So I’ve become conversant with what an ear infection feels like,

again.

I mean, I was pretty sure I remembered it hurting a lot, but I was good without repeating the memory of bones breaking in my head.

Looking back, it’s been almost 25 years since the last time my ear drum ruptured.

I was instantly thrown back to being 15, the night before my one and only figure skating competition.

While I don’t remember many details, I can still feel the fiery throbbing that became so intense and overpowering until it finally felt as though someone had released a firework in my head.

And then, suddenly, peace. The warm release of my ear drum giving up, the relief was so appreciated that it almost feel like a reward.

But today, I was petrified that I’d have to relive the fireworks.

Immediately upon waking up to the intense pain, Iwent into crisis mode.

I put on a heating pad, used antibiotic and steroid ear drops and took antiinflammatories.

It took a few hours, but as I was woken up at 3 am, I had plenty of time to be vaguely functional for work.

And work I did.

It turned out to be a long day, but luckily, my friend was able to take a look in my ear and write me a real prescription, after deeming it “gross”

Why yes, yes it is. Thanks for noticing.

While I love being able to empathize with my patients, I hate the reminders of how bad it feels to be sick, and once again,

I feel so lucky that a week of antibiotics and some Advil will make this pain go away.