Ameraucana Breeders Club
The Official Forum of the Ameraucana Breeders Club => News and Information => Topic started by: Susan Mouw on July 12, 2015, 05:32:28 PM
-
I know I've been missing in action the last couple of weeks. I've been fighting a nasty sinus infection that just refuses to go away. I just finished round 2 of 10 day course of antibiotics and prednisone, and still have a head stuffed full of cotton. Unfortunately, it has also completely blocked my right ear and I've lost my hearing in that ear - temporarily, I hope.
Headed back to the ENT tomorrow (Monday), but I'll get busy this week and get caught up with everything. We have some new members, a couple of Meet Reports (and updated points), and updates to the website gallery that I'll be working on this week.
I was waiting until it was done to make this announcement, but I'll just drop this quick hint. :) One of the things I've been working on offers some really nice merchandise (mugs, t-shirts, hoodies)....And that's all I'm saying now.
Have fun with your gorgeous Ams, folks! Looks like some of the states are loosening up the AI requirements and some of the shows are coming back. Let's keep our fingers crossed for all the great Fall shows coming up!
-
Sorry to hear you have been under the weather. I sympathize with you. I had the same thing about 3-4 weeks ago. We make a pair, mine was the left ear. The hearing has returned and I am almost back to normal. (Normal for me-I don't know if that is good or bad). Prayers for a speedy recovery.
-
Glad to see you alive Susan. I hope you get back on the mend soon. With our humidity I can't imagine how difficult it is to get comfortable and breath fully in this summer heat. I hope you the best, Sooner than later.
Gordon, glad you are doing better. Any advice for Susan? We might be able to find her some medicinal "shine" if you think that might help? My grandmother was a stanch Baptist and would never dream of taking a drink. But she always kept a bottle of whiskey and rock candy for medicine and would offer that to the family as needed. Some of her other old time remedies were not nearly as normal.
-
Gordon, glad you are doing better. Any advice for Susan?
Don, in my case no good advice. Just eardrops and suffer!
-
You two always put a smile on my face! :)
Well, we have a diagnosis now. It's called Meniere's Disease and is controlled through medication. Not really what I wanted to hear, but at least we can move forward.
I go back in two weeks to see how much my hearing has been impacted. Kinda enjoying the self-imposed peace and quiet, tho! lol
-
Went back to the ENT this past week to let him check out how the tube is doing and to check my hearing.
Well, it's official. I can't hear worth a hoot! My hearing test looks like a deep "V". In the "normal" 20-25 range for high and low frequencies on the left, then precipitous drop to 50-60 range for mid-range (human voice range). Right does the same, but about 10-20 lower for all three ranges. Ugh.
Doc says it is permanent nerve damage and probably inherited. Well, yeah - my Dad had hearing aids. I'm sure they helped his top dresser drawer hear better, because that's where they stayed.
Hearing aids not covered by insurance and are hugely expensive ($3K+/per) - out of this ol' retired gal's range. Good thing I learned lip reading while in corporate America!
-
Oh gee...sorry to hear that. You seem to be upbeat about it though. I don't think I could take it that well.
I have a slight hearing problem also, but nothing like yours. Hearing aids are pricey. I passed on them myself.
-
Oh well, Sharon..I've had lots of time to get used to the idea of not hearing. lol
I am going to look into a couple of those sound amplifiers, so at least I can hear the TV without blasting out the neighbors in the next county!
-
My daughter says that I need hearing aides also. I tell her I can hear what I want to hear just fine. So far I have been able to tune her out. My chickens don't complain and so far I can still hear the roosters crow. Susan, after reading replies on this thread, maybe it isn't inherited, but has to do with raising poultry! Age can't be a factor can it? Dad's hearing aides always seemed to find their way to his dresser drawer. He would tell me "I put new batteries in the darn things and they still don't work". I would open them up and usually the battery was in backwards or no battery at all. I usually could find all kinds of batteries on the dining room floor. The only problem was which ones were the new ones he supposedly put in and which were the old ones. Dad lived to be 3 days short of 91. He never really complained about his hearing loss, that was up to others to do.
Keep up your good spirits and know there are others out there who can't hear a darn also, but won't admit it. I have never heard that the Good Lord has hearing aides. I have heard that he is always there for comfort or to listen.
Thanks again for all the hard work you do for the ABC.
