Thursday, February 11, 2010
Success!
Chris's surgery went well and he is handling the pain ok. In about 3-4 weeks, giving his head and ear time to heal, they will then turn on the implant. There will be lots of adjusting to that, but hopefully all for the best! Thanks for all the prayers!!
Surgery #2
I am sitting here typing this post on Chris's mini laptop that he uses for his video relay (phone assistance). I am grateful to have something that can help keep my mind off of today's happenings. I am looking out the window of the Mayo Hospital here in Scottsdale, AZ. There is a hot air balloon taking off and cars rushing down the interstate. It is an overcast day, but still looks like it will turn out to be a beautiful day outside.
Right now as I type, Chris is in surgery. He is having his second cochlear implant placed into his right ear. The first surgery was back in May 2009 on his left ear. Overall, the first one was a success and it has really improved Chris's hearing. His brain though, is still so overwhelmed with two different types of sounds - one from an implant and one from his normal digital hearing aid. It has made certain things difficult. Chris (and his audiologist) are very hopeful that by having both ears hearing the same and having it be such a better sound and more imput to his brain, that things will just get better and better. Boy, I sure hope so! We are so fortunate and blessed to have the insurance we have! The first surgery alone cost over $90,000! Ouch! And that was just ONE ear! We only pay a fraction of the cost, but it is very worth it if it can improve his quality of life so dramatically.
I told Chris last night that I would love to just snap my fingers and make him hear normal. I hate having to see him have to go through so much just to have a basic function that I take for granted everyday. But then I thought about that comment later. As much as I would love for him to hear normal - obviously Heavenly Father blessed him with a hearing loss for a reason. Would he be the person he is today without his hearing loss? Have all the years of struggling helped give him the determination he has needed to excel in his life? I would like to say yes and am pretty certain his parents would agree. He has had to push through much opposition and go through much in order to be where he is today. It is my prayer that this surgery will only enable him to continue on with that drive and determination to be the best he can be and to do all that he can to reach his goals. I am certain it will. Will it be easy - no. Easier - hopefully.
As I sit here typing, I still have those "I'm nervous and a bit scared" butterflies in my belly. How can I not? My husband is having his head cut open! But, at the same time, I think I am just trying to put those aside and just stay calm. I feel extra emotional - maybe due to the fact that I am not feeling well and I got about 3 hours of VERY interupted sleep. That is not a good way to start a stressful situation.
I know that this surgery is not nearly as emotional for me as I remember last surgery being. Last time I was so anxious and nervous as I had no idea what to expect. (It probably didn't help that I had a 3 month old at the time that I had to feed and entertain in a little waiting area for about 7-8+ hours.) I am confident though that he is in good hands and will be well cared for. He has the same surgeon and same team working on him as last time. They were very good to him last time. I think the only thing they are doing differently is give him more pain meds. He ran out too quick last time! And this time....he WILL be taking them!! That was one of the hardest parts - for me anyway! Some dumb resident dr. freaked him out about taking meds that he was nervous to even take motrin or tylenol! Stupid!! He freaking has his head cut open and won't take pain meds after the prescription ran out because of what that lame-o dr. told him. Chris ....be forwarned (if you read this)....your wife-nurse will be hiding them in your food if you won't take them! =) I do not want you to be in the kind of pain you were in last time when there is something that will help - even a small amount!
Thanks everyone for your prayers and love. Please say some more!! Thank you to all who have helped with my kids (at 4:30 in the morning!!) and offered to bring meals. It is hugely appreciated and we are so grateful for your kindness and service! I will update again later when I know how everything goes.
Right now as I type, Chris is in surgery. He is having his second cochlear implant placed into his right ear. The first surgery was back in May 2009 on his left ear. Overall, the first one was a success and it has really improved Chris's hearing. His brain though, is still so overwhelmed with two different types of sounds - one from an implant and one from his normal digital hearing aid. It has made certain things difficult. Chris (and his audiologist) are very hopeful that by having both ears hearing the same and having it be such a better sound and more imput to his brain, that things will just get better and better. Boy, I sure hope so! We are so fortunate and blessed to have the insurance we have! The first surgery alone cost over $90,000! Ouch! And that was just ONE ear! We only pay a fraction of the cost, but it is very worth it if it can improve his quality of life so dramatically.
I told Chris last night that I would love to just snap my fingers and make him hear normal. I hate having to see him have to go through so much just to have a basic function that I take for granted everyday. But then I thought about that comment later. As much as I would love for him to hear normal - obviously Heavenly Father blessed him with a hearing loss for a reason. Would he be the person he is today without his hearing loss? Have all the years of struggling helped give him the determination he has needed to excel in his life? I would like to say yes and am pretty certain his parents would agree. He has had to push through much opposition and go through much in order to be where he is today. It is my prayer that this surgery will only enable him to continue on with that drive and determination to be the best he can be and to do all that he can to reach his goals. I am certain it will. Will it be easy - no. Easier - hopefully.
As I sit here typing, I still have those "I'm nervous and a bit scared" butterflies in my belly. How can I not? My husband is having his head cut open! But, at the same time, I think I am just trying to put those aside and just stay calm. I feel extra emotional - maybe due to the fact that I am not feeling well and I got about 3 hours of VERY interupted sleep. That is not a good way to start a stressful situation.
I know that this surgery is not nearly as emotional for me as I remember last surgery being. Last time I was so anxious and nervous as I had no idea what to expect. (It probably didn't help that I had a 3 month old at the time that I had to feed and entertain in a little waiting area for about 7-8+ hours.) I am confident though that he is in good hands and will be well cared for. He has the same surgeon and same team working on him as last time. They were very good to him last time. I think the only thing they are doing differently is give him more pain meds. He ran out too quick last time! And this time....he WILL be taking them!! That was one of the hardest parts - for me anyway! Some dumb resident dr. freaked him out about taking meds that he was nervous to even take motrin or tylenol! Stupid!! He freaking has his head cut open and won't take pain meds after the prescription ran out because of what that lame-o dr. told him. Chris ....be forwarned (if you read this)....your wife-nurse will be hiding them in your food if you won't take them! =) I do not want you to be in the kind of pain you were in last time when there is something that will help - even a small amount!
Thanks everyone for your prayers and love. Please say some more!! Thank you to all who have helped with my kids (at 4:30 in the morning!!) and offered to bring meals. It is hugely appreciated and we are so grateful for your kindness and service! I will update again later when I know how everything goes.
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