Life

Long story.

Some interesting times for sure.  I've been very careful to always wear my mask, and to hand sanitize before and after each store visit.  Almost two weeks ago I woke up on a Monday morning with a sore throat, hoarseness, and some slight congestion.  Worried about going to work on Tuesday, I called in, and yes, they were going to require a Covid test.  I went to the health department and got a self test.  Was much better as the day wore on.  Tuesday, awoke with no sore throat and only the slightest of congestion.  No cough, no temperature, no other symptoms.  Felt so good, I ran outside four miles.  However, after the run, I noticed ringing and distorted sounds in my right ear.  I began wearing hearing aids last fall for some mild age related hearing loss.  I thought the right aid was not working. I removed it but the weird sounds continued.  Some sounds were so loud and irritating, others just loud but indistinguishable.  Wednesday I called my audiologist to have them check the hearing aid.  I got into the office at 4 pm.  The aid was in fine working order, no obstruction in my ear, so they did a hearing test. I immediately knew something was wrong.  My hearing had suddenly gotten worse by about 30 decibels across all the tones. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, is what they call it. Most likely due to a virus and considered a medical emergency because typically only an immediate regiment of steroids can bring the hearing back. Took six days of prednisone.  No improvement. My Covid test came back negative but since the hearing loss occurred the day after my Covid test, the doctor said it wouldn't hurt to have another.  It also came back negative.  The ENT doctor has seen a dramatic increase in sudden hearing loss during the pandemic.  She said she used to see about one case a month, and had three just the day I was there last week.  She said they are definitely seeing some kind of connection with it and the new Covid-19 virus.

So now, I have an antibody test scheduled for this week. She still believes the virus that caused my hearing loss could have been the Covid-19, with the day I had the symptoms or some time before when I was asymptomatic.  I am anxious to get the results.  My daughter-in-law and grandson had similar short lived symptoms just a few days before mine. I would assume whatever they had is also what I had.

Of course, I would like my hearing to return but I also think I can adjust, maybe better than most.  I was already wearing hearing aids. I actually really, really, like them.  They are barely noticeable as seen here.

Mine are bluetooth which means I have an app on my phone to adjust them, I can listen to my audible books through them, and I can answer my phone through them.  Amazing technology.  My right one will need to be adjusted if the hearing doesn't return.

So, If you have had the Covid-19 virus, please pay attention to your hearing and if you develop sudden hearing loss in a matter of hours or a couple of days, please call an ENT doctor asap.

I've done a little sketching and painting lately.  Such fun.

The eye was especially fun to draw.  I think I nailed it pretty good.

The week I was off from work, with awaiting tests and doctors visits I got in some great runs.  Actually did 16 miles for the week.  Yesterday I celebrated my 62nd birthday!  Since I had run five miles on Friday outside, which was glorious, I thought I better do a slower run inside. I typically don't run two days in a row.  I wanted to do 6.2 miles for my birthday.  The kids were all gone for the afternoon so it was a perfect time to trot around the house while listening to "The Distant Hours" a novel by Kate Morton.

It was great!  And check out the time --- it is also the date, how cool is that!  While the hubby is away on his fishing trip the little ones have slept with me the last two nights.  They are so precious.  Just love them so much. We watched some Llama, Llama on my computer before lights out.  

As I roused during the night, I looked over and saw them peacefully sleeping. I prayed for them, for God to protect them, and draw them to him. I am so very blessed.