Mamma's don't let your children grow up to play competitive sports (j/k)

[bubbaray]

I just returned from the hospital and a morning having CT scan and meeting (twice) with an ENT specialist re my recurrent sinus infections.

Well, turns out that I severely broke my nose, most likely as a teen, and NEVER KNEW. Internally, my nose is pretty messed up. Basically, I get a free nose job if I want. He thinks I can wait and see how it goes -- my last cold (Christmas) I did NOT get a sinus infection (first cold I've had in years that didn't turn into one). He says its possible that I've turned the corner.

This guy is the top ENT here, his wait list for my (non urgent) procedure is 3.5 years (OK, no comments on the Canadian medical system -- I can pay for it earlier privately, if my condition changes to more serious, I get priority). My CT today showed completely clear sinuses, so there is no chronic infection (which would make it more urgent).

Anyway, the bottom line is the specialist is pretty sure all this damage is from sports when I was a teen. Perhaps multiple blows. Dude, I played competitive volleyball, basketball & tennis (and soccer to a lesser ability) all through school. I continued with volleyball and tennis until I finished law school. I have taken more balls of various sorts and speeds (along with elbows) in the face than I care to remember. The dr was surprised I couldn't remember one particular incident as he said it would have been pretty painful as it was a major break. Guess I didn't want whatever coach to boot me off the team.

Sigh. So, who's nose do I want? LOL. While mine ain't particularly pretty, I'm used to it.

[kozachka]

:grouphug: Thanks for sharing your story. Something to consider. I would have never thought that playing tennis could cause broken nose. Boxing - yes, basketball - maybe but if you think about it that ball is flying at a pretty high speed at you so even though it's much smaller and lighter it can still cause some serious damage. Frankly speaking I can't think of any sport that does not mess you up in one way or another but at the same time I think benefits outweight the costs as long as you don't go pro.

[elektra]

So are you going to start looking at people's noses in magazines now and start a scrapbook to bring to your doctor? ;)
That is not entirely surprising about the effects of your old injury popping up now. I have some friends that have had stuff like that happen. It's mostly been football players though. One has severe migraines now and another has seizures. Getting your head pounded on a daily basis messes with your brain- go figure!
And many a friend have broken their noses or faces from getting hit with a softball. I was only hit really bad once and no lasting damage to my knowledge but I guess you never know!
I bet it was an elbow in basketball that did your damage.

[gatorsmom]

The dr was surprised I couldn't remember one particular incident as he said it would have been pretty painful as it was a major break. ...Sigh. So, who's nose do I want? LOL. While mine ain't particularly pretty, I'm used to it.

Wow, you are one tough chica. I'm such a wimp. Anything remotely painful would have sat me out.

Are you going to get the surgery then? When the doc said you might have turned a corner, did that mean you might not need the surgery then? If it were me, I'd opt not for the surgery unless the doc said I had to have it. Again, I'd rather avoid the pain if possible.

Nose shopping, now that's a type of shopping I'd never done before. Let us know who you pick (pun intended).

[JustMe]

Wow, sorry to hear this.

Funny enough yesterday we passed a sign about baseball practice and dd asked what the sign was for. When I told her she said she did not want to play baseball b/c it could break her glasses and hurt her nose if the ball comes at her. Dd is so fearful of anything she has not done before that I tried to be encouraging...but maybe she knows what she is talking about!

[crl]

Are you sure it wasn't one of your kids? I swear mine broke my nose by head butting me while flaying around in my arms; the cracking sound was so loud my father-in-law heard it from all the way across the room and came to take the child from me.

DH has had his ribs broken three times--first time was while playing soccer. And I seem to recall some horrific nose bleed story involving soccer, the ER and cauterizing. . . . Apparently playing soccer in Europe is hazardous. Somehow my 12 years of ballet never resulted in anything worse than blisters.

Have fun nose shopping!

Catherine

[o_mom]

Is this the specialist that wasn't around for the first appointment?

DH recently found that his HS sports injury was more serious than he knew. Fortunately it isn't affecting him so they aren't going to do anything about it. Good luck picking out a nose!

[bubbaray]

Thanks ladies -- yes, it was the specialist who wasn't there last week. He personally called me last Friday, convinced me to come in and see him ASAP, personally walked me to CT (where I waited, but that's for the BP), etc. Great guy. He's the gold star ENT here, world famous for some particular surgery or ???.

