tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136713632011-11-10T07:08:23.688-05:00Sheilanoreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-39906394921446459632011-01-07T09:19:00.010-05:002011-02-17T22:51:22.119-05:00

Beginning a new year always gives me pause to reflect on the passing on the former one and to be conscious of the subtle tinge of excitement over the prospects of a new uncharted one that lies ahead. The year 2010 will be remembered in the Adams household for its hospital stays (Gerry and my Dad) and as a magnet year for attracting needy kittens.On St. Patrick's Day, we coaxed 2 stray babies out

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-70890480133501633332010-10-27T10:04:00.010-04:002010-10-27T23:08:42.330-04:00

At the risk of sounding like I'm destined for a Halloween freak show, I'm going to admit to something here: I actually look forward to driving the work van through a car wash. For a mere $3.00 on Wacky Wednesdays, I've paid for a serenade of whistles, wooshes, and whirls that is a celebration of sound.Did you know that not all drive-thru washes are created equal acoustically? My favorite one is

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-42752422374666140662010-09-19T08:30:00.013-04:002011-03-24T18:04:51.911-04:00

It was ten years ago today (Sept. 19) that Gerry and I pulled away from the curb in front of our Virginia townhouse in the pre-dawn hours on our way to an event that would forever change my life. Yes, a whole decade ago I was clad in one of those non-fashionable surgical gowns and was signing all those anxiety-producing hospital forms that released Johns Hopkins from all liability should anything

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-26993544581777388312010-09-12T23:15:00.003-04:002010-09-18T23:28:30.180-04:00

There's a new external processor just released for my "first" ear, and I'm getting excited. I'll be sharing as soon as my C-1 Harmony arrives! Thanks, Advanced Bionics engineers, for continuing to work on behalf on us long ago recipients!

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-26986455244013539662010-03-02T23:35:00.022-05:002010-03-03T02:40:07.320-05:00

The busyness of life has kept me from writing for two months but it has not kept me from thinking about writing on my CI Journey blog. Since Christmas, Gerry and I have experienced life as it is normally lived-out - - - with some joyous times, some very sad times, and mostly times of the drudgery of work and daily chores. Does that sound like your life, too?For someone who spent so much of her

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-41735209278192192462009-12-19T20:24:00.023-05:002010-03-02T23:34:17.556-05:00

Oh, to be able to hear Christmas music - - - how glorious!! I suppose it took years of sound deprivation to cause me to be forever in awe of the gift of music. At Christmas it comes home to me in spades. Gerry gave a mini concert on Thursday at our community celebration dinner. I sat in the back of the clubhouse to give him a "high sign" at certain times, signaling the adequacy of the volume

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-45066882171185194892009-10-02T23:00:00.002-04:002009-10-03T14:17:37.374-04:00

You gotta check this out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZVpZqistkMy goodness, people really can sound like rain! What blows me away about this video clip is that I can actually hear it so well and can make my own acoustic comparison with the sound of the authentic wet stuff. Now think about that for a moment. I had spent decades unable to hear any precipitation, with the exception of a

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-77020530241423452012009-09-01T22:01:00.010-04:002009-09-01T22:30:21.140-04:00

It's time for N.C.I.S. - no, not the TV show but a "Non-CI Snippet". The last time I wrote something unrelated to my hearing journey was one year ago, so I suppose it's OK to get a tad side-tracked.My CI buddy Denise grew up on a farm. She knows all about such things as pullets and shares with such wonderful wisdom and whimsy. Maybe she was even a 4Her as a kid, won one of those ribbons at the

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-5443185564877512032009-08-13T22:37:00.006-04:002009-08-14T23:31:38.408-04:00

I awoke this morning with a marvelous, lilting melody replaying in my head. Instantly, I realized that my waking state was ending a delightful dream. I'd been standing at some kitchen sink, hands plunged in soapy water and crocodile tears streaming down my cheeks. My mom had approached me, a look of genuine concern etched on her face. "Shesh, what's wrong?"With difficulty, I gained enough

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-88459740615617919372009-07-10T23:19:00.026-04:002009-07-11T03:28:33.429-04:00

