57011--high dose

[zyzyly]

I saw the specialist today for my hearing thing--the ENT doctor. I had met her before in the ICU but had never really talked to her. She's kind of delightful-quirky. My blood pressure was a little high, and she assured me that hers was higher, and laughed. She did an exam and looked at my test results so far. She is pretty sure it has something to do with the nerve rather than an ear problem. "So..." she said, paused for a moment, and laid out some options. One option was steroid injections in my head, which I politely declined. So I will try a high dose steroid taper, and get an MRI scan to see what's in there.

The steroid taper starts with a high dose of prednisone and tapers off over a week or so. She mentioned that it might make me "a little mean or cranky", and suggested I warn my wife. I mentioned this to someone I work with. He told me he had to take the same medication, and put a sign on his computer monitor that said, "ACT NORMAL".

Anyway, I won't have the MRI until after I get back from Europe. Speaking of Europe, I got the keys in the mail to the apartment we are renting in Paris, along with 12 pages worth of helpful hints for having a good time there. First rule, says the woman who owns the apartment, is "whenever you walk into a shop, bomb them with 'Bonjour' before they get a chance to 'bonjour' you first." We'll see. Anyway, the keys are awesome looking. No wonder there's a $250 deposit on their safe return.

So I'll start the prednisone taper in the morning and see how it goes. I'll have the MRI when I get back and see what it shows. As I was sitting in the exam room waiting for the doctor this morning, I felt like a patient for the first time in my life. How did that feel? Like I had no control over how things were going to play out--I was just along for the ride. Enjoy the scenery.

Comments

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

That is the coolest-looking key ever.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I know--I've never seen anything like it!

[anita-margarita.livejournal.com]

It's true: bomb them with Bonjour first. Shop, post office, bar, whatever - it makes a world of difference. Even though Bonjour may be the limit of one's French, the fact that you didn't walk in and immediately say, "Parlez-vous Anglais?" or "How much is this?" counts for a lot.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I did buy a phrase book and plan to do my best with it.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I hope the taper works!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Me too.

[fivecats.livejournal.com]

Bonjour Bombs?

Mind you, politeness counts, too: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/11/french-cafe-discounts-police-customers

...

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

that's awesome!

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

That key is awesome! I can't wait to see pics of what's inside the house.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to actually seeing what it looks like.

[thoughtsbykat.livejournal.com]

Cool keys! In Paris they really love it if you attempt to speak French right away. I don't know if you are fluent or not. We weren't, but if we tried they were a lot friendlier and they would speak English. They knew you were American. Enjoy your time there. There is so much to explore.

Hope the taper works well.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I am about as far from fluent as one can get, but I will give it my best shot. Last time I was there, most people really appreciated that I made the effort, and often then invited me to speak english.

[howeird]

That key looks like it should be to a safe deposit box holding several million dollars' worth of crack cocaine. :-)

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

Have a wonderful time, Mike, and I look forward to your pics! :)