Losing all hearing.

Steve is losing his hearing. It is his own private terrible nightmare. Have you ever had your ears clogged? It is like you are seperated from everything and very lonely. Not being able to communicate or work is a pure misery. For a boy who prides himself on independence, this is a double nightmare! I feel so sorry for him and sometimes he will say sorry to me when he can't hear/understand me....but mostly I feel so terrible and pretty helpless too. And this is the last summer with Nick going away to college and mission, and Shanie getting married. Oh my! I think we will all be learning sign language. Here is a picture of Steve at OHSU in Portland...the hearing center. He will probably get a cochlear implant, that is something, but when he doesn't wear it he will be stone deaf [can't wear it in water or to sleep]. I've heard also that you have to be in the right position for them to hear with it. Can you imagine this? Ugh! I feel like crying for him! Can you imagine not hearing music or just the rushing of wind the same ever again? One good thing, he can't hear my always regreted grumbles any more....those ones you can't ever take back...that you wish you never said. But I sure miss hollering from one location (but Steve always hated this 'bellowing'). Now I have to run up the stairs or down and hunt him out or text him. All I can say is...if you read this...pray for him.