Greetings from post op

Gracias! I was very moved for the amount of good wishes I received right before surgery. Even my former doctor at Kaiser called. And I just want to say thank you very much for all love and words of encouragements everyone sent our way and share that the prayers and good vibe/thoughts must have work because according to Dr. Mazhar the surgery went pretty smooth (for all those cynics out there that think those things don’t work). 

Pre-surgery

They were able to remove all the traces of the tumor and got clean margins – meaning that the extent of the cut went until they were able to find healthy tissue. Dr. Mazhar along with a pathologist examined the exposed ear, and the cancer had not spread to the bone or other head internal organs!! So there was no need for a mastoid procedure (when they scratch or cut the otic bone) or having to remove the ear drum. Also no facial or taste nerves were damaged. Yay!!!

After Surgery - thank u Long Hair for the camuflage!

I was out of the OR around 12:30, but was released until much later  so they could keep an eye on the internal bleeding of the ear. I must admit, if this was supposed to be a not too invasive surgery, I really don’t wanna to know what a more aggressive would have been like. Your body does feel pretty crappy right afterwards. I developed a pretty bad sore throat from all the tubing making it painful to eat or talk, which is why I have been mostly texting as oppose to get on the phone.  My ear currently does looks like a little Dumbo (nothing that long hair won’t cover), and I have pretty big scar under my arm from where they removed the skin to use in my ear. I already tried to start researching what can I do to minimize it, and if anyone has any tips for this please, please do share!

But other than that I’m  doing fairly well. The small fever I had post surgery is gone and there is hardly any pain left. I actually stopped taking pain meds yesterday, and the bleeding and swelling has diminished as well.

Its so nice have to my super nurse, mom around; she cooks, helps with the dressings, overall doesn’t let me do much. Not that I could  fight her much any way, the days right after surgery, much unlike me,  all that my body seemed to want to do was to sleep. I’ll would be reading and  fall sleep, talking to my mother and I  fall sleep, trying to work in the computer and fall sleep. But I'm glad to report the Sleeping Beauty syndrome is fading away. 

According to the doctor I needed to stay put for about 3 days and mild activity for at least a week or two, to prevent extending the stitches and let the skin grass fuse well with bone. So I’ve been trying to be a good patient, let my body heal. I spend most of my day reading, catching old reruns of Ally McBeal, watering my wound with drops. Just like regular grass, skin grass need to be kept moist to attach. Funny huh?

My post-op appointment is next Monday, and hopefully they will already have the results of the second biopsy, which will determine what if any will be the next steps to take.

 In the mean time me and my mother are experimenting with healthy recipes. She is trying to teach me how to cook, and I try teach to her what I have learned so far about combinations of vegetables that are particularly inmune system booster. But for now I have to go, its time for my other combination of meds,  and I told my mom, we will watching the new movie of el papasito Gael Garcia Bernal.

But again mil gracias for all the support. Xoxox  - L..

Its Surgery Time!!! At Last!!!

Ok. This is it. Tomorrow ultra early in the morning I go into surgery. By 7:30 am PET. I'll should  be already pretty knocked with morphine :)). And yes the whole cutting, and scaring is a tad unnerving  but I'm SO MORE THAN READY to get it over with (even if I have last minute call back schedule).

Taken in one of my many hospital visits. At least the view is great

I spent the whole past month in and out of the hospital getting all sorts  tests done, blood work, EKG cardio tests, scans, audio tests,  x-rays and an over an hour long meeting at the anesthesiology dept. Even my teeth needed to be checked. For someone that have gone thru surgery  a few other times in the past, I’m surprised how meticulous they are but I guess that is what they needed to do.

The surgery will not be as invasive. The paraotid gland (the big gland right in front of the ear) which they originally thought they will be needing to cut, after studying the scans looks healthy and it was decided to live it alone which will save me a big scar across my cheek  - Heck yay!!!!

The surgery will consist of a sleeve recession, which basically means they will cut from the back of the ear and remove the skin of the ear canal along with glands and nerves like an old sock, and replace it with skin grass from another part of my body.

The tricky part comes, and why they don’t know yet until they open is, if they will have to cut part of the canal’s bone or how close they will need to get to the ear drum. In either case Dr. Mazhar told me, if they do they will rebuild them to restore my hearing. Ear drums get rebuild with a tiny part of your brain, amazing!

 

There is also a small but still present risk of touching the facial nerve (which could cause partial face paralysis) and of course the risk of infection.

The two Lianas at top of LA yesterday. 

If all goes well, I’ll be in and out of the hospital in a day and get to recover at home.My mom, arrived yesterday to LA, so I have a top of the art personal nurse. And my aunt and uncle were very kind to drive her back and be here to help her translate the day of the surgery. So nice!

All ready that is it. Thank so very much for the good thoughts, and positive energy everyone is sending. It helps!!! My own personal prayer is that doctors will be wise enough to just do exactly as much they need to do and for a hopefully trouble free, not too painful recovery to get back on my feet in no time.  Bed ridden is so no my style.

Love, L…