Waiting for my operation

[webcrawler2050]

Afternoon all..

I went to see my specialist for the last time before my operation and I am well and truly bricking it.

I have a condition called "Cholesteatoma" and if left to its own devices can be pretty serious. Ive had this for about 4 years and been to the ENT department thousands of times each time said, theres nothing wrong you just have a bad infection, given many many tables / drops etc.

December last year a new doctor came on board and had one look and said you have "Cholesteatoma" I was like wow finally a name for it. They said you need an operation, sent me for CT scans etc and found concerns

Yesterday the same Doctor told me I need to go on the list and I jokingly said "6- 12 months wait" he said no 4-6 weeks. However, there are a few concerns. I could loose taste on one side of my tounge. Plus theres a chance they may have to cut some nerves.

They also have to make up some bone as the Cholesteatoma has eaten away some bones in my ear and they need replacing.

I had my tonsiles out 7 months ago and that wasn't so bad. But the Day surgery wanted me out asap & the anaesthetic knocked me for 6.

Now this one is a 4 hour operation and 3 days in hospital and another operation a year later to check the possible hearing issue.

I just wondered if anyone has had something like this and could advise on their experiences with the NHS - so far mines but bad & good

For those of you that dont know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesteatoma

I have: Acquired cholesteatomas can be caused by a tear or retraction of the ear drum

My right ear also started to do this but they caught this one in time.

Plus I will have a big scar around the back on my ear for life :( which will look pretty big to be honest! :(

[kryogenik]

I just wondered if anyone has had something like this and could advise on their experiences with the NHS - so far mines but bad & good


Not this - but I have a condition which means I have spells in hospital & occasionally some minor surgery/exploration.
I have 100% faith in the NHS and never have any problems staying in hospital or going to theatre, though I do appreciate your being a bit scared. Nothing wrong with that.

Best of luck with everything mate - I hope all works out well for you.

[webcrawler2050]

Thanks for the kind words. Makes me feel a little better but I am still nervous I dont like the thought of being put to sleep.

[kryogenik]

Asleep is better sometimes, trust me!!
:sleep:
;)

[webcrawler2050]

Yeah I know - its just so serious and so many risks - I am really worried tbh!!

[Enuff]

Hi Webcrawler, I've been in and out of hospital numerous times throughout my life, and I can honestly say that the treatment I've recieved has been second to none.

Hope you get sorted out, and have a quick recovery. Take care. ;)

[webcrawler2050]

Hi Webcrawler, I've been in and out of hospital numerous times throughout my life, and I can honestly say that the treatment I've recieved has been second to none.

Hope you get sorted out, and have a quick recovery. Take care. ;)


Thanks me too - I am just a natural born worrier! :)

[Russ]

Had a cataract op last week - very unusual for someone my age - although the op wasn't pleasant the staff were second-to-none and a credit to their profession.

[Enuff]

Thanks me too - I am just a natural born worrier! :)

Same here, I had a Endoscopy about 4 weeks ago, I was really worried and anxious, but the NHS staff were absolutely fantastic! They talked me through everything and put me at ease right away.

[webcrawler2050]

Yeah problem is Ive had a bad experience with my last OP they where rough and kept forcing me to eat toast and tea, I mean there is only so much tea one can drink especially with a soar throat.

The anaesthetic really knocked me out and I slept for like 3 hours after the OP and the nurse kept waking me up saying "wake up we need your bed" I was like For bleep sake

[Halcyon]

I don't know much about this condition but I just wanted to say stay strong, remember that it is worth it in the long run, and that you are in very capable hands.
I wish you a speedy recovery.

[webcrawler2050]

Hiya,

thanks for the comments.

Basically this is a cist thats sits behind the ear drum and causes a horrid smell and a gunk kick out every few minutes, its like an ear infection but worse it can cause brain problems, clotting etc!

[tweetypie/8]

Afternoon all..

I went to see my specialist for the last time before my operation and I am well and truly bricking it.

I have a condition called "Cholesteatoma" and if left to its own devices can be pretty serious. Ive had this for about 4 years and been to the ENT department thousands of times each time said, theres nothing wrong you just have a bad infection, given many many tables / drops etc.

December last year a new doctor came on board and had one look and said you have "Cholesteatoma" I was like wow finally a name for it. They said you need an operation, sent me for CT scans etc and found concerns

Yesterday the same Doctor told me I need to go on the list and I jokingly said "6- 12 months wait" he said no 4-6 weeks. However, there are a few concerns. I could loose taste on one side of my tounge. Plus theres a chance they may have to cut some nerves.

They also have to make up some bone as the Cholesteatoma has eaten away some bones in my ear and they need replacing.

I had my tonsiles out 7 months ago and that wasn't so bad. But the Day surgery wanted me out asap & the anaesthetic knocked me for 6.

