Grounded ...

[Grateful Diver]

Bad enough that I've had only four dives in Puget Sound so far in 2012 ... now I'm completely grounded.

I woke up around midnight with a throbbing pain along the whole right side of my head ... from eyeballs to throat ... even my teeth on that side of my head were thudding in rhythm with my pulse. Got up and went to the ER down at St. Francis. Turns out I have a perforated eardrum.

I've been doing battle with a routine ear infection since returning from the Maldives. Somehow I think I battled a bit too hard, and managed to make it worse. At any rate, I've now got a middle ear problem. Doc wants me out of the water for a month.

Not sure what I'm gonna do with myself ... but it's probably a good time to finally get that drysuit fixed ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[WylerBear]

So sorry. It sounds painful in addition to being dry for a month. Hope you heal quickly.

[Zen Diver]

Sorry to hear that Bob. The good thing is that the Sound will still be there. Let me know when you're ready to splash again.

[airsix]

Bob,
I'm sorry to hear this! I hope you heal up quickly and that this setback doesn't interfere with your spring travel plans.

Ben

[coach_izzy]

How about going for a hike Bob? Better yet, come on over to Bainbridge for some kettlebell madness! There are manual therapy techniques to help the Eustechian tubes and optimize your healing. Are you game? Recover soon friend!

[Dusty2]

Wow so sorry to hear that. Dry for sure! I feel sorry for Cheng. I know your gonna be a real grouch before a months gone by.

[Tom Nic]

That sucks!

[Joshua Smith]

Ouch! Man, that sucks!

[Lonestar]

Sorry to hear about that! Here's to a rapid recovery.

[ldevore]

Sorry bob! This being dry crap is no fun at all!!!!

[John Rawlings]

Sorry to hear that, Aquaman! Maybe we'll be getting back in the water around the same time....

[Jeff Pack]

Bummer!

[ktb]

Here's to a really quick month, eh? Hang in there!

[coulterboy]

Sorry about that Bob. I'm pretty sure you have a bucket list of chores you can do in the meantime. Speedy recovery!

[eliseaboo]

Man, I feel like I should be sending flowers or a card or something...a whole month? That's going to be hard! Will you need a refresher at the end? I think there are several qualified instructors on this board...

But seriously -- get better! Don't push it too hard.

[60south]

Oi! Be kind to those eustachian tubes. Once damaged, they may not ever heal entirely. <Unhappy voice of experience>

[Tangfish]

Yeah, give it a month and a half, just to be sure!

At least you can service all your gear now (just trying to look at the bright side).

[spatman]

That sucks, Bob! Hope you make a full and speedy recovery.

[ArcticDiver]

Sorry to read that Bob. But you are getting older

[sitkadiver]

Sorry to hear that Bob. I hope there is some sort of silver lining in that you're not getting the naseau and that the middle ear infection will resolve itself completely.

If I were you, I'd stock up on popcorn and Sea Hunt DVD's and tell anyone who asks that they're training videos. Ha Ha

Wishing you speedy recovery sir.

[MorningDiverBob]

Sorry Bob.. Hope feel and heal soon. Borrow my video tape " Sea Symphony" Marine Life of The Pacific Northwest (your favorite while your knee surgery few years ago.

[Jan K]

That hurts just thinking about it. Hope you heal fast and will be taking care of the Lumpies of Dond.
If it is any consolation, the weather is lousy.

[lamont]

Yeah, give it a month and a half, just to be sure!

At least you can service all your gear now (just trying to look at the bright side).

Yep, fix and service all the gear, clean the house.

[LCF]

Ouch! I'm so sorry.

But it's a perfect time to get that light cord shortened . . .

[vlad]

Good time to look at and edit the pictures from previous dives. This can take more then a month. Get well, Bob.