The Continuing Adventures of Cauliflower Ear

I got up yesterday morning and my ear was worse, not better.  I called my doctor, who couldn’t see me for a couple of days and thinking that I wouldn’t be able to endure the pain for much longer, without really injuring someone else,  I decided to try Solantic, the new urgent care facility here in town. I got there around noon and there was only one other person in the waiting room, which was immaculate and very large and I was appreciative of all that space because the other person waiting was clearly coughing up a lung.  The young women doing admissions were very nice and when I asked why they needed my social security number if they had my insurance information, they agreed that it was unecessary; which is good because I have issues with my SS# being tossed about willy-nilly.  I did notice that they shared an odd look, but I have come to expect that when I get all funny about sharing too much information…

Anyway.

I sat down and didn’t wait too long before I was escorted to a room where they took my “vitals”.  My blood pressure was elevated, but it always is the first time they take it, because hello?  I hate going to the doctor and I’d been in pain for two days. After we discussed that and I assured the nurse that I had very recently had an entire physical which I’d passed with flying colors, because I’m a bit of an over acheiver and couldn’t have it any other way, she left me to wait for the doctor.

After about 15 minutes, the doctor came in, looked in my ear and started to make noises that were rather unnerving.  She invited my 11 year old daughter to look and I was a bit more concerned when Haley yelled, “Oh my God, gross!”  Apparently I have a severe bacterial infection in my middle ear, which is pretty serious.  The course of action my new health care provider decided on was an antibiotic shot in the butt (which wasn’t so bad except for the burning part), a course of antibiotic ear drops and just for good measure a hydrogen peroxide earbath that might be in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.  It was so painful, you can’t believe it.

I came home and got into my pajamas which I’m still wearing (although I’ve got fresh ones on now and have taken a shower), I’ve been hopped up on 800mg Ibuprofen and have been administering the ear drops religiously. I’m better now than I was last night and it no longer looks like I have a goose egg hidden in my cheek, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a couple of days till I’m actually functioning properly.

I would absolutely recommend the folks at Solantic in Ocala, they were professional and friendly and the only complaint I might have is that when I asked if something was going to hurt, more than one of them said, “Oh it won’t hurt me a bit”, which in retrospect is kind of funny, but sort of made me cry a little in my oh-so-sensitive state.