Swallowing food like a normal person again is definitely a “gift”, Isaiah. Now I don’t get jealous of people I see eating in television commercials.
2 Likes
So glad that things are improving for you! 
1 Like
SewMomma,
Great news! So glad to hear the steroids did their magic and you are on the right track. Thanks for the post -op tip list, I will definitely file that away for my date come August. Be well
1 Like
SewMomma ~
You make me laugh 
. I love your perspective on life, healing, & God!
1 Like
So many of my suggestions are about distractions. I have to keep my mind busy while some of this crazy healing stuff happens these first few weeks. Don’t underestimate the mental component of recovery. 
3 Likes
That’s so wonderful to hear your doing better!! I’ve seriously been thinking about you everyday and we’ve been sending you healing thoughts and prayers… Even my husband knows about you! He can totally relate with any Hubby or anybody else caring for someone with this condition!! It’s so very difficult for everyone and we can’t wait for the day I get some relief!! I’ve been suffering so much for so long and was hoping to get more ear/jaw pain relief after my first surgery but it’s a sad fact that I didn’t! It’s very challenging and a struggle to live in pain everyday and still put on a happy face out in public and w/t your family and friends! Your post gives me some hope that maybe I’ll feel better after I get this other monster of a bone out of my neck! I feel like the remaining elongated styloid is sounding off the alarm and is screaming “get me out, I don’t belong here” LOL! I dislike so much that my Dr. has his patients wait 3mths in-between surgeries! I know he’s playing it safe and has my best interest in mind but seriously I feel like if I don’t do something soon my eardrum, and TMJ joint are going to be permanently damaged!!! I think I should’ve have had him take out my right side first even though my left was giving me a lot of vascular problems…This ear, TMJ, face pain is way off the chart in comparison!! I have one more mth to go until my second surgery! I’m praying my body can make it till then and God has me!!
1 Like
Hi Christy!
Thank you for your update. It’s good to hear from you again, but I’m sad that you’re still in so much pain. I can totally relate though. My right side caused vascular symptoms so was first to go, but my left side caused PAIN! When I had my ES surgeries, Dr. Samji required 6 months between each operation. Trust me when I tell you that felt like an eternity. Then, because I wasn’t careful enough, I had a cycling accident a week before my second surgery was scheduled & had to wait an additional 3 months for my concussion to heal. I was a basket case by the time I finally had that second surgery done. All that said, you will make it another month & then your jaw joint will be freed up & the irritated nerve causing your ear pain can start to heal. It will be a glorious time for you even if a bit painful for awhile after surgery.
God is good. He is keeping you under His wing. Shelter there during this period of waiting.
Praying for you.
@Isaiah_40_31 Your wisdom and encouragement always gets me through a hard day!! Thank you so much! I can’t even imagine having to wait 6mths and then an additional 3mths to have the second side done!!! That must have been an extremely trying and difficult time! You’re one mighty, victorious pain warrior!! I hope you had this support group to help you get through! I had a close call a few days ago that nearly broke my shoulder and foot but, by the grace of God I was saved from severe damage or fractures. I’m just badly bruised and sprained! I was having some fun with my 9 year daughter and picked her up like a baby and as I took further steps I didn’t realize our dog was laid out taking a nap on the floor in dim lighting. I heard the dog yelp and I quickly took a large side step out to avoid stepping on top of his body. I fell forward very hard while supporting my daughter in my arms so she wouldn’t get hurt. So, Mom took the sacrifice and saved her babies (wouldn’t have it any other way!!) But ouch, the added pain is NO FUN! My poor body is a wreak!
