Today was the day I had my follow-up appointment with Dr. Levine.  My hearing test showed that my hearing is the same (good news) but my word comprehension is down a little.  It’s not a huge change, but the doctor wasn’t happy about it.  He started our visit with the statement, “Well, you haven’t recovered any more and you’ve actually lost some word comprehension.”  I didn’t think it was even a goal to recover any more at this point.  He asked my how I’m tolerating the prednisone and asked about the side effects I’m having.  When I told him that it was basically like being 9 months pregnant all the time he said that biochemically speaking, what prednisone does to the body is very similar to what happens during pregnancy!  I thought that was interesting (seemed like he did, too).  I asked my questions about how my cold might impact my situation and he didn’t seem too concerned.  He said it will probably take a little longer to get over it, but didn’t seem to think it would likely make much difference with my hearing since I’m already on steroids. I go back for another follow-up in a month and he did say that if I’ve lost more word comprehension at that point (or hearing for that matter) that there is a chance he would go ahead and take me off the drugs.  I guess that would mean it’s not helping anymore.  Time will tell!

Chet was off work today and went with me.  He was kind of frustrated when we left.  It’s hard for him to see me not feeling well from the drugs and it’s also a grieving process for him, like it has been for me.  Watching his wife lose her hearing is a loss for him, too.  It frustrates him that there are no definitive answers to what’s happening.  Whenever I ask about results or possibilities it’s all in the realm of “there’s no way to know” or “this is so rare we’re trying experimental things so we don’t know the outcome.”  I think sometimes it’s harder for the loved ones to have to watch someone they love go through things and know there’s nothing they can do to “fix” it than it is for the person going through an issue.  He’s truly a wonderful support to me and I really didn’t even realize he was feeling this way until we talked about it some today.

We saw a show on the Food Network  a couple of months ago.  It was Adam from Man vs. Food doing a show where he was looking for the best sandwich in America!  He chose a finalist from each of 9 regions in the country, and the one that won from the midwest region was from a restaurant called Tilia’s in Minneapolis.  It was a fish taco torta (spanish word for sandwich) and we decided today was the day we were going to give it a try.  I have to say, it was a very unique and really delicious fish sandwich!  We loved it!  I feel like it lived up to its reputation.  They also had a fabulous burger.  We will definitely be going back sometime when we’re looking for something “different.”  It was a little spendy (note my  proper use of the word “spendy” – a local phrase from a girl who grew up in the South!) but fun for an occasional splurge.  We went to a Starbucks after lunch that had a clover machine (a different way of brewing a cup of coffee – not all SBs have them) and enjoyed some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee which was also fun.  (We have wonderful memories of drinking Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee in Jamaica for our 10th anniversary trip many moons ago!) Ended up running a few errands after that and for a girl who’s been sick most of this week, it was fun but I was exhausted by the end of the day!   When we got home around 5pm we both put on pjs and vegged out for the rest of the evening!  We rarely get to spend the whole day together so it was very nice!

Tomorrow is our annual ladies’ day at our church, so it will be a full but very uplifting and fun day as well.  I think I’d better get some rest!  Good night all.  Thanks so much for keeping up with me here and for all of the kind words and prayers.  They (ie you!) are very much appreciated!