I’m taking the day off from school tomorrow to go for an “elective” surgery. That is to say, it isn’t necessary or life-threatening. I’m choosing to do it, for good reason, after waiting for years.
Every person has characteristics that define his or her childhood. One’s location, parents, and consumed media establishes the “brand” of his or her adolescent years. These factors determine whether the childhood was wonderful, miserable, or somewhere in between.
What defined my childhood, and somewhat defines me to this day, is my right perforated eardrum. It’s exactly what it sounds like: I have a hole in my eardrum caused by constant ear infections as a child. Throughout my entire life, as long as I can remember, I have had significant hearing loss in that ear. To add insult to injury, I’ve had to wear earplugs while bathing, every day, as long as I’ve been able to bathe myself.
I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, or even complaining. I’ve completely adapted to it and it’s just part of the daily routine, like going to the bathroom.
And the hearing loss? I’ve managed to deal with it throughout my almost-finished high school career. Over the last few days, I’ve told people about what I’m doing, and they were shocked to learn that I have hearing loss at all. I’ve worked very hard to conceal it.
I’ve literally waited my whole life for what is going to happen tomorrow. There is a good chance that I’ll be able to reclaim a slightly more “normal” lifestyle by getting a good deal of my hearing back.
I’m excited, hopeful, and terrified.
I didn’t know that about your eardrum! I had a scare a few years back that mine might tear, actually. if you don’t mind me asking–besides the earplugs thing, what adjustments did you have to make in terms of everyday life?
good luck with the surgery!
Go for it, Rick. Good luck.
Whoa, I’m shocked! You did all too good a job of concealing this! God bless, I hope the surgery is a real success!
Kim, in terms of adjustments, I ask people to repeat themselves a lot. I used to say, “What?” all the time, but my Dad finally corrected me to say, “Excuse me?” many years ago.
I almost always sit on the right side of people so that I can hear them when they talk to me. You might remember the night we went and saw Aladdin at the high school. You showed up later than I did and sat on my left; thus, I was able to talk to you. Justin sat on my right, and we didn’t talk much. As easy as it is to think I’m selective in my conversation partners or creepy, I simply couldn’t hear Justin.
But, really, I’ve had this my whole life, so they really aren’t adjustments… just normal behaviors for me.
And, thanks a bunch Mike and Christine.