On Saturday morning my right ear started hurting. It felt like my ear was full, like I had a head cold, only my head and sinuses felt fine. I figured maybe I had some wax in there, so I cleaned it out, using a Q-tip. Now, I know you're not supposed to clean your ears that way, but that's the way my Momma taught me and I am a creature of habit. Well, that only made it feel worse. Then I thought maybe I had some water up in that sucker, so I used my swimmer's ear drops. No go. Well, my next idea was to do nothing and wait for it to get better. This is usually the method I choose when it comes to issues of health.
Steph hates this quality in me, but I tend to dismiss her when she chides me to go to the see my PCP. I feel like Steph knows too much about healthcare for her own good and at the drop of the hat she wants to medicate me and diagnose me with such and such disease. Today she finally convinced me to see someone about this ear issue. Well, it turns out that my ear was compacted with wax because every time I use a Q-tip I just shove the wax further and further down into my ear canal. They couldn't even see my eardrum when they looked in my ear. So after flushing out the wax, they were able to see that my eardrum is perforated. Now, when I say "they" I do mean they, because not only did the NP look in my ear, but Steph insisted upon doing it as well. I was like a walking freak show to these two. They kept saying things like "Wow" and "This is bad". It was very unsettling. Tomorrow I have an appointment with an E.N.T. specialist because I may need to have surgery (thankfully outpatient, but still...scary) to fix this problem.
Moral of the story-- DON'T clean your ears with Q-tips!!!!!
What does this have to do with today's photo? Well, I took a picture of the gunk they flushed out of my ear. Why don't you see this photo on the page? Umm, it's seriously disgusting and I don't want to subject you to seeing it if you don't want to. BUT...if you're interested in seeing my ear refuse, dear reader, you can click right on over here. I know it's gross, but I just couldn't resist. Besides, I didn't take any other pictures today. Enjoy!
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8 comments:
Okay, first off I can't believe you took a picture of it.
Second, I really can't believe I looked.
Apparently, one of us needs help.
You should have placed the photo on your site! Sorry to hear about your ear troubles. I hope the surgery isn't too troublesome.
- Blair
You know I have to photographically document everything! I think part of it is living with someone who is in healthcare though-- I've seen a lot of gore and guts in textbooks and I've heard a lot of nasty stuff. When S had her appendix removed, I wanted to see it, but they had to send it off to the lab to get it tested. I know, I'm sick.
I second what susieq said...
Oh. My. God. Adina, that is scary! But of course I looked at the photo--I don't get grossed out very easily. I really hope your ear is OK and that you won't need surgery!!
All is well, thankfully!
Oh my dear Adina,
Pain in the face/head area is always bad. Throw away the Q-tips!!! My mother had this problem also. She wouldn't be able to hear for days until the doctor cleaned out the wax. So glad you don't need the surgery. The picture wasn't too gross, but thanks for the warning.
OOXX Mommy J
Don't worry, I learned my lesson and I am off the Q-tips for good!
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