Not dead yet.

And indeed, as posted in this cartoon I put together for Lileks.com's hearty band of Bleatniks last week, I am not dead. 

You had to be there.

Earlier this month I mentioned that I was having trouble with my right ear, something that had last come up in 2018, and at the time the doctor had no diagnosis for me. So it came back, and I got an MRI, and then waited most of the month to see the ear doc again. So, the good news: Not dead, and...

I suppose it's always good to not have a tumor. Except for the suicidal, or those suffering from another mental illness, I can't think of anyone who'd be thrilled to have one. What I have is another of what my wife calls the Irish-type illnesses, things that can ruin your life but not kill you. (Arthritis, sciatica, psoriasis, stuff like that.)

What is it? Well, it seems to be Ménière's disease, a disease of unknown origin that can cause hearing loss. It surprised me, because it also can cause extreme vertigo. I didn't think I had suffered vertigo, but then I remembered that not only have I had vertigo for unknown causes three times in my life, but I had blogged about it the last time it happened -- all the way back in... 2018. That was a banner year. 

Patients with Ménière's have a terrible time with vertigo, not just three attacks over two decades. But my doctor said the condition comes in many flavors, and it's not the same for everyone. 

Still, he's not 100% on the diagnosis. I have to go back next April. Meanwhile, I'll be grateful that it isn't worse than it is, I'll pray the vertigo does not return, and I'll watch out for the salty foods, which can exacerbate the condition. Like I said -- diseases that can ruin your life without killing you.