Bionic Ear

What? Huh? Excuse me? What was that? Andrea may never have to say those words again! On Monday she checked into Grouphealth and braved another surgery in her right ear. This time it was to install prosthetic bones so that her hearing will improve.

The surgery was a little more complicated than expected so Andrea has now checked into Hospital Heater (and, by the way, is receiving excellent care). Here's the scoop: the doctor thought he would do all of his work through her ear canal but once he got in there, he decided to cut behind her ear and flop it forward to get better access. Andrea was devastated by the news, mostly because she would be sporting the jock strap once again (only the third time in her 30 years of life) and because she knew that her recovery would be much more difficult.

She is getting stronger each day. I have been a faithful nurse, even getting up in the middle of the night to check on her and dispense pain meds, running to the store for US magazine and movies. We are thinking that tomorrow might be the day to remove the jock strap (Andrea is pretty sure her ear is on crooked and wants to check it out). Even though I am an amazing nurse, we have nominated Ben to do that job because I am pretty sure I will faint if I attempt it.

Oh, and the prosthetic was installed and we will know in 4-6 weeks if it worked.