Now this one is a 4 hour operation and 3 days in hospital and another operation a year later to check the possible hearing issue.

I just wondered if anyone has had something like this and could advise on their experiences with the NHS - so far mines but bad & good

For those of you that dont know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesteatoma

I have: Acquired cholesteatomas can be caused by a tear or retraction of the ear drum

My right ear also started to do this but they caught this one in time.

Plus I will have a big scar around the back on my ear for life :( which will look pretty big to be honest! :(

you will be in safe hands mate,once its all over you will be glad you got it sorted lol.

[cleshe]

you will be in safe hands mate,once its all over you will be glad you got it sorted lol.

I wouldn't worry too much about the scarring. Having had bypass surgery using veins from my legs, plus two hernia ops and fairly major surgery after a gall bladder rupture, I've got more than enough. Believe me they are a small price to pay for staying alive.I've got nothing but praise and admiration for the various hospitals I owe my life to.
Good luck with your operation, thinking about it is worse than the actual thing.
xx

[Jules]

Good luck with your op :tu:

[Salu]

Hope your Op goes well webcrawler....

I don't have much ENT experience but a couple of general things to mention....

Firstly have you got any hearing loss now in this ear? The operation next year is suggestive that there may have been some damage to the middle ear bones. Often what ENT surgeons do is delay the reconstruction of these bones for a year after the cyst has been removed and the ear has had a good length of time to heal. This op will probably be done through the ear canal rather than another incision which may give you some relief?
The mention of the facial nerve is that this nerve runs through the inner and middle ear to the face. Sometimes the infection from the cholesteatoma can damage the bone covering this nerve and expose it, or the cyst can press on the nerve which causes tingling on your face. If this was the case then the operation would probably be done as an emergency to avoid facial paralysis.

As you're op is 4-6 weeks away then this is suggestive that yours does not currently involve the facial nerve. The warning is also given simply because you are having surgery around this area and the surgery itself may damage the nerve. However damage to the nerve during surgery is rare.

Lastly did they put a tuning fork on the bone behind your ear and then next to your ear and ask which was the loudest? If so can you remember which was the loudest?

Hope that helps rather than adding extra worry.

Good luck.

[webcrawler2050]

Thanks

Sent you PM back :)

[webcrawler2050]

Well.. I have a CT Scan on the 14th and I *should* get my date for the OP then. *Fingers Crossed*

[Nidge]

Afternoon all..

I went to see my specialist for the last time before my operation and I am well and truly bricking it.

I have a condition called "Cholesteatoma" and if left to its own devices can be pretty serious. Ive had this for about 4 years and been to the ENT department thousands of times each time said, theres nothing wrong you just have a bad infection, given many many tables / drops etc.

December last year a new doctor came on board and had one look and said you have "Cholesteatoma" I was like wow finally a name for it. They said you need an operation, sent me for CT scans etc and found concerns

Yesterday the same Doctor told me I need to go on the list and I jokingly said "6- 12 months wait" he said no 4-6 weeks. However, there are a few concerns. I could loose taste on one side of my tounge. Plus theres a chance they may have to cut some nerves.

They also have to make up some bone as the Cholesteatoma has eaten away some bones in my ear and they need replacing.

I had my tonsiles out 7 months ago and that wasn't so bad. But the Day surgery wanted me out asap & the anaesthetic knocked me for 6.

Now this one is a 4 hour operation and 3 days in hospital and another operation a year later to check the possible hearing issue.

I just wondered if anyone has had something like this and could advise on their experiences with the NHS - so far mines but bad & good

For those of you that dont know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesteatoma

I have: Acquired cholesteatomas can be caused by a tear or retraction of the ear drum

My right ear also started to do this but they caught this one in time.

Plus I will have a big scar around the back on my ear for life :( which will look pretty big to be honest! :(



You'll be ok mate, they'll put you to sleep then before you know it you'll be awake again in the recovery room.

You'll be ok mate honest.

[webcrawler2050]

You'll be ok mate, they'll put you to sleep then before you know it you'll be awake again in the recovery room.

You'll be ok mate honest.

Hope so.. just worried about the after effects, god knows what damage this thing has caused. Plus with a little one around, when I had my tonsiles out, the pain killers knocked me out.. and I dont want her to feel left out etc :(

[Nidge]

Hope so.. just worried about the after effects, god knows what damage this thing has caused. Plus with a little one around, when I had my tonsiles out, the pain killers knocked me out.. and I dont want her to feel left out etc :(

I understand your fears mate, I was the same when I had some operations on my back in the 80's /90's I was nervous as hell, I was thinking what if I don't wake up? Will I die on the table? What if I wake up during the operation? Medical technology has come on leaps and bounds since then mate, you'll be in the best hands and when your asleep they'll be checking on you every couple of minutes, you'll have an anaesthetist keeping you sedated while the operation takes place, he or she will be checking your heart rate at regular intervals making sure you are OK while under the anaesthetic.

