It's been a busy couple of weeks for old Dan. I've been to so many doctors, many times multiple in a day, being poked, prodded, tested and more. Talking about so many aspects of my health in preparation for surgery! December 5th,, that's the day my ENT wants to install a cochlear implant on my right side. Then I'll be able to hear! First, I had to go see a hematologist, who told me I'm iron anemic and have been since July. I dunno what happened in July, but okay. I have to get 5 infusions of iron into my blood, then another lab and a follow-up. My ENT wanted me to see a rheumatologist too, so I did that today. She said she doesn't think my hearing loss is due to an autoimmune disease because the steroids didn't work, but that I might still have one anyway because of how fucked up my whole deal is. Gotta get lab work for her too. So I've been running around, getting a CT scan, an MRI, and going to get my balance tested, and did I mention lab work? All of this is in preparation for Friday, December 5th. One small thing, insurance needs 30 days notice to pay for a cochlear implant, and the hospital won't do the surgery until insurance approves it. So, it's all been pushed back to February 20th, next year. I'm gutted. I was so looking forward to starting the new year with my implant, learning to hear better, and getting back to a semi-normal life. This is such a slap in the face. I feel like it's a stark reminder of my new handicap and that I need to learn to cope with it without hearing, just in case. It's time to learn ASL. Time to switch to iPhone. Time to get fitted for some of those Meta AI glasses. I'm not looking forward to any of it.
