even a silent prayer is belly

well today i went to church to become the official godfather of my little nephew. Basically, it was my family versus the Brennick family. They all talked and they all wanted to know what the bells sounded like. It was interesting explaining it thought most everyone got it and understood. although i just got ding ding ding in response, that made it even funnier. well most people talking to me including a friend who has seen me go deaf practically, said i seemed to be doing better. I don't think it is the CI allowing me to hear since it is all ding ding ding, but i think the CI forces me to focus more on the HA side when it is in, therefore helping me understand more. If this is the case this is a bad thing, and i need to stop wearing the HA. Does anyone know where i can find a ding to English dictionary? well that's it for today, we shall what kinda dings tomorrow brings.

imagine if i wrote this in dings.....every syllable would be a ding. just think about.

bits of ding dongs

well it has been 3 days since i was turned on and i am still hearing bells. The good news is i am beginning to notice little differences in each ding with different sounds. I attempted to use a listening web sight, to help with word recognition, and was able to hear the difference in the ding for like words. No i didn't hear the words but i could tell the difference between ferry and very by the tone of the ding. I guess this can be considered an improvement but its still not words, it ding and out world does not speak ding. However, i may be able to communicate with and under water sonar?

24 hours later

well it has been 24 hours since i was activated yesterday, and i still hear bells.

saw the doc again today and he said it was normal, which i already knew. He also told me i can go back to work ....wait don't get too excited just yet,....when my eye is completely better. (doh!) It sucks i can't work and i can't do anything, i wanna do something.

I noticed with the CI when i take it out there is a lingering after affect on my left side, almost like that of the static they put in ur ear during a hearing test. it goes away afeter a few minutes, but is kinda annoying. I also noticed that when i out the Ci on in the morning or after extemded periods of not wearing it i get a constant ring, for about 5 min; then i get the ding ding ding ding per word. the longer i wear it the more distinct the dings seem to become, which means my brain is starting to distinguish the different dings. now if people only spoke ding. Neways i will be able to hear soon.

I had to stop by my work and explain to them what i sgoing on and give them the doc note, and pay them for my insurance. They are ready for me to come back but don't want me there till my doc releases me.

Thats about it for todays events, and changes on the Electronic hearing level.

Ding- DONG

well, i guess it is time now for me to blog everyday as i said i would once i got turned on. Yep, thats right i got turned on today. For those of you who may be think funny about that comment, it means my Audi gave me my processor and allowed me to connect it to the magnet in my head. First, i tell you about my day, then well keep reading you will see.

At about 6am my wife and i arrose out of our beds and began to do our daily morning stuff. Well, it was a bit different as today i had no kids they went to my mother in laws. After we got ready and 7am rolled aorund we left to go pick up my mother, whom i wanted to be there when i got turned on. We pulled up to her house and got her and proceeded to travel the distance between her house and my doctors. Once we go there, i signed in and waited, and waited, and waited for what seemed like forever. Once forever was over my audi finally came and got us and we followed her through the office to the little room where they hooked me up to the computer. Once we got chairs and stuff in the room for everyone my mom and wife sat down anxiously waiting to see me hear. (Ithink they had some sort of chore list they wanted me to do),

First the Audi put everything on and ran a couple test, then she ran a mapping to set my hearing at the right level. Once this was done she programmed the processor and turned it on. At this moment i heard what sounded like Cathedral bells ringing. At almost the same time my audi asked me can you hear me?, Nope. The my wife, Nope. Then my mom, Nope. Then they asked what do you hear. I told them i hear what sounds like bells clanging to the sound of each syllable of each word, and to each sound. I was told this was normal and to depend on my right ear now only. Well, there is only one problem, my right ear is kinda ringing really loud form the bells, so i am forced to use my HA in my left ear until my brain destinguishes the sounds. Funny thought that is, my brain actually having to work normal.....ok thats it i am screwed...lol. Once done with that, the audi went over all my goodies i got with the cochlear, i was like what no T-shirt? Well, no i didn't get one, but i did get a big box. After that i went to breakfast with my mom and wife, then home to listen to my bells ring all day.


Ok, now that you have gotten an idea of what happened today i will move on to another subject or two.

one- you can comment on my blog, do not be afraid to, if you do not have a blogspot account then comment as annonymous. Also, Feed back would be nice, and it helps me know who has the addy and who doesn't.


