Sunday night - another weekend done.
I've been doing a lot of visiting lately - friends with a new baby, friend in the hospital, wife's nephew with broken hip, etc. A lot harder than just being around the house or at work, trying to keep up with the conversations.
I've had a few "phantom ear" moments, where out of habit I reach for my ear or where my hearing aid used to be. I know I have bragged in previous posts about how well things were going, and they still are, but I'm definetly getting tired of being deaf. It has been interesting experiencing what it is like to be deaf and I appreciated what others have to live with permanently, but I am so ready to get my cochlear processor and start to learn to hear with it. I remind myself that it will be a challenge and probably a little frustrating, and thus harder than just being deaf in a way, but long term it will all be for the best.
Go Redskins!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
"Snake" hunting....
My family, knowing my fear of snakes thought it would be funny to tell me they saw one on our walk-At least they keep me laughing.
Fall walk
Went on a walk with our family on Saturday, Oct. 18 on the school campus. What a wonderful day. It's been great to be surrounded by somany friends and family through this process. It defintely makes it alot easier.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Two weekends down, three to go, before activation. Sounds like a long time but the days have been going by fast. The key for me has been to keep busy, at work, at home doing stuff around the house or getting out of the house with the family.
The silence is getting a little boring but I'm still pretty upbeat. My wife thought I would be real depressed by now, but knowing it's not permanent keeps me going.
Had a nice moment on Saturday. I went to church even though I can't hear anything. I was expecting to just try to stay awake during the sermon and even posted those thoughts on my facebook wall. Well, just as the service started, the pastor left the platform, went to her office and printed out a copy of her sermon notes and gave them to a deacon to deliver to me, then walked back up to the platform! (I didn't know what she was doing at the time of course). How incredibly thoughtful of her though, when she could have been lost in her own thoughts before her sermon. Between her notes and lipreading I was able to follow along and get the gist of the sermon, which was a lot better than just daydreaming about the Terps or something!
Just one quick note about my ear before I log off. I have finished my anitbiotic meds the doctor gave me. No infection, no pain. Just waiting for activation now. Just me and my ringing, although that has gone down. I still hear a little motor type sound though every now and then. Can't figure out if it is the implant, or if I'm actually hearing my brain work!
The silence is getting a little boring but I'm still pretty upbeat. My wife thought I would be real depressed by now, but knowing it's not permanent keeps me going.
Had a nice moment on Saturday. I went to church even though I can't hear anything. I was expecting to just try to stay awake during the sermon and even posted those thoughts on my facebook wall. Well, just as the service started, the pastor left the platform, went to her office and printed out a copy of her sermon notes and gave them to a deacon to deliver to me, then walked back up to the platform! (I didn't know what she was doing at the time of course). How incredibly thoughtful of her though, when she could have been lost in her own thoughts before her sermon. Between her notes and lipreading I was able to follow along and get the gist of the sermon, which was a lot better than just daydreaming about the Terps or something!
Just one quick note about my ear before I log off. I have finished my anitbiotic meds the doctor gave me. No infection, no pain. Just waiting for activation now. Just me and my ringing, although that has gone down. I still hear a little motor type sound though every now and then. Can't figure out if it is the implant, or if I'm actually hearing my brain work!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
post-op doc appointment
Hi all,
Went to see the surgeon today, 10 days after the surgery. We were at the hospital for 90 minutes for a 5 minute visit from th doc. That's a good thing though - means everything is going well, scar is healing real nice, no balance problems (ask Tammie about the violent looking head-twisting test for this). Next trip to Hopkins now is to see Jennifer Yeagle, the audiologist who will "turn me on" in three weeks. Can't wait for that!
In the meatime, everything is going really well. I went for an 11 mile bike ride around BWI airport last Saturday, just 5 days after surgery. I was a little winded and tired but it felt good to do something vigorous. Had to keep pushing to keep up with my daughter Danielle, my brother John, his wife Carla and their son 10 year old Ryan.
I've been at work now for four days and even surprised myself with how smoothly things have gone. I guess I expected a little more difficulty communicating but haven't had any problems yet. In fact, today the admissions director was leading a family through the gym and as is normal stopped at my office so I could give a little spiel about the athletic program. I was able to do my thing without any embarrasing mishaps or miscommunication. Students and colleagues alike have been amazed at how well I still talk even though I can't hear a single syllable I say. And I can carry on a conversation using my lip reading skills. Sorry for the bragging, but I do feel pretty good about it and it is helping me get through this pre-activation silent period in good spirits. An interesting question though, to keep rambling, is how long could I keep doing this (talking normally without being able to hear)? It's only been 10 days, so might I start to regress in another 10 days, or 5 weeks, or 5 months, or say 1 year? I'm speaking from memory from being in the hearing world for 42 years, but how long would my brain be able to keep it up? I'm not about to try to find out - I've never been the type to want to be a guinea pig for anything although I have tremendous respect for all the pioneers who started this cochlear implant thing almost 30 years ago with inferior equipment, resources and knowledge.
