There are times when I feel like a teacher. This has happened on a few occasions in the past month. A few weeks ago my family and I were eating at a local little restaurant. As we were walking out a man jumped up from his chair and walked over to us (he really did jump out of his chair). I was a bit nervous at first since I had no idea who he was or what he wanted. I thought he may have noticed my Cochlear pin but he introduced himself and told me that he was in the occupational therapy field and was wondering if my son was deaf..I told him yes. He told me that he had never seen anything like that (referring to the processors) so I went ahead and explained to him, the best I could in a crowded restaurant, about how Thomas was born deaf, his hearing aids and the implants. By that time I not only had his undivided attention but the attention of the rest of his table and the 2 tables next to him. They asked me if "they worked" and if I could see a difference in Thomas with them on and off. I had to quickly tell them that I most definitly could tell the difference. And I thought the implants were an amazing piece of technology that not only Thomas loves but our entire family cherishes the fact that Thomas can hear us and respond to us. He dances to music, laughs at funny things that people say or funny noises he hears and yells at those that upset him. He will always be deaf, but with the Cochlear Implant he can hear (when he wants to) and share in everyday talking, singing and enjoying every little bit of sound he hears. From someone birping (he will imitate it...its not the cutest thing but I am impressed that he can hear it), to a bird chirping to the all time favorite...AIRPLANES!!! He can hear the garbage truck outside, while he is in his room (at the back of the house), he can now hear the sqealing of the school bus brakes BEFORE he sees the bus make the turn to drop Jonathan off. It is amazig the everyday normal sounds that I used to take for granted~ now we can cherish them together!!!
Yesterday was another time for lessons. We went to 4pm mass...I didnt realize that along with regular mass they were also celebrating the 8th grade confirmation class. My Grandma made it to church before us (she was the only person in the kids room when we got there). Another older couple came in (one of my pet peeves...when people with no children go in the cry room..I dont know why they insist on sitting in there but they do). A middle aged woman came in. Mass started...I had to go change Thomas' diaper (the room was getting a bit funky)...I walked back into the room after diaper change and it was FULL. A handicapped man was sitting in my chair (that doesnt bother me at all) but the rest of the room was full of people with NO kids. Thomas and I were stuck in the back vestibule. Thomas didnt mind, he wasnt stuck in a tiny room..he had the entire back of the church to play in. Every now and again we had someone come back who had to use the restroom. There were a few people who would talk to us (while waiting to use the bathroom) and they would comment on how cute Thomas was and the conversation would lead to the implants. I have gotten my discussions pretty quick and detailed now. Everyone that we talk to is impressed on well he is doing...they are amazed at the technology and always wish us luck for the future. WHen we are done with our conversation Thomas will give them a big smile and sometimes they are lucky enough to get a high five or he will blow them a kiss (that only happens to women) and I leave with a happy heart knowing that I have informed one more person about hearing loss, deafness and coclear implants.
On a side note...
Here is another pet peeve of mine....when you are at church..turn OFF your cell phones. I know there were alot of people at our church yesterday that normally dont attend but I think it is common knowledge and decency to NOT walk out of mass to go talk on your cell phone. There were adults in the back with us and in the bathroom that just had to make a call. I know there are circumstances when an emergency arises and you may need to take care of something but most of the time it could wait another few minutes!!!
Ok..let me step down off of my soap box now!!! lol
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Two Ears
Whew..its been awhile since i have posted. I may split this post into two...depends how much time I have.
Thomas has really changed his feelings for his new ear. He hasnt gotten to the point of flipping out or yelling when the coil falls off, but he does prefer it to be on. I will clip the right side to his shirt and flip his coil on and I used to have to ask him to turn around so I could see his back and than pin it to his shirt. Now, after I put his right side on he will automatically turn his back to me and stand still so I can pin the processor on. Just one month ago I was about ready to put the new processor away and not worry about it. I felt it was too much on his shirt and he hated it. Now he is enjoying having both of them on. But, as Jim points out to me, he still INSISTS on ALWAYS having his right side on!
