I was told yesterday by a speech therapist that I hear myself speak via bone conduction, which is a different phenomenon than what I need to hear others' speak. That explains that, I think.
Also, the crackling is back. My implanted ear has been crackling on and off for a day or so, just as it did the day after surgery. There's no pain with this, just the sound. It must be part of the healing process.
And so the year 2011 is about to end. The big question is, What kind of hearing will 2012 bring? Stay tuned....
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
How do I hear that?
I was lying in bed last night waiting for sleep to find me, my deaf, implanted ear up in the air and my damaged ear sunk into the pillow, when I realized I was hearing something that sounded like rain outside or white noise. I got up and wandered around to see what I could be hearing: it was our room humidifier. How did I hear that?
It reminds me of a visit to my audiologist about a year ago, when I was living with two very powerful hearing aids and two very damaged ears (less than 5% hearing in either ear). I had gone to a Philadelphia Orchestra concert a few days earlier that had been conducted by our incoming conductor, Yannick Nezet-Seguin. He had pulled such a wonderful performance out of our group, with subtleties and nuances, variations in tone and crescendo, and feelings of soul, the likes of which I had never heard the orchestra perform that I could not help but rave about it. My audiologist looked at me with amazement in his eyes and said, "How could you hear that?" I don't know, but I did. 'Tiz a puzzlement, hmm?
It reminds me of a visit to my audiologist about a year ago, when I was living with two very powerful hearing aids and two very damaged ears (less than 5% hearing in either ear). I had gone to a Philadelphia Orchestra concert a few days earlier that had been conducted by our incoming conductor, Yannick Nezet-Seguin. He had pulled such a wonderful performance out of our group, with subtleties and nuances, variations in tone and crescendo, and feelings of soul, the likes of which I had never heard the orchestra perform that I could not help but rave about it. My audiologist looked at me with amazement in his eyes and said, "How could you hear that?" I don't know, but I did. 'Tiz a puzzlement, hmm?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Pain and Tylenol
The sporadic pain still bothers me sometimes, throbbing slowly for a while. If I then take Tylenol, it generally disappears within 20 minutes or so. Then again, if I don't have the Tylenol nearby and I postpone taking it for a while, the pain also usually disappears within 20 minutes or so. Not always, but usually. So what does that suggest? I'm not sure, especially since it's throbbing right now and I took Tylenol less than 2 hours ago.
Someone emailed me yesterday to tell me that her surgeon had told her not to use an electric toothbrush after CI surgery. I asked my surgeon and his nurse said it was fine to use one. So does that clear up that issue?
I'm trying to pay attention to what I hear, and don't, these days. Being deaf in one ear and almost deaf in the other certainly does make outside sounds seem farther away and softer. I feel as if people are whispering instead of talking around me. Of course, still having some of that cold doesn't help. But there is not a huge difference in what I can and can't hear. I still can't hear much, but I couldn't before the surgery either.
Fifteen days until activation. I hope there will be a big difference then.
Someone emailed me yesterday to tell me that her surgeon had told her not to use an electric toothbrush after CI surgery. I asked my surgeon and his nurse said it was fine to use one. So does that clear up that issue?
I'm trying to pay attention to what I hear, and don't, these days. Being deaf in one ear and almost deaf in the other certainly does make outside sounds seem farther away and softer. I feel as if people are whispering instead of talking around me. Of course, still having some of that cold doesn't help. But there is not a huge difference in what I can and can't hear. I still can't hear much, but I couldn't before the surgery either.
Fifteen days until activation. I hope there will be a big difference then.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
My stitches are gone!
I just returned from HUP, where my surgeon's nurse removed my stitches. Does it feel different? A little bit freer, I think.
She also answered a bunch of questions for me. Yes, the wound looks fine, a little tender in one spot but no infection, the little bit of scabbing is okay. Yes, I can now wash, cut or color my hair, being careful not to let water get into the ear. I should use a cotton ball with a bit of Vaseline on the end of it to keep the ear canal dry. No, I still cannot blow my nose or sneeze (except with my mouth wide open) for another week, preferably two. Yes, still having intermittent pain is normal. It will probably continue, though with less frequency, for a few more weeks. Yes, I need an appointment with the surgeon. When? For about three months from the date of surgery, unless I become aware of a problem. (I made that.) And, yes, I can play tennis again about a month after the surgery.
