Once upon a time, we had a clog in our bathroom sink. We named him Eugene. Then we met Bernard, the clog in our bathtub. There were a few smaller plumbing issues we were able to flush out. But this isn’t a story about that Eugene or the first Bernard or Elmer and Ernest. This is about my ear.
Seven (!!) weeks ago, I came down with an ear infection. Pain and loss of hearing meant I quickly went to the doctor and was given antibiotics to treat it. After 6 days, the pain was searing and I still felt awful. We went back to the doctor and I sat in the waiting room with Rob and just cried. Quiet, wracking sobs, pushed out by anxiety and fear that no one would believe the amount of pain I was in. The doctor, of course, believed me and I was given a prescription for both antibiotic drops and pain medication. The pain subsided.
But my hearing did not return.
We tried a variety of things to clear out my ear and with a wax removal flush, I managed to dislodge a large mucus plug from my ear. My hearing returned but only for a day or two. After several weeks of this vicious cycle, Rob had had enough. I’d had enough and so on Monday, I went back to the doctor.
The doctor couldn’t see my ear drum because of a blockage. He had his nurse flush out my ear and another large plug washed out. It was relieving to be able to hear but again, 3 days later, I couldn’t hear again and my ear was clogged.
This morning, I went back to the doctor for more evaluation. He quickly referred me to Head/Neck surgery for further testing. More waiting and late this morning I was seen by an ENT. She vacuumed out my ear and found a fungal infection which explained why the antibiotics were ineffective. I will probably need more cleanings after finishing a course of anti-fungals and antibiotics as this kind of infection is difficult to treat.
All of this is just in time for singing Bach’s Magnificat on Tuesday. It’s one of the most difficult pieces I’ve ever done, compounded by not being able to hear myself or most of my section.
But, right now, I’m just glad to be hearing again.