Wow, hope I haven't lost anyone reading this!
Went to see the surgeon today, 10 days after the surgery. We were at the hospital for 90 minutes for a 5 minute visit from th doc. That's a good thing though - means everything is going well, scar is healing real nice, no balance problems (ask Tammie about the violent looking head-twisting test for this). Next trip to Hopkins now is to see Jennifer Yeagle, the audiologist who will "turn me on" in three weeks. Can't wait for that!
In the meatime, everything is going really well. I went for an 11 mile bike ride around BWI airport last Saturday, just 5 days after surgery. I was a little winded and tired but it felt good to do something vigorous. Had to keep pushing to keep up with my daughter Danielle, my brother John, his wife Carla and their son 10 year old Ryan.
I've been at work now for four days and even surprised myself with how smoothly things have gone. I guess I expected a little more difficulty communicating but haven't had any problems yet. In fact, today the admissions director was leading a family through the gym and as is normal stopped at my office so I could give a little spiel about the athletic program. I was able to do my thing without any embarrasing mishaps or miscommunication. Students and colleagues alike have been amazed at how well I still talk even though I can't hear a single syllable I say. And I can carry on a conversation using my lip reading skills. Sorry for the bragging, but I do feel pretty good about it and it is helping me get through this pre-activation silent period in good spirits. An interesting question though, to keep rambling, is how long could I keep doing this (talking normally without being able to hear)? It's only been 10 days, so might I start to regress in another 10 days, or 5 weeks, or 5 months, or say 1 year? I'm speaking from memory from being in the hearing world for 42 years, but how long would my brain be able to keep it up? I'm not about to try to find out - I've never been the type to want to be a guinea pig for anything although I have tremendous respect for all the pioneers who started this cochlear implant thing almost 30 years ago with inferior equipment, resources and knowledge.
Wow, hope I haven't lost anyone reading this!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Daughters Volleyball Game-1st outing since surgery
Enjoyed getting out of the house on Friday and watching our daughter play volleyball- Barrie Won!
Friday, October 10, 2008
TGIF
The days are moving - slowly. When I get back to work I'm sure they will go by faster. But it is Friday at last.
The swelling around my ear has gone down. Now you can see the incision more and also a little bump where the chip is implanted. When I sneeze or cough this is where I feel some pressure. Not to worry though, it's not like it is going to come flying out my ear with the next big sneeze!
Left the house for only the second time this week. Went to see my daughter play volleyball against the Maret School in DC. They (and she) played well and won.
Unless something major happens I may not post again until my first doctors appointment next week.
Take care
Dan
The swelling around my ear has gone down. Now you can see the incision more and also a little bump where the chip is implanted. When I sneeze or cough this is where I feel some pressure. Not to worry though, it's not like it is going to come flying out my ear with the next big sneeze!
Left the house for only the second time this week. Went to see my daughter play volleyball against the Maret School in DC. They (and she) played well and won.
Unless something major happens I may not post again until my first doctors appointment next week.
Take care
Dan
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Is it Friday yet?
Day Four - Thursday, October 9
Just a regular sore throat today, probably took it to fast with the sodas and other drinks.
Otherwise a normal day. School was out for Yom Kippur.
Two students from school came by and spent the afternoon here hanging out.
No pain meds today. My daughter cleaned the incision and applied the antibiotic. The ringing (tinnitus) is still there. I guess I will be in that percentage of people who keep the tinnitus afer surgery. Bummer. I'll have to wait till ater activation to see if it goes away.
I'm starting to settle into the "silent world". Although I still talk and respond to questions so I don't forget how to, I've never gone this long without being able to hear anything. I'm going to have to stay positive and keep counting the days down to activation.
Later
Just a regular sore throat today, probably took it to fast with the sodas and other drinks.
Otherwise a normal day. School was out for Yom Kippur.
Two students from school came by and spent the afternoon here hanging out.
No pain meds today. My daughter cleaned the incision and applied the antibiotic. The ringing (tinnitus) is still there. I guess I will be in that percentage of people who keep the tinnitus afer surgery. Bummer. I'll have to wait till ater activation to see if it goes away.
