The Last Post About My Ear, I Swear (I think...)

I haven't died.

But since the ear is all I've been "doing" the past two weeks, it's all I've got to write about.

And I've got these really great pictures...

So...

I had my surgery. Last Wednesday (April 1).

Yes... had surgery on April Fools Day. No joking about that.

I had some pain earlier that week and went immediately to the doc to make sure I didn't have another infection. I've been pretty freaked about infections.

Did I tell you that I have a new doctor? Dr. Norris quit me! I really thought we were making some progress together...Now I am seeing his partner. Dr. Hixon does tympanoplasties.. Dr. N does not. Whatever. I am sure they had a fabulous time discussing my case... and my psychoticness...

So Dr. Hixon said that it was time for the operation. No more waiting.

I had a lateral graft tympanoplasty, and here are some really cool (and somewhat disgusting) pictures from the microscope during the surgery. Don't look if you don't like blood. (I think he took these so that he can write about me in a medical journal!... not really)

The first one (the dark one) is looking down into my ear with an otoscope. The glowing yellow thing is the malleus bone. Notice that you can see the area behind the bone because I HAVE NO EARDRUM.

The second one is after they peeled back the ear. Same picture, just closer.

The third one is after he removed the excess skin from around the malleus.

The last one is after he replaced the eardrum with a graft! And you can't see through it anymore!

I know that is way too much information, but I find it really fascinating. I showed this picture to every person who came to visit me.

The operation took about three hours, and I was asleep for four.

There is nothing like anesthesia sleep, my friends.

Lortab/Phernegen sleep is pretty close. I kept doped up for about five days. It was great. If I talked to you during that time, I apologize.

Here is my incision:

I was really excited when I discovered that they SHAVED MY HAIR.

Thanks for that. It makes wearing a ponytail so very attractive.

I got my stitches out two days ago, and am on the mend (nothing but Advil since Tuesday).

Most of the swelling in my face has subsided, but my ear still sticks out pretty far. Justin keeps calling me an elf. Dr. H swears that it will go back to normal soon.

Oh, and the left side of my tongue is still "numb" to taste. Any food that makes it to that side of my mouth tastes terrible. Very very weird.

I have packing on both sides of the new eardrum, so my hearing is much worse, but should all be peachy in six to eight weeks.

And then I shall write a lovely post about how wonderful it is to hear.

Until then, surely I can find something else to write about. Because I am sure you are sick of reading about it.

I am certainly tired of dealing with it.

Peace and love.