Cochlear Implant-Part II

Here's an update about my cochlear implant. Kirk & I went to St. Vincent's Hospital on 3rd & Alvarado in LA on Monday 6/29. He fasted with me, prayed and read in the waiting room. My surgery finally began at 3:30pm. My surgeon was assisting a brain surgeon, and so was late starting mine. He said my surgery was a "textbook" surgery. He made a tiny incision into the cochlea, in the inner ear, and threaded the electrode wire into it. Then he placed the battery, magnet, & computer chip (about the size of a credit card) under my skin, and sewed me back up. He even fired up the implant and says it's working.

Here are a few photos.

(Unfortunately I do not have Photo Shop on my computer, so I can't turn these pictures. You'll have to turn your head, instead. )

Here I am in my paper gown. It was actually quite warm with the booties for my feet, too.

Kirk snapped this as I was recovering from surgery, cute, huh?
My left ear was the one I had surgery on, but the doctor wrapped a turban around my head to hold the bandages on. It was SO tight; it felt like my head was in a vise! Kirk clipped it in a few places the next morning to relieve some of the pressure.

Here I am getting ready to leave the hospital at 9:30 pm Monday.

Here is the banner that Heather made to welcome me home from the hospital.

My Mom came & babysat me all day Tuesday. She administered meds, made lunch & dinner and gave me lots of TLC. She was the "hands & feet of Jesus" for me. :-)

Here I am with my Mohawk. All I need is a few piercings, I'll fit right in with the Punk crowd.

Today (Wed) Mary Henn, my friend & neighbor, came over & helped Heather wash my hair.

I can't get the stitches wet at all. So they had to be careful.
I'm mostly sleeping and reading a little. Kirk brought the teak lounge chair in from the yard so I can be in an upright position that's comfortable. I go back to my doctor for a follow-up appt. on July 7. Then I have to wait unitl July 20 & 21 for my 4-hour back-to-back sound processor hook-up appts. Then the work begins! I will need to work hard at reprogramming my brain to get used to the new "digital"sounds.
I have received many phone calls, emails & even cards! I feel loved & cared for. It is a blessing to be at the receiving end of the body of Christ!