Hello,

A rainy, lazy Friday afternoon brings me back to my blog. All afternoon athletic activities have been cancelled. Things have actually been otherwise quite busy, so much so that I have missed a very important date as I continue to chronicle my CI journey.
October 6 - the one year anniversary of my CI surgery! That truly was a momentous day for me and my family. The surgery itself was an easy outpatient operation (see my first few posts), but I remember that day clearly, taking off my hearing aid for the last time, being completely deaf after the surgery, wearing that funny looking cap over my ear, my wife pampering me at home, the awful and loud noise ringing in my ear/head. I remember sitting on the basement couch thinking, well I have a computer chip in my head now, but I don't feel any different! I also remember thanking God for getting me throught the surgery and asking Him to help me through the next several weeks until I was activated.
I remember all these things and more, but it seems like so much longer that just one year ago. Just this morning I was searching for an old email address and came across some email correspondence from some of the many people who communicated with me prior to the surgery, encouraging me, helping me by answering my many questions, etc. People like Dee Dee, Jamie Kinsella, my audiologisst Jennifer, Cathy Plotkin. I started to get a little emotional thinking about it all, and how grateful I am for where I am now.
In just a few weeks, it will be the anniversary of the activation. I think we will be having some kind of "activation" party combined with my birthday. That is sure to be emotional for me too. (I blame my mom for this side of me). I'll be sure to update this afterwards.
In the meantime, things will continue to be busy for me at work I'm sure. In addition to my regular job here at school, I have been doing a little driving of the large charter bus the church owns. I drove it for the church camp, and then just a couple of weeks ago for a high school group that was visiting from Nebraska. That was interesting for me on one day in particular: I drove them to Gettysburg National Battlefied. The park tour guide then got on the bus and we did a 2 hour tour with the guide talking and telling me where to go. Before the CI, I don't think I would have been able to do this as well, but I was at ease driving and listening to his directions without having to swivel my head to hear him. The group leader also talked to me several times as I was driving during the the several different trips we took, again quite comfortably being able to hear her even with the noise of the students talking in the background.
I also go back for my one year check up with Jennifer next week. I don't think I have high expectations for any more improvement than where I already am, but I have been surprised before!
Take care,
Dan