He could tell from the CT that the fracture was old. He guessed age 10 to early teen years. I have been head-butted by each of my girls so many times and to the point where I thought I was going to black out -- but he says its not a new fracture.

I actually think it was from volleyball. I played women's 6's for years, but it was the co-ed 6's and co-ed beach that probably did me in. I played blocker in 6's, sometime setter. Lots of net time and full-on spikes from A-level guys hit me in the face. I've also taken lots of basketballs in the face too, oddly (more elbows in that sport).

I'm pretty lucky in some respects -- one of the healed fractures is very near my eye. So, that could have been nasty I suppose.

Nose shopping. Who knew?

Lisa, at this point I'm leaning towards no surgery if I can get a handle on these recurrent infections. He is very very concerned (stressed it multiple times) that I can no longer take Avelox 3x/year. If I become resistant to that, there is no more treatment. So, every time I get a sinus infection, I have to go see him and get a culture done. There are recurrent acute sinus infections (what I get) and chronic sinus infections (where the infection never 100% clears up) -- they want to keep that from happening as that is bad. The CT scan today shows that I do NOT have a chronic infection as my sinuses are clear. Yeah me.

Anyway, I'm on the wait list "just in case" and will see from here. The surgery sounds kinda gross. My preference, new nose or not, would be to avoid it if at all possible and that was his recommendation too. I think he was really shocked, though, that I could have been functioning all these years with the schnoz I have.

[ThreeofUs]

Wow, Melissa! Well, that explains the sinus infections to some extent, then. Glad to hear you're clear.

Honestly, I have a friend who, like you, didn't want her nose reconstructed. But she really couldn't breathe well and then she got a fairly major infection. I hope this isn't like your case - but if so, please please do something about your poor schnoz.

GL with whatever your choices might be!

[jenfromnj]

You seriously must be one tough cookie! I broke my nose pretty badly in a freak fencing accident (my mask caved in at a very inopportune time) way back in my teens and not only do I remember it vividly, but the very thought of it still makes me cringe.

Good luck with your decision--here's hoping that surgery won't be necessary and you really have turned the corner.

[niccig]

This happened to my father and my BIL. My father's nose was rugby union and my BIL's was field hockey. The ENT refused to fix BIL's until he retired from playing - no point to fix it and then break it again. Both were uncomfortable for a week or so after the surgery, but they said it was worth it. BIL can breathe through his nose now and my Dad can smell things again. Like you, I would avoid doing it unless necessary, but if it is, I know 2 people who said it was worth it.

[bubbaray]

Thanks Nicci.

Yes, the dr said I would be off for a week -- basically, the same recovery as a nose job (even though there is more to the surgery than that).

I definitely can breath through my nose and smell things still. If I was having those kinds of problems, I'd probably be more inclined to get it done sooner rather than later.

[Corie]

Are you sure it wasn't one of your kids? I swear mine broke my nose by head butting me while flaying around in my arms; the cracking sound was so loud my father-in-law heard it from all the way across the room and came to take the child from me.





My podiatrist had her nose broken when she was changing her 2 year old's
diaper. The toddler was kicking and got her right on the nose.

[sste]

Do we get to vote for a new nose for you if you have the surgery? That would be so much fun! I am already imagining the poll . . .

[MontrealMum]

Wow! I'm glad you finally have an answer to your recurrent sinus infections, but what a surprising one. Keep us posted on what you decide to do!

[gatorsmom]

He is very very concerned (stressed it multiple times) that I can no longer take Avelox 3x/year. If I become resistant to that, there is no more treatment. So, every time I get a sinus infection, I have to go see him and get a culture done. There are recurrent acute sinus infections (what I get) and chronic sinus infections (where the infection never 100% clears up) -- they want to keep that from happening as that is bad. The CT scan today shows that I do NOT have a chronic infection as my sinuses are clear. Yeah me.

Anyway, I'm on the wait list "just in case" and will see from here. The surgery sounds kinda gross. My preference, new nose or not, would be to avoid it if at all possible and that was his recommendation too. I think he was really shocked, though, that I could have been functioning all these years with the schnoz I have.

Wow. Well, here's hoping and praying, then, that you have turned a corner and are starting to see some improvement as far as those sinus infections go. I imagine a chronic sinus infection would not only be constant pain but would sap your energy and cause other complications. And I certainly don't blame you for wanting to avoid surgery. :hug: