To do list for surgery

While I was researching for information regarding wearing spectacles immediately after cochlear implant surgery, I found the following:

http://www.hearinglossweb.com/Technology/CochlearImplants/CI_Information/tips.htm

this is a very detailed list of tasks and tips for things to be done prior to, and immediately after, cochlear implant surgery.

I thought other people might find it useful.

100th Posting!

I've reached my 100th posting in my blog :) Looks like I have a bit more to talk about than I thought I did!

Anyway, my latest quandiary right now is what to do with regards to my specs. I wear specs, and the bit at the end of the arm is hooked behind the ear. As it is, this presses against where I expect the would will be, and I don't think this is a very good idea. I have got a set of contact lenses that I will use, but I don't relish the thought of wearing contacts from sunrise to sundown. I don't think it's a good idea to wear contact lenses when I've just been operated (imagine, bleary with anaesthetic and putting a contact lense in my eye.. poking it out is more like it!)

Does anyone have any ideas? The obvious one is to remove the arm from the specs but I think they'd just fall off!

Time Fast Approaching

Ivan’s operation is fast approaching now. We are so ready to go! So far I have been feeling quite calm about what awaits us. My in-laws will be there for Ivan’s operation. They will be flying one week before us. Yesterday we met with up with them, and next time we will be seeing them again we will actually be at Manchester airport. This was a big reminder of how close this operation is. That did scare me a tiny weeny bit (or maybe a lot).

However I want to be strong. I am a firm believer in inner strength and positive thinking. I was told that I will be allowed to stay with Ivan until the anesthetic takes its effect. I have been promising myself that I will put on a very brave face for him. I am determined to stay positive, this operation has very high success rates, I believe cochlear implant is a means to better one’s situation, and I really want this for Ivan. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now that it is almost here I do not want to ruin things by worrying too much. Yet, I do have to admit that I will breathe a lot better when Ivan is out of the operating theatre. Ivan was operated upon once before, and I was hugely relieved when the surgeon came out to speak to us after the operation. I may sound like a chicken, but I am scared of the operation itself. However, although the operation time will be a difficult waiting period for us waiting outside, I want to try to keep thinking about the outcome of this whole procedure. I plan to take my sudoko book, a good John Grisham book and lots of coins to buy lots of coffees to while away the time while Ivan is in the operating room. My mum and my best friend will also be at the hospital, so I am very lucky in that respect.

In the meantime, we are having a very hot summer in Malta, I think that operation being in summer time is a bonus, as we do tend to go out and do a lot more things in summer than in winter, hence time seems to go by much faster.

By the way.....Happy Birthday Dear Ray xxxxxxxxxx

Tea Tree wipes

Someone mentioned using tea tree wipes to keep the surgery wound clean. This is interesting, since we're in mid-summer over here, and it obviously gets hot (understatement of the year) you obviously get sweaty, and I'm not keen on sweat going into that incision.

Must ask the surgeon about this, but if someone has heard about it and/or used it I'd be grateful for the information.

New member to our family.

We have a new member added to our family, but he won't be blogging just for now. Before you start preparing the new baby cards, no it's not a baby - or rather, not a human one.

We have a new baby rabbit called Flopsy. He (she?!) is brown, cute as a button and greedy as a pig. He eats all the time - he eats up all his hay first - more or less the volume of his own body (how it all gets into him is another question!) and then eats the dried food, then guzzles away at the water bottle. I've no idea how old he is, but he's brown and quite friendly. This morning when I went to check on him and top up his food (this is becoming a daily thing!) he greeted me by coming to nibble my finger gently. I don't think I'll be eating rabbits very often from now onwards!!

PS Mandy's on Comino with her friends. Lucky monkey!

Conchiglioni Ripieni con Zucca - Stuffed Pasta Shells with Pumpkin

This is a recipe for what we call Gnocchi in Malta. These are the pasta shells that are stuffed with a savoury filling, and are not the gnocchi made from potatoes. This is a delicious, if somewhat fiddly, recipe.

For conversion of the quantities please refer to the following website: http://www.onlineconversion.com/

Pasta Shells
250g dried Conchiglioni
750g pumpkin, sliced, skin on
50g grated parmesan
50g dried breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
nutmeg to taste
salt and pepper
Fresh sage, chopped (optional)
Sunflower oil

Tomato Sauce
2 kg fresh tomatoes, peeled and chopped (to peel - cut a cross at the bottom, pour boiling water over and leave for about 8 minutes - the skin comes off easily)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
olive oil

Heat the oven to 210C. lightly oil the pumpkin and season with salt and pepper. Roast it in the oven until the edges are browned and the pumpkin is soft.

In the meantime, boil the pasta shells for 10 minutes, extract from the water and pour cold water over them to stop the cooking process. Drain, and cover with a damp cloth until ready to use them.

Let the pumpkin cool, then scrape it off the skin into a food processor. Process until smooth, adding the egg, parmesan, breadcrumbs, a rasping of nutmeg and seasoning. Let the filling rest in a cool place for at least 2 hours - this allows it to set.

While the filling rests, make the tomato sauce. In a deep frying pan, cover the bottom with olive oil (about 3-4 tablespoons). When the oil is warmed, add the garlic, when it is softened add the tomatoes. As the tomato starts to thicken, add the salt, sugar, pepper and vinegar. Simmer until thickened and delicious looking!

Turn on the oven again and heat to 190 C (or 180 C if using a fan assisted oven)

Stuff the gnocchi with a spoon (time consuming!) or a pipe.

Once the sauce is simmering away and the stuffing has rested, oil a pyrex dish lightly. put the gnocchi inside, cover with tomato sauce, and place on the middle shelf of the oven for about 40 minutes. 10 minutes before they're ready, you can add some more grated cheese to the surface.

Once it's done let it rest 5 minutes before serving. Yumm!

Hearing Aid Batteries

Two days ago I bought two sets of hearing aid batteries for Ivan. This amount of batteries should last approximately a month. Now, these are not your average batteries. These are very special batteries with particular significance….hopefully these will be the very last sets of hearing aid batteries to be purchased, and my new task will be the purchasing of cochlear implant batteries:). This is another reminder that operation date is very near now.

Three weeks from today...

I should be in Manchester at the ENT department, I suppose discussing the 'technicalities' of the surgery. We actually fly up on Sunday.

My first step towards the actual surgery should be at the end of next week, when I plan to have a crew-cut. I've got very curly, thick hair (a thicket of hair really, which is replicated in my daughter, Maria). Since I won't be able to wash my hair for a couple of weeks (ugh) my hair would end up like something the cat dragged in, so I'm having a crew cut which is much more manageable and lends itself much better to minimum maintenance cleaning!

On a different slant, some weeks back I posted a blog about a couragious young lady named Amy Zahra, whose life was changed forever by Meningitis. The original article was here. The Independent has published an interview with her, which can be found here. This young lady's courage and fortitude is marvellous and inspiring. It goes to show how little our happiness really depends on, and how fragile the cocoons that encoil our lives are. Please do read the article, it's very moving.

Mandy

Mandy,

thanks for being so special and supportive. I wouldn't have got this far without your help and loyalty. I'm truly lucky to have a wife like you

Hugs

xxxxx

Time running down

In just over 4 weeks - 4 weeks 1 day to be precise, I'll be having my cochlear implant operation. The closer I get to the reality, the more apprehensive and - let's be honest - scared I get. I know I've made the right decision, and likewise I know that it's unlikely to be anything major as nowadays the surgery is considered to be almost routine, but still, the idea of someone drilling holes in my skull and cutting through my skin doesn't actually get me to jump around in paroxysms of joy! I know for sure that I will be in safe hands - the surgeon is very experienced and capable, but surgery is not fun at all.

From the experience I had in previous surgery the worst part is actually coming around - even though the wait that you have just before the surgery is a close second. It's a horrible feeling as you're disorientated, you feel sick and your whole body feels heavy. I hope I don't get too sick, anaesthetic and i were never best of friends - in fact I was violently ill last time around, both due to the ear surgery as well as the anaesthetic. Mandy swears I stank of it coming out of my pores for days afterwards.

Apparently the programme of events that I have is as follows:

Sunday 6th August: We travel to Manchester.
Monday 7th August: Visit to ENT Department at 11.30am

and then to the CI programme at the University at 1.30pm.
Tuesday 8th August: We must telephone the ENT Ward from 9am to check bed availability. If a bed is available I am to go to the Ward at 3pm.

Wednesday 9th August: Operation takes place *gulp*

So that's about it. Apparently my papers are in the post, hopefully to arrive any day.

Cochlear Receives FDA Approval for the Next Generation of the Nucleus(R) Freedom(TM) Cochlear Implant System

Updates Including Improved Performance, Additional Battery Options and Smaller Behind the Ear Controller to be Available to New Recipients and Nucleus 24 Users

Cochlear today announced that it has received FDA approval for the Next Generation of the Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant system, designed to mimic the functions of the human ear. The advanced system includes the widest available range of programming choices, sound processors and power options to match each individual's unique hearing fingerprint(TM). The next-generation device will be available in early July. The upgrade device will be available in

late summer.

"The Next Generation of Nucleus Freedom offers advanced implant technologies combined with a broad range of listening and wearing customization, helping our recipients experience and enjoy a natural world of sound," said Chris Smith, president, Cochlear Americas. "The fact that this device will also be compatible and accessible to Nucleus 24 recipients is a testament to Cochlear's lifetime commitment to support all its wearers with access to the latest technological improvements."

Features and improvements of the device include:

-- Unmatched Reliability: Initial data demonstrate that Freedom is the most reliable device ever designed by any manufacturer.

-- Improved Hearing Performance: Test scores show that Nucleus Freedom recipients adjust and perform better in shorter periods of time when measured against Cochlear's previous device, the Nucleus 24 Contour.

-- Improved battery life and additional battery options: The Nucleus Freedom system offers disposable and rechargeable power.

-- The Mini(TM) BTE (behind-the-ear) Controller: The discreet Mini BTE provides up to 4 days (12 hours = day) of battery life and can be personalized by a quick click of the cover to change the color panels.

-- SmartSound(TM) Innovation: SmartSound technology allows users to adapt to a range of listening environments for focused listening, comfort in noise, dynamic sound environments and soft and distant sounds.

"It's thrilling to see recipients' lives so dramatically improved with the Nucleus 24 Freedom--to watch them grow, and be able to share their joy as they develop the confidence to venture into listening environments that were previously a challenge," said Cochlear audiologist Wendy Parkinson, MA, CCC/A. "With the new technology, recipients are able to hear much more effectively in previously difficult environments, such as on a phone call with a total stranger, or in a noisy restaurant."

Cochlear implants are a safe and effective treatment for severe-to-profound hearing loss in adults and children. These are amazing technological devices that bypass damaged hair cells in the ear and stimulate hearing nerves directly, providing useful hearing and improved communication abilities to the implant user. The Nucleus Freedom system is the only cochlear implant system that offers unmatched reliability, feature flexibility, IP44 tested water-resistance and a variety of adjustable options to meet each user's individual need and hearing fingerprint. This allows each individual the best chance to optimize his or her hearing experience in a range of listening situations. Initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2005 with upgrades approved this year, the Nucleus Freedom features both an internal component and an external sound processor.