Carla B - Awareness Network Volunteer

Today is my first day back to work! Finally! I've been feeling good all week and I'm ready to go back.  I've been off a little over 3 weeks since the surgery.

Okay, on a whim this morning, I decided to put in my hearing aid just to see if I could hear anything because everyone says that the implants wipe out all residual hearing. Well, I can still hear a lot with the hearing aid, I was shocked!! It all almost sounds the same as before the surgery, just not as quite as good, I think.  I tried both ears and I couldn't believe it! I thought I wasn't supposed to be able to hear anything!!

My activation date is 7 days away, next Friday on Jan. 16th and I can not wait!!  I'm going to wear my hearing aids until then because I can still hear environmental sounds and voices right around me and I miss that great!!  The past 3 weeks of silence has been driving me nuts!!  I've always worn my hearing aids from the time I got up until I go to sleep so you can only imagine my shock of hearing nothing for 3 weeks. Recenly, my husband Kevin came up and was talking to me and I looked at him and said, "Why are you mouthing the words, speak up! I can't hear you!", and I realized at that moment, I can't hear! It was too surreal for me.

Most of the scabs from the incision has fallen off. It's still sore if I touch the area but it's much better now. I think in a couple weeks, I'll be as good as new! I did notice something with my taste buds, my tongue feels a little numb in a couple spots. I can taste all my food but I do think it's off slightly. I'm sure it'll all come back fine, it's really not a big deal, it's minor.

If anyone has any tips or encouragement, keep them coming. I want to thank everyone who has emailed me in the past few weeks! Your support is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Carla :-)