The day before 15/9/11
Havent had the chance to update this till today been soo tired and busy, but today ive decided I must update you all and stop some of you waiting in suspense! So how am I ? Im ok very tired but the scars are all healed ! Tinnitus a little wild but I suspose thats to be expected - not been sleeping to great but thats probably worry.. Its such alotto take in - gosh to think i may hear something in a day or so wow!
So here it is the big day ?! 16/9/11
Travelled up by train with my lovely mother - arrived safe and well. A gentleman said hello to me at reception but i didnt know who he was and found it hard to hear him. He must of thought i was soo rude - but i was nervous - i thought id be excited but i think i was scared with butterflys in my tummy - i kept having this thought thinking what if it doesnt work? crazy i know.. anyway my lovely mother recorded the activation for you all to see
Part one: Dr Helen Cullington ( Audiologist scientist) and Bradford ( Neurelec Technical Expert) Explain what i am to expect and what will happen :
I suspect your all wondering how did it feel after helen placed the CI on my head? i was amazed, as it was soo light to wear and i didnt even feel it - they felt lighter than my old hearing aid! I was even happier when i saw i got the purple colour i requested ! Yay Im now a Purple Princess!!
The gentleman i met at reception in fact ended up being a technical expert from neurelec so it was nice to meet him and he offered to type down what Helen was saying as i forgot to book a interpreter - he was a nice guy and I was very happy to have him there to help me.
Part two: The Activation/Switch on !!
This whole session was intense - I was feeling very emotional afterwards - didnt know what to feel - WOW i had finally heard something but it wasnt perfect it sounded like everything was a cross of being on helium and the character R2D2 in starwars! but they were pleased - the electrodes were working - i was hearing some things - and i needed to ensure iwore them everyday so my brain could adjust! When i finally arrived home i felt like i was on top of the world- if it meant little steps each day then so be it - i had to remember I was like a baby learning to hear again.. So this was it - it was my moment - something that will probably stay with me forever.
A LOVE SONG I USED TO LOVE - PERFECT MOMENT : THOUGHT ID ADD IT AS IT CERTAINLY IS HOW I FEEL NOW - LOVING THE FACT I CAN HEAR SOMETHING AT LAST!!!! ( IT MAY NOT BE PERFECT AT THE MOMENT: BUT AFTER LOTS OF HARD WORK IM SURE IT WILL)
****Special thanks to my mother : Margaret for coming with me, also my dearest friend Angie for lending me her camcorder..and to all the staff at Southampton they have been fantastic ****
PS, if your wondering who R2D2 is here he is- see below
