Angel1989

I received a call today, my CI surgery was approved by my insurance. They scheduled surgery in 12 days!!May 2nd is the big day!! I think I am a little bit in shock that it is happening so fast. Next week will be busy with all the preop appointments. It really set in when they called and asked me which ear I wanted to have done. Both ears have no hearing remaining, so I chose the side I do not sleep on. I pray I am making the right decision. I am scared to be in a hospital again, after my long illness last year but have to keep the faith!!!!

Deafness

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rockin'robin

Sending many prayers your way!...Hoping the surgery will be a complete success for you.....

Angel1989

Thanks RR that means a lot to me. Please keep sending those prayers!!!

cdmeggers

good luck, and hope everything goes well! 12 days is going to go by pretty fast!

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Angel1989

12 days might be a little too fast, less time to freak tho!!!thanks for all the well wishes and prayers I can use all and any support you have.

cdmeggers

I say the less time to freak out the better, but that's just me.

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Angel1989

I agree with you 100%. Its just getting all the pre-op stuff done in a week, thats the stressful part. EKG, X-Rays and blood work. Oh and also a release from my hospital Neurologist saying I have fully recovered from my illness and it is safe to proceed with the surgery.

cdmeggers

It's always interesting how different centers require different pre-op testing. I only just had blood work done basically, talked of my medical history and that was it.

But I'm sure you'll fly through all those pre-op tests and be on your way.

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Angel1989

There being extra cautious since I was so ill last year, I was in the hospital and ICU for over a month. Lost all my hearing and had severe brain swelling. So it was a pretty close call and I really don't mind them taking extra steps to keep me safe.

green427

Congrats! Just keep your expectations reasonable, don't let anyone give you false hope that you will get your hearing back. That was my mistake....letting all the medical staff convince me that I will be 'normal' once again.

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drphil

Well Angel- good news indeed the big moment has been approved! May the second is not far away. I recall all my tests etc prior to the operation were "straight forward". Seems I benefited from all my swimming. ( I could resume 2 weeks after the operation- and did!)
Much success on the upcoming operation. I went home the next day after the operation. Not much pain at all.
The next big moment -activation. In my case 4 weeks-head healed.

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set2

Angle,

Good Luck with your surgery! Make sure you sleep with you head elevated or sleep in a recliner for the first few days. After what you went through last year I hope this is a piece of cake. The most important thing is to be patient. It will take time for your brain to adjust to a new kind of hearing but hang in there.

cdmeggers

oh yes, the recliner really comes in handy after CI surgery. I slept in 1 for nearly 2 weeks!

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CSign

Congratulations and good luck! It will be a process, but you'll get through it. Sending positive thoughts your way for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Angel1989

Thanks everyone for your nice thoughts. We bought a nice recliner a few weeks ago so I will definitely take that advice to sleeo in it.
My one big concern is they do this surgery only as out patient. Seems a bit much for that long of a surgery, then wake up and go directly home. Can anyone tell me what the average surgery length is? I have read 4 to 6 hours, is that just for one implant? I am literally making myself sick thinking about returning to the hospital. I appreciate all your encouraging words, they are all needed very badly.

green427

My first surgery lasted longer than the initial 2 hours because my doctor had students, and they were using my surgery as a lecture. I woke up in pain, not because of the surgery, but the anesthesia gave me a bad headache. Once that wore off, had very little pain.

Second surgery lasted 1.5 hours, as soon as the anesthesia wore off, they kicked me out of the hospital. Went in at 8AM and was home by 1:30PM. Had an earache that lasted a couple days, but very little pain on the incision.

Cochlear has made progress over the years to make surgery less invasive and faster.

The worst part of the whole process, for me, was the vertigo that I got the day of the surgeries. Since the doctor is poking a hole in your cochlea and draining the fluid, I was be off balance until the next day (again everyone takes different times to heal).

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Angel1989

Like I said in other posts I lost all my hearing over night last May due to a serious illness. I have read lots if posts about tinnitus, musical ear etc. What I experience 24/7 is a brutally loud HUMMMMMMMM and what feels as some ear pressure. ENT and surgeon has no explanation since my hearing loss is what they all call "unique". What if CI makes it worse? Anyone have anything similar to this where CI surgery has helped?

cdmeggers

with my surgeon, he typically can do the surgery within 1, 1 and 1/2 hours. Mine took a bit longer than 2 cause he ran into some ossification in my left ear that he had to drill through. But generally about 2-3 hours at most for 1 implant, depending on the surgeon's skills.

