Comments for Ricky Mondello http://rmondello.com Life enthusiast. Mon, 21 May 2012 22:53:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by elliott http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3767 elliott Mon, 21 May 2012 22:53:11 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3767 Debra, See my above response to this question but, long story short, the symmetry of my ears is perfectly imperfect after surgery :) Debra,
See my above response to this question but, long story short, the symmetry of my ears is perfectly imperfect after surgery :)

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by elliott http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3766 elliott Mon, 21 May 2012 22:50:28 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3766 Hi Debra, I'm also two years post-op now. As far as I can tell, I've had no regression in my condition. I noticed early on a persistent tinnitus and a eustachian tube which is difficult to clear. These symptoms persist; the eustachian tube issue may be related more to bad sinus function than anything else. In my earlier posts I mentioned a "pressure", and I soon learned that this was the cause. I don't hold my nose and blow to clear the tube, just afraid to. Rather, I'm pretty good at swallowing to make it go away. Certain things like spicy food will make it clog, I've noticed. These things are a little bit annoying, and facing them as possibly eternal afflictions was difficult early on. But I've learned to deal with them and they're not so bad. Your daughter may have a recovery that is similarly "less than full", but the cure is by no means worse than the disease. I enjoy watersports as much as I did before, especially whitewater, without fear of getting my head wet. Balance is key in this sport and I don't notice any deterioration in mine. I still wear earplugs in the shower, but it's no hassle and in retrospect it's probably not a bad idea anyway. My hearing measures 100% according to the ENT, but certain very fine details are harder to pick up by comparison with my other ear. You asked below about appearance and symmetry. As Rick said, I think one ear may be lower than the other. But as you mentioned, I can't verify if it was like that before! I definitely don't look in the mirror and see a lack of symmetry. No one has ever mentioned it to me, nor do I notice anyone staring at my ears back and forth. I don't think it's noticeable and frankly, I don't think the barber can even see my scar when cutting my very short hair. In short, I'm happy I had the surgery despite the few issues. Rolling the dice with infections and possible complications from them would not be preferable, in my opinion, to the results that I've had. One indirect result that is absolutely positive is that I quit smoking and still don't smoke. Thanks for posting and I'll be happy to answer any other questions you have. -elliott Hi Debra,
I’m also two years post-op now. As far as I can tell, I’ve had no regression in my condition. I noticed early on a persistent tinnitus and a eustachian tube which is difficult to clear. These symptoms persist; the eustachian tube issue may be related more to bad sinus function than anything else. In my earlier posts I mentioned a “pressure”, and I soon learned that this was the cause. I don’t hold my nose and blow to clear the tube, just afraid to. Rather, I’m pretty good at swallowing to make it go away. Certain things like spicy food will make it clog, I’ve noticed.

These things are a little bit annoying, and facing them as possibly eternal afflictions was difficult early on. But I’ve learned to deal with them and they’re not so bad. Your daughter may have a recovery that is similarly “less than full”, but the cure is by no means worse than the disease.

I enjoy watersports as much as I did before, especially whitewater, without fear of getting my head wet. Balance is key in this sport and I don’t notice any deterioration in mine. I still wear earplugs in the shower, but it’s no hassle and in retrospect it’s probably not a bad idea anyway. My hearing measures 100% according to the ENT, but certain very fine details are harder to pick up by comparison with my other ear.

You asked below about appearance and symmetry. As Rick said, I think one ear may be lower than the other. But as you mentioned, I can’t verify if it was like that before! I definitely don’t look in the mirror and see a lack of symmetry. No one has ever mentioned it to me, nor do I notice anyone staring at my ears back and forth. I don’t think it’s noticeable and frankly, I don’t think the barber can even see my scar when cutting my very short hair.

In short, I’m happy I had the surgery despite the few issues. Rolling the dice with infections and possible complications from them would not be preferable, in my opinion, to the results that I’ve had. One indirect result that is absolutely positive is that I quit smoking and still don’t smoke. Thanks for posting and I’ll be happy to answer any other questions you have.

