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!