Hello.

It's been far too long since I've given a proper update, and my sincerest apologies for my being so remiss.

I have not had surgery since late 2007. I still get ear drainage on a fairly constant basis, and, at my last checkup, I requested several months' refill of Ciprodex, because it is the only thing that helps my ear stay clear of drainage, and allows me to hear better.

I thought several times last year that I'd have to go back in for another cyst removal opporation, but each time I've had my ear checked, they've assured me that this was not the case.

I went to the ENT clinic late in April, and I was told that the eardrum, aside from the hole, looks good, and that the cartlage behind it is holding well. Thank You, God, that it has not moved. This means that when I have "good ear days", I hear very well with the left ear. Granted, those days are few and far between, but I'm grateful for what I do have, and I cherish them when they are here.

When the doctor suctioned my ear drainage, it itched, and afterward, felt very clean, as though something that had been irritating my ear was now removed. This is so common since fall of 2005 that I almost don't recognize it until it gets very bad, so when it was gone, I noticed. I think it's just one more fact of living with chronic drainage.

They say there's no sign of cholesteatoma, and at this point, I have no reason to doubt that. I've been more or less stable since I healed from the last surgery.

I'll be sure to update when or if anything significant changes.

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for me, and to my mom, who came up to see me for the last surgery. Thank you too, my local friends, for being tolerant of my "bad days", and working with me accordingly, and to my doctors--you know who you are, even if you don't read this page--for the help through the years, and for putting up with my myriad of questions.

God bless each of you.

Amy