Thank G-d

Since Thanksgiving Day I've had trouble with my ear. It started before that in the form of stress, not eating right, running, worrying, grieving, trying to be a good human being, trying to be a responsible person, worrying more, hurrying up, waiting, then hurrying and waiting more and finally repeating all of the above again and again again for five days.

I've made eight doctor visits about it to six different doctors, all recommended by someone. Some of them on best doctors lists, all the ENTs connected with major hospitals. One has been featured on TV. Big.

On Thursday night I was thinking about my life history regarding ear infections. (It all connects to Eustacian tubes, and the deviated septum issues I was born with. The deviated septum is relevant because it causes the infection to go to one side and makes one feel/be more unbalanced. [As Wikipedia puts it,"The Eustachian tube also drains mucus from the middle ear. Upper airway infections or allergies can cause the Eustachian tube to become swollen, trapping bacteria and causing ear infections. This swelling can be reduced through the use of pseudoephedrine."I learned all this from Dr. Number Five, the only one who will soon have a name, who I saw in a last minute appointment on Friday after work and before sundown.)

I remembered Pesach of 1984 when my mother did something she'd done once and said she'd never do a second time. She flew to Israel. My mom and dad arrived shortly before before the holiday (dad, G-d bless him, made the trip other times - still does). It was a big deal for mom to come. I had flown off on a one way, life time ticket. I wasn't up for going to "the states," in part because I was in a program paced to complete Shas in a year. There were no days off. (If you're interested, it's a story for another time). It was a lot for me to juggle. I got an ear infection. Mom rode with me to a doctor I knew of near my school. He was not an ENT, a family Dr, with a practice in his home on a mountain, overlooking Jerusalem's panoramic view. He basically said wait it out, that most ailments go away in time and probably gave some antibiotic. He spoke to my mother kindly and said that as he'd told me many times, the quality of life was better in Israel. I called my childhood friend - since I was 12 -Ralph, on Thursday night because I was racking my brain on that doctor's name (he calls me when he can't remember names from the past). He had trouble making out the message and thought I was asking for him to recommend an ENT. Ralph is a chaplain in 2 major hospitals and has connections. I hadn't thought of that. With no problem he told me that the name of the transplanted French Jerusalem doctor was Dr. Dupark (pronounced Dyupark). And then he recommended Dr. David Kaufman. I am forever indebted/grateful.

I called at 8:30 AM, when they open and they agreed to take me as the last patient at 11:45 AM. I did not stay for non teaching work, left right after the meeting. I missed a bus by one second. Thirty minutes till next one. I wouldn't make it. It was 10:41 AM. No-one could drive me, I was almost ready to call a cab. Then my colleague, Shira Schechter, came by and saved the day. She was driving to the Heights. Thank G-d. I made it downtown to NYU just in time. The doctor (and his secretary) were amazing. He gave me strong stuff to make the swelling go down and allow the tubes to drain. There was no guarantee and he wanted to hear from by me Wednesday either way. If I was still in pain then he'd have a tube put in - an in office operation. It's an after breakfast medicine. I took the first dose this morning and didn't expect a miracle after one time.

About an hour ago I felt that it's draining. Thank G-d!!!!!