 Disclaimer
Meniere's Australia encourages contact between people who have Meniere's. Knowing how others have experience and coped with Meniere's can help you feel less alone. However please note that the advice, opinions and information given in, or implied by these personal stories remain those of the stories' authors and are not in any way endorsed by MA.
 Kim's Diagnosis Reaction
‘I had never heard of Meniere's disease and really wasn't prepared’
I had never been to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and thought that my 'ear infection' would soon be gone with the appropriate pills. I had never heard of Meniere's disease and really wasn't prepared (is anyone?) for the diagnosis. The ECochG test wasn’t particularly unpleasant but the results were startling. Well developed endolymphatic hydrops in the left ear and the beginning of the same in the right.
‘No cure’
I don't think it all sunk in at first. In fact I know it didn't because when I got home with my scripts, brochures and test results I had no idea that life as I had known it had changed forever. On reflection there had been very subtle signs in the doctor’s rooms - the change in the expression on the audiologist's face as he explained the results.
It's an expression I have now seen quite often; at my chemist, the ophthalmologist’s and at my general practitioner’s. Sympathy - yes, but also a sense of frustration because I now know what they do and that it's all in the lap of the gods. No cure. I found my heart sinking and all I wanted to do was surround myself with family and be very quiet. I don’t have to remind anyone who is reading this of the sheer disbelief and amazement that any illness can have so many aggressive facets. I now had reasons for the falling over, getting lost in the dark, the vomiting, exhaustion, screaming ears and so on and so on, but no reasons.
I have been thinking a great deal about my reactions to all this and I think it’s quite primal to not want to feel vulnerable, exposed and that’s exactly how I feel during an attack. Its scary and lonely and isolating but most of all overwhelming and that’s where I think my biggest battle has been fought.
'I’m determined to lead the happiest, most fulfilling life I have been given'
Getting up and starting all over again. I can honestly say I am no longer frightened by the enormity of my situation and I do not want any reader to see this as a purely negative story. Initially, I had problems seeing ahead but as Confucius said, "The longest journey begins with a single step" and I’m determined to lead the happiest, most fulfilling life I have been given and enjoy every minute.
Hope to write again and touch on some of the other issues that affect all of us on this very bumpy ride and I highly recommend exercising your sense of humour everyday.
Kim Foletti
Back to personal stories
Top
|
