A Thanksgiving to Remember :)

[Guest guest]

I had a *wonderful* Thanksgiving with my family! It was exciting being able

to hear everything that was taking place around me for the first time in

many years! My sister couldn't get over how well (and how much) I was

hearing and kept commenting on how amazing it was. She told me how happy my

mother would be if she could have observed all of this in person. <smile>

While we at a delicious meal, I could hear the clinking of silverware and

glasses. I could hear and participate in the conversations that were taking

place around me.

This was my first holiday spent with my family since getting my CI. At one

point I became so pleasantly overwhelmed by what I could hear that I left

the room in tears. My sister came after to me to ask if anything was wrong.

" Nothing. " I said. " Nothing at all! "

Although last year was difficult because of my mother's terminal cancer and

her loss a week before Christmas, 2005 has been such a wonderful year filled

with so many blessings. I have so much to be thankful for -- especially the

CI pioneers, surgeons and audis who make the gift of hearing possible.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Nan,

I've been wondering how you've been. It's good to see you back on the list!

I'm glad you had a nice Thanksgiving! <smile>

Both of your CI moments put a smile on my face. I know exactly how you feel

about being able to hear your brother in law's voice. For the first time in

20 years I could hear and understand my sister who talks *very* soft (as in

barely above a whisper!).

I haven't had the chance to fly since getting my CI, but I hope to at some

point. (Hopefully this will involve taking a nice vacation over Christmas

break. LOL!) I bet you feel so much safer being able to hear safety

announcements before take-off. I've flown several times before my CI and was

terrified even when this information was communicated to me in tactile sign.

As for the pilot's voice, I probably would have laughed too. When I was a

child I used to laugh at amusing sounds because I couldn't see who or what

created them. Now that I have my CI, I still do -- although I'm a little

more discreet when doing so. LOL!

Since you've had your CI since 1988, do you see your audi for yearly

mappings? I know the protocol for people who have been implanted for 2, 4, 6

years, but don't know if it's the same for those who have had their CIs for

10 years or more. -- you've had your CI for 21 years. (WOW!) What

is your experience with annual mappings?

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years