I'm starting to settle into the "silent world". Although I still talk and respond to questions so I don't forget how to, I've never gone this long without being able to hear anything. I'm going to have to stay positive and keep counting the days down to activation.
Later
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Day After - Day 2
Woke up early today - out of habit i guess. Not feeling to bad. I did a double take looking in the mirror this morning and seeing my "cup" over my ear.
The biggest thing today is the ringing - tinnitus. It is pretty loud and sometimes it comes on really loud like a frieght train passing by with it's whistle on. Hopefully this is temporary and will go away or at least the level will reduce. By the time I am activated I am hoping the whole device will drown out any ringing I may still have.
I felt good enough to go out and get McDonalds with my wife, sit outside, set the sprinklers on the lawn. My younger brother stopped by. He works at a radio station (WGTS, 91.9). He said he mentioned me on the air. It is pretty humbling to think of all the people out there who might be praying for me.
Tomorrow: the cup comes off! I'll try to put some pictures up of "the cup" today, then more pics tomorrow of the surgery. I've seen other pics online so I can't wait to see what my incision looks like.
Later,
Robo Dan
The biggest thing today is the ringing - tinnitus. It is pretty loud and sometimes it comes on really loud like a frieght train passing by with it's whistle on. Hopefully this is temporary and will go away or at least the level will reduce. By the time I am activated I am hoping the whole device will drown out any ringing I may still have.
I felt good enough to go out and get McDonalds with my wife, sit outside, set the sprinklers on the lawn. My younger brother stopped by. He works at a radio station (WGTS, 91.9). He said he mentioned me on the air. It is pretty humbling to think of all the people out there who might be praying for me.
Tomorrow: the cup comes off! I'll try to put some pictures up of "the cup" today, then more pics tomorrow of the surgery. I've seen other pics online so I can't wait to see what my incision looks like.
Later,
Robo Dan
Monday, October 6, 2008
Hello,
What a relief! Surgery and post surgery has not been that bad.
Welcome to my first blog post ever. I have created this hoping I can help someone else in the cochelar community much as I was helped during the summer when I read many blogs as I tried to learn as much as possible, preferably from others who had been through it. Please feel free to comment on this blog, ask questions, or add your own thoughts.
I'll try to catch up on what's been happening the last 24 hours.
Sunday, 10/5/08: I have not been as nervous as I thought I would be the day before the surgery. Had fun watching the Redskins beating the Eagles! Just beforegoing to bed I had a nice quiet moment with my wife Tammie and daughter Danielle as we talked and prayed for a few minutes.
Monday/10/6/08: Woke up nice and early. The surgery is being done at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, just a 30 minute drive away. Surgery time is 10:30am.
My wife, daughter and mom came with me. Still pretty calm. Time flew by and quickly enough I was walking into the operating room and was out in less than 5 minutes.
When I woke up I had a slight sore throat but ice chips and water helped that. Within an hour I was ready to come home so I could chill on my own couch. The pain started on my upper jaw but is now where it is supposed to be - behind my left ear. I will be taking me pain meds again soon. I am wearing a protective athletic supporter cup. Kidding! It just looks like one.
I will be spending the week here at home so I will try to post something on a daily basis. After that I will post on a weekly basis. I'll try to put some pictures up too.
That's it for now.
Take care,
Dan
What a relief! Surgery and post surgery has not been that bad.
Welcome to my first blog post ever. I have created this hoping I can help someone else in the cochelar community much as I was helped during the summer when I read many blogs as I tried to learn as much as possible, preferably from others who had been through it. Please feel free to comment on this blog, ask questions, or add your own thoughts.
I'll try to catch up on what's been happening the last 24 hours.
Sunday, 10/5/08: I have not been as nervous as I thought I would be the day before the surgery. Had fun watching the Redskins beating the Eagles! Just beforegoing to bed I had a nice quiet moment with my wife Tammie and daughter Danielle as we talked and prayed for a few minutes.
Monday/10/6/08: Woke up nice and early. The surgery is being done at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, just a 30 minute drive away. Surgery time is 10:30am.
My wife, daughter and mom came with me. Still pretty calm. Time flew by and quickly enough I was walking into the operating room and was out in less than 5 minutes.
When I woke up I had a slight sore throat but ice chips and water helped that. Within an hour I was ready to come home so I could chill on my own couch. The pain started on my upper jaw but is now where it is supposed to be - behind my left ear. I will be taking me pain meds again soon. I am wearing a protective athletic supporter cup. Kidding! It just looks like one.
I will be spending the week here at home so I will try to post something on a daily basis. After that I will post on a weekly basis. I'll try to put some pictures up too.
That's it for now.
Take care,
Dan
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