I CAN'T HEAR YOU


One day last week I realized that I felt like was talking through a tunnel or through cellophane.  I had to ask Tom to repeat every thing he said, especially if he wasn't facing me.

Most of you know that when I had surgery for lung cancer nearly 5 years ago, something happened during the operation that rendered me deaf in my left ear.  After seeing ear doctors, a neurologist and spending nearly $2,000.oo of my own money on hyperbaric chamber treatment all to no avail, I came to terms with the fact that I would never hear out of my left ear.  The best explanation I got from the medical community was that because I was lying on my left side during the surgery, and my blood pressure was lowered, the nerve to that ear wasn't getting enough blood supply and the nerve died.

Fortunately I had about 90% hearing in my right ear, so it was manageable.  But now....since last week, that good ear is probably down to 50%, if that.  I was hoping it was wax buildup but when I saw the doctor today, he wasn't able to see anything abnormal. of course he couldn't see past the ear drum.  He suggested I stay on the antibiotics he prescribed for me last week for a UTI and when the 7 day course is completed, I call him and if I'm not better he'll try another antibiotic, thinking it may be an infection in the inner ear or the canal.  I am no doctor but I think I'm just losing my hearing.  I have no pressure or pain in the ear.  Or....could it be the cancer has spread to that area?

Tomorrow I am going to a free hearing aid demo.  I will tell them of my condition and let them know I'm not signing on for a three year contract. I would however, like to see if any of the hearing aids could help.  Also want to see if they have any headphones I could use so I can watch TV without driving Tom crazy.

I know one thing.  Don't ever ask "what else can go wrong?', because sure as shootin something will.  I think when I lose my mind, that will be curtains for yours truly.

Treasure each day as it comes my friends.  You never know what's coming tomorrow.  CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?