TWO- It has come to my attention that some people do not fully understand what i have, and i will now try to explain this. I have a device implanted in my head, that stimulates the nerves in my ears; allowing my ear to turn it into sound. For those of you who may like some pics better but don't' want to see the gooey gross stuff, i have posted some below. so enjoy.



This is what my processor looks like, the round thing has my magnet in it.



And this is what happens to be in side my head.

PICS

OK people, here are the pics i promised, some of you are probably scrolling to find them, but because they are much more graphic than the others posted i have enclosed a link to them, Please, view them at your own discretion as they are of the surgery in progress, so they are bloody and gory. if you can't get to them let me know here or in an email

awandersonII@hotmail.com

and i will send them or the link to u directly.

here ya go


http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=182830080&albumId=1534774

Doc visit, follow up #1 and CI Testing

Well, at about 3pm i signed into my docs office, for my 2 weeks follow up and for the testing of my implant. After about 15min the Audi assistant came and got me for the testing. I was instructed to remove my HA and then had the Processor (the external part of the CI) placed over my ear and the magnet took right away. I didn't feel the magnet at all, which was reassuring since i was afraid of it being immensely uncomfortable. The initial test took about 2 min and showed all the electrodes were working properly, the second test was a series of beeps, which to my sounded like a telephone was ringing, (one of those old ones that sound like a bell going off) they tested this i think 22 time, once per electrode. This was so they know where to start the level of sound on my processor when they turn it on on the 17Th of July. The sounds felt like they where coming from with in (which they where) but it was kinda weird, i mean sound normally would go into the ear and then you hear it; but this was more like i heard it and it traveled out of my ear. I was given a card to carry showing that i may set off airport security systems and as a warning for medical procedures in the event i can't respond to questions. i was also given the instructions video for the processor and Implant, which i will view later. After this I went back to the waiting area, where i waited for the doc. After a few more minutes, I was taken back so they could get my vitals and then given a room to wait in. while they where taking my vital i was given a copy of the pics they took during my surgery. I will try to post these later, since i have to scan them first. After a while the doc came in and we talked about what i can and can not due. Basically its all the same, no bending and no stooping, I can't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. No mowing the lawn or going to work as there are to many particles in the air that can damage my eye. You want to talk about depressing news.....Most people would welcome the time off work and enjoy it. I, However, am depressed my it, i have been home for two weeks now with nothing to do, i have two more weeks of nothing to do ahead of me now. and I am making no money what so ever. It has gotten to a point where if i hadn't had the testing part done today, i would probably regret even having this surgery; But hearing the beeps during the test reminded me of what the outcome is and how the benefit out weights the negative. Well that's really about it, so i guess i will leave you all to ponder the safety advice given in the movie "Volcano"

In the event of an Earth Quake, "stand in the door jam, put your head between your legs and kiss your A** goodbye."

Pics of the surgery will be up later, maybe not today but later sometime.

Bell's Palsy

well, it has a name, Bell's Palsy is what i suffer from since my surgery, all the previous information i gave is still correct, but it now has a name. For those of you too lazy to research what you don't know i will enclose some pics of me and my condition. It is temparary, so i am not at all freaked by it. I am going to tell you i never want to experiance it again. I am going to have a long talk with my surgeon about this, if my risk of haveing it again is pretty good, then i will most likely not have my second CI done. I will stay with the one and use a HA until it no longer works. Well on to the pics Hope you enjoy them.

In The first pic is of me trying to smile, as you can see only half of my face works for this, my five year old thinks its hillarious; Which is good cause i don't want them to be scared of me cause of it. The second pic is of me trying to open my mouth all the way, my jaw is fully xtended on both sides but the lips are not moving with it. This makes it really hard to eat. The third pic is of me trying to close both eyes really tight, obviously i failed at it, i can close my eye just i have to do it lightly like when trying to sleep. and the final pic is of me letting you see my scar again, after 2 weeks it looks a little better, huh. well thats it for now, and just remember the next time you want to make fun of some one for looking funny due to a disease, it could be you that looks that way.

