Looking good, don’t you think? Tim had his tympanoplasty this afternoon and is recovering quite well. It seems that he’s had this hole in his eardrum since he was 10 years old! I’m glad we found out about it just around the time that this amazing (and free) medical team came to Pucallpa. What a blessing.
As exciting as the tympanoplasty is, I think the bigger blessing for me has been getting to translate in the audiometry lab. Allen tests hearing and fits hearing aids, but I get to meet new people, hear their stories, and watch them transformed by the gift of hearing for the first time in a while. Sometimes the first time ever.
Today I translated from 8 am to 5 pm without lunch, and now I’m home taking care of Tim and baking 100 cookies for tomorrow. Where do I find the energy, you ask? I’m as surprised as anyone. I think it must be joy.
Two stories from today, both about tears.
First, Zeus. I have to tell you his name because it’s so awesome. His mom brought him in because at 6, he still isn’t talking. She wanted to see if it was related to his hearing. The kid was scared to death, and it didn’t seem like his mom could communicate with him any better than I could. We determined that he was completely deaf and would probably never be able to hear. When we told the mom, she broke down into tears. They’re already learning sign language, but she hadn’t given up hope that her son would have a more normal life than that. Her eyes were filled with anguish, and all we could do was pray together. I know Zeus can have a full life as a deaf child and adult. I hope God can give her that confidence, too, and comfort her tonight as she grieves this news.
Second, A. Remember him from yesterday? He hasn’t heard in a year. Today we fitted him with one hearing aid (we don’t have enough to give anyone two), and the doctor said he’s never seen someone react so dramatically. He was literally jumping, crying, and shouting, “Praise God!” all over the hospital. Our other patients were talking for the rest of the day. I hope I never forget his tears of joy and his gratitude for something I take for granted.
