Hello there...

[PJ]

Hey all.  First of all, I'd like to say that there is a place to go to share stories, information, or just vent.

I'm in the military and am going through my tech school and am 2800 miles from my wife and kids  .  We had to have a baseline hearing test and that didn't go so well.  Went through some more tests with the audiologist, and again, not so hot.  Went to the ENT and he immediately set me up for an MRI which I had yesterday.  Still waiting for results.

Any how...I am here more to vent/establish communication, just in case I need some 'support' or information.

Also, I am in Pensacola, FL if anyone has info on surgeons in the area.

[ppearl214]

Hi PJ and welcome..... well, my first comment would be... lets see if the MRI shows anything.  As you may be doing homework and stumbled upon us here.... lets see what the docs say about the MRI.  I know watiing over a weekend stinks (been there, done it... waited for test results over a weekend.... worse thing possible).  Once you know the MRI results, then you know how to proceed. Please let us know what is found or not found so we can support accordingly.

Hang in there... good luck with tech school (btw, I work for the AF, but not military) and sending good vibes that the MRI finds nothing that shouldn't be there!

Hang in there!
Phyl

[moe]

Hi PJ
This is definitely the place  to come, glad you found us. Was your hearing test part of the tech school routine? And did the ENT give any indication that you might have an AN?

You must be worried as heck, hopefully it isn't an AN or if it is, it's a small one. Any symptoms???

Let us know what the results are. I'm sure it's hard being away from your wife and kids with this. I had somewhat of the same scenario with my husband being a couple of thousand miles away when I found out about mine.  So the feeling of isolation is definitely strong.

Like  I said, hopefully nothing, but we're here if you need us
Maureen

[opp2]

Sorry to hear you are going through all this away from family and friends. It's tough enough to know something isn't right, and to have to have testing, and to wait for results. There isn't one of us on here who hasn't been through it. I hope you don't have an AN. I really do. All the best.

Nikki

[PJ]

Dang...that was quick.  Thanks guys and gals.  Trust me...I really hope that it's nothing.  And Pearl, I'm ANG, so don't think less of me. 

[leapyrtwins]

PJ -

I'm hopeful your MRI will be "clean" but if it turns out you do have an AN, you've definitely come to the right place 

Please keep us updated on your "situation".

Thanks - and good luck,

Jan

[TJ]

PJ

Thank your for serving our country!  Hopefully the MRI will show that it is not an AN.  But as many have said if it is this, this is the correct forum to belong to.  The information provided by the members is outstanding.

TJ

[Lizard]

PJ, Just want to echo everyone in welcoming you to the forum, I hope you MRI comes back "normal", but if it doesn't we are here to help you through.  I don't have any family where I live (besides my husband and 2 dogs) so I know how tough it can be to be dealing with things essentially on your own.  Try to focus on things you enjoy and hopefully some of your buddies from the ANG will step in and be your family.  I know I could not do it alone and my friends became my family, things like AN's tend to bring those who really care about you into focus and I hope you are fortunate to have a couple great people who step up.
Hang in there,
Liz

[pjb]

You have definitely found the right site and I am hoping your MRI will be negative please keep us posted and it is an honor writing to one of our military serving our country.

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family ...

Best Wishes,

Pat

[jaylogs]

Hey PJ, thank you for posting on here...as you no doubt have already found out, you'll find a lot of caring people here.  Keep us updated when you get that MRI done.  Crossing my fingers it's not, but if it is, you'll know that you have a lot of resources here to help you along.  Take care!

Jay

[james e]

Since you are in the military, you have hospitals on all bases/posts. You will have a military doctor handle your case. If you do have an AN, and I hope you don't, a couple of things might happen. If you do have one, you may be offered a medical discharge, and then you are on your own, with no insurance and a pre-existing condition. If you stay in, you will probably be sent to Walter Reed or some other training hospital for treatment. My surgery was at Methodist Hospital in Houston and a military resident attended my surgery. She was already an ENT, and was involved in my surgery. When I was in the military in the 60's, they did not ask how you wanted to be treated, they just treated you depending on if you were a "lifer" or "non lifer". The right answer is always "LIFER". Also, depending on your job in the military, they always take base line hearing tests...I worked on the flight line around jet engines for years, and they want to maintain your good health.

I was in tech school for 9 months at Keesler AFB in Mississippi and had a great time. I am sure some things have changed, but when it comes to following orders, you just do what they tell you to do. HOWEVER, this involves your health, so don't just let them tell you how you will be treated. I broke my wrist, and an OB/GYN treated me. Hopefully you really just have bad hearing and not an AN. If you do have one, read everything you can here. Ask questions. Learn until you are blue in the face. Good luck to you.

PS...don't let the OB/GYN touch you!

[sbrn]

PJ,

Good luck with your MRI. I can definitely relate to you. I am currently active duty Air Force and recently found out I have an AN in my right ear. Fortunately they are testing you to find out if your hearing issues are more severe. I was not that lucky. I first reported hearing issues in 1999 according to my military med records and it was attributed to hunting and loud music  On the plus side I started getting things rechecked for retirement purposes and found the true issue. I am guessing since you are ANG you will have a civilian hospital take care of things if it comes back as an AN. Either way from one Vet to another good luck wherever your journey ends up taking you!!!!!

[PJ]

Well, hopefully sbrn...I am actually on active duty orders now going through tech school, so we'll see.  And thanks for the replies everyone. 

No word yet.

[Funnydream]

Well, hopefully sbrn...I am actually on active duty orders now going through tech school, so we'll see.  And thanks for the replies everyone. 

No word yet.

No word yet? The radiologist at the MRI office will know that day. You should call your doctors office up and get the results.

Both MRIs I have had in my life. I was told the results the next day.

[ppearl214]

And Pearl, I'm ANG *, so don't think less of me.  

 Roger that!  Not thinking any less.... trust me on that!  I'm on leave this weekend so I'm glad to be off base for a few days......  btw, Acronym Finder is my new BFF!

Hang in there and pls keep us updated re: MRI results.

Phyl

* ANG = Air National Guard