-
My daughter says that I need hearing aides also. I tell her I can hear what I want to hear just fine. So far I have been able to tune her out. My chickens don't complain and so far I can still hear the roosters crow. Susan, after reading replies on this thread, maybe it isn't inherited, but has to do with raising poultry! Age can't be a factor can it? Dad's hearing aides always seemed to find their way to his dresser drawer. He would tell me "I put new batteries in the darn things and they still don't work". I would open them up and usually the battery was in backwards or no battery at all. I usually could find all kinds of batteries on the dining room floor. The only problem was which ones were the new ones he supposedly put in and which were the old ones. Dad lived to be 3 days short of 91. He never really complained about his hearing loss, that was up to others to do.
Keep up your good spirits and know there are others out there who can't hear a darn also, but won't admit it. I have never heard that the Good Lord has hearing aides. I have heard that he is always there for comfort or to listen.
Thanks again for all the hard work you do for the ABC.
Thank you, Gordon!
My Dad lived to 4 months short of his 94th Birthday and he never complained either. I think his hearing loss was more "selective" than he let on, though.
Doc says mine isn't age related, that if it were it would show as a slow decline across the different ranges, instead of the "cookie cutout" type of graph mine showed. It could be all those years of target practice (I was a sharpshooter in the Army), where I hated wearing my ear plugs and would pull them out when no one was looking. But, who knows? Whatever the cause, the effect isn't going to change so I might as well get used to it. Actually, I think it's harder on those around me than it is on me.
I wrote a poem about God's comfort and grace - called "My Comfort", if you'd like, I'd be happy to send it to you.
Susan
-
Yes Susan, I would really appreciate a copy of your poem "My Comfort". Please email it to me. Thanks in advance.
-
Hi Susan ,
My hearing issue started with ringing in the ears . When I asked my primary Dr if there was anything for that he said no , so I just figured it was a side effect of my medications and just lived with it . Early last year I noticed that my hearing was going in my right ear , Told my primary Dr , referred me to a specialist , took the hearing test , normal in left ear , about half gone in right ear .. Had to have a CT scan . Diagnosis > a small acoustic neuronoma brain tumor (Not cancerous) that occurs right at the ear drum causing hearing loss .. After discussing all the possible treatments , since I have no other symptoms but the hearing loss , just going to watch it and wait and see . They are slow growing and Dr said a CT scan every year to year and a half would be enough to keep an eye on it ... I bought one of the hearing amplifiers thats rechargeable for $19.95 and it works great for watching tv and when I wear it out in public ..
-
Oh my gosh, Tammy! That had to be scary!
I've adapted to the hearing loss - now if I could just get everyone else trained to speak up or speak into my left ear. lol The hardest part is watching TV - I have to turn the volume up so high, the walls vibrate. (that might be just a teeny exaggeration ;) )
I hope you continue to do well and that tumor stops growing.
-
Update on my right ear. Since it is still leaking after almost a year, the Dr has ordered a CT scan for this Friday. My right eardrum is now not vibrating at all and he doesn't know why. So, keeping my fingers crossed for a simple solution.
-
You're in our prayers, keep us posted Susan.
-
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. We hope that there is a simple solution and a speedy recovery.
Ernie Haire
Poultry 2XL
-
We are praying for you.
-
Update on my right ear. Since it is still leaking after almost a year, the Dr has ordered a CT scan for this Friday. My right eardrum is now not vibrating at all and he doesn't know why. So, keeping my fingers crossed for a simple solution.
Probably from all the smacks on the other site ;)
Our prayers are with you as well, Susan
-
Update on my right ear. Since it is still leaking after almost a year, the Dr has ordered a CT scan for this Friday. My right eardrum is now not vibrating at all and he doesn't know why. So, keeping my fingers crossed for a simple solution.
Probably from all the smacks on the other site ;)
Our prayers are with you as well, Susan
Yeah, I think you need to start standing on my other side - maybe you can knock whatever is in that ear free. :)
For everyone else - no one was actually smacked in the making of this, or any other, post. lol
-
Update on my right ear. Since it is still leaking after almost a year, the Dr has ordered a CT scan for this Friday. My right eardrum is now not vibrating at all and he doesn't know why. So, keeping my fingers crossed for a simple solution.
Probably from all the smacks on the other site ;)
Our prayers are with you as well, Susan
Yeah, I think you need to start standing on my other side - maybe you can knock whatever is in that ear free. :)
For everyone else - no one was actually smacked in the making of this, or any other, post. lol
Susan, have you gotten any news yet?
They did the CT scan Friday and I'm sitting in the drs waiting room now to see if they have any answers.
