Bilateral Surtery Update

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I apologize for keeping all of you in suspense about the details of my

surgery.

Thursday and Friday were tough for me. On Thursday my entire body felt as if

it had been run over by a truck. Since I didn't get any sleep for the past

two days, I spent the day in bed on Friday. Today (actually, this evening)

was the first time I felt well enough to be on the computer.

Although I felt *great* while in the hospital, I felt much worse after

coming home. I was prescribed Vicodin which caused mild nausea and

dizziness. I also had recurrent headaches (not migraines thankfully!) on the

right side of my head.

I've also been battling tinnitus in my right ear. Fortunately, the tinnitus

I'm experiencing is nowhere near as intense as it was after my first

surgery! It also doesn't alternate between 3 different sounds. What I hear

now equates to a motor revving up repeatedly over and over. The volume level

of the tinnitus has quieted down considerably, so it is no longer

problematic for me -- even at night after I remove my CI.

Now for the details concerning my hospital stay...

My sister and I arrived at the hospital by 6:30 a.m. where we were met by a

nurse attendant who helped us complete paperwork. Once that was done, I was

taken to an area where I was asked to change into a gown. It was *great*

being able to hold a conversation with the nurse and my sister and at times,

I couldn't believe how well I was communicating! I thought back to my first

surgery and how I needed a tactile interpreter.This time, I could hear and

understand everything that was said to me! <smile>

While I waited to be taken to the recovery/prep area, the nurse and I talked

about how well my recovery for the first surgery went. It was at this time

that she mentioned the different types of anethesia (something I didn't

know) and how different types are given to people based on their medical

conditions/history. For example, heart patients are given a different type

of anethesia than cancer patients. I explained to the nurse that my recovery

went quite well and that the only problems I had from the anethesia I was

given was feeling excessively tired. Given the symptoms some people

experience, I had nothing to complain about!

After a few more minutes, I hugged and said goodbye to my sister and was

wheeled into the recovery/prep area. It was at this time that I heard a

nurse ask another person if my tactile interpreter would be arriving. Then I

thought I heard someone say that one had not been requested. I didn't think

anything of this since I was already engaged in a conversation with the

nurse who took me to the recovery/prep area.

Once I arrived, I was met by the anethesiologist and attending physician who

asked me various questions.Once all of their questions were answered, I

reminded each person that I would like to have my 3G on before I awake in

recovery. I demonstrated how to place the 3G and magnet as well as showing

them where the dial should be set. The attending physician thanked me for

doing this and said that doctors and nurses have quite a few patients who

wear hearing aids, but oftentimes don't know how they should be inserted and

programmed because of the various controls and styles. A few seconds later,

I met another physician and repeated my request to have my 3G on before I

awoke in recovery. He told me this wouldn't be possible due to the dressing

and bandage that would be used, but was corrected by my surgeon who told him

this would not be a problem.

A few minutes later I was given an I.V. with an anesthetic to help put me to

sleep before being wheeled to OR. The nurse had difficulty inserting the

needle because of my small veins. She spent quite a bit of time trying to

insert it. Once she did, I felt a burning sensation which was uncomfortable

but not painful.

By the time I was wheeled to the OR, I was still awake. During my first

surgery I was asleep within seconds after being given the anethetic. Not

this time -- probably due to the placement of the I.V. needle.

I then felt two people gently push my arms and legs towards a flat table

which I assumed to be the operating table. I didn't have my 3G on, so I

couldn't hear any words that may have been spoken. Once I was guided onto

the table, a mask was placed over my face and within 3 seconds, I was

asleep.

The next thing I remember was waking up in recovery. Just before I fully

awoke, someone placed my finger on the Braille display of my Tellatouch and

typed a message indicating that they would be turning my hearing aid (what

they called my speech processor) on. By the time I tried to make sense of

what had been typed, someone was already turning on my 3G. The first words I

heard were those of my surgeon telling me that everything went very, very

well. I was relieved! When he asked me how I felt, I paused for a moment

before realizing that I didn't have a headache, noticeable neck pain or

dizziness. I really felt good compared to when I awoke for my first surgery!

I was then wheeled to my room. Along the way, I remember faintly hearing

voices, but don't know what was said. It was like being in a strange time

warp. LOL!!I could hear so much going on around me, but couldn't make any

sense out of it.

After I was transferred to my hospital bed I remember thinking how amazingly

alert I felt. After my first CI surgery, I was excessively tired and felt

quite groggy -- even for days. This time around, I could understand what was

happening around me, but I don't know if that was because of a difference in

the anethesia they gave me or the fact that I could actually hear. Perhaps

it was a combination of both?

About an hours after I arrived in my room I was given chicken broth and

jello to see how well/if I could hold down liquids. I vaguely remember the

nurse asking me if I wanted to eat sooner, but don't recall what my response

was. The broth and jello tasted delicious!

