We went to the hospital for my weekly clinic visits yesterday. Started off with the dressings nurse in the MaxFac clinic. My dressings have to be changed twice a week, the hospital does it once and then the district nurse comes round for the other one. They say my wounds are healing well, but I didn't realise how long it takes for healing after skin grafts.
Then off to the ENT clinic where I saw an audiologist who tested my hearing. Then I saw a consultant who tried to clean out my ears with some sort of super suction machine. They got the right ear clear, but there was so much dried blood and stuff in the left one from the operation. They got some of it out, but I have to do another 2 weeks of ear softening drops and then they will hopefully be able to get the left ear clear.
I am disappointed with the results. I thought what they managed to do would make a big difference. I can hear a bit better. For example before I couldn't have told you if the radio or TV was on. Now I know it's on and I could tell you if it's speech or music. But I couldn't pick out particular words. Beforehand H had to shout into my right ear. I can now hear him if he's sitting right beside me. I can hear the phone ring now, but I'd been hoping for more.
What I miss so much is the radio, listening to podcasts, and listening to my music collection. It's a big part of my life. I'm watching a bit of TV, with subtitles, and I'm doing my puzzle books and reading. My eyes get tired very quickly though, all to do with the operation. So what I'd love is to be able to relax by listening to things.
Maybe the next suction session will make all the difference but I'm not optimistic. I try to stay cheerful and be positive, but I get days when it all really gets me down.