-
The good news is that there is no cyst or tumor. The mastoid bone is filled with fluid and now they suspect that fluid is cerebrospinal fluid, coming from a leak between the brain pan and the mastoid bone. Requires surgery and a small bone graph to fix.
ENT has referred me on to an otologist at Georgia Regional, so now I wait for that call.
-
Further update - the neurontologist at GRU wasn't accepting any new patients - but no one told me that for over 3 weeks. When I learned what was going on, I picked up a copy of my records and took them to the VA. My appt with the VA ENT is May 10th, so we'll see what they say. Hope we don't start all over again.
-
:-\ Sorry Susan to hear your door has closed at GRU. Yes it probably seems like here we go again and start all over. At least you have your records and hopefully won't be starting at square one. I have you penciled in at the top of my prayer list.
-
Good Grief. "What we have here is a Failure to communicate." It seems like more and more gets lost in the fast pace of business today. We will be praying that things are more on track at the VA and things begin to fall in place for your procedures.
Thanks for the update Susan. We will be thinking of you this Thursday and hope that they can put you on the path to healing. We need you to come off the cotton balls and back on your A game. Seriously we will hope for a good report. Keep us posted if you will please.
-
The VA re-scheduled my appt for 5/12 at 10AM, so two more days and I'll know whether we're starting all over or moving forward.
I did read in the VA notes that a spinal tap was contemplated to verify if the fluid is cerebro-spinal fluid. Apparently, they inject a dye and see if the fluid coming out of my ear has that same dye or not.
I've never had a spinal tap, and not sure I want one now...I may just have to learn to live with cotton balls in my ear.
-
All of those options Susan, and none seem appealing to me. I guess you just go with the flow and see if progress is made. Still praying for you! From my experience with dad and the VA, Progress was slow but steady. He really had some great doctors as well as med students from Creighton University and the Nebraska Med Center.
-
Well, it has been an interesting, and exhausting day. Got there at 9:45 this morning, for my appt at 10, and left at 2PM this afternoon.
First, Dr Groves (VA ENT) doesn't think it is cerebro-spinal fluid and could not detect any fluid at all. He thinks that whatever problem I was having is clearing itself up. He has ordered another CT scan to see if the mastoid bone is still showing fluid, so we'll see. It has been dry before, with most of the leakage happening at night, and I can still feel the pressure of the fluid - so, we'll see.
He also ordered another hearing test, which was done this afternoon. The really good news is that the VA does provide hearing aids! I didn't know that, and in fact, the local VA office here in Aiken, had told me last year that they didn't. My hearing, aside from whatever is going on with my right ear, is neural damage and "well within hearing aid range" - whatever that means. The second part of the good news from the hearing test is that the difference between right and left is not as significant as it was before. The bad news is that the right eardrum is still not vibrating at all and with no fluid behind it, no idea why not.
I have to say that, at first, I was very aggravated with Dr. Groves - which I don't hide well - because he came in the room without any preparation at all - he had no idea why I was there or what the last year and half of history has been. Since I know my PA in Aiken scanned all the medical records in from Aiken ENT, that made me feel somewhat frustrated. Why bother transferring medical records if they aren't going to read them? But, at the end, Dr. Groves convinced me that we are on the right path....I think.
I was concerned that the first thing I would hear is "spinal tap" and "bone grafts", but since he doesn't think it is CSF, then he doesn't think all that is necessary...so that does make me happy.
All in all, I'm happy that when the medical condition is cleared, I can actually get hearing aids and that the two biggies (spinal tap and bone graft) are, for now, out of the picture. It will be nice to hear the TV without having it loud enough for the next county over to know what we're watching. :)
-
It sounds like you made quite a bit of progress for your first visit. The hearing aide option sounds quite encouraging. The VA furnished dad with his hearing aides, but that was years ago and as with him options do change over the years. You will have to start Barry in battery training school. Dad would always tell me his hearing aide wasn't working. I would say it was probably the batteries. he would say no I put new ones in. I would check and the battery would either be in backwards or no battery in the compartment at all. If no battery I would look on the dining room floor under the table and I think dad was starting a battery garden. one ever sprouted new batteries though. I do know, dad was always sending me to the store because it seemed he was always out of hearing aide batteries. Praying for more progress on your next appointment!
-
Round 2 of CT scan completed yesterday. Appointment with the doc is 6/1.
Of course, the day before the CT scan was done, the leakage was so bad it was running down my neck. ewww. Believe me, that doesn't sound half as bad as it feels. It will be interesting to see if Dr. Groves theory that my mastoid bone is no longer full of fluid holds up.
