Post Surgery

Well, I've done it! Had the cochlear implant and come out the other end!
Surgery was simple, walked into the operating theatre, jumped up on the table and went to sleep. Woke up a couple of hours later with my head wrapped tightly in a huge bandage with a tuft of hair sticking out the top. Not much pain but got bad nausea which I had heaps of medication for. I had the nausea for about 20 hours before it got any better. My jaw is a bit sore but nothing too major. The vertigo is sticking around but I have medication for that too, not sure that's it's working. 

My residual hearing is gone, beforehand I could hear the dog bark, doors slam, that sort of thing. Now I hear nothing, nothing at all. Thanks goodness I learnt to lipread otherwise I'd be in real trouble. My youngest son asked last night "can you hear me now"? I had to say no.

Otherwise, things are going well and it's just a matter of waiting for the next step. x

Not my best look!

The day before ......

Tomorrow I go in for surgery to have my cochlear implant in the left ear. Two hour surgery, an overnight stay, then home to wait for the wound to heal (and my hair to grow back!). After three months I've worked out how to be a deaf person so while I'm excited about the prospect of hearing again, I'm not looking forward to learning how to be a hearing (hard of hearing but still hearing) person again. I suppose it is just another journey I have to take!!! Stay tuned, surgery update to follow. x

Naughty Forty!

It happened, I turned 40, today in fact.

Musings

I've been rather reflective this past week, my last week in my thirties. I'v been waiting for the "devastation" of losing my hearing to come, but it hasn't. Yes, I've been a bit down, but generally I'm as happy as ever, despite nearly turning the big 40. I've proven to myself that I don't need my hearing to function as I did before, yes, it's harder, but not impossible.

Last night I had a small gathering, the inner-circle and family, for a birthday celebration for the two boys and I. It was wonderful seeing everyone and the kids had a ball with their friends. My eldest had a few mates sleep over after the party. Husband tells me they talked all night, I didn't hear a thing and had a blissful sleep. It was also a great lip-reading environment, not one pad or pen in sight!

 I shopped for the party (driving again as of yesterday thank goodness) and I'm sure that not one of the shop assistants had any idea that I couldn't hear a thing they were saying. Even the deli man chatted away while I bought ice and I just nodded and said "really" and it seemed to be the right response!!

Then I was up at 6am to head off to the local flea market with a friend. I just asked stall holders to hold up their fingers to show me how much things were. I got some great designer pieces for a few dollars each.

Tonight I am heading out for an intimate dinner with my husband. Tomorrow it's off for breakfast and a shopping trip to Tiffanys, thanks to my generous friends and family for your contribution to the "Tiffany Fund".

I read on other people's blogs that they become socially isolated when they lose their hearing, I'd say the opposite has happened to me. I've had more invites and requests to visit over the last three months than ever before in my life.

Life doesn't need to change, just tweaked. x

Things I Miss ....

I miss hearing the rain fall.

I miss hearing birds sing in the morning.

I miss hearing the kids say " I love you".

I miss hearing waves crash on the shore.

I miss knowing why everyone is laughing.

I miss hearing the magpie before it swoops to peck me on the head!

Tribute to Friends and Family

It has now been three months since I lost my hearing. It has been at times frustrating, tiring and depressing. However, by far the most overwhelming part of my experience has been the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of the people around me. I underestimated how wonderful people can be.


In the first month my house was filled with flowers and chocolate. These were lovely and I enjoyed the sensory pleasure of having my house filled with beautiful blooms and the other sensory pleasure of stuffing my face with chocolate. I also had people drop off meals for the family and bring presents like whiteboards, magazines, books and DVDs. As I couldn't drive (vertigo) I had friends offer to take the kids to school and back and then they would take me out for a coffee as well.
As word got out about my hearing loss I recieved cards and emails from people sending me their best wishes for a positive outcome. These came from family members, work colleagues, the Principal of my children's school, my parent's friends, the soccer club where my son plays, school mums, friends I haven't seen for years, and even ex-boyfriends. My family were there every day, in one form or another. Either offering to drive me to medical appointments, buying me gifts, just visiting, and emailing every day to keep me connected.

I also contacted some people online in the same situation as me and they have been very supportive and understanding, having already been through what I'm experiencing now.

Three months on and I still recieve emails and texts from people checking on how I'm doing. Every week I'll get a text from someone asking how I am. These are people who have their own worries, stresses and families but still have enough time to care about me.


When this all happened I thought I was so unlucky, that the universe was against me. Now I realise that I'm the luckiest person alive and that no matter what happens to me I'm surrounded by people who will take care of me and ensure my happiness.
Thank you x

Cheers to the Ears!

Eating Out

It's now the October school holidays and the start of my family's birthday month.

We have celebrated my brother's birthday at a vegetarian cafe in Northbridge called Utopia where everything on the menu is vegetarian, even the beef. Going out to eat at a restaurant is the most difficult activity for me (after work meetings). It's OK if I'm dining with one person as I can usually lip-read them or we use the ipad. Any more than one and it's like I'm not really there. I feel almost like a ghost, watching people but not able to interact with them. I can't join in their conversation as I don't know what they are talking about and I don't know when there is a break in the conversation to have my turn speaking anyway. So I busy myself with the menu, play with my mobile phone, look around at other people in the restaurant and go to the toilet ..................... what else can I do????

Today it is my youngest son's birthday. He turns seven today! He wants to see a movie which is fine and I'm looking forward to taking him except I know that movies don't come with subtitles. I'll have to make a note to lobby the cinema industry to have special screenings of new movies for deaf people with subtitles. Maybe I can get away with taking a book?