I’m really glad to read that your headaches, dizziness & nausea are gone! HOORAY! I am sorry for your other post op symptoms/pain & hope you feel those slip away as the days pass & your healing progresses.
I’m sorry that your mom has to leave while you’re still struggling a bit. Once she’s gone, just do your best to listen to your body & rest when it asks. I’m sure your dogs are anxious to take you out for a walk (that’s really the way it works, isn’t it! ) so being kind to yourself & not pushing physically will allow that to happen sooner.
I hope Dr. Hackman is helpful with his advice regarding your pain & also willing to fill another pain med Rx for you. I second what Snapple said about staying ahead of the pain. Sometimes that means taking pain medication when it’s due, even if you aren’t in great pain at that moment. If you’ve seen that after skipping a dose or delaying it, your pain ramps up, then following the schedule will help prevent that.
I hope everyone is doing well and I wanted to thank you all again. Without your knowledge, understanding, compassion and guidance I would probably still be circling the wagons…lol.
My post op with Dr. Hackman was on the 26th of August. He wouldn’t refill the pain meds and OTC wasn’t helpful but I have been on that road before. I continue to have left ear pain which is now draining/collecting wax, possibly dead skin and such at the entrance to the ear canal. I have sent messages on MyChart but I have not heard from anyone. I guess I could attempt my PCP but I have some reservations as the left ear is still swollen and numb (surgery related I’m sure). I’m starting to feel extreme amounts of pressure in my ears and forehead. All of this was in my message. I asked if I should make an appointment with the ENT that he had me see after my initial consult about 6 months ago. I don’t want to drive 2 hours one way to learn I’m overreacting and I’m probably going crazy.
The arm issues had disappeared but recently returned. I will admit that after having 2 rare conditions both involving surgery, both took 1.5 years to get a diagnosis that I get fearful when issues start to arise. I have my 2nd post op via phone on the 20th of October. I will address my concerns again and go from there.
Literally the 2 days after my mom returns to Louisiana she trips and falls. In 6 days, one trip to the ER, another trip to urgent care and then a second trip to the ER, she gets hospitalized for a bulging disk in her lower back surrounded by arthritis. They won’t discharge her until she can walk out on her own 2 feet. Almost 3 weeks later she is transferred to a rehabilitation center and stays there almost 2 weeks. She lives alone and I worry about her constantly.
I’m almost 2 months post op. I can tell a difference in many areas and I’m sure recovering lasts longer than 2 months. I’m grateful for this support group and for my surgery. Prayers were definitely answered and a path to follow.
I’m sorry for your remaining symptoms & especially that they seem to be ramping up a bit instead of going away. You are absolutely correct, ES surgery is not quick to recover from. It was a good 6 months post op before my lingering symptoms finally started fading. Pain in & drainage from your ear is not good. I think going to see a local ENT doc about that ASAP is important. You could try ice again for the swelling, but if it’s due to an infection, heat would be better. Pressure in your ears & forehead sounds like it could be sinus related. Do you have trouble w/ sinus infections? Not diagnosing here, just musing about what could be causing your current situation.
Also, I’m wondering, based on the rest of your post, if your symptoms flare is coming from the stress of your mom’s situation. I found during my recovery that my symptoms would flare up if I pushed myself too hard physically or if I was emotionally stressed. It’s a double whammy in a way - stress increases symptoms, but increased symptoms increase stress because the symptoms are getting worse rather than going away. I’m glad you have another follow-up appt., but am sorry you’re not getting any response regarding your current concerns. That seems unacceptable.
I completely understand your concerns about your mother. I went through that with mine, too. She tripped & fell out her front door & hit her head on the concrete. She was living alone & didn’t call any of her children. A neighbor happened by w/in a day & saw her condition & immediately called me. I lived 3 hrs away at the time. Fortunately, I have a sister who lived closer, & she was able to drop everything & go take mom to the ER. Mom was on blood thinners so that made everything look worse than it turned out to be, but the situation could have been life threatening for sure. Many times we debated about having her move to a retirement community but finally decided that wouldn’t be in her best interest. The sister who took her to the ER ended up moving closer w/ her husband so they could monitor our mother more carefully. It doesn’t sound like you have that option or that kind of help. I am sorry for that.
Aging parents are quite a challenge & definitely stress producing especially once their bodies begin to fail. Is there any chance your mom would be willing to “test drive” a retirement community? My mother-in-law was initially against giving up her home & moving into one, but she eventually did & has had no regrets.
I hope you can get some resolution as to what’s going on w/ your ears/head soon. I’ll pray for that.
Unfortunately I am prone to both sinus and ear infections. I hadn’t considered a sinus infection because I didn’t have my other usual symptoms.
My place of employment just finished fiscal month/quarter/year end. I worked almost 70 hours this week. I’m going to try and make an appointment with my PCP this week. Unfortunately I don’t have any trust in local ENTs.
I’m certain Dr. Hackman isn’t checking those messages but instead his staff and I’m guessing my message never found him or his response never found me. I’d like to hope Dr. Hackman wouldn’t outright ignore a patient.
My mom is in her 50s. She tripped over a doggy bed while bringing her dogs back from the boarder. Once the divorce between her and my stepfather are finalized (hopefully March 2022) she’s moving to Mt. Airy. I also feel bad even though it wasn’t my fault because she just took care of me for two weeks and then two days returning home that happens to her.
So sorry that you still have some symptoms, but pleased that you have seen some improvements…It is an up & down journey, hopefully with time there will be way less downs & more ups, sounds like you’ve been working hard so that might not help. & I hope that the ear & head pressure are something your PCP can fix.
Poor you with worrying about your Mum, I can sympathise with that, & she’s very young to be having that sort of trouble. Very hard to not be able to help.
Thinking of you
WOW! 70 hours is significant in a week. I do hope you can get some R & R for a few days to let your body recover.
I’m sorry for your mom’s situation. I’m glad she’s still young & independent. My mom was in her early 80s when she had her fall. I hope your mom’s back recovers quickly. It’ll be nice when her divorce is done, & she can start afresh in Mt. Airy.
) so being kind to yourself & not pushing physically will allow that to happen sooner.
