Hi Guys,
This week I finally had my long awaited appointment with an ENT. As you may already know, I unfortunately have been struggling with on going health issues relating to my teeth, jaw, nose, ears... basically everything from the neck up seems to be giving me some form of pain and discomfort every day. I have been having difficulties breathing through my nose and am suffering from a blocked ear (possibly Eustachian Tube dysfunction). At the ENT I filled out a routine patient form which required me to write down my previous surgeries. When I met the ENT she inquired about my Jaw surgery and asked who my surgeon was. When I told her who my surgeon was she paused for a moment and than excused herself from the room. She came back in shortly afterwards and proceeded to ask me If I saw my Surgeon often. I said I did and mentioned my upcoming appointment with him in 2 weeks. She paused again and asked If anyone had been in contact with me form his office. At this point, I really had no idea what she was about to say next. She went on to say "I'm really sorry but I have some sad news to tell you".... I was not expecting this news at all!! My surgeon passed away suddenly on April 4th. She didn't mention the details of how he died but she thought seeing as I was a patient of his that I needed to know. They had worked at the same hospital for many years so she knew him quite well.
You can imagine I was pretty shocked to hear this from her. He was a professor and very well regarded surgeon internationally and within Australia, especially for his work at the children's hospital here in Sydney. He was a softly spoken, caring man and even though I have had some complications resulting from my Surgery, I am still extremely thankful for his expertise and professionalism over the past 2 years. I am assuming I will now be in the care of his partner who also assisted during my surgery.
Moving on from hearing the sad news, the ENT performed a few routine procedures on me including a Nasendoscopy. She could clearly see enlarged adenoids at the back of my nose which are obstructing the air flow. Apparently adenoids are meant to shrink and disappear when you reach the age of 8 or children who still have them get them surgically removed along with their tonsils. Enlarged Adenoids can easily cause ear infections along with various other complications. I obviously had no idea I still had mine. She seemed surprised to see them there. The ENT also mentioned that I still have a slightly deviated septum which can be corrected easily. I need to have a routine hearing test done first before I can proceed with the surgery and will also have to go on her waiting list. I am hoping to have it done mid year.
The other complications that are occurring include my TMJ disorder which I am working on with the help of Physiotherapy and my on- going battle with numbness which I don't really know what to do about.
I have a significant patch of numbness which begins on the corner of my bottom lip, part of my chin and extends into most of my right cheek area. My back molars and gums on that side also have a really heavy numb feeling. It it really frustrating because the more I talk the more aware I become of how stiff, tight and numb that area is. It is their 24/7 and I can't seem to get any relief from it. If it was pain I would take something for it but the pain is the numbness which is annoying as HELL. Because of the numbness my cheek constantly feels fat, puffy and inflamed. It really does feel like someone has injected a wad of tissue into that side of my face and it's stuck there and I feel it when I talk or attempt to move the muscles in that area of my face.
I would consider anything to get some normality back to that area!!!! I know this is extreme but sometimes It feels like I've had a stroke on that side or possibly I have massive scar tissue buildup which is causing the heavy tight feeling. I wish I could just get my head around what is actually happening or what I could do to improve it. I've been really emotional about it for many months now and it's really starting to impact on my relationships with my friends and family. I know my mum is getting tired of me talking about it but it's a constant daily reality for me so of cause it's upsetting and frustrating.
Maybe I should see a Neurologist and see If there are any tests that will stimulate the nerves to determine the amount of damage. I just feel somewhat helpless at the moment. Can anybody relate to what I am experiencing or know of anything I can do about it?!?!?!?! I would love any feedback or suggestions :-)
I really hope everyone else is travelling a lot more smoother than I am.
