Guest guest Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Hi everyone, As some of you may already know, today I had a CT scan and an appointment with my surgeon. The technician who performed my CT scan was great about initiating a tactile means of communication so that I would know when I needed to lie completely still. (I had an interpreter scheduled but since I came in early, they took me well before my appointment time.) Having to lay my head back in a strange position while the camera moved back and forth was a little disconcerting. I've never had a CT scan before, so I was at the complete mercy of the technician. <grin> It was *very* busy at the clinic. My interpreter arrived early for my appointment with the surgeon. I'm glad she did because the waiting room was completely full and everyone who came by me wanted to ask about my guide dog. I always welcome questions but there was a *very* loud printing machine turned on nearby which made it impossible to hear. I don't know about or , but when I'm in a situation where I can't hear *anything,* I panic. I was already on pins and needles after having to negotiate the hospital cafeteria with a staff worker who was more interested in petting Tigger than telling me what was on the lunch menu. LOL! The surgeon was very nice and explained what I can expect during and after surgery. Because many of the questions I would have asked have already appeared on the list, we didn't have a great deal to discuss. When I was asked which ear I'd like to implant, I chose my left so that I could continue wearing a hearing aid (HA) in my right. (Elyse -- my surgeon said that he prefers to implant the poorer ear because it allows a person to continue using a HA in the other ear. It's nice to know that my surgeon and audi are in agreement about CI/HA use!) I was told that my hearing loss is caused by low birth weight, frequent ear infections as a child and the allergies I've had over the years. Antibiotics that were given to me as a child for my ear infections may have also been a contributing factor. He will e-mail the results of my CT scan tomorrow. If all looks well, he and my audi will send the necessary paperwork to insurance. He doesn't anticipate any problems with getting approval which should arrive in 3-4 weeks (as opposed to 6-8 like I thought -- Yay!). I can't remember if I will get a surgery date before or after insurance approval -- I guess I'll find out tomorrow. <smile> Wow, I can't believe it!!! I'm just about ready to cross the finish line!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Hi - I don't post much (life too hectic at the moment!!) but try to read all the e-mails!! I've enjoyed your journey - and VERY happy to hear the good news that looks like you are well on to the road of being a CI recipient - Congratulations!! I'll be eagerly awaiting further news!! Rosemary in California N24 11/99 Today's Appointment Hi everyone, As some of you may already know, today I had a CT scan and an appointment with my surgeon. The technician who performed my CT scan was great about initiating a tactile means of communication so that I would know when I needed to lie completely still. (I had an interpreter scheduled but since I came in early, they took me well before my appointment time.) Having to lay my head back in a strange position while the camera moved back and forth was a little disconcerting I've never had a CT scan before, so I was at the complete mercy of the technician. <grin> It was *very* busy at the clinic. My interpreter arrived early for my appointment with the surgeon. I'm glad she did because the waiting room was completely full and everyone who came by me wanted to ask about my guide dog. I always welcome questions but there was a *very* loud printing machine turned on nearby which made it impossible to hear. I don't know about or , but when I'm in a situation where I can't hear *anything,* I panic. I was already on pins and needles after having to negotiate the hospital cafeteria with a staff worker who was more interested in petting Tigger than telling me what was on the lunch menu. LOL! The surgeon was very nice and explained what I can expect during and after surgery. Because many of the questions I would have asked have already appeared on the list, we didn't have a great deal to discuss. When I was asked which ear I'd like to implant, I chose my left so that I could continue wearing a hearing aid (HA) in my right. (Elyse -- my surgeon said that he prefers to implant the poorer ear because it allows a person to continue using a HA in the other ear. It's nice to know that my surgeon and audi are in agreement about CI/HA use!) I was told that my hearing loss is caused by low birth weight, frequent ear infections as a child and the allergies I've had over the years. Antibiotics that were given to me as a child for my ear infections may have also been a contributing factor. He will e-mail the results of my CT scan tomorrow. If all looks well, he and my audi will send the necessary paperwork to insurance. He doesn't anticipate any problems with getting approval which should arrive in 3-4 weeks (as opposed to 6-8 like I thought -- Yay!). I can't remember if I will get a surgery date before or after insurance approval -- I guess I'll find out tomorrow. <smile> Wow, I can't believe it!!! I'm just about ready to cross the finish line!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 , What wonderful news! I'm so glad your CT scan went well and everyone was there to help you with your arrangements. Maybe you will get your surgery done at same time I have mine! I know you're anxiously looking forward to more adventures and I certainly wish you the very best with your implanta. Gayle > Hi everyone, > > As some of you may already know, today I had a CT scan and an appointment > with my surgeon. > > The technician who performed my CT scan was great about initiating a tactile > means of communication so that I would know when I needed to lie completely > still. (I had an interpreter scheduled but since I came in early, they took > me well before my appointment time.) Having to lay my head back in a strange > position while the camera moved back and forth was a little disconcerting. > I've never had a CT scan before, so I was at the complete mercy of the > technician. <grin> > > It was *very* busy at the clinic. My interpreter arrived early for my > appointment with the surgeon. I'm glad she did because the waiting room was > completely full and everyone who came by me wanted to ask about my guide > dog. I always welcome questions but there was a *very* loud printing machine > turned on nearby which made it impossible to hear. I don't know about > or , but when I'm in a situation where I can't hear *anything,* I > panic. I was already on pins and needles after having to negotiate the > hospital cafeteria with a staff worker who was more interested in petting > Tigger than telling me what was on the lunch menu. LOL! > > The surgeon was very nice and explained what I can expect during and after > surgery. Because many of the questions I would have asked have already > appeared on the list, we didn't have a great deal to discuss. > > When I was asked which ear I'd like to implant, I chose my left so that I > could continue wearing a hearing aid (HA) in my right. (Elyse -- my surgeon > said that he prefers to implant the poorer ear because it allows a person to > continue using a HA in the other ear. It's nice to know that my surgeon > and audi are in agreement about CI/HA use!) > > I was told that my hearing loss is caused by low birth weight, frequent ear > infections as a child and the allergies I've had over the years. Antibiotics > that were given to me as a child for my ear infections may have also been a > contributing factor. > > He will e-mail the results of my CT scan tomorrow. If all looks well, he and > my audi will send the necessary paperwork to insurance. He doesn't > anticipate any problems with getting approval which should arrive in 3-4 > weeks (as opposed to 6-8 like I thought -- Yay!). > > I can't remember if I will get a surgery date before or after insurance > approval -- I guess I'll find out tomorrow. <smile> > > Wow, I can't believe it!!! I'm just about ready to cross the finish line!!! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 , I'm glad this part is over for you now and you can now sit back, relax and just wait for insurance approval and an insurance date. I know you did your homeowrk and thooughly investigated all aspects of the implants. Congrats; you're on your way now. Shouldn't be too long. Hugs, Silly Mi In , " Kozlik " <lisak70@t...> wrote: > Hi everyone, > > > I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. These > past few days have been very difficult but now I can finally put all of this > behind me while I await insurance approval. > > Thanks to all of you who have written me on list and privately about my > concerns. As you know, this was not an easy decision to make but now > I can honestly say that I am finally at peace with the choice I've made! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 , I'm so glad you felt comfortable with the 3G. I had a feeling you would. Although this has been a difficult week for you, in the end it sounds as if it turned out exactly the way it would have whether or not there were complications. I can't wait to hear about your surgery date and feel sure that you will not have any difficulty with approval. It's really starting to get exciting for you and I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. Alice > > Hi everyone, > > I just returned from my appointment with my audi and I feel 110% better > thanks to her!! I discussed my reservations/fears regarding the recall and > my questions were all answered in a non-biased manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 I'm glad things are finally moving along for you, , and that huge weight of decision making has been lifted off your shoulders. Hoefully you'll have your surgery date soon. Best wishes! Patti Surgery Day 11/25/02 (What A Day!) Hook Up Day BWP 1/2/03 (A Happy Day!) 3G 1/31/03 (An Even Happier Day!