Small beef here.....

When I was at Sunnybrook the other day getting my processor checked out and got the cool feature ClearVoice uploaded to my processor. After we were all done, I went to put my processor on my ear. Before I do that I check for the orange flashing light to tell me my battery life and then I wait for the red flashing light to tell me that my processor is running okay. Suzanne tells me the red flashing light feature has been removed from the processor. I am like why?? I liked that feature because then I am reassured that the processor is running okay. She says it has to do with the Sabbath Jewish holiday. Now I do not know what exactly happens on Sabbath Day but red flashing light is forbidden. I have nothing against any religion holidays, I am a very open minded person and very interested in what everyone does for their religion beliefs.  But to take away that feature from the processor is a bit far-fetched, it should be an option that if we want the red flashing light feature or not. Most audiologists are asking for that feature back and make it optional for anyone who wants it.

Just having a small beef here because I do miss that feature for the reassurance that my processor is working and for the others who likes it because they have lost their processor in the dark and snow.

Added fact: A cochlea is about the size of a pea or smaller. J

Staples Removal Day

Monday Nov 15^th is when I got my 20 staples removed. There were 2 staples at the bottom of my ear that was driving me nuts because it was so itchy. It was just ready to go!

Dr. Chen removed the staples and it felt sooo good. There are couple of spots that are still tender. Keep it clean with hydrogen peroxide and apply Polysporin and you should be fine. Dr. Chen says that I did a good job keeping it clean and well looked after.

Hard to believe that this was done 10 days ago. I have been lucky to heal so quickly.

I also went to see my audiologist, Suzanne because I was having issues with my first implant shutting on and off for few seconds. Gave me a bit of a scare because I thought something might have gotten damaged while I was in surgery. She checked both the implant and the processor and everything seem okay. She thinks while I was in surgery the implant area might have gotten bumped and there was a bit of swelling. But who knows, it’s working and that what matters.

The best part of this short visit is that she realized that I did not have the new added feature called ClearVoice. ClearVoice is designed to automatically analyze and adapt to each listening situation that you encounter throughout the day, separating the distracting noises from what you want to hear most—speech. What that means is when I am in a room with an air conditioner that is constantly running, my processor will know that is the distracting noice and will quiet down that noise and I can hear the person speaking to me. So cool. Another example, in a car with the wheels making the constant noise while driving, it will quiet that noise and I can hear my MJ music with enjoyment. J

I have known about this feature about a year ago and it was being tested and used in the European countries and was coming to North America.  I was so looking forward getting ClearVoice when it became available to us North Americans. I asked, “how long did you have this feature?”, she said “for about a year”. I am like “you mean I could have had it then?” “Yes….”  “Wow man, I really needed that during the summer,  the noisy AC at work was just about to send me up the freaking wall”. LOL Anyhoo, I am so happy to have ClearVoice now.

I do know what part of the test group I am in now, when I go back Dec 8^th to get my new implant activated. They are going to take my first processor away from me for four weeks. This means I am going to be re-learning to hear from my left ear that completely quit working August 2003, but that's another story. Seven years of not hearing from the left ear is going to be quite the experience and I can’t wait!!

How Does a Cochlear Implant Work?

I thought I should explain exactly what I had done.

A cochlear implant has an implanted part and an external component.

The implanted part (HiRes 90K® Implant) is surgically positioned beneath the muscle tissue and skin on the side of the head by a surgeon. The small implant electrode is threaded down into the hearing mechanism of the inner ear, the cochlea, during the surgery.

The external component is a miniature computer called a sound processor that is worn on the outside of the body, over the back of the ear (Harmony™ Sound Processor).

The implanted part is what I had done on Friday Nov 5^th,  so now I have to wait for about 4 weeks before I can wear the external part. I need to heal properly before I can place the headpiece on my scalp. It is held on by a magnet that is inside my head and on the headpiece, for it to stick properly the swelling of the scalp has to go down and the incision has to be completely closed.

