Hello to everybody, i just wanted to update you as promised on my laby surgery with Dr. Rauch. I went into the hospital yesterday at 10:00am and when i woke up yesterday in my room at 1:30 pm i knew something had happened but was not sure what. lol Dr. Rauch came in around 2:00pm and told me i did great and the surgery went well. I was free to rest and do what i wanted, he told me he scheduled my checkout today after 12:00 noon and just wanted me to stay overnight for observation, but before i could go home he wanted me up and walking unassisted. He said he prescribed some pain medication if i needed it just ask the nurses and they would have it for you. I rested yesterday and took several naps, but i woke up this morning and walked to the bathroom and down the hall a few times and i am good to go. I am leaving at 12:00 noon today. The nurses took off my bandages this morning and i felt like my ear was sticking out. I remember Dr. Rauch telling me before surgery i would have about 2 weeks of swelling and it would feel funny but it would all be back to normal in about 2 weeks when i am scheduled to get my stitches out. I am very happy to report that i have zero pain or discomfort and no need for pain medication. I am from Madison, Wisconsin and told Dr. Rauch that it would be hard for me to come back on short notice and get my stitches out and he gave me a card with an appointment to a local Otoneurologist in my area. He said he made the appointment for me with one of his colleagues and all they will be doing is taking out my stitches, if in the future i have any questions or concerns to just email him and he will be sure to return all my emails within 24 hours. Dr. Rauch's last advice to me was do what you want just don't sit around and do nothing. He recommended exactly what Redwing, Hurricaneone and Bulldogs told me to do. Walk and chanllenge myself on different terrain and in different settings. He said go walk the local mall, home depot or Wal-mart. I may not feet great doing it at first, but it is helping you recover quicker. I am checking out today and will spend a few days in Mass. because my parents who are here with me have never been and they want to take a few days to see the historic sites and i plan on going to walk walk walk. Thank you all so much for your support. On a side note, i woke up and saw my father sitting next to 2 dozen roses and told him Thank You and started to cry for all his support and being a wonderful dad and support system and he said they were not from me, they were sent by somebody named Bulldogs and Bumblebea. I have never been given roses in my life and to know they came from two people i met on this forum and will probably never meet made me cry and apprectiate this forum all the more. Thank You All for your support especially all those that came before me and shared their experience with the laby. I am excited and plan on getting on with my new dizzy free life. Trisha
I'm so thrilled for you Trisha! I have tears in my eyes reading your wonderful update. I too wish you a speedy recovery!
Hey Trisha Great job, enjoy Mass. And most importantly enjoy the rest of your vertigo/dizzy free life. Go have fun!!!! Do what Rauch told you, but be good to yourself, you deserve an afternoon nap.
Wonderful news Trisha! All my best to you for a quick recovery so you can get back to the joy of living a vertigo-free life once again!
I had been feeling a little down today and this message from Trisha not only brought happy tears to my eyes but gave me hope that I might find my answer too! Thanks everyone....I love you people!
Trisha so very happy for you. The beast has been slayer! Enjoy the life you deserve to live. Peace and Love.
I am so happy for you. In a very short time you will be doing whatever you want, when you want to. Just remember t keep going and doing. You now have life long family members that you can call on through this forum anytime, as I have through the years. Good Luck Larry
Congrats, Trisha. All the best to you as you get better and better each day. Yesterday was the first day of the rest of your dizzy free life!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I SO needed to read this today. My surgery is soon for the VNS. I'm so happy for you!!! This forum is a blessing to me. Prayers
Trisha, don't be afraid to pop a valium if needed every now and then. It is not a straight up recovery, it is sort of like the Coca Cola stock chart-----kind of zig zags but over time the trajectory is up and the rewards are incredible. keep at it but take that afternoon nap as your brain is working like hell to recalibrate and believe it or not it needs a little rest as well and I remember my doctor telling me that even when we are sleeping our brain is still working to replace that lost (bad) signal. I predict in 2-3 months you will be forever gone from this place like so many before that have the laby. PS: Hope you are enjoying the Boston area, right now i feel like having my own Tea Party and throwing my SIL in the Harbor.
Trisha, so very happy for you! Take each new day and do the best you can with it, challenge yourself and enjoy yourself!
Thank You for all the support and encouragement. After being out and walking around Boston with my parents i can already tell i am improving everyday. We are heading back to Madison on Saturday and i am excited for my future. The first 2 days of walking around my mother brought an adjustable hiking stick for me which i used, but after the first 2 days i did not even bother to take it. I had a funny question to those that had the laby, is it me or do i still think i can hear voices in my ear? Maybe it is just that my hearing overall seems to be better as i do not have that loud hissing anymore. Much thanks to Redwing for recommending a daily afternoon nap. I so look forward to my afternoon nap. The other question i had for those who had the laby surgery is how long did you fear going into a pool or swimming? I love to swim but am a little apprehensive still about this summer and swimming? Dr. Rauch told me to do anything i wanted so maybe it is just my confidence and mind playing games with me. I feel so relaxed and the first thing i told my mom and dad was i don't have any anxiety about going out in public and having a good time because Dr. Rauch promised me i would never spin again from that ear. I really feel i slayed this terrible beast that took so much away from my life I want to thank Bumblebea for offering me so much encouragement since i joined this forum, you have given me such good advice in my darkest days and nights and you don't know how much i appreciate it. Thank you everybody for the wonderful posts and support. Trisha