On a side note...Thomas has started climbing out of his crib. I was secretly hoping that he would stay in his crib until kindergarten! lol I get very nervous thinking of what kind of trouble he could get into if he wakes up and crawls out and we are still sleeping. The very first time he tried to climb out was months ago and while trying to flip his leg over the side rail he fell over onto the floor and he wasnt happy. I thought that was enough to turn make him not want to try it again. It was for a pretty long time...until this morning. I heard him whining and talking over the monitor but I was still REALLY tired so I stayed in bed for a little bit longer (hoping that Jim would get up...NOPE! lol). I got up a few minutes later and was brushing my teeth when he walked in and surprised me. He even brought the dog with him (the dog stays with Jonathan until Jonathan gets up). I thougth for sure that Jonathan had heard him so he got him out of the crib. I was waiting for a "SORRY" from Jonathan but I didnt hear anything. I walked into Jonathan's room and he was still fast asleep (he wasnt faking it either..he was really sleeping). Than it hit me...THOMAS GOT OUT OF HIS CRIB ON HIS OWN..YIKES!!!! I don't remember if I was this nervous with Jonathan when he started climbing out....I'm not sure if I am this nervous because of Thomas being deaf and if he is somewhere in the house, in the dark, he won't be able to hear either of us yell for him? I am hoping that if he does do this while we are still sleeping he will walk into our bedroom instead of walking around the house.
I laid him down for bed after the cavs game (Good game Lebron...thanks for a great season Cavs~ there is always next year)!! We went through our normal routine, said our prayers, took the left processor off, gave him his blankets, laid him down and than took the right processor off, blew him a kiss and walked out! I walked into the living room to put his equipment in the dry and store and I heard his door open. I waited a minute than I heard laughing (coming from Jim and Thomas). There Thomas stood, in the middle of the living room with his blankets. I put his right side back together and put it back on his ear. I told him that it was bedtime and that he had to go to bed. I gave him one of his trucks to lay down with and he fell asleep pretty quickly.
We'll see how tomorrow goes!
Thomas has really changed his feelings for his new ear. He hasnt gotten to the point of flipping out or yelling when the coil falls off, but he does prefer it to be on. I will clip the right side to his shirt and flip his coil on and I used to have to ask him to turn around so I could see his back and than pin it to his shirt. Now, after I put his right side on he will automatically turn his back to me and stand still so I can pin the processor on. Just one month ago I was about ready to put the new processor away and not worry about it. I felt it was too much on his shirt and he hated it. Now he is enjoying having both of them on. But, as Jim points out to me, he still INSISTS on ALWAYS having his right side on!
On a side note...Thomas has started climbing out of his crib. I was secretly hoping that he would stay in his crib until kindergarten! lol I get very nervous thinking of what kind of trouble he could get into if he wakes up and crawls out and we are still sleeping. The very first time he tried to climb out was months ago and while trying to flip his leg over the side rail he fell over onto the floor and he wasnt happy. I thought that was enough to turn make him not want to try it again. It was for a pretty long time...until this morning. I heard him whining and talking over the monitor but I was still REALLY tired so I stayed in bed for a little bit longer (hoping that Jim would get up...NOPE! lol). I got up a few minutes later and was brushing my teeth when he walked in and surprised me. He even brought the dog with him (the dog stays with Jonathan until Jonathan gets up). I thougth for sure that Jonathan had heard him so he got him out of the crib. I was waiting for a "SORRY" from Jonathan but I didnt hear anything. I walked into Jonathan's room and he was still fast asleep (he wasnt faking it either..he was really sleeping). Than it hit me...THOMAS GOT OUT OF HIS CRIB ON HIS OWN..YIKES!!!! I don't remember if I was this nervous with Jonathan when he started climbing out....I'm not sure if I am this nervous because of Thomas being deaf and if he is somewhere in the house, in the dark, he won't be able to hear either of us yell for him? I am hoping that if he does do this while we are still sleeping he will walk into our bedroom instead of walking around the house.
I laid him down for bed after the cavs game (Good game Lebron...thanks for a great season Cavs~ there is always next year)!! We went through our normal routine, said our prayers, took the left processor off, gave him his blankets, laid him down and than took the right processor off, blew him a kiss and walked out! I walked into the living room to put his equipment in the dry and store and I heard his door open. I waited a minute than I heard laughing (coming from Jim and Thomas). There Thomas stood, in the middle of the living room with his blankets. I put his right side back together and put it back on his ear. I told him that it was bedtime and that he had to go to bed. I gave him one of his trucks to lay down with and he fell asleep pretty quickly.
We'll see how tomorrow goes!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Up, Up and Away
I want to start off by wishing every woman who reads this a "Very Happy Mother's Day"!