Below is a link to a video that tells you how does a cochlear implant work? When link opens to a new page the video is on the bottom.

How does a Cochlear Implant Work?  

Information taken from www.advancedbionics.com

One Week Ago Today

It was a week ago today I had my surgery. I am slowly getting back to myself, one more day of the antibiotics and hopefully I'll start to feel normal. Waking up all groggy is not very restful, you just feel spaced out. LOL

The incision is healing okay, just got one spot that is taking it's time, it was a large cut but everyone says it looks fine. We'll see when I go in Monday when the 20 staples come out. After that, my first real hair wash. So far I have washed my hair once ( only half of my head ); it is awkward to do when you cannot get any of the staples wet. Nurse Magenta has been really good with helping me putting on Polysporin and bandages. Chris too; with getting the groceries, dinners and driving me to and back from Sunnybrook.

Tomorrow is the Christmas Party for Home Outfitters and I plan to be there. I am looking forward to seeing the gang. J

Taking My Time

Sorry for taking so long to get back. I am slowly finding my groove as the meds that I have been taking are not being very nice too me. The antibiotics tastes awful and makes the tummy a little upset, T3's - the best stuff -- kills the pain but knocks the energy out of me. In the next few days I will give the details of what I when through but as a starter - a few pictures of me in my fancy PJ’s and crazy hairdo. J





About 6 to 7 hours after surgery. Looking a little green and feeling crappy.

The next day - 7:30am. Having a bran muffin with no flavour. Good thing Becel was on the side.

Looking a little rough here. Note: arrow on forehead "This ear!!" and the "YU" on cheek. I think that is my doctor's name.



Nervous Yet??

It's happening today!!! Thanks to all for the well wishes.

Just before I went to bed last night, I am like - “oh did they say seven am or eleven am??” Is that just me getting my nerves all rattled up. Now I got Chris looking at me – “do you want me to call to confirm?” I said yes. :)

So I am allowed just clear liquids up to four hours before surgery, wine, beer?? Booklet says no alcohol night before midnight. Darn!! Just kidding..... I am having black coffee with sugar, need my morning coffee preferably with cream. The coffee actually tastes pretty good with lots ‘o’ sugar.

As for the nervousness, it’s there but not getting to me just yet.

I hope to be able to stay overnight at the hospital but won’t know till I get there. Last time I went home because there were no beds and not enough nurses. Crazy Eh!! We do have a hotel booked just in case.

So I am off shortly – be back soon!!

Tomorrow is the Day!!!

I got the phone call this afternoon, be at the hospital for 11:00am. So anytime after that, is my surgery. I am not nervous yet, ask me tomorrow - Are you nervous yet??. LOL

Just to add -  I have known about this surgery for about two weeks and I thought I was ready for it. Housework to be done, freezer to stock up, bills to be caught up......... Nah... it's not done and I am not going to worry about it anymore. It can wait.

For the gang at work - It's all about the Money Card. ;-P   Have fun!!!!

The Beginning.....

I have always said, if I was ever given the chance to get my other ear implanted I would say yes in a heartbeat, well that wish came true. Got an e-mail from my audiologist last January 2010 asking if I would like to get my other ear implanted and be part of a study group? I said yes!!!!  :-)

First I had to pass a couple of test. Balance test and the result of my cat scan. Those tests were done May 2010 and of course I passed. Dr. Chen who is my surgeon says I am good to go and that I would be on a waiting list for about 3 to 4 months. 4 months has gone by and I was getting little impatient, so I e-mailed my audiologist (late September) to see if she knew anything. She told me that there have been so many other people that just need the one implant and they were actually bumping me down the list. Maybe there will be an opening in late October, nope!! I e-mailed once again late October to see if she knew anything for November and she says maybe something early November and I would get a phone call. Later that night after I got home from work, had my wind down time and just about to head for bed I noticed my answering machine flashing. It was Dr. Chen’s secretary leaving a message saying there is an opening for November 5^th, do you want it?? Man I could not wait to let her know first thing in the morning!!!