Say what? I can't hear you

     Well here we are in 2018.... 2017 was horrid but 2018 is taking on a better shape. 

     My grandson is set to be here in six weeks. I will be a Mammie for the first time and really am having a hard time believing my baby is having a baby. Finley Eugene is spoiled and isn't even here yet! Everyone continues to tell me how "different and wonderful" it is. I'm waiting patiently. I can't wait to smell that sweet baby breath, baby lotioned feet and the smell of Dreft. Anyone that knows me knows that babies are my "thing". I don't care what species it is, if it is a baby I'm all up in it.

     He will be welcomed into the world as the grandson of one of Erlanger's latest CT Technologist. I FINALLY passed! One of the things that made 2017 suck so terribly is that blamed test. After two tries I decided I couldn't let it beat me so I tried that third time. I told my boss I wasn't going to take it again! Of course, I texted and told him that because I knew I had passed it when I walked out. This week I received the BIG envelope. This included my certificate and new ID card. Any radiology person will tell you, the bigger the envelope the better the news. That was the best news of the year so far. 

     The bad news that also came about the same time was they have cut my hours on my second job. I have been talking about slowing up but this wasn't self imposed and took me by surprise. This was also the same time as someone suggested a totally DIFFERENT job for me to consider getting into. In the span of seven days my time was cut, a business venture presented itself and I passed my registry. HMMMM...... a new grand baby on the way and I am needed to be able to take time off. I'm listening God.....what are you trying to tell me?

     Hunter graduated the first of the month and looks as if times they are achangin'. We've been speaking with him about what life looked like when I was 23 years old. It looked like Erlanger! It is hard for me to look back and see that at 23 I had already moved out, moved away and had already worked at two different hospitals. It was the beginning of a very long career. One that continues to this day. I woke up and was no longer 23! This summer will be one of big decisions and life changes for him and us. We will become empty nesters for real at some point this year I'm sure. This is a life stage many of my friends have already experienced. Thanks for paving the way but can someone explain how to navigate this?

    There is one thing I haven't told my facebook peeps. Last week I was told I more than likely qualified for a cochlear implant. This week I met with a surgeon and was tested. He agreed and I am in the process of pretesting for surgery. It has all happened really fast but did not come as a total surprise. When I began my latest journey with the hearing aids I have now, Jack (my audiologist) told me it would come to this. He gave me hope that on the horizon were hearing aids that would only stimulate the section of your cochlea that is needed. The future is now. The implant that is best for me does not go the full circles of the cochlea but just into it to stimulate the the nerve that services the section of hearing I am missing. It also will help with my residual hearing that I do have so things will sound more like they used to. It helps save the residual and hopefully I will not need any more spaces that need stimulating in that ear. We are taking one ear at a time and from everything I am reading it will take a while to get the implant perfected to my needs and comfort. Many trips will be made back and forth to Atlanta the first year for mapping. Does anyone else see the pattern of the hours getting cut for the time I will be needing to handle my hearing health? 

     Many of you have asked me how I lost my hearing or how long I have been impaired. My answer a lot of times is Mike Kinsey and Mike Barker! LOL While that is not "true" that is was the Mikes, the loud music we enjoyed on our way to school many morning damaged my ears. I also absolutely LOVE the "middle" of music. The cellos, french horns, oboes and bassoons are some of my favorite sounds. I learned at an early age if I put on head phones and pushed them in to my ears I could pick out and hear those sounds. Back in the day, while going through xray school I was an ambulance riding, patient hauling, EMT that loved that federal siren. There were no such things as noise canceling headphones needed in our work vehicles. Luckily, GenX knows better. 

     I noticed the loss about 20 years ago when I dated a very soft spoken young man. I found myself only speaking with him on the land line and not a cell or cordless because of the "quality" of said devices. Even in the car on road trips I would find myself staring at him to "hear". I know so many people think I am so truly interested in what they are saying but really it is the way I hear! LOL But I digress. While he never knew I was struggling, I started learning the art of lip reading, body cues and sentence piecing. I was older then him and sure didn't want to call attention to the fact I was "THAT" old that I couldn't hear. 

     It wasn't until my husband said I needed to do something that I got serious. We were dating and I noticed that driving at night I couldn't hear a word he was saying. It was dark and therefore I couldn't "see" to hear. I went through a few years of trying to get the appropriate apparatus and the appropriate treatment but it was very frustrating and I gave up. 

     I made an appointment after much encouragement from my sister and they were absolutely amazed at the coping mechanisms I have created. The first audiologist laughed and said I would be an asset to the NFL lip reading plays for the other team. LOL I tell people often to turn their head toward me and move their hand from their face so I can see what they are saying. You never realize how truly bad your hearing is until those little things are pointed out to you. 

     So that is the latest EAR news. My parents are another story in and of themselves. Hanging with them makes me feel like I can hear anything. Perspective is a great thing when you can get it. 

     My dad is losing his ability to speak clearly and anyone that knows him knows that is probably the worse thing that could happen to him. He has never been at a loss for words but now those same words are stuck in his head and can't make their way past his mouth. He gets frustrated sometimes and understandably so. 

     We lost my Aunt Ebby (mom's sister) a few months back and it is the weirdest feeling knowing she isn't at home with Uncle Jim. The two of the were joined at the hip. Alzheimer's sux and that is about the nicest thing I think I can say about it.

     Dad and mom seem to be doing well in assisted living although Mom calls it jail. Dad calls it his apartment. They have made a life there, although it is mostly in their rooms. They really like visits from people and phone calls. If anyone happens to be in the Tranquility area do stop in and see them. I can imagine it is like jail since they only go out on Sundays and doctor's appointments. Fewer hours at work mean more jailbreaks.

     I am still missing Lexi EVERY day. That dog was such a part of my every day life that I had no idea how much revoloved around taking care of her. Naila has settled down a little but is still the funniest ADD dog known to man. She can go outside to use the potty, see a bird, a rabbit or a person and forget what she was supposed to be doing. She absolutely LOVES to ride. The word "go" sets her into the most excited state. She pants and runs and barks until we open the door. Sometimes just a simple ride around the block satisfies her. She is a joy to have around but will never fill the hole that belongs to Lexi.

     Seems the first five months of the year have been totally eventful. It also looks as if the last half of the year is going to be just as much fun. Two of my other daughters are getting married this year. I will be on Finn watch as my daughter is in both weddings. I don't mind Finn watch AT ALL. Both will be away from home weddings for Finn and I hope I can remember how to travel with a baby to make it easier on my daughter.

     Now, that all my FB peeps are caught up and in the know I must turn in for the eve. When I wake in the am I will not wake up by an alarm for the first time on a Monday in a very long time. I might get used to the lack of hours but not sure the lack of money is going to be to my advantage.

   Stay Tuned.......


    
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