Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Sick Turkey Chick

Mr. Cold sat next to me on my plane trip the other day. He was coughing and sneezing, and I watched the crystal droplets light upon my lips, nose and hands, almost like snowflakes.

I've been thinking of him constantly as I replace boxes of Kleenex throughout the house, faster than I can suck a lozenge.

I started coughing. Laryngitis set in, and not a moment too soon for my family. It's Thanksgiving, and I have count- your-blessing type speeches planned right through dinner. I have a story, a poem, and several songs in mind...

Today I was unloading groceries when I started feeling unbalanced. The room was spinning, as I dumped the sacks of potatoes onto the counter. Dee asked how I was feeling, but I couldn't hear him. Moments later I felt dizzy and we sat down to watch the news. Dee had the sound turned down very low for some reason.

Deep inside my head tonight I felt a sharp pain, which returned and settled in my ear. Within an hour it was causing a writhing, moaning sensation in me. I recognized the prelude to a breaking eardrum. I've experienced this trauma several times in my life, so it's become frighteningly familiar.

There's extreme pressure at first, which settles into a pulsing throbbing pain. It increases, with strange, squeaking noises that rumble deep inside, randomly surprising me with loud squeals that nobody else can hear. I was alone tonight in my agony, pressing a hot washcloth against my ear.

Sometimes the pain has been excruciating, taking hours to resolve. This time it was more like a tender torture and then a quick piercing, that only took a half hour of biting my cheeks and pacing the kitchen. The pain slowly subsided, while a feeling of liquid gently sloshed in the ear canal. There must be a new tiny opening deep inside letting out the infection.

Experience has taught me that I'll get better quickly now. Tomorrow I'll feel dizzy, and I know I have a few weeks of feeling lopsided, and turning the TV up a few decibels. There will be unexpected pops and creaks as the eardrum heals itself.

Thanksgiving will be practice for my stroke years: deaf, mute, and off-balance. I'll be in a quiet little world, dancing to my own beat, and laughing at what I thought I heard someone say. It ought to be lots of fun!

11 comments:

MissKris said...

For several years in a row I was sick for Thanksgiving. For me, I wonder if it wasn't a subconscious 'rebellion' for having to spend every holiday, birthday, blah, blah, blah with my in-laws, ha! Not that I don't love them, but it sure aced my family out of the picture. Back in those days, you did NOT tell my m-i-l no for ANYTHING! Oh well...that's all in the past. I sure hope you get to feeling better quickly and that you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving, Marty.

kenju said...

I am so sorry! I hope your large family will come to your rescue, and cook dinner for everyone. Feel better soon, and have a good holiday in spite of it.

Bev said...

sorry you're under the weather!

try to take it easy and not stress the little stuff -- the clan will be sure you get fed I'll bet

hope you're better soon!

Amy said...

Mom, I'm so sorry that your sick and that your eardrum broke! You are always the life of our parties. Don't worry. We'll all have a great time. Do you need any extra help with cooking? Let us know.

gramakas said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you are under the weather and on a holiday too! Usually the sickness begins right after the overeating! All I can say is: work it!! Let everyone else take over and just be grateful you have so many you can depend on. Happy (cough, cough) Turkey day!

Joy Des Jardins said...

The worst timing Marty. You are a trooper though....and I truly hope it doesn't ruin your holiday...and everyone else's who want to share the day with Oma. Good luck sweetie...

Suzz said...

Ouch! Hope all the yucky stuff is cleared and gone, but don't act too perky just yet. Take the advice of Kenju and Gramakas, and for added drama, press the back of your limp hand to your forehead and sigh loudly. Work it, girl, work it!

mama jo said...

so sorry that you're not feeling well...that's a bummer on a holiday..take it easy...make evceryone else work..

Travelin'Oma said...

Thanks to all my well-wishers. It was a lovely dinner and we had a "I'm thankful for my talents" Talent Show, after. Pete and Anna's talent was some kind of guitar video game where you play along, and it was very fun. Every cooked, cleaned up, and stayed for hours chatting or playing.

It was a great success, even though I couldn't hear out of one ear and I felt unbalanced, and my voice sounds like a beached whale bellow.

It was your care that kept me going! Thanks!

Unknown said...

I, too, hope you are feeling much better now. A ruptured eardrum does heal by itself, doesn't it? I once had to have mine broken by a doctor so my ear could drain. Sounded awful but didn't hurt all that much.

Jake said...

Sorry you caught the bug from us...it seems like we always make you sick. Can't wait for you to come again!!!