Wicked Gross

If you have a relatively weak constitution, I suggest you stop reading now. What comes next is relatively gross.

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Today I visited the ENT (otolaryngologist - the ears, nose, and throat doc) for my persistent issues with my left ear. This is the same ear that has caused me trouble for the past four years or so. My previous ENT in the 'boro put a tube in my ear after a considerably bad inner ear infection, and the beneficial effects of said procedure seemed to have faded. The ear pain had returned -- thankfully not as intense! -- so I figured I would cut the problems off at the pass and see the doctor before things got any worse.

When I got to the doc's office, I explained my colorful ear history. I told him about all the scar tissue in my ear and how that causes me to have excessive wax build up. He looked in my ear and immediately noted that I had some wax. He told me that he was going to remove it, and I told him that there was no way I would let him irrigate it. The last time a doctor did that to me, I got nauseous and almost passed out. He reassured me that he had other means of getting the wax out.

He took me into the procedure room and had me lay down. (On a side note, this is the first time an ENT has had me lay down while undergoing a procedure. SMART! Messing around with the ear often makes one dizzy, and laying down is a pretty smart way of catching people when they pass out. I like this guy!) He was really great at informing me of what he was doing and stopping when I felt discomfort. And, let me tell you, there was a lot of discomfort. Apparently, the wax had formed a sort of scab that was holding it into my ear. He had to essentially rip off the scab to free the wax. OUCH!! But he was really gentle and understanding. When he finally released the wax from its scabby foothold, he needed to remove it. I figured, "no problemo." Ummm ... wrongo. The wax was actually a large chunk and it had hardened and was deep inside my ear canal. When he pulled it out, I was pretty sure I was going to throw up. But I didn't. 'Cause I'm a champ. When the wax was free, Doc showed me what he had removed. What I saw was a hard, yellow-black, contorted chuck of nastiness that was the size of one of those incense cones (no joke). It was so gross. And I really had to resist the urge to take a picture of it.

It's nice to be able to hear again and not feel so plugged up. My ear is now a little sensitive (Doc said there is a minor bruise on my ear drum due to ripping off the scab), but it's nothing a dose of pain relief can't cure.