Hearing Loss

Granny was in a vicious cycle of pain meds vs dehydration for a couple weeks, but now seems to be coming out of it a little confused and no worse for the wear.  She seems able to move about the house, but has stated that she doesn't understand what she's supposed to do to care for herself.  Although the instructions would seem simple enough for you or me, she is probably in a little bit of a brain fog after all this.

Prior to surgery and radiation, Granny was taking Iodine, Magnesium and multivitamins that her body was accustomed to; however the radiologist asked her not to take any supplements that might interfere with the radiation's ability to kill the bad cells.  It's been about a month since radiation so I've started adding some of these back into her diet.  When I added the magnesium, her tremors and muscle jerking seemed to stop.  A couple days ago, I started adding Kelp to her diet, and I hope that will help with her brain fog.  Husband Mike has been making homemade chicken broth by cracking the bones, which allows the bone marrow to cook into the soup for about 6 hours for maximum benefits and healing.  Her main food source has still been just the Boost in her G-Tube though.

In the past week or two, Granny has fallen down twice.  Luckily she has not broken anything; however her foot is swollen and black and blue from the most recent fall on Wednesday.  She is still able to walk and to my surprise has even managed to get dressed and come over to our house this morning to visit.  She is tired and just relaxing here in the big chair.  As an added bonus, it began to snow big, beautiful, sticky flakes shortly after her arrival this morning.  Very beautiful.

We believe the falling down is from Vertigo, caused by fluid build up on her ears.  Seems her hearing loss was supposed to get better with all the salt water rinses she does, but in fact it has gotten worse.  She can just barely hear out of her right ear (non surgery side).  She is using an over the counter hearing aid but is still barely able to hear.  She was able to still hear when I gave out the phone number and encouraged callers.  Now, I don't think she can hear the phone or the callers so well.  She can manage to have conversations with me on the phone, but it's labored.  I will try to get a light this week for her phone so she can see when someone calls.


This week we will finally do a follow up visit with the Radiology doctor on Tuesday, then her surgeon on Friday.  I may try a little rubbing alcohol in her right ear to help dry up fluid.  I am open to suggestions to promote her healing and hearing.  Below you will find something that Grandson Matt found at Granny's house.  It's a homemade birthday card from Granddaughter Chelsie, and she is excited to be at Granny's house when her cousins +Mike V, +LarryVeedock, & Pat (+Demetrius Markov) are coming to visit.  Granny always made her house inviting for kids to come, with lots of snacks and a fun place to play.  Granny's birthday is coming up, April 15.  She will be 76 this year.