Problem Update

OK, got back from the doctors office. I have right side facial weakness, also a type of paralysis. My entire right face is numba nd paralized. I can barely smile, i am unable to flare my nostrol and i can only close my eye enough to actually sleep. Apparently it is some type of virus that was irrtated when i had surgery. The way it was explained was, its kinda like a chicken pox virus, one of those things that once you have it it never goes away. You imune system keeps it in check all the time, but when you have surgery, or some type of injury to the area of nerves where it lies dormate, then it can be reactivated so to speak. I have some virus in my facial nerves apparently that got pissed off when i got my CI. Now my face is paralized. Thankfully this is only temparary. My doc was kind enough to meet me at his office, when they are normally closed and he could have taken the easy way and said go to the ER, i will consult with them, but he didn't. I thought that was pretty cool. well other than less feeling in my face, which......oh you guys probably want to know how long huh? well he said anywhere from a couple days to a month or so. Well thats it for now, so i say in the most parlytical way so long.

Problem

well today started out with some events, I was having problems with my right side of face being limited with movement due to swelling. This morning my wife called the doc and he told me to meet him at his office, so i will be leaving to do that. He think it has to due with the swelling pinching a nerve or two and causeing my face to "fall asleep". I can still move my jaw, but the cheeks and lips and eye lids can't move much. my eye lid moves just enough to close lightly. My face is not numb so to speak, i can still feel everything all over my face. So the doc will decide if i have to be admitted or if i have to just go on steroids for this. Well its time to go face the doc! peace, and no i am not having a stoke people.!

new days ahead

well, to day was a bit of a diffreent day, went out with wife, kids were actually good and enjoyable, not over active and annoying. but as far as recovery goes i am feeling better and today was deffinetly an improvment, less pain and it lasted less time wise than the previous days. so that is good. well other than that thats about it for the day. so for now peace out!

doc visit

Well, i went into my docs today just to get my HA fixed, and ended up seeing my surgeon as well. I was almost out of the narcotics he gave me and wanted to see if i could get more. He looked over everything and said everything was in good shape, no blood pooled anywhere, no uneccessary swelling. everything was normal. He asked if i had been walking, and i said no not much trying to take it easy. he yelled at me and said he wants me to walk alot, i don't think it is cause of my sergery but more cause of my weight. but oh well, i need to do it any way. I got put on a different pain med regimen and started that today, he believes he can get me better quicker on it than on vicodin. well, other than that, my audi is chekcing on my cochlear equipment and i have to wait one more week before i see the doc again, and can get clearance to work. I hope i can it is driving me nuts having nothing to do. Well i guess its time for me to sign off and get some rest again. so until next time remember: being out of work makes you yearn for it, but once you get back you wish you didn't.

48 hours out

well after 48 hours of surgery being over, i have come to realize, not much has happened but the passing of 48 hours. My head is still swollen, and i am still unable to lift anything, but on the bright side i have gotten better at Guitar Hero 3. I neglected to travel anywhere today as yesterday really drained me, tomorrow i think i may try to go to the park with my wife and kids, see how works out. dunno know really gonna have to play it by ear. It stormed pretty good today which helped relax me and allow me to get some sleep. Well, i can only sit, lay and some time rollover, i kinda feel like a dog. lol. I wonder how long the swelling last for, cause it is getting on my nerves. i know its only been 2 days but how would you feel if your head was half swollen for two days? well i should go lay down know, maybe i will get a bacon flavored snack if i do?

The unvieling

The first pic is after the cup thingy was removed, the second is of the scar behind my ear.

OK, well today entitled a little traveling even though i am sure my doc would probably yell at me for it, but i was going insane. Their is so much to do at my house and i can't lift anything for now. so i had my wife drive me to work so i could give them an update, they practically threatened to fire me for coming up there when i should have been resting. well the next stop was to game stop, where i picked mme up some guitar hero III. been playing that and relaxing today. Then it came time to remove the bandage and let it get some air. it came off with no problem what so ever. and i continued with my game while my wife made dinner. My mom sat with me while my wife went to the store, as removing the tight bandage left me a bit light headed and dizzy. Well, i have put the bandage back on and am about to sleep. but before i let you go remember: just cause you place plastic bags over cast to keep them dry during showers doesn't mean this idea works on heads.

