Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sometimes Life Throws a Curve

Have you ever realized how much your life can change in one day? I'm sure many of you can relate - you receive good/bad news that affects your everyday life. While blissfully unaware of the turn your days are going to take, you march on.
My DH and I recently rented a travel motorcyle for a long ride. I wanted to see how loud this bike was compared to my husband's, so about 30 sec. before we got home, I carefully took out the earplugs. I do remember thinking - dang, this is loud. Two days later, I had tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears), which may or may not go away. Doc thinks it's trauma induced but regardless, thinks once tinnitus comes, it pretty much stays. Audiologist thinks it might go away within a month, and it's been a week.
Comparatively speaking, it's not bad; it's not as loud as some people have. I've only had it for a week and levels are intermittent. I cannot begin to imagine those that have dealt with this for years. I've read about them and just truly feel for them. The stress and depression that can follow tinnitus can be intimidating, even to someone that doesn't get depressed.

Then I feel guilty because of all of the people I know who have so much more than this to handle and I'm being such a wimp.

My mother is dealing with constant pain at the moment and no narcotics really work. In the last month she's deteriorated from hurting some, but driving, playing bridge, going to the library, etc. to being chair bound in her house; it's the only place she can get any relief -and now that doesn't work. She looks at me and says she has to keep on hoping and deal with it. They think it might be a sacral stress fracture (which she's had for about six weeks at least, but instead of improving any, she continues to worsen daily). We have a few options coming up later this week, of which we're hopeful. Please remember her in thought or prayer, if you could.

On the stitching front, I was on such a roll last week but haven't stitched much this week. That is changing; I picked up my Friendship Sampler RR last night and started on that one; felt like I could get my life back on track if I could get back to the things I love doing.
And on the more positive note, I have done much research in this past week and have found valid, sound advice to at least help the situation. I do believe in some alternative methods of medicine, though I'm cautious with them. Show me time and research to back the claims up, and I'm more inclined to believe. I've downloaded a couple of books that are very common sense and helps to get healthy. I serve a risen God, so anything is possible. :)
So, to anyone out there with your experiences, wisdom and otherwise general thoughts, I welcome your comments. :)

PS - forgive my whining...
BTW, just a word of caution to taking earplugs out - never, never remove them around a loud noise that otherwise wouldn't really have bothered you. It was the sudden transfer of complete quiet to loud noise and the ears just couldn't adjust fast enough that caused the trauma.

Bear with me with one more thing - on a funny note; my family has convinced me for years that I need help hearing, etc. I've always thought that I'd have some hearing loss, but didn't consider that tinnitus could happen as a result, too; I've listened to loud music everywhere for so long. Just had the tests done - my hearing is fine - a very slight damage to the left ear hair cells in the high frequency, which made it just a tad below, but really considered to be about normal for someone my age. So there! All these times they complained I couldn't hear them, they were the cuplprits that mumbled, spoke too fast, etc.
Yes, I do feel justified.....

32 comments:

Janaina said...

Oh, dear, so sorry on your tinnitus. I can only imagine. Do hope it can go away as fast as it came.=/
Big big hug from sunny Brazil.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Oh gosh Tinnitus sounds just awful and I can imagine listening to that all the time could lean to depression. Sounds like you're going with a grab the bull by the horns approach to deal with it.

I hope your Mom may get some relief! My MIL has a fused spine and two rods in her back she only gets some relief from the strongest narcotics. So I can just picture the pain your Mom is in.

I hope you can find some comfort in your stitching and faith.

Kathy said...

Oh Carolyn,

I am so sorry to hear about both your hearing/ear problem and your Mom's pain. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers. Yours that it clears up quick. Like yesterday. And your Mom's that they can find something to help her pain. (Morphine? Roxanol helped my Mom calm down. It's often used as a liquid morphine.)

And don't worry about whinning. You are entitled. Heck, it's your blog you can write what you want. And sharing troubles DOES help.
Take care girlfriend and feel better.

Sew Sew Special said...

Bless your heart, you have a full plate huh! Hope the tinnitus resolves quickly, and that your mom finds some relief soon, as back patient, I can understand what she must be going through...prayers and hugs to all of you :) Karen

Irene said...

Anything can happen in a split second. Hope it does go away. I also hope you Mom can find some relive with her pain.

Wendy said...

Oooh Carolyn, I'm so sorry to read about your tinnitus. I do hope it will be much better for you soon.

So sorry to hear about your mom, I sure keep her in my thoughts and prayers and I do hope she will be much better very soon.

Sending you big belgian hugs,
Wendy

Daffycat said...

I do hope the doctor is wrong and the tinnitus goes away.

Stitching is such a great stress reliever...make time for yourself!

***hugs*** I hope you mom will be ok. She's in my thoughts.

Karen said...

Will keep you and your family in my prayers...hoping this is just a temporary thing!

Faye said...

