Its done, surgery went on for just about nine and a half hours and thankfully the last thing I remember before the recovery room is being told to take a couple of deep breaths and count backwards from 10, last number I recall getting out was 8.
I was told in recovery (and some of this comes from Min, who had her shit together better than I did at that moment) that everything went very well. The important part is that the tumour was removed and the surgery went about as well as it is possibly could have.
Today I had a call from the surgeon where we went through what happened, that more of the base of my skull had to be removed than he hoped, and that took the time as it was very delicate and required using a smaller, more precise auger than he’d usually use. If all the tumour was not removed it has plenty of space to grow into over the next month or two without getting into anything vital. I prefer to see it as glass half–full.
My balance is OK, I’m struggling to get through doorways with out hitting them. That’s is hopefully down to only having one good ear and it will get better. During surgery they had to remove the bones in my eardrum and did a partial rebuild with some very sexy looking titanium pieces that should restore some hearing to my right ear, but we won’t know for sure until the swelling goes down.
There has been a lot of pain (and great pain drugs) and when I took the dressing off there was more blood than I was told to expect. The eardrum is still bleeding, but the incision around the back of the ear cleaned up OK at the clinic. I really don’t look good with a shaved head.
Thanks to Min for the ride, thanks my dear your presence when I came around meant so much. To Rob and J for hanging out with me last night and today. And to everyone else for the e-mails, calls and texts. I have the best support group, even the nurse yesterday said that.
I went to Safeway to get some cat litter today, upon reflection that was a mistake and I felt far more out of it than I expected. It’s a drive I’ve done 100’s of times and it took so much concentration to remember where I was going. I’ve learned from that error.
Time for more nasty drugs and a nap. Next doctors appointment is Thursday and then more recovery.
2 Comments
I loved the talk last night:) Thanks for making the time and I like how things are changing for both you and I. Keep going, we see you are stronger than you know.
Dave mate, 2010 has been quite the year for you. Thanks for your time today, we can see the changes you’ve made and it’s inspiring. It really is. Me and the boys love you, take it easy mate.