Upside/Downside

Sorry I haven't been around lately. On the Upside, I went in for my 2 week Post-op checkup on Monday (4/9) I'm down a Total of 36lbs! And I'm actually starting to see a Physical difference. Downside - Some of you may remember I had mentioned that I had a Hearing Loss? Well to refresh your memory. The day after Surgery I was discharged from the Hospital (wed. 3/28/07) I came home and pretty much slept all day. When I woke up Wed. Nite I couldn't Hear out of my Left Ear. Didn't really give it a second thought until I woke up Thursday Morning and still couldn't Hear. I tried popping my Ears, no luck thou. So Friday I went to my Doc. He gave me some Anti-biotics (Keflex) saying it was a Ear Infection. By Sunday I still had no change. So I have a Doctor whom I'm friends with, she told me to come in and she'd take a look at me. Went in, said she didn't see an Infection, so she took me off the Keflex, and started me on Prednisone (Steroid) Well being a Diabetic and having problems in the past, I decided not to delay and Monday (4/2) I went to a Ears, Nose, and Throat Specialist. They did a complete exam. I have lost 95% of my Hearing in my Left Ear. So he kept me on the Prednisone, and wanted to see me back that Friday (4/6) for another Hearing Test, and if there was no improvement they would do this Surgery called a "Microwick" you can go to this link and see what it is: http://www.micromedics-usa.com/products/otology/microwick.htm I am being told that it's a Nerve Problem! So I went back on Friday and there was no improvement, so the Surgery was done. I'm now putting the Prednisone directly into my Ear 3 times a day, still with no improvement. And the Biggest Kicker is, no one knows what caused this!!! I went to bed, and woke up Deaf in my Left Ear!!! The first week or so was driving me absolutely Insane! But I think I'm starting to adjust to not hearing now. I have to return on April 20th for my follow-up. I think if there's still no improvement they will order a Cat-scan. I guess the good thing is, the Place where I'm having everything done, is the same place that Developed the "Microwick" in 1999 "The Silverstein Institute" here in Sarasota, Fl. So that's the reason I really haven't been around lately. I appreciate your email's asking where I've been! I'm just very, very frustrated as you can imagine. All the Medical people I speak with say they've never heard of anybody going to sleep and waking up Deaf. Well hear I am!!! I've also checked with my Surgeon and asked him if this was do to Surgery in anyway? He said no. So now I just sit and wait... Best Regards, Rocko~~

Rocko- I am so sorry to hear about your hearing loss. I hope the medications help. I have a slight hearing impairment and on occasion I have had an acute hearing difficulty due to infections so I know how frustrating it is. It always amazed me the things that were effected when my hearing was off. For instance I was not aware of how much I use my hearing when I cook. I know there was a gentleman that used to post on the DS board that had complications after surgery and he too lost his hearing in one ear. I am not sure of all of the details but the last I heard he had a cochlear implant and was doing fine with it. Red

Rocko there was just a segment on one of the Morning News Sows about a Hearing Lost which has been connected to Teeth Grinding which a person sleeps through the night waking in the morning with hearing loss. Bring this up to your doctors for their opinion. On the lighter note: We'll see you in Orlando still right? I've got loads of free samples coming for ditribution. And Door Prizes. I'm head right now to Bealls in Orlando to start planning the Conference Fashion Show and will request Models soon. Mike

Rocko - so sorry to read about all the issues you're having. I hope there is some improvement - did you ever have chicken pox? Sometimes the dormant virus can cause deafness your discribing - this happened to my aunt yrs ago and sounds similar. God Bless you. Keeping you in my prayers.