My second surgery is set for Thursday, February 24. Wow! That’s less than 24 hours after I’m writing this.
I am to report to Cleveland Clinic at 10:30 a.m. (much nicer than my tumor removal, when I had to report at 5:30 a.m.). It’s what Cleveland Clinic calls “In and out” surgery, another way of saying, “outpatient.”
In late January, I had surgery to remove a benign tumor from my inner ear, known as a acoustic neuroma. It was completely removed by Dr. Erika Woodson, but it had also seriously affected the nerves on that side of the face. As a result, I have had problems operating the left side of my mouth, and also closing my left eyelid. Tomorrow’s surgery is to help correct some of those problems. Kind of wonder what I look like? Check this out. On the right side of the photo (left side of my face) I can’t lift up that side of the mouth. I also can’t squint with that eye like I can with the other side.
Dr. Daniel Alam will be doing four different things. He will pull the facial area above the mouth on the left side so that it's no longer drooping. He will also move some nerves so that they can help control the left side of the mouth. He will also string a sling, made from Gore Tex, between the right and left sides of the mouth, so that when the right side moves, so will the left. My mouth movement will not be 100 percent of what it was before, but very close to that.
I said he'll be doing four things. The fourth is something I thought would wait, but he asked if I wanted it done now, and said yes. He will insert a flat piece of gold inside my left eyelid. It will make the eyelid heavier, making it possible for me to close the eye totally. Right now, I can only close it about 85-90 percent of the way.
Dr. Alam told me today I'll be pretty swollen for about three or four days, but he says I will be able to talk right away, and will be able to eat.
He says I should have no problem being back at work on March 7, and I am really looking forward to it. I miss being on the air. I miss working with Wills and Snyder and the entire news team. I’ve become an internet and Facebook junkie.
Today, by the way, was "Cleveland Clinic Day" for me. I had another MRI today as a follow up. The tumor is completely gone, and inside the head is healing just fine. I had another hearing test. The hearing in my right ear is pretty good for a guy who's 54 years old. I have, however, permanantly lost the hearing in my left ear. Today I was shown some alternatives. One that is kind of neat is a hearing aid I can wear in my left ear, and the sounds from that side of my head will be transmitted by radio to my right ear. I also had a followup with Dr. Woodson. She's very happy with my progress so far. I ended the day with a meeting with Dr. Alam, who got me all prepared mentally for the surgery.
I do appreciate all the support I have had from listeners. I’ve received some e-mails, and many have signed up for my Facebook page. Soon, I hope to tell the story, in person, on WTAM 1100.
I am to report to Cleveland Clinic at 10:30 a.m. (much nicer than my tumor removal, when I had to report at 5:30 a.m.). It’s what Cleveland Clinic calls “In and out” surgery, another way of saying, “outpatient.”
In late January, I had surgery to remove a benign tumor from my inner ear, known as a acoustic neuroma. It was completely removed by Dr. Erika Woodson, but it had also seriously affected the nerves on that side of the face. As a result, I have had problems operating the left side of my mouth, and also closing my left eyelid. Tomorrow’s surgery is to help correct some of those problems. Kind of wonder what I look like? Check this out. On the right side of the photo (left side of my face) I can’t lift up that side of the mouth. I also can’t squint with that eye like I can with the other side.
Dr. Daniel Alam will be doing four different things. He will pull the facial area above the mouth on the left side so that it's no longer drooping. He will also move some nerves so that they can help control the left side of the mouth. He will also string a sling, made from Gore Tex, between the right and left sides of the mouth, so that when the right side moves, so will the left. My mouth movement will not be 100 percent of what it was before, but very close to that.
I said he'll be doing four things. The fourth is something I thought would wait, but he asked if I wanted it done now, and said yes. He will insert a flat piece of gold inside my left eyelid. It will make the eyelid heavier, making it possible for me to close the eye totally. Right now, I can only close it about 85-90 percent of the way.
Dr. Alam told me today I'll be pretty swollen for about three or four days, but he says I will be able to talk right away, and will be able to eat.
He says I should have no problem being back at work on March 7, and I am really looking forward to it. I miss being on the air. I miss working with Wills and Snyder and the entire news team. I’ve become an internet and Facebook junkie.
Today, by the way, was "Cleveland Clinic Day" for me. I had another MRI today as a follow up. The tumor is completely gone, and inside the head is healing just fine. I had another hearing test. The hearing in my right ear is pretty good for a guy who's 54 years old. I have, however, permanantly lost the hearing in my left ear. Today I was shown some alternatives. One that is kind of neat is a hearing aid I can wear in my left ear, and the sounds from that side of my head will be transmitted by radio to my right ear. I also had a followup with Dr. Woodson. She's very happy with my progress so far. I ended the day with a meeting with Dr. Alam, who got me all prepared mentally for the surgery.
I do appreciate all the support I have had from listeners. I’ve received some e-mails, and many have signed up for my Facebook page. Soon, I hope to tell the story, in person, on WTAM 1100.