I fell asleep for a couple of hours, but was repeatedly awakened by the

sounds of medicine/food trays, doors opening/closing, papers being shuffled

and charts being placed in a rack. I concluded that I must have been placed

near the nurse's station and/or fire exit doors because I was constantly

hearing once sound after another. For awhile, I took great delight in these

sounds. I never realized how " noisy " /busy hospitals are! I have only been in

the hospital once during my adult life and that was back in 1995 after I

lost my hearing. Prior to that, I had three eye surgeries, but was too young

to understand what it was like to be in the hospital.As I said, I was

excited at being able to hear so much around me, but after awhile I became

annoyed because just when I would fall asleep, along would come a

medicine/food try being wheeled down the hall or a door being

opening/closed. I also heard nurses knocking on the doors of various rooms

and saying hello. This of course, made me open my eyes and listen to make

sure they weren't trying to get my attention.

All of my nurses touched my hand gently before initiating communication, so

this was not an issue. Fortunately I was able to wear my 3G. If not, I have

no way (besides using my Tellatouch) of communicating with hospital staff. I

don't know why my tactile interpreter didn't arrive, but I thought I

remember hearing my surgeon tell someone else that they'd wanted me to

become used to relying on my implant. I had no problem with this (since I

had been wearing a HA in my nonimplanted ear since the surgery date), but if

something had happened to my processor, I would have had no means of

communication besides my Tellatouch. Earlier in the morning my sister said I

probably wouldn't need my Tellatouch and that I should leave it behind.

politely but firmly objected and explained that I would bring it with me the

second time just like I did the first. I received no argument. LOL!

Thank goodness for the fact that I would wear my 3G! If I would have had to

spend 24 hours in complete silence,I honestly don't know how I would have

coped. Being unable to see or hear is one thing, but when you can't do both,

it can literally feel like a prison.

I received *wonderful* care and treatment from the hospital staff and can't

say enough about how nice it was to work with them. My hospital stay was a

pleasurable one. Instead of sleeping and being unable to hear much of

anything (with my HA in my nonimplanted ear) after my surgery, it was

comforting and relaxing being able to hear what was taking place around me.

I also enjoyed watching TV and was pleasantly surprised that I only needed

the volume control to be at the first setting compared to last time when it

was turned up all the way -- and still not loud enough.

The next morning, my surgeon awakened me and told me I would be released

after breakfast. I couldn't wait!My back, shoulders, leg and upper arms were

sore from having the bed positioned in such a way to keep my head elevated.

I called my sister on the phone to ask when she would be picking me up.

After I got off the phone, I smiled at the fact that I no longer needed

someone to make a phone call for me. The only exception during my stay was

when I forgot to dial 9 for an outside line and reached a local business

instead.From what I was told, I was given Morphine and Percocet which

affected my memory and comprehension at times In fact, a few minutes before

I was release, my nurse informed me that I could remove my plastic ear cup

(I didn't have a bandage)two days following surgery.Not remembering that it

was Thursday and not Wednesday I said, " The doctor said I could remove it

tomorrow. " That's when the nurse reminded me that it was Thursday and not

Wednesday. LOL!

Overall, my post surgery experience has been positive. On Thursday my entire

body felt as it it had been run over by a truck. I had difficulty walking as

a result and had to keep myself steady using furniture to avoid

falling.Since I didn't get much sleep on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, I

spent Friday in bed. Off and on throughout the whole day I alternated

between feeling energetic to feeling chilly and nauseated (mildly).

I awoke this morning feeling just about 100%. I even went out for a short

walk around my apartment complex. The cold air felt good -- especially after

being indoors for days!

My sister and her boyfriend have been stopping by to help with cooking,

cleaning, etc. They watched Tigger (my guide dog) for the past few days and

brought her back home this afternoon.My niece had a great time watching

Tigger too and was sad to see her go. However, I was very excited to see my

baby again! When she came through the door, I was in somewhat of a stupor

(LOL!), but she promptly greeted me with plenty of kisses!

As I type this, I can say that I feel *much* better than I have in days! I'm

even able to lay on my newly implanted ear without any pain -- although I've

elected not to do this for fear of irritating the incision.

Needless to say, I'm eagerly awaiting activation! Now...how on earth do I

keep myself busy during the next four weeks? LOL!

Thanks again to all of you for your many posts wishing me well!! I'm doing

GREAT and am even in the mood to cook! (Don't tell though. I'm not in

the mood to cook a steak dinner -- yet.) LOL!

Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with 3G

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

Right ear - Nucleus Freedom

Implanted: 2/1/06 Activation date: 3/1/06

Deafblind/Postlingual

Severe-profound hearing loss since 1995