I was very surprised to hear that others here had tubes falling out on their own. I had never heard of that and assumed it didn't happen as in Carol's case.

Carol had a right ear mastoidectomy at about age 14 after years of suffering from severe ear pain. She still has the same drain tube and hasn't had any complications from it (tube), but because of the type surgery she had, she is deaf in the right ear. I always wonder if her tube should have been replaced as she grew older.......I suppose "don't fix what ain't broke" would apply here.

After going through Carboplatin, she has difficulty hearing with her left ear. For a short time she was hearing well, like her ear "popped", but now can not. Her follow up appointments aren't until the end of this month, and right now Carol is opting NOT to have any surgery done on her ear. Hopefully by then she'll regain some of her hearing or if not, she'll be more receptive to whatever options she'll have (permanent drain tube). Carol did have fluid behind her ear canal but says she can't feel it now. She says the fluid is like a "sloshing" feeling.

With the "worst" tree pollen allergies this area has seen as far as anyone can remember, it doesn't help Carol with her sinuses or her after treatment issues.