-
Well, we have a partial diagnosis (again?). The CT scan revealed a gap between my brain pan and the middle ear. Below the gap is a cloudy area, but the CT scan doesn't differentiate between just fluid and brain tissue, so an MRI is scheduled for 6/24. This will tell the surgeon, (Dr. Mark Hoy, MUSC, Charleston, SC) whether that is just fluid or includes some brain matter. Either way, surgery is required, with the impact of that surgery depending on what that cloud is. This opening is called an encephalocele, somewhat common in newborns, but rare in adults. If that is brain matter, then it is a meningesencephalocele.
I told the Dr he had to be careful - I've already lost my looks and my brain is all I got left. :)
-
Either way, surgery is required, with the impact of that surgery depending on what that cloud is. This opening is called an encephalocele, somewhat common in newborns, but rare in adults. If that is brain matter, then it is a meningesencephalocele.
I told the Dr he had to be careful - I've already lost my looks and my brain is all I got left. :)
Susan, this doesn't surprise me that your condition is common in newborns but rare in adults. From past experience and the current website fiasco, you have proven to be a rare commodity. The ABC would have really been in a major bind without your expertise and hard work that you put forth to resolve this issue. Thanks again as I know you had other issues pending with your medical condition.
-
Update: VA MRI office called me this morning. They had a cancellation and I was bumped to the top of the list. My MRI is now scheduled for this Wed, 6/8, at 9 AM.
Sure am glad I got the forum back up and running...
-
Gordon is right! Thank you and great job, Susan.
-
MRI is done...now we just wait.
Thanks, everyone, for all the prayers and support. To say I'm not nervous about this surgery (craniotomy) would be a lie.
-
Susan, you are still at the top of my prayer list.
-
The results of the MRI were posted on myhealth.va tonight. I can't translate all of the following, since I haven't heard from the Dr., but there are some things that don't need translation. This is taken exactly from the MRI: (one thing I can translate is brain parenchyma - that is functioning brain matter)
Attention to the temporal bones there is a 6.5 x 4.4 mm
well-circumscribed lobulated fluid collection within the right
epitympanic space with a direct connection with the middle
cranial fossa sulci of the temporal lobe. Erosion and defect of
the right tegmen tympani with the brain parenchyma at the site of
the defect without passing through the defect into the
epitympanic space. There are adjacent inflammatory changes within
the right mastoid air cells. No diffusion restriction to suggest
cholesteatoma.
Impressions:
1. Right epitympanic meningocele with communication to the middle
cranial fossa sulci. 2. Brain parenchyma at the site of the
defect of the right tegmen tympani without definite
encephalocele. 3. No evidence of cholesteatoma.
Primary Diagnostic Code: SIGNIFICANT ABNORMALITY, ATTN NEEDED
-
"ATTN NEEDED"
Isn't it great when they finally pay attention to the patient, listen and finally come to the same conclusion.
We all are still praying for you Susan. I hope they get all of this rectified soon and get you on a fast path to healthy.
-
Susan, we are praying and pulling for you! As shown with the recent bout with the website, you are a fighter and a winner! From your post, it appears you have the full attention from the VA on your health issues. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!
-
Dr Groves just called me from the VA in Augusta. There is definitely brain covering (dura) poking through the hole between my brain pan and the middle ear and there may, or may not, be brain matter as well - won't be able to tell that definitively until they're actually looking at it in surgery.
He is trying to do a referral to the VA ENT clinic in Charleston, with Dr. Myer, but the VA system doesn't offer Charleston as one of the options for an automatic consult, so he has to kinda go around the VA bureaucracy to get me down there.
-
Keep us posted Susan.
-
Minor update, but progress :)
I just received a message through the VA online that Dr Groves has completed the IFC (Inter Facility Consult) request and Dr. Myers (the Charleston otoneurologist) has it and is reviewing it.
-
Have you ever wondered what is the least expected thing you expect a Dr. to say? Well, me neither, but, if I had, I wouldn't need to wonder any longer. (It's all good)
Dr. McCracken walks in the room, shakes mine and Barry's hands, introduces himself, then starts in with the usual..."how are you doing, etc", then stops, puts one arm across his chest, rests his other elbow on that arm, with that hand stroking his chin and goes,
"Do you mind if I bring the resident in, too? You have a really interesting case and I'd like for him to hear it." then he wheels around and is out the door before my jaw hits the bottonmost level it can go.
I look at Barry and go "Well that's not a promising start! Glad they already took my blood pressure first!"
