The latest challenge

Starting immediately after my 55th birthday (March 17) my left ear began gradually to plug up, and by late the following week it was becoming tender and affecting my sleep. I had been foolishly trying to "tough it out," thinking I would turn the corner, but on Friday, March 23, things took a decided change for the worse. Although through the morning I was OK, at lunch every time I chewed or swallowed I could feel/hear the ear plug up or close off, and when I returned to my desk to transcribe, I could hear virtually nothing out of that ear. So I contacted my supervisor, and took a quick cab ride to my doctor, where I was able to get in without appointment, and was diagnosed with severe otitis ... a swelling of the ear that had completely closed off the ear tube, blocking the eardrum. The doctor also confirmed that it must be extremely painful, having reached that stage, so I was given prescriptions for a steroid and an antibiotic to address the swelling, and for Vicodin to help ease the pain. As I write on Sunday morning, Mar. 25, things are in an odd state. The medicine is beginning to take effect, but has not fully eased the swelling, so currently my hearing in that ear is popping in and out of existence. I am grateful, though, that progress is occurring.

Fitness changes

I incurred back problems during a Dec. 3 race - an inexplicably tightened QL (quadratus lumborum) muscle in my back that shortened one leg, tilting my pelvis and altering my stide. (The accompanying picture shows how I looked at the end of the race.) Consequently, I have been unable to run since then, and have been disconsolate about this. During January and February I had several session at Ann Arbor Therapeutic Massage, but they didn't work either. However, today I had the first of six scheduled Physical Therapy sessions at Probility, who helped me in 2010 when I had the same problem, and though resumption of running is some ways off yet, already I am encouraged. The two therapists I worked with, Katie and Kristin, seemed to really "get it" in regards to my overall situation, and they provided me with some helpful stretches to do. So now I am looking forward to my next session, this Thursday, and hope to be running again, at least slowly, by the beginning of April.

Being a grandfather

I feel so fortunate to be Isabelle Grace Loewen's grandfather (they almost invariably call her "Izzy" now) ... but, at the same time, a bit sad to be separated by so many miles. Izzy and her parents live in Colorado, and Michelle and I in Michigan. Izzy's mother Christy sometimes calls her "Busybelle," which is amusing, but reminds me of how busy Christy herself was at that age. (Izzy just turned 2 on Feb. 19.) This late February photo of her displays her big blue eyes, which transport me instantly back to Christy at that age.

Transcription vs. music

I enjoy my 'new' line of work, and am more grateful than I can express for God's having led me to it. Still, though, having had since the age of 16 the goal of earning my doctorate in choral conducting and then teaching in college, and having achieved that, it is difficult, and painful, to have that world forever stripped away from me now due to the consequences of my accident. Yet I know, too, that God has provided me with abilities to succeed in my new world ... flying fingers, a good ear, and a lifelong inclination toward and skill with words ... so I need now to focus my efforts on attempting to become the best transcriptionist I can possibly be. It requires, also, somewhat of a mental makeover - to stop thinking of myself primarily as a musician (the way I have nearly all my life), and to begin to think of myself primarily as a medical transcriptionist.