th and take off for Minnesota on the 21st. Since I am feeling great, I plan to leave this Saturday for a housewarming party in Madison, then head back to Minnesota from there. It is really awesome to not be bedridden this time around!
*Below is specific information about the night after surgery, what is involved in the surgery, caring for the wound and my restrictions...
The first night after the surgery I had a tough time sleeping. I think it was a combination of being out for 4 hours already that day for surgery and feeling so relieved that I was feeling so great. The hardest part was over!
I was planning to stay at my parents for a week and a half to recover, then go to my 20 year class reunion on the 20th and take off for Minnesota on the 21st. Since I am feeling great, I plan to leave this Saturday for a housewarming party in Madison, then head back to Minnesota from there. It is really awesome to not be bedridden this time around!
*Below is specific information about the night after surgery, what is involved in the surgery, caring for the wound and my restrictions...
The first night after the surgery I had a tough time sleeping. I think it was a combination of being out for 4 hours already that day for surgery and feeling so relieved that I was feeling so great. The hardest part was over!
While I was sleeping, I noticed a dull quiet whomping sound on my left newly implanted ear. This is to be expected. After my first surgery, I heard an awful mechanical whirring sound that was very loud. The doctor said that the relaxant medication they put in my IV prior to surgery helps with the tinnitus (ringing) after surgery. My other struggle was trying to sleep with my head propped with the big bandage on my head and my ear itched. I was up a few times to go to the bathroom and I noticed right away I was walking around fine, even in the dark.
Yesterday morning, my parents and I met with Dr. Beatty to have him check my wound. Sorry if I grossed out some of you by posting the picture. It's not as bad as it looks. Dr. Beatty said it looked good, all 22 electrodes were functioning and believes it will be successful when I am activated. After my appointment, we took off for Sheboygan. The four and half hour drive went well, I didn't have any nausea and was able to read messages on my phone. Then last night, I went out to dinner with my parents, drove to my brother Scotty's house, hung out with them for an hour and went back home to sleep. I slept for eight hours without getting up for pain or anything. Also, I did not experience the dull whomping noise like I did the first night. Still feeling very happy about how I am feeling!
This is a description of the cochlear implant surgery:
1. After I am asleep, some of my hair is shaved.
2. An incision is made behind the ear and extending above the ear.
3. A depression is created in the mastoid bone which is behind the ear and where the internal device is placed.
4. A small opening is made in the cochlea which is in the inner ear, then the electrode array is inserted.
5. The implant is tested to make sure it works.
6. The incision is closed with stitches (sutures) which will melt away on their own.
7. A large bandage is wrapped around the head.
For visuals and more explanation of how it works, refer to my blog post on July 12, 2008.
Caring for the wound and restrictions, etc.:
During the first 24 hours, the bandage needs to stay on and the wound must stay dry. After 24 hours, the bandage is removed and for twice a day for 5 to 7 days, I need to clean the incision with hydrogen peroxide and put an ointment on it, such as Neosporin. I am able to wash my hair with shampoo, just need to avoid rubbing the incision area. I am not to soak my incision in water (such as pool / hot tub) for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. After bathing, I should pat dry the incision, not rub it. I can use a hair dryer, but on the cool setting. The area around the incision will be numb for a several weeks.
It is recommended to not work for a week after surgery. I am fortunate to have time off this summer. Also, I am not allowed to fly until after I meet with Dr. Beatty for my follow-up appointment on July 29th which is also my activation date! Some of my physical activity restrictions for three weeks after surgery are:
-no lifting more than 20 pounds (a typical bag of groceries)
- do not bend over, but squat down at knees if needing pick up anything
- no blowing nose (sniff gently or wipe nose) after three weeks can gently blow nose
- do not hold in sneezes, open mouth to help reduce pressure in head as I sneeze
- no forceful blowing (blowing up balloons, singing or playing wind instruments)
- for 4 to 6 weeks, do not exercise excessively (weight lifting, biking, running)
- no driving allowed if on prescription pain medication
Thanks again for reading and all of your support! The next time I post will be after my activation appointment on July 29th!
Yesterday morning, my parents and I met with Dr. Beatty to have him check my wound. Sorry if I grossed out some of you by posting the picture. It's not as bad as it looks. Dr. Beatty said it looked good, all 22 electrodes were functioning and believes it will be successful when I am activated. After my appointment, we took off for Sheboygan. The four and half hour drive went well, I didn't have any nausea and was able to read messages on my phone. Then last night, I went out to dinner with my parents, drove to my brother Scotty's house, hung out with them for an hour and went back home to sleep. I slept for eight hours without getting up for pain or anything. Also, I did not experience the dull whomping noise like I did the first night. Still feeling very happy about how I am feeling!
This is a description of the cochlear implant surgery:
1. After I am asleep, some of my hair is shaved.
2. An incision is made behind the ear and extending above the ear.
3. A depression is created in the mastoid bone which is behind the ear and where the internal device is placed.
4. A small opening is made in the cochlea which is in the inner ear, then the electrode array is inserted.
5. The implant is tested to make sure it works.
6. The incision is closed with stitches (sutures) which will melt away on their own.
7. A large bandage is wrapped around the head.
For visuals and more explanation of how it works, refer to my blog post on July 12, 2008.
Caring for the wound and restrictions, etc.:
During the first 24 hours, the bandage needs to stay on and the wound must stay dry. After 24 hours, the bandage is removed and for twice a day for 5 to 7 days, I need to clean the incision with hydrogen peroxide and put an ointment on it, such as Neosporin. I am able to wash my hair with shampoo, just need to avoid rubbing the incision area. I am not to soak my incision in water (such as pool / hot tub) for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. After bathing, I should pat dry the incision, not rub it. I can use a hair dryer, but on the cool setting. The area around the incision will be numb for a several weeks.
It is recommended to not work for a week after surgery. I am fortunate to have time off this summer. Also, I am not allowed to fly until after I meet with Dr. Beatty for my follow-up appointment on July 29th which is also my activation date! Some of my physical activity restrictions for three weeks after surgery are:
-no lifting more than 20 pounds (a typical bag of groceries)
- do not bend over, but squat down at knees if needing pick up anything
- no blowing nose (sniff gently or wipe nose) after three weeks can gently blow nose
- do not hold in sneezes, open mouth to help reduce pressure in head as I sneeze
- no forceful blowing (blowing up balloons, singing or playing wind instruments)
- for 4 to 6 weeks, do not exercise excessively (weight lifting, biking, running)
- no driving allowed if on prescription pain medication
Thanks again for reading and all of your support! The next time I post will be after my activation appointment on July 29th!
2 comments:
Great updates, KC! Glad it has gone so smoothly this time, and I can see your descriptions being very helpful to others considering the procedure.
Will be thinking of you next week when you have your activation appointment. :)
Thanks Alicia for your support and comments! I am looking forward to the activation appointment as well. So great to see you when you were in town! Hugs! KC
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