Ouch, poor you Christy…take it easy til that’s better. Thinking of you & praying the time til next surgery goes quickly for you…
1 Like
SewMomma,
I am a BIG fan of the “art of distraction”…with you all the way. I have used it many times in my work and it is amazing how a small turn of the kaleidoscope ie: change of perspective shifts those pain (warning) signals in the brain. Have a lovely day 
1 Like
Hi Christy so nice to meet you (I am relatively new to the site),
Double ouch…but nice focus mom! There is great beauty in your superhuman feat and your daughter will live a brighter life because of it, nice job taking one for the team. And, unfortunate as it was for you, it is a distraction from the ES maybe?? How is the dog in all of this 
Seriously, sorry for all of your suffering and having to wait…the waiting is so so so very hard, I truly understand. Hope your day is obstacle free and you load is lighter, be well
2 Likes
WOW! Christy! I’m so glad you escaped w/ only bruises. Sounds like you learned a good lesson from that experience. Please think of yourself as needing to “walk on eggshells” till you have that surgery. After some post op healing you can be as carefree & self-abandoned as you feel is safe for you & those you love 
. I am glad to hear you were having a wild & fun moment w/ your daughter though. Just sorry to hear it ended in near disaster. I did something similar when my daughter was young but ended up w/ a broken tailbone…
It’s fun being spontaneously silly w/ our kids, but sadly, sometimes we pay a price for that!
Stay safe but still have fun!
2 Likes
Oh goodness that stinks that you had a tumble. We’ve all done that. I fell at the last three steps of stairs when I was pregnant years ago and worried sick until the baby was born. (he’s my clumsy one - coincidence? 
) Accidents happen. Glad it wasn’t worse for you.
I tell my husband about people on here too! I identify them by states. “The Texas girl”, “The New Mexico” lady “The one in the UK” and “My California friend” lol. It’s pretty much all I’ve talked about for the past year and a half. We’re both looking forward to a change of topic !
I didn’t feel better until both sides were done. I just wasn’t right until the second one came out. You’re almost there. Funny my surgeon was ok with a second surgery 6 weeks after the first but my tongue precluded that from happening! So even if I wanted it to happen, I couldn’t have had it done. An example of alot of this being out of our control.
God DOES have you and the month will be gone before you know it. Maybe stick with playing some card games with your daughter in the mean time 
2 Likes
@JustBreathe Hi, good to meet your acquaintance too! Welcome to the site! I’m fairly new too and joined 4mts ago. I feel so blessed to have found this forum and soooo incredibly grateful for the moderators and everyone else sharing their stories, support and advice! I’d really be a HUGE mess w/o it! So, to answer your question, my sweet fur baby came out unscathed…not sure if I even stepped on him at all. He might have felt it coming or perhaps I got a tip of his tail or paw. Hard to say, but yeah he’s perfectly fine! I think he feels bad for me though because he hasn’t left my side and keeps checking in with compassionate eyes, cuddles, and kisses!! xoxo He’s such a sweet pup!!!
2 Likes
@SewMomma, @Isaiah_40_31, @Jules, Great, advise! I’m gonna definitely take it easy and turn down the “fun” dial a few notches! LOL! Time to break out some UNO cards or play fish!! LOL!
3 Likes
I love the kaleidoscope image! I am a “mental picture” person as you may have already figured out so if I start to feel myself worry again, I will give the dial a turn and see some different colored crystals 
1 Like
Who’s a sweet boy!!! 
1 Like
Awww such a sweet puppy Christy! It is truly uncanning how animals can sense our unease, pain and worrry - they are a true blessing. Try to enjoy this “down time” with the little humans and furry friends, a good dose of that goes a long way for healing 
1 Like
Christy,
I WANT ONE! He’s so CUUUUTE!! What a happy little companion you have!
I know you enjoy his cuddles. Dogs are the best! Cats are great, too, but in a different way. 
1 Like
What a cutie. He looks like he was a the groomer recently.
I miss my Ginger but she had a good life and didn’t suffer. At almost 14 she went to sleep for the last time and peacefully drifted to dog heaven. She was a black and tan golden doodle.
Dogs just intuitively know when you don’t feel well and one look at those eyes melts it all away.
2 Likes