Matthew's interview
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How did all start?
i started going deaf in one ear with tinitus. i was getting severe pain in the nerve so they thought it was a infection. after a hearing test i was referd to ENT and after a MRI found i had a tumour
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
my GP was dreadfull they kept sending the wrong letter to the audio depeartment then forgot to send 2 letters to refer me to ENT department it took 11months and when i complained to my Dr he told me well it is the NHS.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
the best thing is the hearing aid they fitted me with at the hospital if you tinitus ask about one makes a huge difrence
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
hearing aid
What have been your biggest difficulties?
i get very tired and do tend to fall over. the ear pain can be so severe
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
it has been harder for my fantastic wife than me when i get bad pain she gets upset
What things have you stopped doing?
driving is a no but i woiuld not be safe
What do you think about the future?
i dont think to much about it i just take each day as comes
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
most of them
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
what i am doing now without falling over as much
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
plodding on
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
i have never been fitter since my diagnosis i am eating healthier drinking less beer. in some ways this has been very positive and has made me take long hard look at my self and change my life. i know at some point i will need a op and the fitter i am the quicker i will recover. so look at the positive in life it could be so much worse and the deafness can be usefull at times if it noisy at nite lie on your good ear and. also have a sense of humour i tell my mates if i fall over have chuckle berfore helping me up as would do the same. name your tumour mine is called sandi after sandi toksvig as she is a anoying lump as well
