Long time no see
I do admit, it's been way too long since I've blogged. I've been super busy recently - Sarah has been keeping us pretty occupied as has Maria, I've had quite a bit of travel over the past month too (and going abroad again Tuesday!) and work hasn't exactly been static recently. Coupled with this, I can honestly say that the novelty of the implant has well and truly worn off. Not a day passes when I am not grateful for this opportunity to live again, and I still do read the occasional article that my google news turns up, but at the end of the day my implant has become a quintessential part of me in the same manner that, say, my spectacles are, or my watch. Something indispensable, but something you don't really notice is there.
I still marvel to this day that I can pick up a phone and call whoever as easy as that, but I don't actively look out for new sounds or try to identify indistinguisable ones with the same gusto that I used to. At the same time this is proof of the fact that this is such a life changing thing. I mean, if it DIDN'T meet my expectations I would think that by now I'd be pretty bitter and upset. I still do emphasise that it's not a party, it's pretty tough actually getting there, but the end result is worth it. It's not perfect hearing but frankly, compared to what I had before, it's manna from heaven.

13 Comments:
Great to "hear" from you again! You sound like you've settled in nicely and that life is good. Alleluia!
You know, I'm STILL not used to mine, and it's still stressful and new and frustrating...so to be at the point where it's just part of the everyday routine is a GREAT thing! I can't wait to get to that point...but I suspect that for me, it might be another couple of years or so :)
Great to hear from you again...give the girls kisses for me...I'm sure they're growing fast! :)
Great to hear everything is going smoooooth for you :) Can you remember when I started, you were the first to say things will go great, and they have. I always enjoy reading your posts, they have always been so positive and always made me feel good after reading, like there is hope and it will work, and it did, thank you. Plus I think I need to update mine soon :)
Take care, and enjoy the girls, before you know it, they will be 14and 10 like mine, something like that anyway :)
Billy
I'm right at the start of the process - going to the assessment next week - and not at all sure whether I'm desperate for the thing or dreading losing the last link with natural hearing, however useless and damaged it is. So reaing your blog has been terrific - realistic, measured, encouraging. I read Chorost's book and couldn't get over his love of the process and the sheer techie fun of it all; it all seemed so alien. You've managed to give me a sense that I'm allowed to find it a worryingly, encouragingly, excitingly human experience and that the emotional rollercoaster is normal. Unavoidable, but normal.
Thanks for that. I'm hoping that at some point for me too it'll be as normal as putting on spectacles. More than anything, I hope the payoff will be being able to actually hear my 8 year old son's laughter again.
Hello,
I am a journalism student from New York University and I am currently writing an article about how life changes with a cochlear implant. I came across your blog and you are extremely well-spoken. I would love to interview you if possible.
Let me know if this would interest you. Thanks!
Kathleen White
kw726@nyu.edu
Merry Christmas from the USA, Ivan! I hope you and your family have had a wonderful holiday!!
Hey Ivan!
What's up? Come on, give us an update!
Hi I have been looking at your helpfulsite. I have been going deaf for just 10 months and totally deaf four just two.
I will be having bi-lateral implants within the next few weeks, so very nervous but good to read positive stories like yours. I will be getting the Cochlear freedom implant.
Kind Regards
Colin
Hi, I have bilateral implants myself. Got them about a year ago. I know what you mean about it becoming something so routine. I admit some mornings I get up and think I don't want to put them on yet, but after a while I get so bored without sound I think, Hey! I'll put them on now. Unfortunately I've not been able to get the hang of using the phone. It's just so tiresome and takes so long. I've been having the problem you mentioned about having to take off the battery holder when the C.I sort of freezes, I'll be sure to tell my audiologist about my problem next week. I'll keep watching your blog.
Hi, there has been a new website established for the UK deaf and HOH community that we thought you would be interested in.
It is free to join and has been bringing together local UK deaf and HOH people together for friendship and romance.
The website is www.deafdatinguk.com, and if you feel it would be of interest to your visitors / members, perhaps we
could get a mention on one of your websites.
Yours sincerely,
Carl Collins
www.deafdatinguk.com
Lovely to hear that you have truly beneffited from your implant. Would surely pass on the blog link to Hivashini's Parents. Hivashini (in India)is a one year two month old baby girl who is born deaf. Doctors have recommended Cochlear implantation for her. Her parents coming from low income strata are having difficulties raising adequate funds for it. Have started an online initiative towards the same. Should you be interested in lending a hand do visit http://donatinglives.weebly.com
Hey there,
Hope everything is still going well for you. Would you be interested in writing a diary entry for the DeafBlog to talk about your cochlear implant experience?
Please get in touch, nicola.brookes@loudgroup.com
Thanks!
Nicola
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
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