My Diagnosis

For the past month and a half I have been awaiting my audiology and ENT appointments to see what is going on with my left ear. I finally recognized in October that I have been experiencing some hearing loss. Yesterday, January 16, 2008, I received my diagnosis. There is a 99.9% chance I have Otosclerosis.

I will try to explain this clearly. The ear is divided up into 3 parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Generally, the outer ear consists of the external canal and tympanic membrane, the middle ear contains all the tiny bones, and the inner ear involves all the nerves.

Otosclerosis affects the middle ear where all your little bones are. The stapes bone (or a tiny bone that looks like a stirrup) in my ear is getting built up with calcium deposits. Because of this build-up, my bone has become stationary and can no longer vibrate against the other small bones in my ear to help in the processes of hearing.

There are 3 options for me at this point. I can 1. do nothing, and allow the calcium to continue to build on my bone and cause more hearing loss in my left ear, 2. get a hearing aid, which I was told works well with this condition, or 3. have surgery to remove the stapes bone and replace it with a prosthesis.

Well, don't they all just sound good? I am one lucky girl. Just kidding! No, but I am blessed that this has only effected the hearing in my left ear. It is very common for it to effect both ears. Otosclerosis is most common in white females in their 20s, so I fit the profile perfectly.

I have a feeling I have been dealing with this hearing loss much longer than I thought. I had a hearing test when I first started my job at Phoenix Children's Hospital, and I had mild-moderate hearing loss back then (October 2007). They never told me this information. Then it made me think back, and I remember always being disappointed with my left speaker in my Jeep...which I've had for at least 5 years. My left speaker on my computer never worked either...humm. What triggered it was one day my co-worker used my phone and I saw her put the volume all the way down. I thought she was crazy b/c I haven't been able to hear from that phone very well, even with the volume all the way up. Then I started testing my ears with my alarm clock. It was true, the left ear heard things at a muted level.

Then I started to panic. I began to believe I had a brain tumor because I started getting headaches. Finally the headaches went away after about a month or so. Then, I began to think I had an ear problem similar to my sister and mother. My sister just had surgery for it right before Christmas this past month. She took a scope up through the nose! My mom is planning to have the same surgery. I thought for sure I'd have the same problem, but no...I think mine could be a little worse...scary.

Today is Jan. 25, 2008, and as of now, my consultation for the surgery and hearing aids is April 9, 2008. I'm on the cancellation list, so hopefully I'll get seen sooner. It looks like I won't be making decisions anytime soon, but I'll be sure to post info as soon as I get it.

Playing in Puddles

Dianne and I were walking back to our cars after work on January 7, 2008 and, and we found her car chillin' in the middle of the biggest puddle I've ever seen! It was hilarious! Her car was the only one in it, and of course, it was in the center of this deep puddle. Dianne had to hike up her pants a little to get to her car door. It was so funny because my car was in a dry spot, so I had no problem getting to my car. Thanks for the laughs, Dianne!

But, man, I drove through a couple of puddles to get out of the parking lot, and they were deep! I had water spraying up by my windows going at a slow speed! Crazy!

Yeah...It's Nica!

Nica and I had a Girls Night Out on January 4, 2008. We decided to meet up for a super cheap movie at a super cheesy movie theater. Check out this hallway! I seriously felt like I was in a spaceship or something from the 80s.

Moving Day...and Happy New Year!

So, the last day of the year Grant decided to move...actually he was getting kicked out because his roommate, Justin, was getting married! I offered to help him get moved out...and he took me up on it! Darn it! J/K! Here's a final picture of Grant in his empty room. I know, it's not the best view of the room, but believe me...we cleared it out!

Since it was New Year's Eve, I thought I'd share with you what I ended up doing this year! I helped Grant move until about 11:30 pm, and then I decided to call it a night and just go home. I got a text invite on my way home to a relaxing small party at Reid's house. I decided to stop in since it was on my way home, and I had a feeling I'd miss the ball drop if I just drove straight home. When I got to Reid's, I found out he didn't have a TV. But, the silly thing was was that I happened to have my Jeep portable TV in my car! I brought it in just to barely miss the ball drop! Oh, well. Around that time, my phone started ringing. I got a call from Grant wishing me a happy new year. He told me he couldn't find the ice skating rink where the big Stake activity was, so he was driving back home. He was in his car at the time of the new year...so sad. But, I had fun at the little party and enjoyed talking to my friends who called me to wish me a happy new year!

Princess Aurora

Mia was spoiled again with another princess outfit! For Christmas she was Princess Aurora. Looks like she's ready to find her Prince and twirl around at the ball.

Tanner's First Christmas (2007)

What a fun Christmas! At 7 am Christmas day, Mia was up and ready to see if Santa came! She and Tanner were wearing some snuggly Christmas pajamas, thanks to their favorite Aunt Cori.

Mia's most exciting gift was her new doll house! Tanner got a fun rocking horse that's the perfect size for him. He loved it...and Mia does too! It looks like there is going to be some sharing between the kid's gifts this year. I have the impression that Mia thinks all the gifts are for her, and Tanner feels the same way about them being his!


Tanner sure looked cute gripping his little fingers tightly around the handle bars on his new talking rocking horse!