Back in the Mid-70’s when I was still watching TV there was a series on called the Six Million Dollar Man. It started each week with the scene of an astronaut who was barely alive. Then came the famous quote: “We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, faster.” They supposedly were making the world’s first bionic man.
If you’ve been following my blog you know I have CMT. From my writings you know I’ve been following up my visit to John’s Hopkins CMT Center of Excellence visit, checking off from my list each of the to-do activities my neurologist told me to do. So far I am making good progress, and I am getting quite an education in the process. I am also excited by expectations of getting better, stronger, faster. But alas, I don’t have $6 million so I will have to settle for progress, not perfection.
As for my hearing, yes I need hearing aids. That has been confirmed. And I have learned that obtaining hearing aids isn’t as straighforward as it seems. First there was the Ear Nose Throat doctor, then the certified audiologists. Then the prescription for hearing aids. That launched my search (i.e., shopping spree) trying to find something that would help without spending more than I can afford. With regard to that, persistence is the key.
I was discouraged at first because the first demonstration of hearing aids for me sounded so poor I was really dismayed. Thankfully the particular audiologist technician (read “hearing aid specialist”) understood my problem and helped me try brand after brand and program after program until we found the best technology for me. And although medical insurance won’t help much, the hearing aids I plan to purchase are something I can afford, at least if I don’t have to buy them more than once every several years. Once again though I have found that my own research, study, and diligence is the most valuable tool in the process. My advice to anyone looking to get hearing aids is take several weeks (at least several two hour appointments to fully test the various technology) and read, read, read. Oh, and if you aren’t flush with money, Costco isn’t really a dirty word.
As for that $6 million I don’t have, I also ordered new orthoses for my ankles and feet today. Not cheap, but then insurance helps a lot more with those than with hearing aids. Not certain why. But the new technology in carbon based AFO’s with their “energy-loading” capability promises to increase my stamina and allow me to stand on my feet for longer periods without tiring.
What actually sets occasional impotence condition apart from more persistent cases is, more often tab viagra than not, the probable cause of the condition. A person will also have improved energy and cheapest viagra stamina by the use of these natural products. Dopamine – the so-called”feel-good” hormone – is released increasing your wholesale sildenafil sexualdesire. It also boosts length viagra tadalafil and girth of the male organ.
Better, stronger, faster… well, maybe no so much. Maybe just a little slower to deteriorate. Ha! But then again, I don’t have $6 million.
I will write more about how this process goes in the months ahead. In the meantime I found something in my studies of disabilities that caught me completely off guard but probably helped to adjust my expectations in a big way. I saw that there is a “patron saint of back pain”. Yes, her name is Gemma (Galgani). While I don’t pretend to understand the mysteries of faith, I was captivated by one of her prayers. She prayed “God, please heal my soul first, then my body.”
My soul needs a lot of housework before I can to ask for healing of the body. With all of the appointments I have, and the time commuting to them and sitting in the waiting area, I have time for something besides playing with my smartphone. Contemplation and prayer will probably provide more value than anything technology or money can buy.
Better, stronger, faster…