Yesterday we went to the mall and a quick trip ended up lasting about 3hrs. Oh well, we all had fun! We walked around (alot) and on our way out we spotted the big trampolines. They used to be at another mall that we used to go to, and Thomas went on it once. He didnt like it too much but it was tolerable. When we walked up and seen that it was open I asked the boys if they would want to go jumping. Thomas said "YES" right away...Jonathan said he would do it if we bought him another webkinz (I guess 18 isnt enough)...so needless to say, Only Thomas jumped.
Thomas LOVED it this time. His only complaint was that he couldnt jump high enough. So I told the man holding onto Thomas that he could let him go up a little higher (he was hesitant based on Thomas' age). Thomas' jumping time was up pretty quickly and he got off surprisingly well. I thought he would get ticked that he had to leave but he did fine. We did get the frequent jumper card so every time we go to the mall we will stop by for a Thomas Jump!
Jump!
On to bedtime....
I dont think it has anything to do with the mapping or the left (new) CI...I think it is an age thing. Thomas only wanted his CI on that 1st night...the past few nights he has let me take it off of him but when I would walk out of his room he would start crying and yelling "mom mom". Sooo, for the past few nights, after I hear him crying for "mom mom", I walk back into his room...glance and smile at him ...take the blanket from next to his crib and lay down on the bed. Once he sees me lay down he will grab him little blankie, rub it against his face and fall asleep (pretty quickly).
Alot has been going on these past few weeks and I have had my Mom or my Father in law watching the kids. Thomas definitly does NOT like when someone else is watching him. I think he gets nervous thinking that I take off once he goes to bed.
Yesterday we went to the mall and a quick trip ended up lasting about 3hrs. Oh well, we all had fun! We walked around (alot) and on our way out we spotted the big trampolines. They used to be at another mall that we used to go to, and Thomas went on it once. He didnt like it too much but it was tolerable. When we walked up and seen that it was open I asked the boys if they would want to go jumping. Thomas said "YES" right away...Jonathan said he would do it if we bought him another webkinz (I guess 18 isnt enough)...so needless to say, Only Thomas jumped.
Thomas LOVED it this time. His only complaint was that he couldnt jump high enough. So I told the man holding onto Thomas that he could let him go up a little higher (he was hesitant based on Thomas' age). Thomas' jumping time was up pretty quickly and he got off surprisingly well. I thought he would get ticked that he had to leave but he did fine. We did get the frequent jumper card so every time we go to the mall we will stop by for a Thomas Jump!
Jump!
On to bedtime....
I dont think it has anything to do with the mapping or the left (new) CI...I think it is an age thing. Thomas only wanted his CI on that 1st night...the past few nights he has let me take it off of him but when I would walk out of his room he would start crying and yelling "mom mom". Sooo, for the past few nights, after I hear him crying for "mom mom", I walk back into his room...glance and smile at him ...take the blanket from next to his crib and lay down on the bed. Once he sees me lay down he will grab him little blankie, rub it against his face and fall asleep (pretty quickly).
Alot has been going on these past few weeks and I have had my Mom or my Father in law watching the kids. Thomas definitly does NOT like when someone else is watching him. I think he gets nervous thinking that I take off once he goes to bed.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Pictures
Our first train ride of the season (at the zoo). Thomas was telling me about a bunny he seen hopping (it was actually a kangaroo...but he didnt care)
We gave Thomas a little cake for his birthday. He had alot of fun with it!
This is what I walked into the other morning!! He must have had a tootser hidden somewhere and he was so proud to show me he could fit both in his mouth!!!
We gave Thomas a little cake for his birthday. He had alot of fun with it!
This is what I walked into the other morning!! He must have had a tootser hidden somewhere and he was so proud to show me he could fit both in his mouth!!!
3rd Mapping and something different tonite
Today Thomas had his 3rd mapping. All went well (besides me forgetting my wallet and cell phone at home..long story). We did the sound booth testing first, while Dr. M had all of Thomas' attention (well...most of it). She tested him with just his left (new) ear and he did pretty well. I was surprised at how much he heard and understood (where is your belly? Where is Mommy's nose?...etc). With both sides on I was amazed at how well he heard. She was barely whispering and he would look over (to his right side). I sat in the middle of the soundbooth with tears flowing down my cheeks...thinking back just about 2yrs ago. How I wish that he would have turned to sounds...but he never did. Now he does..with a little surgical intervention...he LOVES to hear!
