This week has been much better at work so far. I've been able to last full days and although I'm exhausted by the end, I'm actually being productive too.
The newest strange phenomenon is my seemingly incessant need to tell people I'm speaking to that I can't hear from my left ear. because I really need to concentrate on what people are saying, and watch then talk so that I can really hear them, I am always worried that they're thinking "what's up with this crazy stalker chick". I think I could be on a Seinfeld episode as a "concentrated talker" or something.
So I end up blurting out that "I'm deaf in this ear", and then making jokes about it. More than likely, people feel somewhat uncomfortable with this, and unsure whether I'm joking or not because I try to make light of it, so then I get serious and say "really, I suddenly went deaf in this ear a couple of weeks ago so I apologize if I'm listening to you oddly". Then I usually get into a rant about how if they ever get ringing or deafness in their ears, they should insist on seeing a specialist. I'm positive that these people think I'm completely crazy by this time, so then I try not to make it apparent that I'm concentrating so hard on our conversation and I end up missing half of what they say. I will figure this out soon and come up with a new strategy!
By the way, once again, I've been unimpressed by our medical system. When I was at my ENT appointment on the 31st of July, they told me they would be scheduling me for an MRI within the next couple of weeks, and that they would call with the time. Because I hadn't heard anything by Monday, I called to inquire and the MRI clinic had not received a request yet... so I followed up with the ENT clinic and they said the would "re-fax" the paperwork. if I don't hear anything in 2 weeks the I am to call back again. (GRRRRR) It is completely frustrating to have no control over things that affect you so much personally.
So, next steps for me: new coping strategy for conversations, without having to relay my whole story to everyone I speak to, and MRI follow up...
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That must be so frustrating to talk to people with this going on. LOL I'm sure they don't think you're crazy. :-)
ReplyDeleteMake sure you stay on top of those doctors' offices. And don't be afraid to be pushy. Honestly, it's awful waiting, it's even worse when they aren't sending through paperwork. As long as you're polite and not yelling, you have no reason to not follow up.