-elliott

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Debra http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3765 Debra Mon, 21 May 2012 20:34:38 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3765 Elliott, I'm just curious if all is still well? Elliott, I’m just curious if all is still well?

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Debra http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3764 Debra Mon, 21 May 2012 20:19:26 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3764 For those who had surgery more recently (this year), I would love to hear how you are progressing and recovering. For those who had surgery more recently (this year), I would love to hear how you are progressing and recovering.

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Debra http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3763 Debra Sat, 19 May 2012 21:42:37 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3763 For those who had ear opened up for surgery, I read stories of the ear not looking quite the same after being sewn back...did anyone else have this issue or did everything seem to be normal? Could just be that a difference of the two ears was noticeable afterwards because they were comparing the two where prior to surgery they didn't really even compare them. Just wondering if anyone has any input on that.. For those who had ear opened up for surgery, I read stories of the ear not looking quite the same after being sewn back…did anyone else have this issue or did everything seem to be normal? Could just be that a difference of the two ears was noticeable afterwards because they were comparing the two where prior to surgery they didn’t really even compare them. Just wondering if anyone has any input on that..

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Kev http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3762 Kev Sat, 19 May 2012 21:03:54 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3762 Message for Rick. Am only 4 weeks in to recovery and found that after my packs were removed that my hearing was quite good. But now am finding my hearing is going dull again. Did you find this?. My op was done by the ear canal no cutting. Also had a cartlidge graft and titanium bone.Prior to op I had an infection for nearly 2 years and when clear my hearing was fairly normal. Also big thanks for your blog:) Cheers Kev Message for Rick.
Am only 4 weeks in to recovery and found that after my packs were removed that my hearing was quite good. But now am finding my hearing is going dull again. Did you find this?. My op was done by the ear canal no cutting. Also had a cartlidge graft and titanium bone.Prior to op I had an infection for nearly 2 years and when clear my hearing was fairly normal. Also big thanks for your blog:)
Cheers Kev

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Joanna http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3761 Joanna Sat, 19 May 2012 11:36:25 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3761 Hi Rick, I have been diagnosed to have a VERY LARGE hole in my left eardrum. I've been experiencing hear loss and this has greatly affected my jobs and my study. I'm very worried I may not be able to hear again normally. The doctor suggested that we observe for a week. He gave me antibiotics and anti-allergy pills (for my allergic rhinitis). For now, I'm really depressed about this. I'm thinking, "How can I live normally now?" or "What if I changed jobs, will a company hire me because of this?" My family and friends don't understand what I'm going through right now. I read all the posts about the surgery you've gone through. I think all of you mentioned that your hearing won't ever go back to being normal. That depressed me more. :( Hi Rick,

I have been diagnosed to have a VERY LARGE hole in my left eardrum. I’ve been experiencing hear loss and this has greatly affected my jobs and my study. I’m very worried I may not be able to hear again normally. The doctor suggested that we observe for a week. He gave me antibiotics and anti-allergy pills (for my allergic rhinitis). For now, I’m really depressed about this. I’m thinking, “How can I live normally now?” or “What if I changed jobs, will a company hire me because of this?” My family and friends don’t understand what I’m going through right now. I read all the posts about the surgery you’ve gone through. I think all of you mentioned that your hearing won’t ever go back to being normal. That depressed me more. :(

]]> Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by narelle http://rmondello.com/2009/01/08/tympanoplasty-question/#comment-3760 narelle Sat, 19 May 2012 04:15:34 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=771#comment-3760 Hi Tom, good to hear your ear is healing well. I can recall my imagination running wild that the packing in my ear was going to be 'stuck' to the graft (because the packing had been there for 2.5 weeks and was 'dried' on the outside) So when the surgeon was about to pull it out with tweezers, I expressed my fear about the graft coming out with it, but she assured me it will be fine. Sure enough, just the packing came out and all was well. (I don't think any part of it was actually anywhere near my graft at all). Hi Tom, good to hear your ear is healing well. I can recall my imagination running wild that the packing in my ear was going to be ‘stuck’ to the graft (because the packing had been there for 2.5 weeks and was ‘dried’ on the outside) So when the surgeon was about to pull it out with tweezers, I expressed my fear about the graft coming out with it, but she assured me it will be fine. Sure enough, just the packing came out and all was well. (I don’t think any part of it was actually anywhere near my graft at all).

