On October 14th, I am scheduled to have my third cochlear implant surgery. The first one was back in April of this year, and although I have "dropped" a few electrons, the surgery was successful, and my left side gets all the noise that's fit to hear since it's activation in May.
In July of this year, my dream to become bilateral got one step closer, as I was implanted in surgery on the 23rd of the month. Thirty days latter the activation stalled out.
No sound was heard on the lonely deaf right side. The left cochlear implant was still flying solo, much to my chagrin. And the disappointment's of the Cochlear Clinic folks. They did not give up.
We tried different programs and different mapping strategies. We even tried a more powerful "waist pack" instead of the "behind the ear" processor, to see if we could achieve sound.
Nada! Zippo!
X-ray was done and the position of the implanted device looked fine. No reason for failure.
I dutifully wore the "behind the ear" and T mic external gadgets daily. As frustrating as it was, I was convinced that one day I would. on my right side, hear sound. Glorious sound.
It was not to be.
So last Friday I finally got a booking with a CT machine to have a little more scientific peak at what the problem might be with my newest, but most troublesome, cochlear implant
The CT was viewed on Monday by the Cochlear Implant team that does magic at my hospital. What they saw was not good.
Today I met with the surgeon and many of the clinic professionals. My CT scan was up on the LCD screen in all it's 114% magnification glory. Damned if I could understand it.
The flight surgeon (Dr. Ned) explained to me right out of the gate.
"The electrodes implanted back in July are all "squished"!
They are all bunched together!
No sound has now a reason, and a very good reason not to cooperate.
We will go back in and fix the problem.
On October 14th, the good and skilled Dr. Ned, will cut and paste once again! He will remove the squished implanted electrodes, that in their right life, should transmit sound to my nerves that will be read by my brain as beautiful conversation!
My wonderful concerto will have a second go at being in stereo!
My third cochlear implant operation in 6 months.
The "drill" is familiar.
Pun intended.
Never give up!
Warmest,
David
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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14 comments:
Ack! Drills!! But oh, such good news in that the doc now knows what the problem is, and it is FIXABLE!! Yippee!!
This is good news, David. :)
It's good to know there was a reason why it wasn't working. Good luck with #3.
so lemmie make sure I understand... they are going to take the squished electrodes out then 6 months later put more in?
It is good that you now know why they were not working and that there is a fix!
How is your wife doing? her pain level better?
continued thoughts and prayers Laura
Wonderful news David.
Well you know the old saying of "Three times a charm."
Hopefully your *three times* in surgery will be as charmed as my (http://wwwbearnaked.blogspot.com/2008/09/serious-topic-it-all-depends.html) three times in surgery.
Thanks for your comment today on my blog, but I realized after posting it, that all my female friends and family now know what they are going to receive at Christmas.
Gentle bear hugs to Janet.
How is she feeling?
Bear((( )))
Good luck!
Wow, you are the second person I know that will be implanted a third time. . .hopefully it will be better this time around! I admire your strength and perseverance and am glad the doctors are willing to find a solution for you.
I am absolutely THRILLED TO BITS that they found out what the problem was and can fix it for you!! Bummer that you have to endure another operation, but it's for a darn good reason. BILATERA.... BRING IT ON!!!!
I am so relieved that they got to the bottom of your problem! Squished electrodes are not a good thing! I would think that would definitely be a hindrance to clear hearing!
I'm so relieved that you get another chance....but three surgeries in six months...that has to be some sort of record!
Maybe third times is a charm. I remembered that you said that they had a hard time with the last implant because they were pushing it in. Hopefully they will fix it right the next time. Keep up your good spirit.
Cool blog. I like the title and the concept.
David,
I'm praying for ya and sending good thoughts your way. I'm so glad they have a handle on the problem.
Wow, you've been through a lot! Hope the next one is the last one for you and a smoother road ahead.
I'm catching up here... I am just so thankful that they found out that (loving this medical terminology) the squished electrodes are issue. Your courageousness is so inspiring and Tuesday at 7:00am is not far off. This is familiar territory and this little bump in the road is going to get smoothed out (take that literally :)
David,
Here's hoping that this operation will fix the problem and everything will work out good and right. My thoughts are always with you.
Iris
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