Today I had a checkup with Dr. Meluch. He asked how things have been since our last visit. I had a lot to share. Last week, I was down with a very bad ear infection. I have had problems with my right ear since I was two years old. I have significant hearing loss in that ear. However, I have not had any issues since I was seventeen. About a month ago, I started having drainage. That is usually a sign to go get the wax buildup cleaned out. I asked my primary doctor to refer me to an ENT. Since I would be a new patient, it was a few weeks before they could see me. At the time, I was not terribly concerned. Then, two Fridays ago, I woke up with an incredibly bad ear ache. I tried to have the appointment moved up, but I had a work conflict when they would have been able to see me. I elected to see my primary doctor instead. She is out on Friday afternoons so I ended up seeing a nurse practitioner. I thought it may have hurt because I kept sticking my fingers in my ear to scratch it. The drainage made it itch. No such luck. I had a rather severe ear infection. She gave me some pretty potent antibiotics and ear drops.
Unfortunately, they took forever to kick in. I spent the weekend on the couch or in bed. The pain seemed to get worse and worse. The whole right side of my face hurt. My ear felt hot and painful to the touch. My jaw was locked and I could only eat soft foods with my front teeth. I had trouble chewing. I even had trouble talking. Everything I did hurt me. I even had to cancel my self defense class that I teach which was scheduled to meet Sunday afternoon. My friend Mike said he knew how bad I felt because I did not even go to church. I couldn't remember any infection I had as a kid hurting like this.
I worked half a day Monday and by Tuesday, I slowly started to feel better. My ENT appointment was scheduled for this past Friday. A week later and I was still feeling bad. What was worse was that it was just one more thing in the long list of post-treatment ailments. I planned on returning to my Krav Maga class on Saturday. Once again, my body kept me from doing it. I ended up contacting the instructors and told them that although I am so eager to return, I have to concede to the fact that my body simply is not ready yet.
I was also scared because I have not had issues with my ear in twenty years. I was afraid that because of the cancer treatment, my old problems were returning. I could just envision more trips to the ENT, more vacuuming out the ear, more surgeries.
Luckily, it was nothing more than a bad outer ear infection and a lot of wax buildup. The ENT told me that the outer ear infection is less serious than the inner ear infections I had as a kid, but much more painful. That explains why I could not remember the pain. There was so much wax that it kept clogging the vacuum he was using. He had to bring out the big vacuum that he said he doesn't like to use. Luckily, it was not as painful as I remember. It is by no means pleasant, but at least it did not hurt too much and was over rather quickly. Once he removed all that wax, the pressure was released and I felt almost 100% better!
My ear is still not 100%, but at least I can talk and eat. It is more of a constant pressure than pain.
I told Dr. Meluch about my RAD class. I had my first full contact class in over a year last night. It was brutal. Only four girls, but we all brought our A game and gave it everything we had. I had two co-instructors who did most of the bag work and all of the simulation. As bad as I am hurting this morning, I know they are hurting even more.
Since I had to cancel last week's class, we did two classes in one day - for a total of six hours. I wanted to be give the girls everything they deserved, but I am paying for it today. I am sure everyone is sore today. I demonstrated chokes and bear hugs and blocks and ground defense (throwing off an attacker that is on top of you). I demonstrated being choked while being pushed up against a wall. Mike is one of my aggressors. My other aggressor is taller and bigger than Mike. When we do the demonstrations, we do it full force to show them how it really works. I love the class and have no regrets. It was great getting out there and doing it again. I love this part of my job. I am simply paying the price today. It also showed me how, even though it was a tough decision, it was the right decision to put Krav Maga on hold.
Dr. Meluch told me about his own sports injury. He competes in triathlons and he fell off his bike onto rocks this weekend, tearing muscle. He has to have surgery tomorrow.
As we discussed our physical activity, I told him about how I have been running and how I have not had a coke since the last time I saw him. He said he could tell because I have been losing weight and said he told me it would make a difference. I told him it's hard on hot days. An ice cold coke sounds so good. He again told me I could have one every once in a while. I told him nope. Not me. I am all or nothing. No such thing as a little every now and again. He said everyone is different and that I was doing good. I have lost seven pounds since I last saw him. It's not much, but a good start, roughly a pound a week. It felt good to know he was proud of me. I told Mike later that I wanted a mini brownie Sundae for lunch, but don't want one now. I like that he is proud of what I'm accomplishing and don't want to ruin my good momentum with junk food.
We then discussed my appointment with the gynecologist about the fibroids. I told him what she said and he said they have to come out. He cannot check my ovaries because the fibroids are in the way. They are too large. We discussed the other options. He said it is an easier conversation to have with a woman 45-50 years old, but bottom line, if my bone density is good, he would recommend taking the ovaries out. The only issue is Osteosclerosis. As women age, they lose bone density. Chemo can cause me to lose bone density as well. He wants me to get a bone density test and pending a positive outcome, he recommends the full hysterectomy. I told him I would want to wait until after the new year, after my one year anniversary of being cancer free. He is fine with this option. He is going to send a letter to my gynecologist and include a vitamin D test with my lab work.
Overall, it was a good day! It is like I take two steps forward then one step back. At least I am still moving in the right direction. This morning, I told Mike that I felt like the Little Engine out of steam. He told me I was simply letting off the gas and switching to second gear. I like that!
