Hair Cut and Moon Face

My hair hasn't started falling out, but it is inevitable so for the third time in 2 years Keith shaved my head. I hate to say it is an improvement, but my hairdo was INSANE anyway so this isn't too bad (just a little chilly). The bigger drag than the hair is my puffy moon face. It is a side effect of the steroids, but wowza I'm looking pretty funny. It's getting crazy. There isn't anything to be done and I've managed to wean down to 8 mg (down from 16 when this all started a couple weeks ago). The facial puffiness probably won't go down until I get all the way off. I know it is a stupid thing to complain about given all the other crap to complain about, but ugh.

I have decided to take this week off work. It's just too hard to teach right now since I can't hear a thing out of my left ear. My right ear works so I can function in most situations, but a classroom isn't one of them. I'm lucky to have an amazing sub ready to step in, so there isn't too much stress there. I just need to get in to see a doctor to get my ear checked out. After getting a referral over a week ago, I'm still waiting for my case to be evaluated by a doctor (who was out of town last week). I can't believe how long it takes, but at the same time I want to be seen by someone at UCSF (just for some continuity) and I don't know what they'll even do for me before I finish radiation anyway... Still, I HATE waiting (and being deaf!).

Other than the ear thing, I'm managing pretty well. I've gotten a bit more sleep since I've dropped down the steroid dosage. I'm still walking the dog 2-4 miles a day. I'm doing a lot of vegging out in front of the TV (boring my mom to DEATH!) and surfing the web (anyone want to play words with friends - let me know!).