The sound of a babbling brook is on my list of favorite things to listen to. Maybe its high rank is due to the fact that its soothing sound was lost to me for over 20 years. Maybe it's because mountain streams bring back memories of happy times in my youth. I was a water kid whose idea of a great time was hiking in or along a rocky creek bed, logging in endless hours at a water park, tubing in a

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-56772678026151869532009-06-01T23:25:00.000-04:002009-06-16T15:47:33.695-04:00

I have a cousin who has a heart of gold . . . and possesses disgustingly creative genes! The two of us have never lived near each other, rarely see each other, and are both too busy to maintain regular correspondence via email or snail mail. But she is one of those rare people who senses when you need a long-distance hug, a word of encouragement, or a simple thinking-of-you message.Sherry, who

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-61031174064632877152009-05-13T21:43:00.006-04:002009-05-13T22:12:51.345-04:00

Life is full of discoveries, mostly inconsequential tidbits rather than monumental, life-changing revelations. Yesterday I learned that donkeys (aka: burros) love human contact and possess the temperament of a devoted canine. I've lived for nearly 6 decades, and I never knew that. Important stuff, huh?Well, today I discovered that when I whistle, the sound registers as 2 distinctly different

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-52621259864133329492009-04-15T14:23:00.009-04:002009-04-17T16:04:51.716-04:00

The day came and went without fanfare - - - no birthday cake or even a cupcake with a single candle! A whole year of surround sound made possible by the "birth" of hearing in my right ear, yet we did not celebrate.Was it because it was the dreaded tax day? Was it because it was a typical Wednesday workday? The day that always marked the return of the hummingbirds when we lived in Virginia? Maybe

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-75911330135611289302009-03-07T19:55:00.012-05:002009-03-14T11:31:23.002-04:00

I have always loved acapella male choirs and the wonderful harmonizing of skilled quartets. Gerry used to sing barbershop when we lived in Virginia and his weekly practice sessions were such a treat for me.I'm a bit behind the times, I know, but I've only just discovered the foursome, Il Divo. When you consider the fact that Christians were tortured and executed in the Roman Coliseum, this

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-47610617507593533712009-02-14T01:21:00.020-05:002009-02-14T02:26:54.647-05:00

I have always loved march music. Play me "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and I'm toe-tapping and on the edge of my seat in eager anticipation of the piccolo solo in the middle. I adore the piccolo, I suppose because it reminds me of a songbird singing its little heart out. Or maybe it's because that high frequency serenade was missing in my life for 20+ years.We attended a concert tonight that

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-31959359914806430592009-02-14T00:51:00.003-05:002009-02-14T01:16:31.715-05:00

Ah, the look of healing. Ain't it grand? Gerry's now off his pain meds, and we are both rejoicing over the speed of his recovery. I'm often saying to him, "Hon, would you say that again, please." because his swollen tongue makes him sound like a TV drunk. I had forgotten how much clear diction affects how well my implants work for me. He's such a good sport about my frequent requests for repeats

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-19750842770878077892009-02-11T15:39:00.018-05:002009-02-14T00:49:39.319-05:00

It's certainly not a bowl of cherries to spend eight days in the hospital, but there are always blessings to consider in light of the alternatives. Apart from the obvious great medical care available in the U.S. of A. that so many other countries would die for (oops --- that didn't come out quite right), I'm so grateful that we have insurance to cover the whopping costs that Gerry's many tests

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-65612535748235407802009-02-05T15:12:00.004-05:002009-02-11T15:39:02.176-05:00

I was never more grateful for my CI's and bilateral hearing than yesterday. Gerry had an "episode" while we were in the work van. He pulled over, white as a sheet and clammy to the touch, and said to me, "Call 911." Using my cell phone in my left ear, I could hear the dispatcher's questions, such as, "Is he having trouble breathing?", "Can he move his legs?", "Is the nausea any worse?", I could

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-31080135700239562912009-01-23T21:35:00.015-05:002009-01-24T01:45:16.072-05:00

Last weekend we celebrated Dad's 84th birthday by going to the final Orlando showing of "Riverdance", the famous Irish music and dance extravaganza. Imagine the thrill for me to hear this marvelous production with both ears!I must confess, by the end of the show I had a dull headache 'cuz I just couldn't bring myself to turn down the volume on my CI's. I wanted to experience the full spectrum of

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-12652462728682582802008-12-18T11:43:00.002-05:002008-12-18T12:33:25.245-05:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-39690654014591962192008-11-21T16:48:00.005-05:002008-11-22T17:32:52.854-05:00

I am so proud of my "new" bionic ear. I gave it quite a test today and it passed with flying colors. The work-out was a lengthy cell phone conversation - - - not a call in the quiet of my own living room and not with a familiar, "safe" voice of a family member. I was in the passenger seat of a very noisy Chevy van with my "new" ear next to the window. It was Friday afternoon and traffic was heavy

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-57625197240683854432008-10-22T19:27:00.029-04:002008-10-22T23:04:55.032-04:00

During our prayer request time after Bible Study on Tuesday, Linda quietly exclaimed, with her eyes gazing at her hands, "I have one kitty." My mind immediately began to consider the possible reasons for her obvious distress: something has happened to her other cat? She's about to tell us about something terrible that has happened to her precious kitty?Then I hear " . . . new doctor . . . in

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-19788201065751932052008-10-07T21:59:00.006-04:002008-11-17T22:39:10.800-05:00

The mystery of that occasional electronic buzzing sounds since my last mapping has been solved. I had assumed it was the wider IDR on my new program slot, but not so. Strange as it may seem, I figured it out when riding in Mom and Dad's car.Gerry "looped" their car years ago so that my hearing-impaired mom could be a part of our conversations. All the passengers wear boom mics and Mom flips a

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-11273948396310836712008-09-15T14:50:00.013-04:002008-09-19T13:00:49.142-04:00

Oh, the world of techo-lingo abounds with cochlear implants. Words and acronyms, such as threshold, compression, spectral channels, RF, NRI, AGR, IDR, HiRes -P, HiRes -S . . . . what does it all mean? Well, the bottom line for me is this: if my audiologist works her magic on the computer and I hear better as a result, I'm a happy camper.At my 6th mapping session today, I asked for a wider IDR for

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-28997645607087690182008-08-27T20:27:00.025-04:002008-08-27T21:49:53.050-04:00

Some wonderful moments do not involve sound. It's no secret that I'm a butterfly lover, not because of their melody but because of their incredible symmetrical beauty and their remarkable power of metamorphosis. I even think the caterpillars are gorgeous.I love providing them with host plants for their eggs and with flowers for the adults to feed on. I do the gardening and Gerry takes the photos

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-41413378451772263202008-08-02T18:44:00.015-04:002008-12-09T23:41:27.796-05:00

The ordeal is over. Well, at least the hospital part for my dear Dad. He and I have similar temperaments and now we have another thing in common: metal in our bodies. His is a metal plate with 10 screws in his upper left arm, fusing his broken humerus.My miraculous CI sound was really put to the test throughout the day of surgery, and I silently thanked God for my bilateral hearing time and time

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-24242395272206210612008-07-23T18:26:00.017-04:002008-12-09T23:41:28.171-05:00

I do not have and never will have a medical degree, but even I could see that the plan of letting Dad's broken bone heal itself was not working. Today's x-ray tells the tale. This is the picture now, almost a month later. So . . . on to Plan B, reconstructive surgery which will add metal plates and screws to his internal arm composition and a healthy scar to his external physique.You'd think that

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-7096428068756960572008-07-11T22:20:00.007-04:002008-07-16T20:54:48.893-04:00

We had a delightful time yesterday visiting the home of Marvin and Jean Burhenn, the parents of my dear friend Denise Portis. Gerry and I took an alternate route home from Tampa (for my 5th mapping on my Harmony) in order to see Denise, who had flown to Leesburg, FL from Frederick, MD to enjoy a week's vacation with her folks. Their lovely home is truly Floridian, complete with an interior

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-88931108728110392052008-07-06T22:49:00.022-04:002008-12-09T23:41:28.810-05:00

