Spin-out

I'd said that The Puddle story was a set-up for  the next major event in our story. It is now March of 1990. On a Monday afternoon, we did our usual Monday after work activity, which was to hitch up the boat, and head out to The Puddle, and to the motel where we stayed each Monday night. After we got settled in our room, I went to the bathroom before we went fishin'. A few feet outside the bathroom, my world started spinning violently, and I went to my hands and knees. I called to Mel for help, and he was able to get me to a sitting position and the spinning gradually subsided. (though I've had problems ever since) We didn't have a clue then, but we now know that that was the beginning of the secondary stage of my MS.

I'd had ear problems (ruptured ear drums) my whole life, and had long ago discovered that they were primarily allergy related, and specific to something that bloomed in spring—generally April, but sometimes an early spring brought March woes. In 1990, we were experiencing an early spring, and I surmised that my "spin out" had something to do with my ears, and would likely resolve itself after spring passed. But I resolved to see our family doctor for his view.

We went ahead with our fishing, and the vertigo settled into self-describing "wobblies" and "spinners". The spinners didn't occur often, nor did they last long—fortunately, as they were totally debilitating. spinners meant "sit down" immediately, wherever I was—or fall down. I saw our family doctor after we had returned to our normal routine. He said "we'd" try a couple of medications, and if they didn't work, he'd send me to a neurologist. (he knew!) The meds didn't work, of course.

I gave it a couple of months, then set up an appointment with an otologist (ear doctor) as I was certain the problem stemmed from my ears. The otologist ran several tests, and diagnosed "Ménière's disease". The study was on to learn more about that. 

Still no hummers, here. They returned on April 16th last year—so I'm watching! Hugs.