The Surgery in detail

The day began at about 10:30, upon arrival, i checked in with registration and was given paper work to take with me to pre op. As i arrived into pre op there were a few others waiting as well. I handed my paper work to the nurse at the desk and sat down with my wife. She read her book, and i listened to my ipod. we waited for what seemed like forever, but was only about 30-40 minutes. Once called back i given a room, where i was told to strip (for free of course). as i put on the butt gown i laid down and listened to my ipod some more. I think it drove my wife nuts that i wasn't giving her much attention, but i was about to undergo surgery on my head. Soon the nurse came in and took my BP and HR and then told me i had to get the menegitis vaccine. That was no problem, just a quick pinch in the arm. Here they put on my allergy braclet but spelled on of them wrong. Which was ok since it was a prescribed antibiotic they don't use anymore. At this point i waited, and waited, and waited. My doctor reserved the OR for 12:30 until 2pm. but i guess someone elses surgery took longer than expected or som one was late. cause i was taken to OR prep at about 1:45. From there things went much quicker. The anesethiologist came in and began giving me an IV, as the nurse took my BP again. after he was done the nurse said my BP was way to high along with my heart rate, she wanted to do it again. I told her its cause she did it while i was being stabbed with a friggin needle. of course everything went up. When she took it again it was fine. duh! Next i met the nurse who was gonna be in the OR with me (oddly enought my wife pointed out she was her friends ex wife, small world huh?) They took me into the OR and i attempted to look around and they all thought something was wrong, i had to explain how i have a pshycological need to be aware of as much of my surrounding as i can. its called situational awareness. at this point the trnsfered me to the very uncomfy and very cold cutting table. then gave me a blankt. At this point they strapped me down and told me it was so i don't role off. I was like I ain't moving and i don't plan to wake up either. Doc bartels came in and said HI, i reminded him i wanted a copy of the video he said they were gonna do. He then went to scrub and the anesethiologist took over, he hooked a few things into my then waved Bye bye, i proceed to say "Beam me up scotty!" (don't ask why i just did).

After surgery was over i began to awaken in the recovery room, apparently still intubated, that freaked me out. i remember grunting and kicking for this thing to be removed from my mouth NOW! It was. Upon that i was in and out of it, my wife was there with the nurse. After wards, my told me i was very chatty and shouted out "when can i have sex again!" I don't doubt it cause i know anesethsia makes me very blunt, and uncooth. Apperantly i threw up while in recovering and some of it went into my lungs causing scare, that i may get pnuemonia. They suctioned just about everything out, and sent my to short stay. There they me i was admitted for over night, Idon't think so, get me the doc that ordered that. and they sent for him. I got up almost imeadiatly and walked to the bathroom, but not before telling the male nurse to leave and close the door as the world did not need to see my privates when i uncovered. I did this and they brought me some water and some toiletry products in case. I waited for the doc to come, at about 7pm he arrived and checked me out again and cleared me to go home, after i explained that its normal for me to hack up green stuff from my lungs. With no sounds in my lungs a i breathed got dressed and waited for the, very kind and pretty nurse to discharge me and get me a wheel chair. As she went over the instructions i kindly told her i knew em all, and would not get my head wet for 2 days and then for 2 weeks i had to use cotton balls with vasaline. I told her i would treat it like my cast, just put a plastic bag over my head, as she started to say thats a ggood idea she realized, what i said and corrected herself saying wait thats not a good idea. I laughed. at this point my wife wheeled me out of the hospital and security gave me a ride to our car in the golf cart. On my way out of the hospital another patient and their gardian looked kinda funny at me so proceed to tell them i had a brain transplant and it didn't take. On my way home we stopped for dinner at olive garden and then at walgreens for my prescriptions. then it was home and at home, i basically went to bed.

well thats the detailed account of yesterday. so for now i will sign off until i add more of todays events tonight.

and for a final thought, People should know weird things happen all the time, i just happen to be weird all the time.

It's over

well i had the surgery. I went in at 10:30 and waited until about 2p to get on the or table. everything went well, except after i threw up and apparently some of it got into my lungs, so they had to watch me for some time. They tried admitting me over night but i was like hell you are. After some time the doc came in and cleared me to go home. i was pretty much ready to go all dressed and all. During the discharge instructions they told me not to get it wet, i said ok, i will just put a plastic bag over my head when i shower....the nurse said good idea....wait don't do that! lol it was funny. I am home now and in pain, but taking meds for it. it shold be ok after a while. now i need to get some sleep. i will try to give a more detailed account of the events tomorrow. along with another update.

/when they said i couldn't get my head wet for two days, does that mean i can't have sex?/