Hi everybody, it's been a while. I am about 15 months post op. For the most part things are going great. Still no hearing on the left side but I did not figure it was going to magically reappear. Balance is pretty darn good everything considering. i rode my bike for the first time a couple months ago and still feel pretty shaky doing that, but it also might have been the very crowded path along our lake with all the Covid exercisers. The biggest issue, which is not the worst thing in the world, is my hearing in my good ear. As I noted last year the good ear is now very sensitive to noises and it still is. If i go to crowded places, especially indoors, the noise really gets to me. I could try a hearing aid that limits the sound, but that would mean I miss even more than I do now. With the whole pandemic going on I have not spent a lot of time in indoor crowded places though so not so bad the past few months.
The deaf thing does have a lot of drawbacks, but again, I am still here. My wife especially has a hard time remembering that I do not hear well. She will say things and think I ignore her or when I pause or turn down the TV or radio so I can hear her better she thinks I'm going overboard. Now with everyone wearing masks it makes it really hard to add in words from reading lips. Again, small price to pay for not having something growing in my head.
I meant to write this as a one year update, but as fate would have it I had a heart attack and needed to get 4 stents the same week as my AN surgery anniversary. I was lucky the heart attack was 'minor' and being a good guy I did not go into the hospital for another day to get checked out. 100% blockage in one artery and a long pinch in my 'widow maker'. 4 stents (2 each in 2 arteries)and 36 hours later they sent me home.
I get out and walk about 4 miles 4-5 times a week so that helps with both maintaining my balance and the cardiac rehab.
I hope everyone here is doing well and making the best of life. It is short and we need to live it to the fullest.
Fuzzy