[webcrawler2050]

Thanks mate!

[webcrawler2050]

Well finally - Ive had my operation and on the road to recovery! woo

It was gruling 12 hour operation.. :( And 4 days in ENT Ward. The hospital was fantastic! I cant thank them enough! The surgeon was perfect! Everything went well. :)

[moaningmags]

Glad to hear you came through it ok webcrawler.

[webcrawler2050]

To be honest, it was the best experience ive had with the NHS in my entire life :)

[Enuff]

Great news! :tu:

[zing_deleted]

Its was quite a site longer than 6 weeks wait. I am glad you had a better time of ti :)

[Ravenheart]

Glad everything went well Webcrawler, and it's always good to hear people praising the NHS too.

[webcrawler2050]

It was a horrid, horrid operation. I do have a sexy scar behind my left ear now. Its pretty cool! ;)

On the plus, the NHS that did this, are and were perfect, I had a private room :O The staff were second to none and it was a pleasant experience.

[jamiefrost]

Glad to hear your op went OK.

I had a the same operation but I was only in over night, nice scar curving behind my ear. ( From where they lay you ear across your cheek nice!)

Felt really ill after waking up (head spinning all over the place) had to eat practically laying down.

Had to keep the ear perfectly dry for ages afterwards while it all healed up inside. had some hearing loss but no nerve damage.

Loads of checks at first, now have a yearly checkup (op was 9 or 10 years ago.)

Best thing I had was the consultant asking if I wanted to go ahead with the op. Asked him what the alternative was to be told let the infection carry on eating away at the bone getting closer to the brain!

JJ

[Graham M]

It was a horrid, horrid operation. I do have a sexy scar behind my left ear now. Its pretty cool! ;)

On the plus, the NHS that did this, are and were perfect, I had a private room :O The staff were second to none and it was a pleasant experience.

Glad to hear it went well :)

[webcrawler2050]

I had a the same operation but I was only in over night, nice scar curving behind my ear. ( From where they lay you ear across your cheek nice!)

I had that and more, I had my skull broken, bones taken out, aftificial bones put in. My surgeon said, it was one of the worst he has ever seen in 30 years. It was bas.

Yeah, vaseline and cotton wool - can be annoying! I was alright when I woke up, I was full of anti everything!

[tweetypie/8]

Afternoon all..

I went to see my specialist for the last time before my operation and I am well and truly bricking it.

I have a condition called "Cholesteatoma" and if left to its own devices can be pretty serious. Ive had this for about 4 years and been to the ENT department thousands of times each time said, theres nothing wrong you just have a bad infection, given many many tables / drops etc.

December last year a new doctor came on board and had one look and said you have "Cholesteatoma" I was like wow finally a name for it. They said you need an operation, sent me for CT scans etc and found concerns

Yesterday the same Doctor told me I need to go on the list and I jokingly said "6- 12 months wait" he said no 4-6 weeks. However, there are a few concerns. I could loose taste on one side of my tounge. Plus theres a chance they may have to cut some nerves.

They also have to make up some bone as the Cholesteatoma has eaten away some bones in my ear and they need replacing.

I had my tonsiles out 7 months ago and that wasn't so bad. But the Day surgery wanted me out asap & the anaesthetic knocked me for 6.

Now this one is a 4 hour operation and 3 days in hospital and another operation a year later to check the possible hearing issue.

I just wondered if anyone has had something like this and could advise on their experiences with the NHS - so far mines but bad & good

For those of you that dont know: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesteatoma

I have: Acquired cholesteatomas can be caused by a tear or retraction of the ear drum

My right ear also started to do this but they caught this one in time.

Plus I will have a big scar around the back on my ear for life :( which will look pretty big to be honest! :(


hi web just want to wish you all the best for your op,i hope it all goes very well for you.

[Russ]

hi web just want to wish you all the best for your op,i hope it all goes very well for you.

Erm...I think it went pretty well ;)

[jamiefrost]

I had that and more, I had my skull broken, bones taken out, aftificial bones put in. My surgeon said, it was one of the worst he has ever seen in 30 years. It was bas.

Yeah, vaseline and cotton wool - can be annoying! I was alright when I woke up, I was full of anti everything!

Yours was definitely worse ,

Still get dizzy now after each check up as I have to have vacuumed out - very strange sensation:erm: some times it's bloody painful.

Hope it heals up ok

JJ

[webcrawler2050]

Yeah, ive had that sodding Vaccum for 3 yearsd, every month, used to it now! I hate it, I had the first one, 5 days after the OP and by god, that was the most painfull experience ive ever had