we've moved
for future updates on Billy's progress, please visit our new blog Teeny Tiny Pieces.
Billy's surgery was 12 days ago. He's progressing on schedule, according to his doctor, but they won't know for about a month whether it was successful or not. That's when they do his next hearing test. He can begin to use a hearing aid this weekend, so we'll begin to see if things have improved.
Tomorrow morning Billy has his surgery. He's in a really calm, optimistic place about it. I'm a little freaked out, but trying not to let my overactive imagination go to those places that anticipate the worst. I know he's in the best possible hands, at the best possible facility. The rest is in a higher power's hands.
It's been a while, but Billy and I were anxiously awaiting the results of Mass General's Cochlear Implant Review Board. The news is somewhat disappointing, I'm afraid. They have rejected him for the implant, but offered a recommended alternative. Interesting use of language, since they told us in a followup conversation that their "recommendation" was really his only choice for now.
My sister Lori gave me some very good advice during a recent conversation. She told me that I'd have to get used to the idea that Billy and I can no longer communicate in the ways we have come to know. That I was going to have to incorporate a lot more touching to get his attention, and pay extra special attention to if and where he was wearing his hearing aids. I'm happy to say that I have taken her advice and things seem to be a bit improved. I am speaking more slowly, and giving him the time he needs to get all his appliances turned in and turned up before trying to talk.
Well, we've met two members of the Cochlear implant team. A wonderful social worker, who's job it is to make sure we're all doing ok on a personal level as this process moves forward, and a scientist who understands all the functionality and technical aspects of the implant devices. They were both wonderful and made Billy and me feel more comfortable and confident about moving forward. Based on their feedback, unless something odd shows up on the Cat scan, it would appear that Billy's case will be approved.
It seems that each day Billy's "new and improved" hearing device becomes less useful. Or perhaps it's doing exactly what it should, and I mistakenly put more faith in it than I should have. In any event, it's getting harder not easier to communicate with him. I find myself giving up after a few tries. He doesn't hear me anyway. Whatever I'm trying to say just doesn't feel significant enough to repeat 4, 5 or 6 times to have it be heard.