When we went back into the office for the mapping Dr. M had some new games for Thomas to play. The old hold onto the ring, toy, ball, and when you hear the noise put it in the appropriate place. That worked for the first few minutes but than thomas yelled "Basketball" and started shooting the rings into the bucket. We moved onto the balls to be placed onto the pegs..he started shooting them. Even the regular toys became basketballs. We knew at that point we had lost him. Dr. M said she had a really good program for him so we dont need to come back for 2 mths (I have to reschedule our appointment we had for next month). YEAH!!!
Fast forward to this evening.
I went to my Mom's to pick Jonathan up, the boys played for a little bit, we came home and they ate dinner. Played for a little bit than it was time for clean up and baths. After Thomas' bath I usually only put his right side back on (that side is alligator clipped to his shirt... we still pin the other side to his shirt). There is usually only a few minutes between jammy time and bedtime so only one side will do.
So Thomas has his jammies on, he goes to get his blanket and his tootser(our name for pacifier) and comes back into his room for bed. I pick him up, give him some juice, we go through our routine (prayers, kisses and hugs) and I lay him down. I go to take his processor/coil off and walk away and he starts yelling "NO,NO, NO" I turn around and try to find out what is bothering him. He points to my hand..which is holding his processor. I hand it to him and he tries to put it back on his ear. I put it back on for him and ask him if he wants to leave it on for bedtime..and he shakes his head "yes". I tell him goodnight, give him a kiss and walk out of his room. By the time I got into the living room I could hear his screams. Not crying...screaming like he had just had the scare of a lifetime. I run back in and his little eyes are full of tears and he looked so panicked. I go to take his "ear" off and he tells me "NO". I ask him if he wants me to stay in with him and he shook his head "yes". I laid in the twin bed next to his crib and he didnt cry again. I laid there for about ten minutes, when I stood up I noticed he was still awake and I asked if I could take his "ear"and he quietly said "no". I left the room and he was fine. He fell asleep with his processor on and slept with it on for about 3hrs.
I am not sure why he acted this way tonite. It made me sad that he wanted to hear when he was falling asleep. I dont know why it made me so sad but it REALLY did. I'm not sure if he thought he would miss something or if he really likes to hear that much. I am also not sure what scared him so much. I hope he never feels that way again...but if it does happen I pray that I am right there to comfort him.
When we went back into the office for the mapping Dr. M had some new games for Thomas to play. The old hold onto the ring, toy, ball, and when you hear the noise put it in the appropriate place. That worked for the first few minutes but than thomas yelled "Basketball" and started shooting the rings into the bucket. We moved onto the balls to be placed onto the pegs..he started shooting them. Even the regular toys became basketballs. We knew at that point we had lost him. Dr. M said she had a really good program for him so we dont need to come back for 2 mths (I have to reschedule our appointment we had for next month). YEAH!!!
Fast forward to this evening.
I went to my Mom's to pick Jonathan up, the boys played for a little bit, we came home and they ate dinner. Played for a little bit than it was time for clean up and baths. After Thomas' bath I usually only put his right side back on (that side is alligator clipped to his shirt... we still pin the other side to his shirt). There is usually only a few minutes between jammy time and bedtime so only one side will do.
So Thomas has his jammies on, he goes to get his blanket and his tootser(our name for pacifier) and comes back into his room for bed. I pick him up, give him some juice, we go through our routine (prayers, kisses and hugs) and I lay him down. I go to take his processor/coil off and walk away and he starts yelling "NO,NO, NO" I turn around and try to find out what is bothering him. He points to my hand..which is holding his processor. I hand it to him and he tries to put it back on his ear. I put it back on for him and ask him if he wants to leave it on for bedtime..and he shakes his head "yes". I tell him goodnight, give him a kiss and walk out of his room. By the time I got into the living room I could hear his screams. Not crying...screaming like he had just had the scare of a lifetime. I run back in and his little eyes are full of tears and he looked so panicked. I go to take his "ear" off and he tells me "NO". I ask him if he wants me to stay in with him and he shook his head "yes". I laid in the twin bed next to his crib and he didnt cry again. I laid there for about ten minutes, when I stood up I noticed he was still awake and I asked if I could take his "ear"and he quietly said "no". I left the room and he was fine. He fell asleep with his processor on and slept with it on for about 3hrs.
I am not sure why he acted this way tonite. It made me sad that he wanted to hear when he was falling asleep. I dont know why it made me so sad but it REALLY did. I'm not sure if he thought he would miss something or if he really likes to hear that much. I am also not sure what scared him so much. I hope he never feels that way again...but if it does happen I pray that I am right there to comfort him.
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