To be or not to be (deaf)

This is the dilemma we are faced with after seeing the surgeons today.

Based on the size of the neuroma, the quality of my hearing and my age they would normally suggest to "wait and see". Basically they would monitor the growth of the tumor and remove it only once it becomes absolutely necessary. This being said, they also told us that I could still lose my hearing overnight and that, eventually, surgery would be required. Whether in a year or in ten years they obviously cannot tell.

This option, attractive as it may seem in the short term, would signify the end of my career as a pilot.

If we choose to have the tumor removed, I might have a chance to fly again but I will be deaf and could loose my facial nerve as well. That means that one side of my face would be paralyzed.

Nevertheless we don't think that putting off the operation is a good idea. So we decided to go ahead and book the surgery.

We should have a date within the next 3 weeks. There might be a slight chance to have it done as soon as January but it seems more likely that we'll have to wait until February or March.

Thank you so much for standing by our side through all of this. May the Lord bless you and keep you Under His Wing.