Cholesteatoma Survivors

Over the past five years, I’ve written on and off about my battle with cholesteatoma. I’ve detailed some of my surgeries, shared the emotions I’ve experienced in getting news from the doctors. I’ve even shared some photos for you to caption when I was bandaged up, looking like a warrior in a sci-fi movie.

What I want to share this morning is simply this: there’s a lot of people out there that are cholesteatoma survivors, but it’s a group that’s not all that easy to find.

I don’t pretend to know the statistics. Doesn’t really matter.

What DOES matter is that people facing cholesteatoma need encouragement. They have questions. Fears. Hurts. Worries.

Talking to a cholesteatoma survivor may be one of the best things they can do.

Fact is, I get web traffic here every day from people searching for answers. Wanting to know what it’s like. Asking the all-knowing “Google” any number of things about cholesteatoma. Sometimes I receive e-mails like I did this morning.

I pray that my story makes a difference. That any words I can share with others struggling will bring hope and comfort.

Fact is, it’s becoming more and more obvious to me that we need a survivor’s network. A place for people to connect with one another. To ask questions. Hear each other’s stories.

I’m not sure if I’m the right person to get this going, but I’m going to take a small step in that direction this weekend. I just created a Facebook page for “Cholesteatoma Survivors”. If you want to connect with others who have been through this, now we’ve got a place.

I don’t know what this looks like long-term. Maybe I’ll be the only one who “likes” the page. Whatever the case, I’m giving it a shot, and I’ll be there to interact with anyone that visits.

Hope to see you there.

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For more readings on my battle with cholesteatoma, check out these posts: