Day Two Activation:Brain Wired for sound

Today I went back for the second activation session. It has been an adventurous retraining this ear.  Still reading lips to communicate and not hearing speech yet, but it will come.  I am taking parts of the day with interacting with my sister and her family with the new CI only and other parts with both. Talk about Brain Confusion.  Together I understand speech.  But now when one is off it does not sound complete.  No mo single sided Deafness. Basically my audiologist upped the volume and made adjustments. They always start out slow and build up with volume, the reason for many appointments. We continue watching for twitching and so far going well.  The second CI seems to solve that issue. 
Today one of the goals was to figure and get working the one processor.  so far so good in working.  But if it starts doing it again it will be sent back for a replacement.
As I was waiting to go back, I ran into someone who I met at a HLAA group and it was so good to reconnect.  Now we have emails.  I told her I recently went bilateral and on day 2 activation.
One thing I have already started noting is I am able to recognize direction and location of sound easier.  :)   I have already picked up with left CI only my niece crying, roll cart on the floor, I think an airplane, dishes and many other sounds.  It is some hard to figure out what it is but this is a start.  I just keep swimming along.  Yes exhausting but all worth it. 
I did also make a phone call today to my Dad, yes mainly using the right ear but using my cell phone once again, loving it.  He asked about the grandkids too.  We had a great conversation.  
I am continue to feel over-joyed with the progress I am making and regaining my hearing, balance, and being with kids more and more.  When one loses your hearing it is shocking and devasting in adjusting to what works for you.  As I am still adjusting and figuring it out I am finding a lot of hope through the CI and other ways of communication.  I am finding my confidence growing back up and soaking in all what I am hearing.  It is truelly a priceless and precious gift. 
I just thank you for continued prayers on this journey.
"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice"

Welcoming myself to the Bilateral Hearing World

I am offically bilaterally hearing. 
Back to the crazy sounds of underwater hearing on the left side, while the right continues to do well.  A little lopsided, but this will normalize and improve.  When they activated the right side, I did hear speech right away, the left side not the same, hearing sounds but speech is still to come.  With both on I can hear speech.  But I know it will improve and my brain will adjust to it like the other one did.  I went in with low expectations which helps not feeling disappointed.  I am not feeling discouraged but encouraged to be able to hear, and bilaterally.  I just think "Just keep swimming."
My audiologist also worked with my right processor making some adjustments and giving me t-coil on a setting to try with the phone.  She wants me to try and see if I like it. People either love it or hate it, so we will see. 
My appointment went long and they had some issues with the internet connection and software there so it made things more adventureous.  The one thing that my audiologist was wondering and hoping for is to get my twitching settled.  With having both sides activated it may help that and so far so good. 
As I was waiting, I talked with another patience (child) mom with an implant and she was so encouraging and grateful for the gift of a cochlear implant for a person to hear.  I also found out that her son was also blind.  I also talked with another couple who's wife was considering and being evaluated for the CI.  She was and her husband were encouraged seeing the progress of my implant and the little boy with it.  It is neat how God places you at the right times. Losing your hearing is very upsetting and just seeing others with CI and how they make a difference in their lives is always encouraging in the journey.
It was a joy listenign to Christmas music on the way in and back again :)  Something I am enjoying a lot more these days.
I am just grateful for my team at JH and PT for making a difference in my life. 
Two quotes God brings to mind "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."
"God did not promise days without pain, laughter without tears, nor the sun without rain. But he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way."
Thanks for all your prayers and support. Praying for continued progress.

Soon to be Bilaterally activated.

I have to say, there is some connection with dates of appointments at John Hopkins and storms.  First my second cochlear implant surgery was right around Hurricane Sandy and now right before activation a snow comes through our way.  Great way to bring in the bilateral hearing.
I am contining to do well with recovery and my energy level is getting stronger each day.  I continue therapy 2x week and doing home exercises in regaining my balance back.  As some exercises are frustrating, my therapist loves my positive attitude and motivation through therapy.  We also like to joke together.  In some ways I want to do more challenging things but it is a gradual process so I don't have set backs. 
On wednesday I am traveling down to Maryland for my activation on Thursday on my left side.  Let see what I will hear first this time?  I am excited and so ready for this.  It is hard to believe that it is here already.  My hearing is all computerized now, but it is that or nothing.  I continue to be amazed how I am doing with one and just wondering how great hearing from two ears. No more single-sided deafness.  It has been exciting seeing God at work in all this and answering many prayers.  He continues to remind me to trust in him and seek his provision.  :)

