Priority Plans for the New Year
The January ActiveRain Challenge is to share some plans for the new year and the reasons for the new plans. Since I am retired, my goals and plans relate to personal needs and motivations rather than business goals.
On November 28, 2022, I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with a severe cas of vertigo. They thought I'd had a stroke. After much testing, they determined that I had no brain damage and I was released to go home the next day with instructions to see my physician. I was referred to a balance and physical therapy center and had months of sessions for balance and jaw pain. I also lost the hearing my left ear. Those sessions were followed my months of ENT visits for recurring ear infections. After two years of distressful issues, the ENT doctor told me that I have a case of cholesteatoma and referred me to a surgeon.
Cholesteatoma was a new word for me and I had to Google for the definition:
A cholesteatoma is an abnormal collection of skin cells deep inside your ear. They're rare but, if left untreated, they can damage the delicate structures inside your ear that are essential for hearing and balance. A cholesteatoma can also lead to: an ear infection – causing discharge from the ear.
On December 4, I met with Dr. Wade Chien at the Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck surgery and was advised that I have an advanced case of cholesteatoma and it will require mastoidectomy surgery. With this procedure, an incision is made behind the ear. He said he might need to remove the ear canal as well. This is major surgery and it will require a recovery period.
My pre-operation physical examination has been scheduled and I am waiting to receive a firm date for the surgery.
You can easily see why the surgery is among my priority plans for the new year.
Orchids, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 1795
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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