From Vacation to Needing Sedation: How Ringing in My Ears Almost Ruined My Life
Today I spoke to my wonderful wife, Gina, about my ears ringing. For the past 3 years it has been such a sensitive issue for both of us, we’ve not really been able to discuss it properly as adults. Having put our bad times behind us, Gina and I are 100% focused on figuring out how to stop the ringing in my ears. Before I fill you in on what we decided to do, let me tell you a bit about Gina and I and how we got to this point.
It’s a funny story, actually. I met Gina through a friend at a Christian book club that I was attending. We met for lunch and I just couldn’t get her out of my mind. I think she actually hated me in the beginning; as I was a bit less confident then and I now know that confidence is a must for her. We dated for about 2 years and then I was forced to move for my job, and I just couldn’t say no to the opportunity to live my dream as a foreman on a major job in Las Vegas. Gina gave me the sad eyes and I told her that I would return. Leaving was a big mistake.
I missed Gina with a fiery passion, and I couldn’t stand to be away from her. I ended up quitting my job and running back to be with Gina, but lo and behold I could not get a hold of her. I spent that next month going to the same place that we had our first date, hoping that she would show her face. Since it was her favorite deli spot, I saw her and greeted her with a hug that could kill. Never wanting to be without her, I proposed on the spot. (In the heat of the moment, I realized I didn’t have a ring. Didn’t change her mind though 
)
Things have been great with us ever since then. We now have a beautiful son and are expecting a baby now! But a few years back, the problems started.
I considered myself a healthy guy until the ringing in my ears started. Conversations turned into arguments since I barely could communicate without being distracted by the ringing in my ears. On our anniversary vacation, we fought more than enjoyed ourselves, as a irritated Gina could not take me complaining about ear pain, not hearing what she said, and me constantly wanting to lay down due to the stress and strain. I had to see a doctor. After my initial visit, I got a call.
Dr: Jon?
Me: Yes…
Dr: Jon… your tests came back.
[Silence]
…Jon, I’m sorry to tell you this, but we cannot tell you exactly what is causing the ringing, but there are options.
Me: I’m sorry, I’m not sure I get it.
Dr: …in 99.9% of the cases it is incurable.
[silence]
Tinnitus is what I believe you are suffering from..
Me: Tinnitus?! I’m still young! That can’t be right!
Dr: I’m sorry Jon, I really sympathize with you, but it’s my responsibility to relay this news to you honestly. I know it must be very difficult to handle. I understand if you’d like to get a second opinion.
Second opinion?! Hell, I got 4 opinions! So?! They were all the same. My ears had failed me DECADES before they ought to, and doctors cannot do a thing for me. Every doctor had the same story. Either I sit down for a long ear surgery and hope for the best, or get more sleep. This was not what I was looking for from a qualified physician. And let’s not even talk about the bills! As I mentioned in my first blog post, I had a major life changing event recently that has allowed me to switch from the “Why Can’t I Stop the Ringing?” cry of desperation to the “How Can I Stop the Ringing?” journey to success.
Since this post is so long, in the next post, I will explain what Gina and I have decided to do.
Side note: My first post encouraged 15 excited people to subscribe! I am really motivated knowing that I will be helping other people sharing my pain! So please, it would mean a lot if you would subscribe to “My Tinnitus Miracle?” and join me on my no-is-not-an-option journey to cure tinnitus.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 4:30 am and is filed under Frustration, Tinnitus Miracle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Anonymously Anonymous February 5th, 2009 at 8:46 am
@Eugene
I’m sad to hear it. My husband was diagnosed almost a year ago and we’ve tried a lot of the stuff the doctor recommended but it didn’t seem to work. It’s either surgery or this :(. We’re going to make Tinnitus Miracle the last resort. If this doesn’t work, under the knife my hubby goes:(