The Long Process of Getting a Cochlear Implant

In September, '08 I started the process of finding out if I am a cochlear implant candidate. I began with tests from a local audiologist and then waited for 2 months for a correct referral
(the first one was to an eye clinic!).
On January 19, Mina Taylor, Abigail, Luanne and I went on an outing to Los Angeles. Here I am standing next to a 30" ear model inside the House Ear Clinic. I met my doctor and began the preliminary tests and paperwork. Because I have an HMO for insurance, there are multiple "hoops to jump through."
After the appointment ( Luanne went in with me :-)) we went to Olvera Street for a yummy Mexican food lunch. This lady is making our tortillas by hand. Mina & Luanne each bought a dozen tamales to take home.

Here we are having our delicious lunch.

We went around for a tour and stopped at the Bradley Building. It was built in the late 1800's and has beautiful architecture.

Today, February 23, Luanne and I went again. This time I went through a 90 minute series of hearing tests. I HATE those!!! I always cry, but this time I ended up sobbing my way through them. :-( It's so incredibly frustrating to know I'm not hearing the words I'm supposed to repeat. But the good news is: my hearing is so lousy,
I am now a cochlear implant candidate!
Kirk & I will go back in 2 days for a 2-hour consultation about the surgery and talk to the doctor again. I'm hoping to have the "skull base surgery" in June after school gets out. I'll keep you posted.

Valentine's Day

We've gotten a beautiful snowfall this week that has blanketed the mountains we see from our family room & kitchen. It's perfect for President's Weekend skiing!

Heather received a dozen pink roses from Jeff (Himes) before they spent the day together at Knott's Berry Farm.

Here are Bob & Esther Flores by "their " boat.

Kirk & I went out to breakfast with Esther & Bob Flores to "Schooner or Later" in Los Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. It was a beautiful morning! We got a table in the sun and ordered delicious omelettes. We then walked around and looked at yachts--fun. Then we came home and Kirk became re-plumbing Heather's shower. :-( The part that came is the wrong one, so Kirk won't be able to finish the job until Monday night. He rigged up valves in the attic that allow him to turn off only the water in her bathroom, and not the entire house. :-)

Grandpas's late 85th Birthday party

Daddy and his three girls!