Before we go any further I would like to take the time to thank each and every one of you for your support, kind comments and feedback on my first blog. It's something I started just for me, to voice my daily moans and in the hope that it may be able to help other people and dance teachers in a similar situation. The response I have received has been absolutely overwhelming with messages, emails, retweets, and blog views coming in by the load! I am more than happy to reply to each and every one of you and answer all of your questions.
October - Christmas 2015 - I had an on/off earache and a cold that I couldn't quite shake off, the earache cleared itself up so I continued as normal, as everyone does with busy working lives. At the time I was running my own dance school, working in a coffee shop as well as commuting to Bristol weekly to teach in various locations. Time off wasn't really an option although hindsight is a wonderful thing.
January 2016 - I started to notice reduced hearing in my left ear, doctors advised this was just a build up of wax and that de-congestion tablets would do the trick, I took these everyday, twice a day for 2 weeks with no changes.
February 24th 2016 - I woke up lying on my right side, as I opened my eyes and rolled over I was aware that something definitely wasn't right. I was completely deaf in my left ear and I felt terribly sick and dizzy, struggling out of bed i made my way to the bathroom. I remember falling against the walls down the stairs and I couldn't see straight, my whole world was spinning. I remember thinking "am i drunk?" Little did I know that this was about to become my "normal". I dragged myself to the doctors, although I honestly have no recollection of driving there, I looked terrible and i remember sat in the waiting room trying not to throw up!
Eventually seen by emergency appointment I was told that there was a 'large hole' in my ear drum but they couldn't see for definite and that my deafness would return when the wax had cleared. I had full faith in my doctor, why wouldn't I? If a mechanic tells you your car needs a new engine, why would you question it?! I went home and continued on to work, i felt awful and was soon sent home. I didn't feel right for weeks after. The dizziness eased but was still underlying and would raise its ugly head every time I got up or span around too fast. As a dance teacher, this became difficult.
I was referred to the local hospital and was sent though an appointment for 9 months time.... horrified, I got straight on the phone for an earlier slot to be told I was not, yes you did read that right I WAS NOT a priority! Unless I was under 5 or over 65 my hearing loss was not important. I'm probably not allowed to publish the words that came out of my mouth that day but as you can imagine the air was blue! I was seen the following week.
February - March 2016 - 2 more appointments, 3 hearing tests, 1 cancellation, 6 weeks, lots of bad days and a lot of tears later I felt I wasn't being taken seriously, and so took matters in to my own hands and went private.
Long story short, I was told that my hearing organ had been damaged (probably due to a virus but we will never know for definite) and that my hearing would never return.
I was devastated. I was told that if I had been given the correct steroids that first February morning, my hearing could have been saved. This information was as useful to me as a chocolate teapot! Not helpful at all!
The last 12 months have been about getting to know my body again and realising my limits. Some days are bad but there are definitely more good ones now iv got my head around It all. Until next time, onwards and upwards....
Thanks for reading, feel free to contact me.
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Email - traceymarsh22@yahoo.com
