The surgery... The journey to getting a Cochlear Implant by Eleanor

So, the surgery went well! It was a rather surreal experience, as if I was simply going on an adventure than having a operation. It was easier to think like that, otherwise I may have been rather more scared and anxious about the whole thing.

 I was wheeled into surgery by the nurse and porter, and I remember the porter asking me if I liked being called Ellie or Eleanor, to which he responded something about his daughter or granddaughter being called Ellie and he had large tattoos on both arms reflecting that. I remember thinking, why am I going into surgery if I can hear this conversation - maybe it's all a joke and I can actually hear perfectly fine?

Then someone gave me an injection and took my glasses off, and the next thing I knew I was being woken up from a really nice dream. Now I don't remember the dream but I do know it was a really good one because I was so annoyed at being woken up. In fact I was so confused at having been woken up, that I was sure this was the dream - waking up in a hospital bed with a sore throat and limbs that did not want to cooperate - not even to get my glasses on so I could actually see what I was seeing. Luckily, this disorientated feeling didn't last long, and I soon remembered why I was there. Although the wound didn't hurt, I knew something had been done to the right side of my head (they did the right side, phew) as it felt numb and rather sticky. It also took a while to put my glasses on as the nurse put some gaze to protect the wound from the glasses arm. This has now been taken off as I'm determined to avoid any kind of infection or anything that would require a repeat performance.

 A little while after I came too, the nurse who had wheeled me into surgery came back and asked if I was feeling OK. It was really hard to speak as my throat hurt so much but I was able to squeak out a yes, and was wheeled back to the ward. Mum was waiting for me back in the private room (with an ensuite, check it out!) which was really nice. I'd definitely recommend taking someone with you, there's a bit of a wait before and after and generally just having someone around just feels really nice :). Once I was back on the ward, it was just a matter of sleeping, attempting to get up for the toilet and also eating. The consultant came through a little while after and asked to look at the wound. He said it looked good, surgery went well and if I could eat a little then he saw no reason why I couldn't go home that evening. I was really happy about that as I hadn't really wanted to stay overnight in a strange place feeling groggy and unwell. So when the sandwiches came I tried my very best to eat, although I really wasn't hungry yet (odd for me considering I'd not eaten since 7.30am that morning and it was now getting on for 7pm).

 A few hours later and I was allowed to go home! I was so relieved and so grateful to my mum for hanging on till I was able to leave. In fact I was just grateful for her being there the whole time. She really is the best mum in the world.

  After mum brought me back to hers, I slept and slept and slept. By the next evening I started to feel a lot better, just with a bit of a sore ear. Today, 3 days on, I'm feeling pretty good. I got given paracetamol and ibuprofen to manage the pain and although its sore sometimes, I'm really impressed with how little it has hurt.

 I have another week off in order to heal and recover and also hide away whilst I am unable to wash my hair (it's already looking pretty frightful) and then the week after I have a post-op checkup to check the implant is in place, most likely an xray will be taken. Hopefully then I will get a date for the switch on, hoping it'll be sooner rather than later, I'm excited to start my new hearing journey.

Watch out world, I'm coming.

Decision Day - Getting a CI - by Eleanor

I realised yesterday that I hadn't kept up to date with the appointments. As you know, I have been to the assessments and was just waiting to find out if the team to decide if I was eligible to have one...

 On Tuesday last week I had an appointment to meet 'a member of the ENT team'. The end result is that they would like to offer me a Cochlear Implant. It was odd hearing those words, with the idea of actually having an operation seems unrealistic, as if it wouldn't happen to me. "You're on the waiting list now, it'll be up to 4 months" the consultant said, "It'll probably be me or my colleague operating so you might see me again". With that, I left the room armed with a consent form and a letter requesting me to get a pneumococcal meningitis injection for protection. I'd also been given another appointment entitled 'device information' for the following week.

 The 'device information' session was with a lovely rehabilitationist who is actually leaving soon so I probably won't meet her again. Nonetheless she was lovely and walked me through the possibility of colours and battery packs. I decided to go with the sandy beige because it actually goes with my hair quite nicely and I thought if I ever do want to stand out I can always pimp it up myself. With regards to battery packs, I could choose different sizes depending on how long you want it to last as they can be charged up via electricity as apposed to disposable batteries. The CI requires a lot of power which means generally either option doesn't last terribly long. They were only able to order two different batteries so I went with a disposable pack and a chargeable one with shoes on. "You can buy your own if you want anymore" she said, "they're only around £70-£100 each"...

 Then, a few days ago I was emailed with some surgery dates! What a surreal moment, from being prepared for a 4 month wait which is actually only going to be around 3 weeks wait instead. It was like being struck in the chest and you can't breathe because you know something strange (and potentially painful!) is going to happen. But a few seconds later a smile spreads across my face and I know, I know I'm ready for this new chapter. It's been so difficult, especially lately to keep hanging out with people, even people I know and love because I'm so tired all the time. I find myself doing everyday things and wondering what it will sound like with a CI. I found myself on a beach listening to the waves crashing against the pebbles at the weekend and I wondered what it will sound like with my CI. So long have I been astonished and astounded by young children with CIs, secretly jealous of their ability not to have to lipread all the time.. it may not work so well for me, who knows but I'm excited to see.

 After the operation I have been advised not to wear my HA in my operated ear, leaving me with just one HA for 6 weeks before the switch on. It will be a quiet christmas for me, but the more I talk about my concerns, the more my family seem keen to use BSL, even just the odd few signs, which I completely and utterly adore and appreciate. Thank you.