Times to Be Thankful

This time last year, it was hard for my family and I to think things to be thankful for and mostly we were thankful for each other.
This year while holidays continue to be hard with not having my Mom, I am grateful for so much this year. Aside from my family and friends and their tremdenous support, I am overjoyed with thankfulness for the precious gift of hearing and some many other answers prayers.  As I continue to recover and regain my balance from surgery, the improvements that I am seeing is amazing.  I just continue to rejoice in the Lord for his faithfulness.
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.  :)

Two week Post Op

It is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago I had my Bilateral cochlear implant.  I just want to say thank-you to all your prayers through this time and journey with me.  I am doing very well with recovery and regaining strength more and more each day.  Yes the first 10-12 days were the most challenging, but that is behind me.  I just ask that you continue to keep praying that thing continue in this direction.  I still have days of dizziness but much better and improving. (THis is a much answer to prayer).
Yesterday I started therapy for my balance.  Some people are affected with balance problems with this surgery.  Yes I am one of those lucky person :) Since I was exercising a lot and right up until my surgery my body strength has been much stronger this time around.  And my doctors decided to begin therapy 2 weeks after surgery.  While I stronger, therapy is still going to be intense.  But I am so motivated and determined and know the end results and I will be back to running and biking soon.  I am so LONGING for a bike ride and more road biking, but for now I am content with being allow to do much more things.  While there are some things that are not easy in therapy and yes it will be intense I am all for it.  I don't find exercising a chore but enjoy it.  I keep reminding myself of the Little Engine that Could (can).  THrough many challenges I have faced I always feel that God brings that character to me.  So chugging along.
I have spent time reading, writing and listening to a lot of music that is filling my spirit as I recover. One thing I have enjoyed is getting up each morning and having an email from my roomie in college await and writing back and forth each day.  The last week I have been enjoying going out to the park and walking with different friends.  Just being outside in nature is so healing to me, God just brings different things about life to me.
There as some days that I question things and my girlfriend told me about a song by Natalie Grant called "Held"  It reminds us that no matter what we may face in life, big or small that God is with me each step of the way.  I also found and explore other very touching songs by her as well.  God continues to remind me to be patient and showing me contentment through each moment.
As I know that this journey is not over and in someways just beginning, I am reminded in staying positive and perserving through each step of the way and God is helping to grow more and more with trusting in him.
 Praying for everyone that God may bless you in a special way today.

Bilateral Halloween surgery and Sandy

Last week was crazy with the events of last week.  Sandy and surgery was enough of the exciting adventures but many more came with it.  The best thing is that I remained at peace with the situation.
Sandy came and we lost power, many things were shut down around us and I was concerned that my surgery was going to be cancelled.  Being hearing impaired and trying to use a cell phone when there is static can be quite intesting making a call to the hospital, but made out and left things in Gods hands.
I went down to my sisters the night before with my Dad and my friend staying with my sister.  I was nice to have a warm house and power there.  We arrive at the surgery center the next morning around 7:45 (my surgery was set for 9:45) and they quickly prepped me for surgery. The start rough with the start of the IV line.  I did not get back to surgery until close to 11 due to the delay of the person before me.  This time they would not let me walk in as I was unsteady on my feet.  Despite the challenges we talked about the storm and it was nice communicating with the staff as last time had to have everything written out for me.  I was kept overnight again with getting the pain managed and letting my stomach settle.  The nursing staff was great with handling my deafness this time around.  I did not eat anything until about 12 the next day.
No the doctors were not dressed in orange or black scrubs and the nurses I think they have to wear blue scrubs.  There was a family though having surgery and that they dressed up.  My surgeron was no vampire, but very gentle and kind with surgery.
I am doing well and in good spirits.  I spent several nights with my Dad b/c I did not have power and glad to spend some time with him.  the recovery has been the same but the difference is I knew what to expect and prepared for it, so things have been more at ease.Still unsteady but better than last. starting therapy next week. anxious to get back to running. It was nice having the company of Simba too, he never left my side.  Simba is such a healing dog.
With all the adjustments and changes, I been having a sense of peace.  God is surrounding me and providing for me in many ways.  And giving me the strength I need each day.
One thing that through Sandy, you really don't realize having electricity for granted when you lose it for several days. 
Surgery done and moving forward to activation and soon back to work :)