Once I made up my mind to pursue a cochlear implant, I made an appointment for September 29 to begin an evaluation. I was examined by a doctor and had a hearing test by two audiologists at that time. This took place at the University of Florida/Shands at Gainesville. The results showed that I seemed to be borderline in my hearing as far as it concerns a CI.
I returned today for further, more extensive testing as well as an MRI. It seems that hearing aids help me a great deal, and when tested at the 50db level apparently I do quite well. It was another story however, when I was tested at the 40db level. My discrimination dropped drastically. To make a long story short, it appears that I may be a candidate. The decision rests on the results of the MRI, the bloodwork, and a meeting of the "team" who would coordinate my implant. That decision will not be reached for at least another month.
Meanwhile, I am cautiously excited.
11/10/05
Yesterday I received a call from the physician at Shands/UF, Gainesville FL, saying that my MRI was normal. He also stated that the CI review board will discuss my case this month and he was aware that I had an appointment with the surgeon on December 12. I thought it was nice that he called to keep me informed. Now, I hope there's no monkey wrench lurking around.
Dr. Antonelli is the surgeon and Dr. Katherine Gray is the audiologist with whom I worked. I'm happy to hear more good things about him. At the FLASHHH meeting in Orlando I talked to two board members who had their CI's done at Shands and Dr. Antonelli was their surgeon as well. I was impressed with him but it's always good to know that others are as well.
11/22/05
Heavens! My surgery has been scheduled for January 5! I did not expect things to move so rapidly. That's a little scary, but I am brave! I am a veteran of seven surgical procedures since October 2001, so it's not the operation itself that makes me uneasy. But never fear, it's not
my nature to worry for long. I'm almost over it already.
12/12/05
My final visit with the doctor before surgery. I have chosen Cochlear's Freedom BTE. The folks at UF/Shands originally thought I would be eligible for the hybrid, that is part CI and part hearing aid. I was that much on the margin, I guess. But considering that my hearing will only get worse, it was probably the safe bet to go with the full CI. Since that was the case, I didn't ask any questions about the hybrid, so am not really sure how it works.
JOURNAL PART ONE
On January 5, 2006 husband Tom called the Florida Surgical Center in Gainesville to find out the schedule for my cochlear implant surgery. I was told to arrive at noon. I was NOT that pleased to be scheduled for a FRIDAY AFTERNOON. However, I decided that I would participate anyway. LOL. We walked into the building at 11:30 a.m. and were promptly taken in for registration and shortly after that, into the pre-op department. Tom came in with me.
I was given the requisite hospital gown and grey slipper socks. (This was my eighth surgery in 4-1/2 years so I knew the routine. Since I am economy size, I made sure to ask for a large-size gown. ) I was given an EKG, answered a slew of questions, had my questions answered by nurses, an attending physician, and the anesthesiologist. Fran, my nurse for that period of time, inserted my IV. I am very hard to “stick” for IV’s because of previous chemotherapy and told her that. I don’t like to scare medical personnel, but I want them to be prepared. She did an EXCELLENT job and when I complimented her, she said she does insertions many, many times a day. Tom was given an indelible marking pen to write “Yes” under my ear to be implanted which he did with great RELISH. We then settled in for the wait which we were told would be a “little while.” Dr. Patrick Antonelli, my surgeon, came in to say hello and make some further markings and answer any final questions. After a considerable time, Fran told us that there would be a delay of at least an hour. She offered a list of videos I could watch. After determining that they had closed captioned available, I chose “My Cousin Vinny” which I had seen a few times. That way if I was called for surgery before the movie was over I would know the ending.
Since there was time, I sent Tom out for lunch because he was starving. Even though I’d had nothing by mouth since midnight, I was not that hungry because I had mentally prepared for this “mini fast.” As might be guessed, shortly after Tom left, I was called for surgery. It was about 2:30 p.m.
Immediately upon entering the brightly lit, COLD room I told the mask-covered medical personnel that I was in trouble because I read lips. I also told the docs to make sure I was asleep before they started cutting. That always gets a chuckle in the OR. You can see I have fine-tuned my act.
The next I remember of course, is being jostled awake from my pleasant sleep. Even though I knew Tom wasn’t allowed in just then, I still looked for him first thing. During the next period of time, I was given apple juice, and was instructed in inhaling exercises and coughing. I was groggy, but on a scale of 1 - 10 my pain was about two. I noticed that the left side of my tongue feels strange (not necessarily numb) and has no taste. I understand that is temporary. My head was wrapped in a turban-type with a huge pressure bandage over my left ear. It was wound in such a way that I could use my right-ear hearing aid. Since that is my better ear, I was able to communicate almost as well as usual. As far as I know, I am now totally deaf in my left ear. I was not given a date for activation of the implant which should be in about 4-6 weeks, but have a follow-up visit with Dr. Antonelli on Monday, January 23. In addition, in order to wear my glasses, Tom removed the left earpiece. That is not really satisfactory, but will do until Monday when I remove the bandage.
I was the LAST patient in the recovery room on a Friday afternoon, and was told by various personnel that I looked great and had a wonderful attitude. Do you think they were putting me on so they could go home? (Smile.) I did feel in good shape though, so tended to want to believe them. I received all my instructions, got dressed and then they walked me to the car. The Surgical Center is not that large, so I didn’t have far to walk where Tom was waiting outside the door with the car.
Gainesville is 1-1/2 hours from Jacksonville and I slept about 45 minutes of that time. Tom and I had to stop to get my pain medication prescription filled, so we arrived home about 8:30 p.m. (just in time for “The Book of Daniel” premiere which I had already set up to be taped.)
