2nd Implant Update

Part II

Hello, all! This is Adam your friendly neighborhood blogger filling in for Liz. I call this part two because I neglected to save everything I typed in the first update. So, here we go again,

First my apologies to those looking for an update yesterday. By the time we got home, kids got home, everyone got settled, etc. I was wiped out. I turned in at 9:15! So here is the update on Liz's second surgery - better late than never, eh?

Our day started @ 5am so we could be to the Cleveland Clinic Beachwood hospital by 6:30. Liz's surgery was scheduled for 7:30 but by the time she went back it was a little after 8am. Liz's mom, Joan, waited with me and our brother-in-law Jeff showed up and stayed for a bit before heading to his office. Liz's surgery lasted about 2 1/2 hours and we were relieved to see Dr. Weber and hear his update that she did well and the CI was functioning as it should. For those who don't know once the implant is implanted the doctor tests the electrodes to be sure that everything is okay - and it was! Joan and I went back to see Liz and she was having some difficulty coming to out of the anesthesia. I think she was disoriented because her right ear CI was not attached so she could not hear anything. Once I got it attached she seemed to settle a bit but was experiencing some discomfort. The nurse gave her some pain meds and she slept most of the afternoon away. That gave me time to run around and get her prescriptions filled and to have a quick bite of lunch. When all was said and done, we ended up leaving the hospital a little after 3pm and arrived home at about 5pm.

Next on the agenda is a follow-up with Dr. Knott on March 12th and Joyce Crawford the same day for the activation. Liz goes back on the 20th for her one week activation appointment and then it is off to New York City! Every other year Liz takes her show choir and section leaders to see the sites and a couple of shows. This time we are taking in Phantom of the Opera and Hairspray. I am certain that she will have great updates on how these shows sound now that she is the bi-lateral bionic woman!

Well, I guess that is all from here now. Lastly, I know that I speak for Liz when I say a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us over the past few days. Whether you sent well wishes and prayers, helped with the various parties for Addison's birthday, helped watch the kids, brought over meals, etc. we are truly blessed to have a great network of friends and family. We appreciate all that you have done for us and hope to return the favors some day. Chat with you all later!

surgery scheduled

February 25th is the big day. I am such a busy mom and teacher that I haven't allowed myself a lot of time to think it over and let it sink in. In a little over two weeks my life is about to change again. I will be having surgery to receive my second cochlear implant.
Here are my thoughts....
I am grateful that God has allowed this opportunity for my family, my students and me. I know that I don't give the props to God that I feel in my heart . I also know that I am nowhere close to having my feelings thoroughly sorted about anything that has happened the last three and a half years of my life; but I know that regardless of my hurt and sorrow over being thrust into the life of a severely hearing impaired individual that I feel gladness today.
I am excited to experience the difference from one to two... not only hearing wise, but musically also. There is a definition to music with my implant that was/is not possible with hearing aids.
I feel hopeful about my future. Instead of feeling resigned and constantly exhausted, I have this anticipation stirring in my soul. I feel that determination I used to gush over with. I am rejuvinated in my ideas.

Am I nervous about surgery? Not really. I know what to expect. There are no fears for me. I am very comfortable with this decision.

I can honestly stand back and say... wow...three and a half years ago I woke up nearly deaf. I ached beyond a way that I can capture with my humble words. I was scared I would lose my job and my identity which I had always from my childhood associated with music. I was a musician and I thought my circumstances would make music intangible for me. I felt I was tumbling down a mountain I can only describe as myself. Panic and fear were robbing me of the happy life I had worked for.
But I wasn't willing to go down quietly. I had no idea what I fighter I was! My mom always used to harp on me as a child and teenager for my stubborness and now I know God put that fire in me for good reason. I have said it before, but how I made it through those first months and even the first year is beyond my own logic and yet I lived in it! I sought assistance from the bvr, was told about a wonderful support group (hlaa), and fought for my job with all I had in me. I still to resist the urge to be bitter and hateful towards the administration that was willing to write me off because that was the easiest option. What if I took their advice and gave up? What if I hadn't heard those gentle nudgings from God... Liz, don't quit, I won't let you down.....
What about my brush with fame during my t.v. stardom on the show three wishes? The testament of love those students gave for me I surely never deserved! The blessing of my second child followed. The sorrow of the continued detortiation of my remaining hearing. Just last winter I laid on the bed in the guest bedroom at my in-laws sobbing because I had just gotten used to my hearing loss and had begun to make peace with my misfortune when it dipped again. How did I avoid letting bitterness take root in my life?
Then there was that window of hope. The realization that I could hear better if I could get a cochlear implant.... hope was something I had forgotten about. Of course, implants are a bit of a gamble, but I felt my situation couldn't be more frustrating, so why not try?
Soon I was hearing things I had forgotten about! The rumbling of a train in the distance, the sound of children playing outside on a warm summer day, the echo of fireworks against a distant hill... and suddenly I realized my life was really getting started. It was far from desperation and gloom and doom.
I'll be honest... do I see myself as a teacher here in rural Ohio forever? Maybe. I trust God will put me right where he wants me and for now this is the place. But, I am no fool to the unique quality of the circumstances of my life. If I stay a teacher in Dennison I will minister right here! Teaching each child I meet about the resilience we are all capable of! I will teach them about music, not just the mechanics of it, but the joy of it! I will teach everyone that no one should give up no matter how bleak things can feel and seem. But I dream of writing a book, being a motivational speaker and educator on hearing impairment and cochlear implants.
Right now, I look forward to the months to come. A second implant may plant the seeds of hope deeper into my heart and what springs forth is anyone's guess.