"Yeah, right!" Barry says, "ZOOOOM" he goes with his hand describing a very high arch - illustrating what my blood pressure just did. We're both laughing, but kinda serious at the same time.
Barry puts on his best good ol' boy accent (he's from NW Iowa, so it's a stretch). "C'mere Earl, ya jes gotta hear this!"
"C'mon Ear, ya ain't nevah gonna b'lieve this!" and so forth.
By the time, the resident comes in, we're both laughing so hard. I hope he doesn't mistake those tears in my eyes for sadness, but pretty sure he didn't.
And, that was how my long-awaited, and much worried over (I think I slept 2.5 hours last night) visit with the surgeon, who I'm going to let cut open my brain, went.
But, it's all good. One thing is I've lost 17 lbs - not from trying, but from all the headaches and accompanying nausea, when all I eat is dry toast for a couple of days. And, because this stuff is also draining down my throat, food all tastes different and not in a good way.
Here's what I've learned. They can go in a little hole they drill in the back of your ear to fix this, but won't be able to do that with mine, due to positioning (:( ). So, they will cut a little "window" into the brain just above the ear, lift the brain up, cut off the (already dead) portion of whatever brain is hanging down through the gap, then slap a graft on the gap, and stitch me back up. I won't even see the little cut out, as they cut the scalp along the back of the ear, lay the scalp back, cut the skull, then place the scalp back. With my current hairstyle, he said it won't even be hardly noticeable.
The surgery takes about 4-5 hours, then I spend a day in ICU, then get moved upstairs. If no problems, I can go home the next day - so a total of three days in the hospital.
Risks are minimal - other than the standard risks any time you go under anesthesia. One of the risks, loss of speech, is non-existent for me, since I'm right handed and my speech center is on my left side. (whew). They don't even do the anti-seizure medicine following this surgery any longer.
I might experience some dizziness after the surgery for a bit, but overall recovery is probably 3-5 weeks.
Dr. McCraken made me feel much more assured about this whole deal and I left in a much better state of mind than I arrived.
I should hear the exact date within the next week, but Dr. McCracken said it will probably be Sept 13th, but definitely the second week of Sept. I have to go back Sept 1st for another hearing test and to have the anesthesiologist clear me for surgery.
I can probably forget about any October poultry shows (crying), but I should be ready to roll again in November! Maybe I'll even be able to hear again!
-
Susan, Your report sounds encouraging. I will continue to pray for your upcoming surgery and rehab time. What is missing a few poultry shows when your outcome sounds so favorable. You will certainly be missed at those SE shows, but I'm sure everyone understands. Tell Don to buckle his belt tighter and has to pull some more of the load while you are recuperating. No excuses from him because we all know that he can handle it! It sounds that Barry is giving you great support and keeping your blood pressure monitored. Tell him Thanks! Just take it easy and don't overdue during your recoup period. We all know you are a workaholic and tend to work even into the wee hours of the morning. Enough of that for now, you know we voted you in for the long haul! Best wishes!
-
Susan, Your report sounds encouraging. I will continue to pray for your upcoming surgery and rehab time. What is missing a few poultry shows when your outcome sounds so favorable. You will certainly be missed at those SE shows, but I'm sure everyone understands.
We have several new members in Alabama and I was really hoping to meet them at the Anniston, AL show. But it is the weekend of Oct 10, 5 hours away, and I don't think Barry's going to let me take off for Alabama three weeks after major surgery - even if I feel like it, which I kinda doubt. There is a small show about 45 mins from here on Oct 29, so I'm going to shoot for that one - it will be a good trail run for my first "over-nighter" later in November.
Tell Don to buckle his belt tighter and has to pull some more of the load while you are recuperating. No excuses from him because we all know that he can handle it! It sounds that Barry is giving you great support and keeping you blood pressure monitored. Tell him Thanks!
Barry keeps me laughing - which is a good thing. I am a bit OCD and can tend to get obsessed with things - just a wee bit. ;)
Just take it easy and don't overdue during your recoup period. We all know you are a workaholic and tend to work even into the wee hours of the morning. Enough of that for now, you know we voted you in for the long haul! Best wishes!
Ok...who told on me?? LOL
I'm not really a workaholic - I just get very focused on a project and don't want to quit until it is done...
-
Well, we have a date and time for the surgery. Sept 14th, 8AM, Dr. McCracken, at the VA Hospital in Charleston, SC. The surgery should last 4-5 hours, I've been told.
