Big day tomorrow!

I am sitting here in our hotel room and I can't sleep!  I am so excited about tomorrow!  My activation appointment is at 8am (Central Time).  

We decided to bring Allan, Gabrielle & Luke. We wanted our children with us so they can experience their mommy hearing new sounds for the first time.  :)  Fred will be taking video of the activation.  I don't really know what to expect.  I've heard that the experience is different for everyone.  It might be wonderful, or it might be awful at first.  My brain will need time to adjust to the new sounds.  It could happen the first week, or it could happen in a month or 6 months from now. The doctor said that it is a big advantage that I have worn hearing aids for a long time.  So it won't be a total shock for my brain.  It is harder for someone who has never heard anything before to adjust to the cochlear implant (but it's possible- it just takes longer).  

You are probably wondering what the difference is between the hearing aid and cochlear implant.  Hearing aids amplify sounds that enter the ear.  Cochlear implants transform sound into electrical energy which stimulate the hair cells in the inner ear.  It is both internal and external.  I had the internal put in 3 weeks ago.  Dr. Beatty cut a 3 inch incision behind my ear and drilled a tiny hole through my skull to put a thin electrode into my cochlea in the inner ear. The electrode is what livens up the hair cells.  This electrode is attached to the cochlear implant just inside my skin.  

So tomorrow I will get the external processor.  It looks like a hearing aid which will hang behind my ear, but without the ear mold.  This is where sound will enter.  Sound will then travel through a small wire (called a transmitting coil) that has a magnet on the other end.  This magnet will connect to the  internal device through my skin.  So the magnet will hold the device to my head, and I will be able to take it off whenever I want to.  It will all be covered up by my hair.

I will have a lot to learn tomorrow.  Not only will I get activated, I will need to learn how to use the processor.  It comes with a remote with different programs on it.  The different programs are for cutting out background noise, TV,  phone, music, and etc.  The remote looks like an Ipod.  I will have to be careful not to leave it out or my kids or Fred will probably change the programs to mess with me!  :) 

I appreciate all your kind replies to my blog.  You all have touched me with your words of encouragement and excitement for my new journey!  I will let you know how it goes tomorrow!!!