The surgery seems to have been a success, although we won't know the full results for nearly 6 weeks. For those who don't know, I had a tympanoplasty performed last Wednesday on my left eardrum. I also apparently have a small ear canal, so they couldn't access the eardrum via the canal and had to make a big incision and go in from the back.
Recovery has been a mixed bag so far. The pain was at first pretty manageable. For the first few days, I didn't really even notice it and kept it at bay through a mix of prescription pain killers, sleep, and high CBD/low THC weed. I also took Wednesday-Friday off work, and Saturday-Sunday off life (basically) and pretty much just slept and watched Netflix. It was a big deal when I walked around the block.
Leaves on my walk around the block. Tiny victories.
This week, however, life slapped me in the face with my return to work on Monday. And holy shit does my ear hurt. I tried to tough yesterday out with just Tylenol Extra Strength because I figured prescription pain killers (opioids at that) and high level functioning don't work out so well. Turns out pain isn't conductive to work either.
The other complication from this surgery is the fact that I can't hear out of half of my head. If you've ever gone swimming and gotten water lodged deep into your ear, you know that feeling of having your ear feel really full. Well, that's how my left ear fulls 100% of the time right now. Intentionally. For the next 6 weeks. It's driving me bat shit insane.
I know that a key component to all of this is keeping a positive attitude and outlook. And I need to keep reminding myself of this. It's been made easier by friends bringing me deliveries of food, chocolate, pickles, home cooked meals, and pints and pints of ice cream. I am swimming in ice cream right now, and it's glorious. So, thank you friends. I love you all.
Even though I might not be ready to hang out with you, please don't forget about me.
Cake, cake, cake, cake!!!!