dlbenz's Blog

Hey everyone. I wrote this update last night but was unable to post until today.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back in DC soon.

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Thursday July 17, 2008

6 PM 

Sorry I haven't written anything in almost a week but I have been focusing on devoting my time to recovering and enjoying the chance of getting to know my in-laws.   My wife's family has been so terrific to me the past few weeks, I can't even begin to thank them enough for taking such good care of me.

 

That fact leaves me more than a little sad right now because Sacha and I just pulled out of her mother's driveway and are beginning our trip to Los Angeles (where we will spend our final night on the west coast before flying back to DC tomorrow).  I am happy to be going home because it means I am that much closer to closing the book on this medical experence but I will definitely miss the nights eating as a big family at either my mother or sister in-law's house (not to mention stealing fresh strawberries daily from the plants in my brother-in-law tony's garden).

 

As for the latest on my recovery, things are pretty much the same as they were in my last blog.  I am still very dizzy when I walk and I still have very noticeable facial weakness on the left side of my face.  There is some good news with both, however.  I am noticing more muscle control in my face returning on a daily basis.  I can now close my left eye three-quarters of the way and can raise my left eyebrow ever so slightly.  The progression here is very slow but has been steady.

 

As for the dizziness, that too seems to be slowly improving.  I no longer need a cane to walk and would say that on a scale of 1 to 10 my worst dizziness is at a 6, compared to an 8 a week ago...   though I still definitely have a ways to go.  Overall though, I feel pretty good about how far I have come considering my surgery was just three weeks ago today and docs said recovery would be 6 to 8 weeks.

 

Two other good notes: I have absolutely no pain and I am now sleeping through the night without taking any sleeping pills!  Both of these are wonderful developments.

 

And perhaps the best news, the hearing in my left ear is terrific!  The water balloon type feeling I was experiencing after surgery has cleared up considerably and I can hear crisply and loudly.

 

Before flying home tomorrow I will find out just how good my hearing really is.  I am scheduled to see Dr Brackmann at the house institute at 10:45 AM and get a full inspection, complete with hearing test.  I am very optimistic this is going to come out well.  I will post an update upon my return to DC.

 

So that's pretty much it for today.  I will post more, including the "why I chose house institute" info early next week.  Have a great weekend everyone.  Both Sacha and I look forward to seeing all you East Coasters soon.