Thank you for this update. I've been thinking of you and wondering how the surgery went. I didn't realize it was a multi-part process, that there would be a period of complete silence. I assumed you'd wake up with hearing. I know another writer, @elanejohnson, who had the surgery a while ago and says it was the best decision she ever made.
everything hearing loss related is a "process" unfortch! Even hearing aids take a month before you really see any benefit, which is why most people quit - as I did, for years.
Doesn't look like there's much going on on Substack for Elane, but she's hysterically funny and has such great energy. We met at a lit conference in Lancaster PA one year.
I haven't been with you long enough to feel I know you at all, but thanks for that poignant letter and the Mr Rogers clip. At times like this I look to novels that make me laugh. Some of my favorites are Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Nevermore Bookstore, Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts and MASH. I will add - I've had Multiple Sclerosis since 1976 and it turned out to 10 a very mild case and 2) a great blessing, but I never wold have be,ieved at the time that I would still be here writing to anyone now and looking forward to turning 80 in February. I am happy to talk at length about that, but it can get heavy so I'm resisting. However, take this as an invitation should you care to hear more.
Thanks for the kind words and recs - I read Hitchhikers but not in a loooong time. And yeah, I’m always interested in hearing about other people’s journeys. Share away!
Wanted to add a little so you'd know I received your reply. I was working for a bank in Boston (the Boston branch of Brown Brothers Harriman, I had been led to expect a promotion but was passed over and suggested that, given the work I was doing and the patience I had been exercising, it might be time for a salary increase. This was June of 1976 and I was watching a lot of TV because the Olympics were held in Atlanta that year and the level of American covereage was unprecedented. I started to see lights flashing in the field of vision of my left eye and assumed they would disappear with the conclusion of the Olympics. No such luck.
On the 4th of July, America's bicentennial celebration included a Boston Pops concert at the outdoor Hatch Shell. My wife and I were part of an hsistoric crowd and, to insure a place to sit, we waited for some hours in a hot sun before the concert occurred. This probably aggravated what was going on in my eye. The light flashes persisted and I went to Mass Eye and Ear for a checlout. This proved less than satisfactory. My left eye had alwawys been dominant and my right eye was hanging on his brother's coattails. I had been under examination for over a half hour when the physician asked a colleague if he would take a look at my right eye. I reitereated that the problem was in my left eye and two embarassed physicians failed to find any explanation. The bank was unhappy with my request and took my visit to the clinic as evidence that my heart wasn't in banking. I was fired on Friday, August 13th. My wife and I spent the weekend in Lake Placid, NY, celebrating.
I still didn't know I had MS, but this was aleady the first positive fruit of the disease. More to come in a bit.
First things first, the hot box made me laugh and my favorite was “I knew she was trouble the second she walked into my 24-hour deli, laundromat, and detective agency….” because wtf lol.
Secondly, thank you for the update! I’m so sorry it’s a struggle but am so happy to hear that the surgery was successful. Emotions lie in wait to be felt unfortunately (or maybe fortunately since that’s what makes us human). I hope the trajectory of your journey trends upwards!
Lastly, I recommend ANY audiobooks narrated by Lori Prince or Quinn Riley (she also narrates under Jeremy Carlisle). They’re my two favorite narrators! Lori has narrated all of Haley Cass’s books and I recommend them all.
Thanks for sharing this. Your writing is a gift.
Thank you so much.
Lovely, lovely, LOVELY! ❤️digital xo’s and my best wishes to you.
Thank you!
❤️
Thank you for this update. I've been thinking of you and wondering how the surgery went. I didn't realize it was a multi-part process, that there would be a period of complete silence. I assumed you'd wake up with hearing. I know another writer, @elanejohnson, who had the surgery a while ago and says it was the best decision she ever made.
elanejohnsondeafchick738490
everything hearing loss related is a "process" unfortch! Even hearing aids take a month before you really see any benefit, which is why most people quit - as I did, for years.
And awesome - I'll check her out!
Doesn't look like there's much going on on Substack for Elane, but she's hysterically funny and has such great energy. We met at a lit conference in Lancaster PA one year.
nm - i found her. maybe ill send a message.
hm, I'm not finding her for some reason.
She’s here, on Medium: https://elanejohnson.medium.com/
Here on Substack (but hasn’t posted anything yet) Just keep an eye peeled : https://elanejohnsondeafchick738490.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
Sending love your way. XOXO
I haven't been with you long enough to feel I know you at all, but thanks for that poignant letter and the Mr Rogers clip. At times like this I look to novels that make me laugh. Some of my favorites are Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Nevermore Bookstore, Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts and MASH. I will add - I've had Multiple Sclerosis since 1976 and it turned out to 10 a very mild case and 2) a great blessing, but I never wold have be,ieved at the time that I would still be here writing to anyone now and looking forward to turning 80 in February. I am happy to talk at length about that, but it can get heavy so I'm resisting. However, take this as an invitation should you care to hear more.
Thanks for the kind words and recs - I read Hitchhikers but not in a loooong time. And yeah, I’m always interested in hearing about other people’s journeys. Share away!
Wanted to add a little so you'd know I received your reply. I was working for a bank in Boston (the Boston branch of Brown Brothers Harriman, I had been led to expect a promotion but was passed over and suggested that, given the work I was doing and the patience I had been exercising, it might be time for a salary increase. This was June of 1976 and I was watching a lot of TV because the Olympics were held in Atlanta that year and the level of American covereage was unprecedented. I started to see lights flashing in the field of vision of my left eye and assumed they would disappear with the conclusion of the Olympics. No such luck.
On the 4th of July, America's bicentennial celebration included a Boston Pops concert at the outdoor Hatch Shell. My wife and I were part of an hsistoric crowd and, to insure a place to sit, we waited for some hours in a hot sun before the concert occurred. This probably aggravated what was going on in my eye. The light flashes persisted and I went to Mass Eye and Ear for a checlout. This proved less than satisfactory. My left eye had alwawys been dominant and my right eye was hanging on his brother's coattails. I had been under examination for over a half hour when the physician asked a colleague if he would take a look at my right eye. I reitereated that the problem was in my left eye and two embarassed physicians failed to find any explanation. The bank was unhappy with my request and took my visit to the clinic as evidence that my heart wasn't in banking. I was fired on Friday, August 13th. My wife and I spent the weekend in Lake Placid, NY, celebrating.
I still didn't know I had MS, but this was aleady the first positive fruit of the disease. More to come in a bit.
I hope it works. Take care.
Saaaaame.
First things first, the hot box made me laugh and my favorite was “I knew she was trouble the second she walked into my 24-hour deli, laundromat, and detective agency….” because wtf lol.
Secondly, thank you for the update! I’m so sorry it’s a struggle but am so happy to hear that the surgery was successful. Emotions lie in wait to be felt unfortunately (or maybe fortunately since that’s what makes us human). I hope the trajectory of your journey trends upwards!
Lastly, I recommend ANY audiobooks narrated by Lori Prince or Quinn Riley (she also narrates under Jeremy Carlisle). They’re my two favorite narrators! Lori has narrated all of Haley Cass’s books and I recommend them all.
Sending good vibes! ❤️
Oh nice, I've heard Lori Prince's name a bunch. Will check her out! Thank you!