INTRODUCTION
My history.A timeline if you will:
At 14 I was diagnosed with asthma
At 16 after an exceptionally long hospitalization for my asthma, the subject of sinus surgery was brought up as a way to control my asthma symptoms. That summer I had my first sinus endoscopic surgery, thinking it would be my last (casual foreshadowing)
At 17 I have my 2nd surgery hoping that they would fix what they hadn't been able to the first time.
At 20 I began to understand the deep correlation between my asthma/allergies and sinus problems.
At 22 it was time for me to find a new ENT (otoloryngologist) to perform the next surgery. I was not aware that I should be playing devils advocate and researching long term effects of these procedures. I found a new doctor to perform my third surgery, same procedure.
At 25 I had my fourth sinus surgery. Many things went wrong. The 45 minute procedure turned into a 5 hour ordeal. I lost over 2 litres of blood, my orbital wall was pierced, I had an asthma attack in the recovery room, I had to be intibated and then I coded.
I obviously woke up and got better because I am telling of my journey. Though it is getting harder everyday.
I am now 26. During the last surgery before things took a turn for the worse two stents were placed in my frontal sinuses to assist in the drainage process. One was taken out prematurely by the doctor who preformed the surgery. He decided to keep the other stent in. I ended up leaving that doctor for multiple reasons. When I did leave I took the second stent with me.
I knew that I would have to find a new surgeon. The pain and pressure was and still is overwhelming. I sought out a new surgeon. He seemed very qualified to do the job; though he had a great deal of patients. I felt that given my history I needed specialized attention. I wanted a doctor who would be able to seperate me from the masses. I did not feel as if this was the case.
I decided, with the assistance of my family, that I would look into Mayo Clinic. I had an appointment there today. I received answers, many of which I wish I could erase. I do not want to be discouraged. But it is hard not to be. My doctor told me today that he will not operate on me. There is nothing left to operate on. I have what is called Empty Nose Syndrome. The research is not comforting. I have found a community which people will listen and understand, yet I find them as discouraged, if not more so than I. One man actually posted a suicide note on the site because the ENS(empty nose syndrome) became too miserable to live with. Though he is an extreme, all the messages seem the same: nothing but misery.
I am a fighter, and I would prefer to choose my battles, but it is apparent that this one chose me. I am researching a great deal of alternative methods of healing, but also I am searching for alternatvice causes of this disease. And above all, I am searching for answers.
The Snortal Portal is dedicated to those who suffer from, well, the snortal portal. It is also dedicated to the people who choose to tolerate people like me. Thank you all for visiting. I will be updating my treatments as well as any new findings I feel are important and helpful.
Love and Light,
Amanda Kate
My history.A timeline if you will:
At 14 I was diagnosed with asthma
At 16 after an exceptionally long hospitalization for my asthma, the subject of sinus surgery was brought up as a way to control my asthma symptoms. That summer I had my first sinus endoscopic surgery, thinking it would be my last (casual foreshadowing)
At 17 I have my 2nd surgery hoping that they would fix what they hadn't been able to the first time.
At 20 I began to understand the deep correlation between my asthma/allergies and sinus problems.
At 22 it was time for me to find a new ENT (otoloryngologist) to perform the next surgery. I was not aware that I should be playing devils advocate and researching long term effects of these procedures. I found a new doctor to perform my third surgery, same procedure.
At 25 I had my fourth sinus surgery. Many things went wrong. The 45 minute procedure turned into a 5 hour ordeal. I lost over 2 litres of blood, my orbital wall was pierced, I had an asthma attack in the recovery room, I had to be intibated and then I coded.
I obviously woke up and got better because I am telling of my journey. Though it is getting harder everyday.
I am now 26. During the last surgery before things took a turn for the worse two stents were placed in my frontal sinuses to assist in the drainage process. One was taken out prematurely by the doctor who preformed the surgery. He decided to keep the other stent in. I ended up leaving that doctor for multiple reasons. When I did leave I took the second stent with me.
I knew that I would have to find a new surgeon. The pain and pressure was and still is overwhelming. I sought out a new surgeon. He seemed very qualified to do the job; though he had a great deal of patients. I felt that given my history I needed specialized attention. I wanted a doctor who would be able to seperate me from the masses. I did not feel as if this was the case.
I decided, with the assistance of my family, that I would look into Mayo Clinic. I had an appointment there today. I received answers, many of which I wish I could erase. I do not want to be discouraged. But it is hard not to be. My doctor told me today that he will not operate on me. There is nothing left to operate on. I have what is called Empty Nose Syndrome. The research is not comforting. I have found a community which people will listen and understand, yet I find them as discouraged, if not more so than I. One man actually posted a suicide note on the site because the ENS(empty nose syndrome) became too miserable to live with. Though he is an extreme, all the messages seem the same: nothing but misery.
I am a fighter, and I would prefer to choose my battles, but it is apparent that this one chose me. I am researching a great deal of alternative methods of healing, but also I am searching for alternatvice causes of this disease. And above all, I am searching for answers.
The Snortal Portal is dedicated to those who suffer from, well, the snortal portal. It is also dedicated to the people who choose to tolerate people like me. Thank you all for visiting. I will be updating my treatments as well as any new findings I feel are important and helpful.
Love and Light,
Amanda Kate
posted by amandakate at 8:57 PM
2 Comments:
all roads to alternative healing are good ones. whether they lead to true recovery or not, they allow us each to leap frog to the next mossy tuft of good health. Bravo Amanda Kate.
I hope the life you save is your own. You must invest the time to take care of yourself and your health. You also have to want to be well. If you are finally ready to start taking care of yourself- Let the healing begin! Hoo-ray!
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