That’s good news, best wishes for a successful surgery, praying it goes well 
Good Evening Folks, Just thought I would give everyone a bit of an update on my progress since my surgery which was on the 16th of June.
First let me say that I can not express how happy I have been with the team that did my procedure. Dr. May and his folks were fantastic during the surgery and recovery the day of the procedure as well as their assistance since the procedure. If your in Georgia or the neighboring areas, I can not recommend Dr. May highly enough. He is fantastic.
So since surgery what has happened: I did develop a bit of numbness and paralysis in my tongue on the right side (I had a bilateral procedure and that was the bigger of the two). Dr. May’s office got me in right away to check everything out and make sure there were no issues that needed to be addressed. I was seen by one of his PAs and then he came in to discuss what was going on. All seems to be well and a complete recovery is expected. I did have some swelling, which is something I have had on other surgeries in my neck so I was not surprised by that thankfully. Surgery was on a Monday and on Friday I was back in the office to deal with the tongue issue. Since then I have been getting better function in my tongue. It actually seems to be improving daily. Swallowing, which was painful from day 2 to about day 7 is now no longer painful There is some difficulty with swallowing but it too is getting noticeably better daily. My jaw, which was tight, is now loosening up nicely so that I can take bigger bites. I have not had any issue with first bite.
I just completed my 2 week post-op visit and have been given the okay to do whatever I feel like. I will follow up with Dr. May in 3 months.
What I have noticed since my surgery; 1) movement of my neck is no longer painful and I can actually turn my head much easier than I could before the surgery, 2) Pain (that I had prior to the surgery) is virtually all gone. I no longer “stab” myself every time I yawn, 3) Just to be honest, I feel better overall. Not to get too into the weeds, but issues I have been suffering with for several years are not issues right now. They have vanished after the surgery. I do still have tinnitus, but it does seem less on the right side. Realistically, I fully appreciate that everything in my neck is changing daily. Healing is happening and things are moving around differently since I no longer that what I called “2 inch nails” moving stuff around in my neck. I fully expect to have some bad days over the next 3 months or so as my neck reacts to its new normal. However; I am cautiously optimistic that this surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It is definitely better then the advise I had from a previous ENT to not have the surgery, just do not move my head too much. I can not stress enough how comfortable I am with saying that I believe my outcome would not have been so good so far without Dr. May doing my procedure. I know everyone else is different and cases are all different, but I firmly believe the man is talented and knows what he is doing.
2 Likes
Hi @tjrusure! So glad that you are doing well after your surgery! It is very soon after surgery, so it seems very reasonable to say that you will most likely continue to see improvements as you continue to heal. It is very encouraging that you had such a good experience with Dr. May. I’m so happy for you that so many of your issues seem to have improved and that you are feeling better and encouraged, I hope that as your body continues to heal that you will notice that your new normal is great! Thanks for updating us.
2 Likes
Really great update, @tjrusure! I’m very excited to finally have a good & reliable ES doctor to refer our Georgia members to! Dr. May sounds amazing! It’s great to know that he will do bilateral surgeries, too.
You’re being realistic w/ your healing progress which is encouraging. Nerve recovery can be a bit up & down but thankfully usually ends UP 
.
That is ridiculous advice! I’m so glad you continued to search for treatment that makes more sense!
Please come back again to share updates as we like to follow our members’ recoveries to a hopefully happy ending!
Thank you so much for the update I pray you keep healing!
2 Likes
That’s great to hear, I’m so pleased for you that you’re seeing improvements already 
1 Like
It has now been 6 weeks since my surgery and I have to say that I feel this surgery has been the best thing I have done, medically, in my life. I am continuing to heal and occasionally have some discomfort on the right side, but by and large the difference between pre-surgery and post surgery is amazing. So many issues from before are simply not there now. One of the things I found was a lump that would come and go was a strangely a “clogged” salivatory gland on the left side. Doctors blamed it on allergies, infections, whatever and dismissed it. Well it disappeared about a week after my surgery and has not returned. My neck, for the first time in 3 years, is symmetrical. Even after my diagnosis with ES, things that were dismissed as having nothing to do with ES have resolved. I just wish everyone could have as great of a result as I have had. Even my scars are great and virtually unnoticeable.
2 Likes
I almost forgot. I want to thank you all for your support and many prayers. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and you guys must have been throwing up some great one for me to have had the wonderful recovery and healing. Thank you all so much
2 Likes
Thank you for this great post, @tjrusure ! I’m very glad you’re doing so well & hope your recovery continues. I’ve referred a few members to Dr. May though I don’t know if anyone has gone to him, but your testimony will surely provide encouragement for others to check him out.
I also believe in the power of prayer. God doesn’t always answer the way we want or hope, but He’s always there to walk us through whatever answer He gives.
2 Likes
I’m so pleased for you that you’re feeling so much better after surgery! It’s really interesting the weird and wonderful symptoms we get with Eagles 
Prayer is a wonderful thing, praise God for your healing
1 Like
Such great news! Thanks for the update.
1 Like