Well, I wasn't really in Madison (Wisconsin), but I did pass it on the interstate as I drove to and back from Mayo Clinic this past few days. But the drive reminded me of that song title, a tune by a band from Chicago called the Bad Examples. (Their lead singer, Ralph Covert, is now doing the critically acclaimed Ralph's World kids' music stuff on Disney Channel...)

My mom has severe hearing loss, and since Dad died in December of 05, it seems to have gotten worse. It may not have; it may be that Dad was covering for her and she was just more relaxed in his presence. But it's definitely gotten worse since her last hearing tests. She was hoping that the otolaryngologists (sp?) at Mayo's would be able to do some simple surgery to make her hear better. I had my doubts.

I told her to be prepared for them to suggest a cochlear implant, which is what they did, but even so, she wasn't expecting it. But now she's considering it. She'd like to go to Mayo's but that ain't gonna happen - I have a dental practice to tend to, and I can't be running up to Mayo's every few weeks for the procedures that need to be done for such a device to be placed. Fortunately, there is apparently a very good doctor in our area (in Hinsdale IL) who does them, so we'll see.

Anyway, it was a couple of long drives to find out that she couldn't have anything more conventional done. We'll see where it goes from here...