So I'm clearly on the mend.
I want to revisit the dental floss issue, however. Contrary to my expectation the day I posted about that, I am still not comfortable using the one-handed gizmos because of the tension needed to remove the floss. I do much better with a proxy brush and my electric tooth brush and poker.
She also answered a bunch of questions for me. Yes, the wound looks fine, a little tender in one spot but no infection, the little bit of scabbing is okay. Yes, I can now wash, cut or color my hair, being careful not to let water get into the ear. I should use a cotton ball with a bit of Vaseline on the end of it to keep the ear canal dry. No, I still cannot blow my nose or sneeze (except with my mouth wide open) for another week, preferably two. Yes, still having intermittent pain is normal. It will probably continue, though with less frequency, for a few more weeks. Yes, I need an appointment with the surgeon. When? For about three months from the date of surgery, unless I become aware of a problem. (I made that.) And, yes, I can play tennis again about a month after the surgery.
So I'm clearly on the mend.
I want to revisit the dental floss issue, however. Contrary to my expectation the day I posted about that, I am still not comfortable using the one-handed gizmos because of the tension needed to remove the floss. I do much better with a proxy brush and my electric tooth brush and poker.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Ready to drive?
I'm still not ready to drive, although it has been more than four days since I took anything stronger than Tylenol. How do I know?
Well, this morning I made oatmeal for us. When I opened the microwave, I was dumbfounded to see it slithering down the side of the Corning Ware bowl to join the glob of goop lying on the glass plate leaning against the bottom of the bowl. I tried to figure out what had happened while we cleaned up the mess. Then it dawned on me: I had added instant hot water to the dry oatmeal, rather than cold, before I placed the bowl in the microwave! Then, to save what was left in the bowl, I next added cold water to make it thinner.
I think I'd better stay in the passenger seat for at least another few days.
Well, this morning I made oatmeal for us. When I opened the microwave, I was dumbfounded to see it slithering down the side of the Corning Ware bowl to join the glob of goop lying on the glass plate leaning against the bottom of the bowl. I tried to figure out what had happened while we cleaned up the mess. Then it dawned on me: I had added instant hot water to the dry oatmeal, rather than cold, before I placed the bowl in the microwave! Then, to save what was left in the bowl, I next added cold water to make it thinner.
I think I'd better stay in the passenger seat for at least another few days.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Old attitudes and new tricks
Yesterday I woke up with renewed energy and found myself eager to finish whatever I started, tidy up after myself, and try to look decent--after not caring one iota about those things since Monday. Part of my "crazy clean" personality had resurfaced. Of course, it didn't last, but it made an impression on me as a major change of pace. I am indeed on the mend.
Our Colorado-based daughter cum nurse, cook, laundress, receptionist, maid, shopper, pastry chef, and love came to spend the week with us last Sunday, just before the surgery. What a gift that was! She kept us company, kept the house running, and double-checked to be sure that we followed doctor's orders. We cannot thank her enough! But now she is on her way back home and we are on our own.
Yesterday my brother told me I sounded "quite normal" on the phone and today a friend asked me if I hear myself when I speak, and I realized that I have never questioned either of those things. It never occurred to me that I would not sound normal when I talk and it never occurred to me that I do indeed hear myself speak. Both of these were eye-opening questions to ponder. For the record, today, five days after CI surgery, I sound just like myself with a cold (to myself). I do still have a cold although it is beginning to fade away.
I am one of these people who often grabs glasses, or at least magnifiers, to read in certain light or at certain times of day. I had not done so since my surgery, though, because of the wound near my ear. I remember having read on one of the SayWhatClub e-mails that some people take one stem off their glasses to get around that issue. So yesterday my husband did a nifty job of making me a one-armed pair of glasses, which I am loving! Seeing with them is much better than squinting to see without them. Thanks, honey.
Then, last night I finally decided to do a real job of cleaning my teeth before I went to bed. Enough of this tap and rinse stuff. Well, I don't know about you, but I am a two-handed floss glider. And I tried to get my hands situated in some way so that the floss could do its thing, but except for the few teeth in the front, it was impossible. When you can barely get your mouth open wide enough to slide a plump raspberry in, getting your floss-guiding fingers into position is hopeless. So this morning we bought some one-handed gizmos that carry their own taut floss strip, which I knew I could get into my mouth--horizontally--without getting into serious pain. I just tried one. It works pretty well for the non-CI side but I don't think I'm ready to use it for the back teeth in the CI side just yet. It requires some serious resistance pull against your jaw and teeth to disengage it and I think my CI side is still too tender for that. Still, getting 3/4 flossed will be much better than what's happened since Monday.
