Today was a follow up to last month's hospitalization. We're going to have to get some definition and parameters around "it's going to take some more time" as that's about the only explanation we seem to get to Terry's most pressing issues right now. Somehow it seems quite inadequate when it's been so long that we've been looking for answers.
His hearing, which has never been good, has been markedly worse since his surgery this past summer. He complains of a ringing that never seems to subside. His pain, that wakes him every morning, has gotten worse the past couple of months. His energy, obviously impacted by the loss of an adrenal gland and removal of his thyroid, seems to be grudgingly limping along as he takes a medication to get those levels raised.
He had a hearing test last week, and was told he has a substantial hearing loss. I could have saved Medicare some money, because the validation of that has never been in dispute. He had an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor yesterday. This doctor told him he didn't believe he could do anything to help him, and that it "would take some more time" before the ringing diminished and wasn't so much of an obstacle. Having the thyroid surgery was one reason he might have ringing in his ears. The doctor was unsure....
His appointment today was with the doctor who did his colonoscopy a few months ago, and his input was long term use of an antibiotic could cause ringing in his ears. He also reiterated that the lack of energy would get better as his thyroid levels became stabilized, but again, it "will take some more time" before his energy levels are back. The vomiting may continue to be an issue until those levels are back, and again, it "will take some more time." Or so we're told. One more time.....
As I pointed out to Terry after his appointment, his surgery was more than 5 months ago. At what point will "some more time" be met? This is beginning to feel very much like an easy out for doctors who aren't sure what's going on. I know we should exhibit a bit more patience, but after all he's been through, we really wanted to have the worst behind him and an expectation of getting our lives back by being able to plan for things. Evidently that "will take some more time."
For the moment, we're trying to figure out what his new "normal" is. We know not to plan anything for the earlier part of the morning, and so far that is working. He had blood work done a month or so ago to see what exactly he's allergic to, and surprise!! After years of treating seasonal allergies it turns out he doesn't have allergies. To anything...no allergies, and no quick fixes. That's all we know for now....
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