Ear Surgery

On Wednesday, August 14th we drove to

Salt Lake for my first ear surgery.

Both Steve & I were a bundle of mixed emotions.

Excited to have found a doctor that

actually knew what was wrong 

and said he could fix it and

at the same time nervous about the possible

side effects & risks.

After 45 +/- years of experiencing episodes

of pounding/thumping in my ears,

and no one being able to figure out what was

causing it to happen we were on our way

to have the problem surgically cured.

The diagnosis....

Bilateral Stapedial/Tensor Tympani Myoclonus

Treatment....

Tenotomy of both the 

Stapedeus and Tensor Tympani muscles

(they will cut the muscles)

6:00 a.m Thursday morning we arrived at

the University of Utah Hospital

After checking in we were escorted to a

pre-op room where I was given a lovely

cotton, wrap-around gown to wear

(notice it is properly labeled "Central Laundry")

so as not to get lost !?!

Soon after, my Doctor-Richard Gurgel, came

in to talk to both Steve & I

reviewing what he would be doing and the

possible side effects and risks.

At the same time telling us with confidence that

he anticipated the surgery would go well.

After he left the nurse came and put in

an IV then marked my Left ear with a 

big black X.... 

After an hour and fifteen minutes in Surgery 

and an hour in post-op

I was taken to recovery where Steve was

able to be with me again.

I remember being able to hear everything that

was going on around me but every time

I opened my eyes the room was spinning and

I would get sick to my stomach so

I decided it was better to just not open my eyes.

After a couple of hours of that they

gave me some kind of medication and soon

the room stopped spinning and I

was able to open my eyes and even get up

to use the restroom.

Dr. Gurgel said the surgery went perfectly

with no complications.

3 1/2 hours after being taken to recovery

I was able to get dressed and then

be wheeled out to the car.

This is all the visual evidence that remained

after the surgery...however,

because of the incision that was made below the

ear drum to create a flap so the doctor could 

get to the muscles in the middle ear,

there is packing behind the eardrum and 

in the ear canal to hold the ear drum in place 

during the healing process.

We spent Thursday & Friday with

Kevin & his family and we appreciate being

able to stay with them and Lani's parents who always

make us feel so welcome.

Having a home to recuperate in for a few days

made the experience so much nicer.

I was given two prescriptions....

one for pain and

one for nausea

But I have not had any pain, nausea or dizziness

since leaving the hospital and

have not had to use either prescription.

I am not allowed to get water in my ear so

when I shower Steve makes an ear

plug out of a Vaseline saturated cotton ball.

It is kind of messy, but it works well.

Twice a day Dr. Steve puts Antibiotic ear drops

in my ear....

then puts a new dressing in place...

(a cotton ball secured with a band-aid)

very high tech!

and I am ready to go again.  

We will be going to Texas to take care of Trudi's

two girls on the 27th and on the way

we will stop in SLC for

my follow-up appointment.

If all goes well with this ear I will have surgery

on my right ear on the 26th of September.

As of this time I have had several episodes but

they have all been in the right ear only.....

this is good!