Carolyn...hate to hear about your tinnitus. I wish I had advise, but you are doing the right thing by researching.And as for your mom..I will pray that both of you will strengthen. As baby boomers, we are starting to see ourselves change some and still want to be there for our aging parents. I will hope for the best for both of you. Hugs**prayers**from the Sandhills. Faye

Lou's addictions said...

Sorry to hear about your tinnitus, I hope you find some improvement soon.

I enjoyed reading about your trip here in Scotland, Sounds like you had a great time. I always enjoy exploring this country and even though i've lived in Scotland all my life I still find places that take my breath away

Lou's addictions said...

Sorry to hear about your tinnitus, I hope you find some improvement soon.

I enjoyed reading about your trip here in Scotland, Sounds like you had a great time. I always enjoy exploring this country and even though i've lived in Scotland all my life I still find places that take my breath away

Jinger said...

So sorry to hear about your problem. I truly hope it gets better soon. I'm sure it is a real bear to deal with.

Terry N said...

my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mother. Hope the curveball changes direction real soo for both of you. Big Hugs Terry N

too_busy_to_stitch said...

Will keep you both in my prayers - I hope that it does go away. I know that my SIL has tinnitus, and she says that it is awful. Touch wood I have never experienced it. Hugs xx

Meari said...

Hope your tinnitus gets better, Carolyn. I've never had it so I don't have any suggestions.

Anonymous said...

Carolyn
I sorry about the Tinnitus. I am praying that it is temporary and goes away. You are a strong person and I admire you for it. I will keep your mom in my prayers also hoping that she gets some releif from her pain. Big (((HUGS)) to you both.

Jan said...

You poor dear, you whine all that you want, it is always good, to make us feel better! I sure hope that things improve soon for you. Wish I had some proven advise for you, but I don't. Will keep you in my prayers, God is Merciful!

Shari said...

gosh, I sure hope the ringing goes away soon. we are always on my husband about his hearing & he finally had it checked. Like you said, his hearing is fine. I guess I just have super good hearing, because it always seems he is yelling & the tv is blaring!

Anonymous said...

Hope the tinnitus clears up soon and that your Mom can get some relief. Will be praying for both of you.

Marl

Nancy M said...

I didn't know the name for it, but my Dad suffered from it years ago. He was a navigator in the Air Force for WW2. He sat in a loud plane for months. About 30 years ago he lost all hearing in one ear and had the constant ringing. All I really remember is that he wanted to sleep all the time to get away from it. I think he still has it but has lived with it for all these years. I'll have to ask him when I see him this weekend if it ever went away. I feel for you and even though it's not life threatening, it is something you have to live with and you want it to GO AWAY!!! Take care!

Patricia Cecilia said...

Carolyn, I will be praying for you and your mom. Thank you for sharing the story and the warning.

Chars said...

Whinge all you like hon - tinnitus is a good reason to whinge!

I do hope that your mum will be on the mend soon - being in constant pain is not fun :(

Charlene ♥ NC said...

I hope the peaceful quiet of stitching can bring you back to normal. What a difference a day makes, indeed! I'm a lover of quiet. Don't play music (talk radio in the car) or have the TV on unless I'm watching it. Can't imagine that constant ringing. Did have a bout with 'impacted cerumen' a while back, but that was more of an echo/stuffed head effect - bad enough. Wishing you and you Mom well, soon!

Brigitte said...

Oh I hope that the doctors will soon find a good treatment for your mother to take away her pain.
And for you to deal with your tinnitus. My daughter also had tinnitus, very bad, and after an ozone treatment it vanished, completely. I hope that spomething like that will work for you as well.

Faye said...

Carolyn...I need an update on you (and I am sure others do too!)..Hope this post finds you improving....worried in Southern Pines.....Faye

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Sharon said...

Carolyn, I hope your tinnitus has gone away or at least has gotten easier to deal with. How annoying it must be. I feel so bad for your mom too, I hope she gets some relief soon. Sending you big hugs and prayers (((((CAROLYN))))

Von said...

It's difficult days for you and your mom right now. Hoping and praying that these problems will soon be resolved!

Ruth said...

Hugs, my dear. You are definitely allowed several whines!

May tomorrow be perfect.

Chris said...

Hi Carolyn,

A day can change your life you're so right! Sorry about the tinnitus I do hope it isn't too bad for you.

Take care
Chris x
PS Thank you for your comments on my blog.. I need to look at my blessings more than my irritations, they are so much more!

Shelley - ILCS said...

Sorry to hear you are suffering from tinnitus. I went through similar problems with my ears last year. I am going to email you what the dr. gave me. I was having severe dizzyness, even when sitting. It was accompanied by intense ringing in both ears for several weeks. Dr. told me I had to have suffered a head trauma. You think I would know if I hit my head hard enough to cause BPPV. Be on the lookout for an email from me. Good luck!

Cindy F. said...

Carolyn, I'm so sorry to hear about your tinnitus! I pray it's not permanent...and I didn't think you were whining at all!

I'm really sorry to hear about your mother's pain. I will keep you both in my prayers and pray you both feel 100% better very soon! Sending you both hugs!!!