]]> Comment on My Tympanoplasty, A Retrospective by Kev http://rmondello.com/2008/08/23/my-tympanoplasty-a-retrospective/#comment-3759 Kev Fri, 18 May 2012 15:45:36 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=587#comment-3759 Hello Rick/all Had my Tympanoplasty and a Titanium bone replacement on the 20 April to repair a retracted ear drum. Packs were removed a fortnight later(by nurse) and looking good some hearing has been restored. Dont get to see Ent Dr until June 18 as I have been told there is no point seeing a Dr until sweling has gone down?.So all I can do is hope and pray that all is good and that my hearing gets better. Cheers Kev Ps have suffered all the tinnitus and heart beats and cracking noises. And still do. Hello Rick/all
Had my Tympanoplasty and a Titanium bone replacement on the 20 April to repair a retracted ear drum. Packs were removed a fortnight later(by nurse) and looking good some hearing has been restored. Dont get to see Ent Dr until June 18 as I have been told there is no point seeing a Dr until sweling has gone down?.So all I can do is hope and pray that all is good and that my hearing gets better.

Cheers Kev
Ps have suffered all the tinnitus and heart beats and cracking noises. And still do.

]]> Comment on Tympanoplasty Question by Tom http://rmondello.com/2009/01/08/tympanoplasty-question/#comment-3758 Tom Fri, 18 May 2012 13:15:44 +0000 http://www.richardmondello.com/?p=771#comment-3758 Hello everyone! I am just updating everyone on my recovery progress. I had a Type I Tympanoplasty on my left ear on April 5th, in which they had to remove an ear tube and fix a perforated ear drum. The perforation turned out to be 25%. The first 2 weeks were rough because I could not hear. During my 3 week post-op check up my doctor did not take the packing out because he said he knew another doctor who tried to take all of the packing out, but ended up taking the graft out with the packing (yikes!). So he assured me that the ear was not infected, but could not tell if the graft took because of all the packing. At this time he perscribed me ear drops to help dissolve the packing and keep the ear clean. 2 weeks after that I saw my doctor again and he said that the graft took and there is no perforation!!! I was worried because I have sneezed ALOT during the first month and a half. I made sure that I sneezed with my mouth opened everytime. Luckily, this did not ruin the graft. Hopefully this will bring some comfort to people are worried about ruining the graft because of sneezing. July I will have another checkup as well as a hearing test. I feel that I can already hear better than I did before the surgery. Hello everyone! I am just updating everyone on my recovery progress. I had a Type I Tympanoplasty on my left ear on April 5th, in which they had to remove an ear tube and fix a perforated ear drum. The perforation turned out to be 25%. The first 2 weeks were rough because I could not hear. During my 3 week post-op check up my doctor did not take the packing out because he said he knew another doctor who tried to take all of the packing out, but ended up taking the graft out with the packing (yikes!). So he assured me that the ear was not infected, but could not tell if the graft took because of all the packing. At this time he perscribed me ear drops to help dissolve the packing and keep the ear clean. 2 weeks after that I saw my doctor again and he said that the graft took and there is no perforation!!! I was worried because I have sneezed ALOT during the first month and a half. I made sure that I sneezed with my mouth opened everytime. Luckily, this did not ruin the graft. Hopefully this will bring some comfort to people are worried about ruining the graft because of sneezing. July I will have another checkup as well as a hearing test. I feel that I can already hear better than I did before the surgery.

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