A Week To Celebrate

I'm ready to share some good news. For readers who were with me in January of this year, you will remember I had a life-threatening infection in the bones in my neck and head. If you are new to this blog, here are two links where you catch up on my January illness and subsequent hearing loss.

At that time I also damaged my vocal chords and was unable to sing which is one of my very favorite things to do and a big part of my life. After about eight weeks of recovery time I regained my voice. A few weeks later, although I couldn't hear well, I could begin to carry a tune again and could tell, even though it sounded very muffled. Now that my singing sounds normal to me, it's something I will never take for granted. Over time, little by little my ear and hearing began to improve too. It's been a long six months of recuperating and I was nervous to consider the several possible outcomes of my tests and exams which might include permanent loss, surgery, medical devices and more.

So here's the great news that's had me all smiles since last Thursday. I went in for my second follow up check up and first hearing test. Pulling into the parking lot of the hospital and walking through the halls brought back a wave of nervous anxiety from six months ago. Things got much better quickly after that. Hearing is something we really take for granted and even more we take for granted the unheralded audiologist. She was wonderful, reassuring, peaceful and with a great sense of humor. My hearing in my left ear, although not as good as my right ear, was all in the normal range with just a little lost at the lowest and highest tones.

After that I met briefly with the nurse and doctor. The doctor did a little procedure on me and when he was done, he told me how surprised he was that I had not flinched in the least way and that most people are through the roof when he does what he did to me. Glad he didn't tell me that before. I was amazed to hear the doctor say that my hearing could continue to improve, that's something to be excited about and hope for. Even though my hearing is now in the normal range I still have a little trouble and disorientation at times and very much favor my right ear. Basically if I put on headphones the right side is louder than the left side, which is a little wonky.

 Once I got the good news I felt a burden lifted from me. It was okay to just be me again, to get back to my old self, to move on with my life now. Yes, I will still have to be very careful if I get a sinus or ear infection, but at least now I know the symptoms and what action to take. It's time to move forward with life. I'm excited, ready and feel so very blessed. Ahhhh. This is my moment to thank you for the great support you offered during my illness. I so appreciated it!

photo by Suzie B.