My Experience

For many years I suffered from sinus headaches and sinus infections and I always sounded congested. In the early spring I came down with a virus that caused severe sinus congestion. I was unable to get air to flow through either nostril and I lost my sense of taste and smell. As a result of this severe sinus congestion my sinuses were draining into my lungs causing me to have an asthma type of response. This was something that had never happened to me before. My sinus CT scan showed all four sinus cavities blocked and a deviated septum. My ENT doctor initially treated me with antibiotics and steroids and I did have some short term relief. After the steroids wore off my congestion returned and my doctor and I decided that surgery would be the best option for long term relief.

My doctor was my second opinion and he was first and foremost a listener. I truly felt as though I was a patient and not a number. Although my relief from medicine was short lived, I felt as though long term relief could be achieved. Although I had lived many, many years with poor sinuses, the worst part of this last episode was the way it affected my lungs and my sense of taste and smell.

My doctor ordered a sinus CT scan that I brought with me on the day of my surgery. This scan served as a navigational device for my sinuses to be used during my surgery to help in the location and removal of polyps. I also had pre-op testing, including blood pressure, blood work and numerous health questions. I also had to take antibiotics and steroids prior to my surgery.

My surgery was four months after the onset of the virus that triggered this response. I was well prepared by my doctor and his staff as to what to expect from the surgery. Having never had day surgery before I was nervous upon arrival at the hospital. This was a new experience, sitting in a room with five other people who were also waiting for surgeries. The nursing staff was very attentive and speaking with my doctor just prior to the surgery was very reassuring.
Upon waking after the procedure I felt very groggy. My only complaint was that I did not feel ready to go home; however, the nurses assured me that I would be fine. I was. The first couple of days I did have some pain and bleeding. I irrigated my nose as instructed and after two days of taking prescription pain medication I switched to Tylenol. By day four I felt more like myself.