One Week And A Half Before I Meet My Surgeon!

The following is a post I made in a group I am in and I feel it is worth repeating...

 "This has been a very tough battle for me the past couple of years. I would never have made it this far without my family and friends. This has all but taken my life from me and I so much want it back! I am getting closer and I can't begin to express how excited I am! Thanks to all of you for being here for me."

Tomorrow I am heading to Orlando for the BEA meeting. This should be an exciting meeting since it is the first one since the recall was lifted AND we have new technology coming out soon. There should be lots of good info as well as meeting several others I have talked to online that are in the same situation. I am nervous of course because I still don't deal well being around people but I know they ALL understand. Keep telling yourself that Cris...

Counting The Days

I just want a date.... a surgery date that is. :-)
Tomorrow is October first, finally the month I will/should get that date. I am hoping to be activated by Christmas. Now wouldn't THAT just be the best Christmas ever? As I said hoping but not expecting. Surely I will at least have surgery by then. I do know people that are seeing the same surgeon and their wait is not that long but who knows by the time I go what it will be. There are others I know that have to wait 3 months before their surgery. Waiting has not been easy but I should be a pro at this by now! (the waiting that is)

As we say in the CI world, keep expectations low but hopes high. There are no guarantees. It is amazing to me that today's technology can make a deaf person hear. Who would have ever thought this could be possible? At this point, being completely deaf, if I hear anything at all come activation day it will be nothing short of a miracle. Chances are that I will do well but I am trying hard not to think that way. I want to do well of course but I don't want to expect it and be disappointed.

Looking Forward To An Informative Month Ahead

I am so nervous! This implant is ALL I can think about. I am just going through the motions of every day waiting until it is my turn. As I said in a previous post, I meet the surgeon October 26th. That is a month away. Ten days before then, I am going to a BEA meeting which should be full of great information. Since the recall ended last month, by this time they will know how things are going as far as getting the implants needed at this time. Lots of people have been waiting and surgeries are happening now but I'm not sure if supply has met demand yet. There is also a new processor coming out that I will be eligible for!! I am really excited about this one and can't wait to find out all about it. It is called the Neptune and is water PROOF! Yes, you can go swimming with this baby! YEA! This processor is not warn behind the ear (like a hearing aid) but is a body warn processor. It is so small that it can be clipped to swimming goggles!

I will get two processors with my implant. One is for back up. This to me is excellent as there is nothing like getting my hearing back only to lose it if something should break. Up until now, most people got two behind the ear processors. I think having one of each will be the best of both worlds. For one thing, I'm not sure I will like the behind the ear. My hearing aids were never comfortable but something I had no choice over. At least with the implant, there are no ear molds! That was the most uncomfortable. I do however want the BTE because of my hopes to use a phone again. This processor has what is called a T-Mic which fits right in the ear canal so I can use a phone just like you hearing people! I have not used a phone in so many years now that I'm not sure I will get back in the habit of that but it will be nice to be able to if the need arrives. Also to stay connected with my family. There is also a "holder" for the BTE that has a clip so you could wear it elsewhere. I am going for that option too. This is mostly used by children but hey, I just a big kid. :-)

I have only heard of one adult that preferred the body warn processor but I really think I might just fall in this category. He says he would rather others not know he is HOH/deaf so he clips it to his belt and it looks like another phone/pager etc. Most don't like it because of the wire. That will definitely be something to get use to (and keep my cat from attacking) but I think it might be easier to get use to than a BTE. So many decisions to make! There are also two types of batteries, a slim cell and a power cell. The slim is smaller/lighter but doesn't give as many hours as a power cell. I don't know if I can handle the weight of a power cell but would love the added time. We get four so I'm going for two of each. I will only open one of each and try them out and the unopened one can be exchanged if I need to. I also have colors to choose. I will bet when I go to the surgeon there will be something else to decide on that I have given no thought to. I sure hope I make all the right decisions because there is no re-do. I have my list of questions for the surgeon that I am adding to all the time. Maybe in my next post I'll get the scanner out and should you some of the choices I have.

I Am Finally Going To Meet My Surgeon :D

It has taken almost a month to get this appointment. I swear it takes an act of congress to get an appointment! It has been a huge run around between emails and getting nowhere fast. I am off work today so I went by my sister-in-law's and got her to make the call for me. I mean come on, how hard is it to make an appointment? Everything is approved and all I need is to see the surgeon and set up a surgery date. It took a few calls to actually get a person but we succeeded! I go meet my surgeon on October 26th and I hope on that day to say, "I have a surgery date".

I am so excited and so nervous as well! I have so many emotions going through me right now it is hard to describe!

It's Been A Tough Week

A couple of weeks actually. Since my approval, things are at a stand still again. My counselor always says she will get right on it but nothing happens. I tried to "help" things along by emailing the surgeon myself. I told them I was approved and waiting for AB but would like to get on the waiting list ASAP, could they call my counselor to confirm my approval.

My response to this (within an hour) was to forward my email to someone at VR. *sigh* I got a response from them the next day only saying they could not get involved. I don't understand why the surgeon's office could not make a phone call. I would be on the list and probably have an appointment with the surgeon. Even though the recall has not ended as of yet, it is coming in the next few weeks. I would like to have all of this done by that time but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. :-(

I Have Changed Surgeons

I have been fortunate enough to meet some wonderful people at Hearing Journey! I have talked to several of them via email and gotten some wonderful advice! A BIG thank you to you all... you know who you are.

I was "assigned" a surgeon that is closest to me but NOT very experienced. The worry started. My emotions have been all out of whack the past week anyway. *sigh* I emailed my counselor to ask if I had a choice of surgeons and was very happy to learn I did! YEA!! There are several people at HJ that are in the same area I am so I have gotten good recommendations from them. I have decided to have my surgery in Tampa. It is a drive from here but I don't think that compares to a good surgeon. I will go back to Tampa for the initial activation but then I will find a local audiologist for adjustments (mappings).

There are a few centers scheduling surgeries now for September and October so I think they know this recall is coming to an end. I don't know how long the waiting list will be in Tampa but I hope to be added soon. I am not waiting for my counselor to notify them, I have already done so. I was surprised to get a response from my email within an hour saying they would contact VR. I am hopeful I will have a surgery date soon even though it may be closer to the end of the year. It's getting closer... I'd like a date!

Have I Reached The Top Of My Climb?

Here it's been another 2 months since I have posted...

The past 2 months have been difficult to say the least. My counselor has given me the run around since the beginning and that hasn't changed. Monday she sent me 2 emails. I opened the first to find out that my CI has finally been approved by Tallahassee!! Whoooo Hooooo I am in shock. I quickly email her thanking her for letting me know and how relieved I am. Then I open the second email. This one says "sorry my mistake, it was approved by the medical consultant and now goes to Tallahassee". What a let down! She did however email it to Tallahassee instead of snail mail and today.... yes today I got an email from her saying "This is REAL! It's been approved!"

Now I'm almost scared to believe this until I see it in writing. LOL My wait is not over however. I still have to wait for this recall to be settled with the FDA and then have to wait my turn on the waiting list. I have emailed my audie and told her I have been approved and asked her to get me on that waiting list. I am hoping she will tell me how long this list is but don't know.

There are so many emotions going through me now it's hard to describe! I have so many hopes that this will give me my life back but then I wonder if it is possible. For over a year now I have been slipping further and further into isolation. It's not where I want to be but it is easier to deal with. Can I actually pull myself out of this pit? For now, I'm going to try to think of the positives and pray this will work for me!