We went out to a restaurant for dinner last night, bumping into friends who were surprised to see us there. Being out definitely made me feel like I'd survived the surgery part of this adventure and had passed on to the climb toward activation.
Our Colorado-based daughter cum nurse, cook, laundress, receptionist, maid, shopper, pastry chef, and love came to spend the week with us last Sunday, just before the surgery. What a gift that was! She kept us company, kept the house running, and double-checked to be sure that we followed doctor's orders. We cannot thank her enough! But now she is on her way back home and we are on our own.
Yesterday my brother told me I sounded "quite normal" on the phone and today a friend asked me if I hear myself when I speak, and I realized that I have never questioned either of those things. It never occurred to me that I would not sound normal when I talk and it never occurred to me that I do indeed hear myself speak. Both of these were eye-opening questions to ponder. For the record, today, five days after CI surgery, I sound just like myself with a cold (to myself). I do still have a cold although it is beginning to fade away.
I am one of these people who often grabs glasses, or at least magnifiers, to read in certain light or at certain times of day. I had not done so since my surgery, though, because of the wound near my ear. I remember having read on one of the SayWhatClub e-mails that some people take one stem off their glasses to get around that issue. So yesterday my husband did a nifty job of making me a one-armed pair of glasses, which I am loving! Seeing with them is much better than squinting to see without them. Thanks, honey.
Then, last night I finally decided to do a real job of cleaning my teeth before I went to bed. Enough of this tap and rinse stuff. Well, I don't know about you, but I am a two-handed floss glider. And I tried to get my hands situated in some way so that the floss could do its thing, but except for the few teeth in the front, it was impossible. When you can barely get your mouth open wide enough to slide a plump raspberry in, getting your floss-guiding fingers into position is hopeless. So this morning we bought some one-handed gizmos that carry their own taut floss strip, which I knew I could get into my mouth--horizontally--without getting into serious pain. I just tried one. It works pretty well for the non-CI side but I don't think I'm ready to use it for the back teeth in the CI side just yet. It requires some serious resistance pull against your jaw and teeth to disengage it and I think my CI side is still too tender for that. Still, getting 3/4 flossed will be much better than what's happened since Monday.
We went out to a restaurant for dinner last night, bumping into friends who were surprised to see us there. Being out definitely made me feel like I'd survived the surgery part of this adventure and had passed on to the climb toward activation.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Pain versus lack of pain
I must say the pain killers work. I was pain free for 9 hours on one full dose, until I was rudely awakened at 4 a.m., realizing that I needed more. Then I had real trouble coming out of that foggy, groggy state when I had to wake up at 10:30 this morning. So the question is, Should I be "with it" with some pain or "out of it" with no pain. That will be the major decision I make today.
I post these experiences, not to get your sympathy, but so that those who are behind me in this path and will be getting an implant will know that there is some discomfort involved. Not enough for me to question my decision but more than I was expecting from what I had read. The good thing about it is that there is no stress pain, as from bending at the waist after an appendectomy or sitting on a new hip after a replacement or putting your weight on a new knee joint. It is merely my body complaining about making room for something new in my cochlea, which the surgeon shoved in when there was no natural space designed for it. For me, there has also been no surface pain from the incision.
But, as Maurice says, We are each a snowflake, unique in our own way. So your experience is likely to differ from mine.
I post these experiences, not to get your sympathy, but so that those who are behind me in this path and will be getting an implant will know that there is some discomfort involved. Not enough for me to question my decision but more than I was expecting from what I had read. The good thing about it is that there is no stress pain, as from bending at the waist after an appendectomy or sitting on a new hip after a replacement or putting your weight on a new knee joint. It is merely my body complaining about making room for something new in my cochlea, which the surgeon shoved in when there was no natural space designed for it. For me, there has also been no surface pain from the incision.
But, as Maurice says, We are each a snowflake, unique in our own way. So your experience is likely to differ from mine.
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