I go back Sept 1st for the pre-surgery stuff and to have anesthesiology clear me for surgery.
-
Prayers for a steady hand for the Surgeon. Wow, a 4-5 hour nap. Just think of the down time dreaming of that Champion Ameraucana that is in your grow out pens. Perhaps dreaming of all the amazing colors and pictures on the ABC shirts and hoodies! But most of all prayers for a speedy recovery and back to the show circuit!
-
I can't believe, after the last year and half, I am just days away from the repair for my leaky ear!
The next few days will be a bit hectic, so forgive me if I'm not around much. Had a couple of folks come by today to pick up birds. I didn't get the numbers down to where I wanted them, but they're manageable, I think.
I still need to finish up the bulletin and get that out - so keep your fingers crossed that I can stay focused long enough to wrap it up. :) I will confess to a bit of pre-surgery nerves. :)
Monday calls for a trip back to the VA in Augusta, GA for a mandated nuclear stress test. The surgeon wouldn't agree to put me under for 5-6 hours without it, so Dr's and Cardiac clinics between Augusta and Charleston have been scrambling this past week to get it done, so we didn't have to re-schedule the surgery. Good thing, too - I'm tired of eating boiled eggs, raw carrots, and celery! Can't wait til this is all over so I can get back to eating all the good stuff - hamburgers, french fries, steak...and of course, ice cream. :)
Tuesday is last minute personal pre-op stuff - making sure all the feed bins are full, larder is stocked, etc and then, Wed morning at 3AM, we are off to Charleston. From what I've been told, surgery will take between 4-6 hours (depends on who you ask), then at least one day in icu and another day or two in a regular room. Hopefully, home by next Sat, but we'll see.
I told Barry I was taking my cell phone with me into surgery, so I don't miss anything, but if I don't respond to your messages or emails for a few days - be patient and know that I was busted. :) I'll be back online as soon as I can.
I will be sending Clif Barry's phone number, so he can keep track of any updates and I'm trying to get Barry to post them on my page in FB, as well. However, Barry isn't as "online-addicted" as I am, so I don't know how frequent those updates will be. Trust me - they won't be lengthy, when they do come, either. something like "she's out of surgery and still alive" type of thing.
Be blessed, everyone and I'll see you on the other side!
-
Best wishes for an uneventful and smooth procedure followed by a speedy recovery! Will be thinking of you, Susan!
-
I echo ravynscroft's comments. I hope you have a nice restful weekend and good results the first of the week. You've waited for a long time and I am sure you are ready for some relief. You and Barry take it slow and don't worry about other stuff right now. We will be looking forward to updates from Clif.
-
Continued prayers for a successful surgery and a fast recovery. Has Barry warned the nurses not to be alarmed at laptop lighting at 3:00am? Old habits are hard to break!
-
I am glad that the waiting is finished and that Susan can get ready for some recovery after today. I pray that everything goes smoothly and that the Drs are able to resolve the issue quickly today. I know that Barry is on edge more than anyone else during this time. I look forward to an update as soon as possible from Barry or Clif.
-
I'm not Barry or Clif, but I figured I would pass on the news I just heard for anyone else waiting and not knowing yet. :)
Susan has made it through the surgery with flying colors! Seems the doctors were able to do the surgery much easier and quicker than they calculated. She is expected to return home tomorrow!!
-
Thanks Jen, That is Great news. I am glad you were able to get the scoop. I know that Barry and Susan both can exhale now that the surgery is over. Great News indeed.
-
Thanks Jen for the early scoop on Susan's surgery. That's great news that everything went so well and she is expected home earlier than anticipated!
-
Very welcome, Don and Gordon. Glad to pass the good news around. I have no doubt they are both very relieved and all her friends share that big sigh as well. :)
-
Wonderful news! Glad things went well.
-
And, the saga continues....
As some of you are aware, I had the brain CT scan, with contrast last Tues (3/12/19) at the Augusta University Hospital. This past Tues (3/19/19), I received the results from Dr. Seyyeddi, who is the otoneurologist that ordered the scan.
The CT scan does show another gap in the brain pan, with an active cerebrospinal fluid leak into the middle ear. My appt with Dr Seyyeddi, who ordered the brain scan, is next Wed (3/27/19) to "discuss my options". Of course, Barry and I already know the options - new surgery or no new surgery, and the second one isn't a viable option. With an active leak, there is a risk of infection traveling into the brain and into the spinal column; they have specifically stated meningitis as a risk.
So, now we know and we move forward. Whether this has any impact on my "episodes" or not remains to be seen.