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 , Your audie was right on target regarding the 3g/Sprint. I used the Sprint for a couple years before getting the 3G. The 3G's limitations (compared to the Sprint) are way minimal since the 3G is MUCH easier to live with. I have some vision but was barely able to use that LCD display. *---* *---* *---* *---* *---* The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. -e.e. cummings & Gimlet (Guide Dawggie) Portland, Oregon N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup rlclark77@... http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 , I respect your decision to get BTEs. I have use the BWP as a blind person and so has a friend who is blind, and we find it doable. I use Radio Shack battery charger with light indicator which I cannot see, but I usually get them in right through experience and feel, and if the charger does not warm up I know I need to reposition the batteries and this has not been necessary for quite a long time. I cannot read the LCD on the BWP but I simply push the buttons to determine what level they are at. Today's Appointment > Hi everyone, > > I just returned from my appointment with my audi and I feel 110% better > thanks to her!! I discussed my reservations/fears regarding the recall and > my questions were all answered in a non-biased manner. > > I had a chance to view the various speech devices. Since my audi thought > that perhaps the Med-El devices and Nucleus Sprint BWP may pose > unnecessary difficulties for me, she suggested that I look at the Auria BTE, > its battery charger and the Nucleus 3G BTE processor instead. > > Here are some of my observations: > > AB's battery charger was difficult for me to use. I couldn't insert the > batteries easily. (The batteries need to be aligned in such a way that they > slide onto prongs located on the edge of the charger.) My audi said that > trying to keep track of several rechargeable batteries would be doable but > that I'd have to label each battery to know which one has been charged > and/or used. While that's not really a problem, it is something else I need > to keep track of. (With the Nucleus 3G, I can put in 3 hearing aid batteries > and I'm ready to go.) Aside from the difficulty of inserting batteries into > the charger, the charger itself had a lighted indicator which wouldn't > communicate anything to me. Since I don't have anyone who can > observe this on a regular basis to make sure its in proper working order, > it's not really the best choice for me. > > My audi said that once I am hooked up, I will start using the 3G right away > due to the potential difficulties of using the Sprint. My audi mentioned > that the LCD display on the Sprint conveys alot of the information about > programs, status, etc. and thought the 3G would be easier for me to use. > > I had a chance to try on the 3G (with batteries) and I couldn't believe how > comfortable and lightweight it was! The controls were also easy to identify > tactually. > > My insurance paperwork will be sent out tomorrow. My audi expects to hear > back in 3 weeks at which time I will be given a surgery date. If I had not > already decided on the Nucleus, this would have been perfect timing > because it would allow me to follow the recall and decide closer to my > surgery date whether or not I wanted to proceed with the 90K. If I > experience any problems with insurance (which we don't expect), my audi and > I will think about getting a caseworker. Since she has never worked with > adult candidates who have a caseworker, I thought I'd wait to hear back from > insurance before requesting one. > > I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted off my shoulders. These > past few days have been very difficult but now I can finally put all of this > behind me while I await insurance approval. > > Thanks to all of you who have written me on list and privately about my > concerns. As you know, this was not an easy decision to make but now > I can honestly say that I am finally at peace with the choice I've made! > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2004 Report Share Posted September 29, 2004 Hi , Yep, that's what my audi pointed out (i.e. the difficulty of using the LCD display even if I could have someone else look at it for me.) She also asked if I knew any other deafblind people who were using any 3 of the implant devices. I told her I knew that you, , Jeff (and another person on a different list) were using the Nucleus while another DB person I know is using the Auria BTE quite successfully. Given what I saw today, the 3G was the best choice for me -- although if it weren't for the AB battery charger, the Auria BTE would have also worked well. In terms of their shape and controls, the 3G and the Auria felt similar to each other. Both of them were extremely lightweight (lighter in fact, than my own BTEs). I don't know why I thought the Auria or 3G would be harder to use than they actually were (both were very simple) but hey, you learn something new every day! <grin> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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