I was in the hospital for about 11 hours. went in at about 7 in the morning (check in wasnt until 8:15 but we got up and going early, and surgery was at 10:15). Didn't leave until about 6 in the evening. I spent a few hours in recovery, about an hour or 2 post recovery, then I was released. Didn't experience balance or dizzy problems, which I was definitely expecting.

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Tikra

congrats good luck and hope it success *thumb up* go girl

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Angel1989

Tomorrow I start the pre-op. I have to fast tonight, which of course is making me more hungry. :-) Then in the morning I will have all the requested lab work done. Tomorrow afternoon I need to drive about 45 minutes to my doctor for the EKG. I am really getting nervous now. Marley (my little dog) knows something is going on. Strange but she has not left my side since the CI surgery was scheduled last Friday. I wish I could take her with me since she is so good at calming me down!! :-)

etalton

I wish you all the luck in the world. After having gone through two CI surgeries myself, I can understand the emotions you feel. Keep good thoughts, but keep them realistic. I was told to expect the worst but hope for the best. For me, that was the surgery would fail being the worst, but I hoped to hear again..and I did hear, even with a few stumbling blocks.
Don't forget to get your Meningitis shot before the surgery..my second surgery was postponed by my insurance company because they could not find the proof that I already had the shot.

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Left Ear Implanted 11-07-08 (Nucleus Freedom)
Activation 12-18-08

Right Ear Implanted 3-3-2010(N5)
Activation 3-11-10


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Angel1989

I read about the Meningitis shot, and thank you for suggesting this. My surgeon has not requested it. I will have my husband call in the a.m. Since they are being overly cautious, I am surprised they missed this. All of the suggestions and support have provided me so much comfort. You all are amazing. THANK YOU!!!!!

GrayEagle

Wirelessly posted

YAY! Wishing you the best!

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Angel1989

I have been fasting since last nught for my pre-op blood work. In the middke of the night I had heartburn and without thinking I ate a Tums. That will be crazy if I messed it up. Will have to wait and see. Busy day and lots of driving.

stueyyy

Hope all goes well for you and you will be able to hear again

Angel1989

Etalton thanks for your advice about the Meningitis shot. After many emails back and forth it was decided YES I needed one. I even had a friend call Cochlear customer service. So I had the Menigitis, Pneumonia, blood work, EKG, and a basic physical. It looks like I am all set for next Wednesday. Now if I can only calm my nerves......

Angel1989

I have had all my pre-op and everything looks great. Why am I sitting here doubting my decision? I have 5 days until surgery and I am making myself sick with worry. If I knew there was a chance of the one CI helping with this loud noise I have, I would feel much better. Anyone???? All informatiin good or bad news will be SO appreciated.

GrendelQ

If it helps any, these blogs all have some really great descriptions of the ups and downs of the surgery and the activation. Might help to walk through such stories of adults going through the process, as it's so different from the toddler experience:

Quite a few of these are from past AD members, although most of the adult CI users who were here in years past have left ...
CHRONICLES OF A BIONIC WOMAN
JOURNEY TO SOUND:
http://www.sarasera.com/
Katie-Louise's Cochlear Implant Blog
I look so I can hear….
Five String Guitar: Of Paper And Pens
Sam's Hearing Life
Welcome to: im terrible blogger
Michael Chorost
Josh Swiller » Still Listening: Musings about Zen, Hearing, and Life

Becoming Deaf in Norway 2007 (this has some CI effect on tinnitus info you might be interested in)

There are many more really good blogs, and some have shifted to Facebook, but had these easily at hand.

Just saw this one today: Clarity Now: My Cochlear Implant Journey: The Approaching Activation

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etalton

I am so glad that things are going well. The shot is a must, so not sure why the snafu on that. Make sure you get documentation of the shot...just in case you get a second implant. The shot is good for five years...

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E.T.



Left Ear Implanted 11-07-08 (Nucleus Freedom)
Activation 12-18-08

Right Ear Implanted 3-3-2010(N5)
Activation 3-11-10


http://et-mybionicjourney.blogspot.com/

coolgirlspyer90

Wow that's fast! I wished i got implanted faster like you! I had to wait for a few months into the school year to get my surgery done in my junior year of high school. I missed a week of school plus a couple half-days of school where i had to go get a tune up and get checked my the CI surgeon... I wished i got this done in the summer before school started! But sending you lots of prayers!