Dad's latest appointment with Dr. Nguyen on July 2nd was in a different office, so we dealt with new surroundings and different assistants and office staff. In the past, any new social setting would have meant anxiety and stress concerning potential hearing difficulties. It's so incredible to me that this does not even cross my mind any more!! Now I can just worry about my precious Dad!The

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-78654065854629158152008-07-01T14:43:00.011-04:002008-12-09T23:41:29.201-05:00

It's now 5 days since Dad's fall, so it's time for an update. By Sunday evening, his tender body was quite colorful, to say the least, and we were all anxious for Monday's visit with the orthopedic surgeon.Dad was given the option of surgery to install supporting rods along the bone or to wear a plastic brace and then re-xray the arm in a week to see if the bone was aligning and the pain and

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-80554680381322477662008-06-28T00:31:00.006-04:002008-12-09T23:41:29.792-05:00

The unexpected, as inevitable as laundry, has a way of jolting us out of our complacency and helping us to re-prioritize. For me, a new experience also serves as a proving ground for the strengths and/or weaknesses of bilateral hearing. Yesterday (Thursday, 6/26/08) was one of those days for my extended family. It was my Aunt Jean’s 86th birthday, and I had planned a short low-key outing designed

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-69902851962239306642008-06-23T23:14:00.008-04:002008-12-09T23:41:29.867-05:00

One of my favorite quotes is from GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER. He said:“How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life, you will have been all of these.”Every time I read this, it takes on new meaning. I suppose that's because I'm older each time I come

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-86677745411324452442008-06-17T23:23:00.006-04:002008-12-09T23:41:30.077-05:00

Localizing sound is something I get to re-learn now that I'm bilateral. The Grand Sierra Hotel in Reno had six elevators in the lobby area. What a golden opportunity to do some aural rehab every time we went up or come down from our room. I stood in the center, closed my eyes, and pointed to the "ding" of the arriving elevator. Observers, I'm sure, thought I was a bit "dingy".How did I do? After

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-45973640806001415722008-06-17T22:51:00.021-04:002008-12-09T23:41:30.761-05:00

The older one becomes, the less likely it is to experience something for the first time. Our trip to Reno was filled with "firsts" and, therefore, most memorable to us. Come to think of it, it is surprising that we've never done some of these things, yet I dare say that we've also had some unusual overseas experiences that most people would say, "I've never done that.". In addition to this being

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-62432829262321943942008-06-04T21:25:00.016-04:002008-12-09T23:41:31.731-05:00

There I stood in the center of the hillside facing the lake. If I had been in a swiss outfit in the Alps, you would have asked, "Is this a re-make of The Sound of Music? " The birds of north Georgia were in full song. I closed my eyes and slowly turned about 45 degrees, then another 45, and another. I began to sense that one particular group of sounds was coming from the direction of the porch.

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-77218025839052746042008-05-08T09:18:00.034-04:002008-12-09T23:41:32.042-05:00

I worked fulltime last week; it was a contract job to grade the portions of the Colorado standardized achievement test that could not be scored by computer. My group of 15 were scoring 3rd grade math. In retrospect, I was very pleased with my ability to hear and very disgusted with the work itself. Let me explain . . .Picture an open space about the size of a football field. Fill the area with

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-83767935518844833132008-05-04T23:39:00.004-04:002008-12-09T23:41:32.140-05:00

OK, I know it wasn't magic to the rest of the congregation, but to me it was so incredible. I could actually hear the flute part while we were all singing the hymns during church this morning. Our church really sings with gusto and our choir often takes off with embellishments and "extras" during the final verse. Yet the glorious pure tones of the flute came through it all. As usual, the strings

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-3630552780313931922008-04-27T19:01:00.003-04:002008-12-09T23:41:32.365-05:00

Gerry calls these my "dual intakes".

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-56341751808953755552008-04-22T22:39:00.019-04:002008-12-09T23:41:32.702-05:00

I've decided that I'd better start a list of the unexpected things concerning getting a second implant, because I probably won't remember months from now what I found surprising. I'm sure that there will be other bilateral users who might read my observations and think, "Oh, I expected that.Why were you surprised by that?" That's OK . . . I already know that these musings are personal to me and

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-32795920331520765332008-04-15T23:05:00.006-04:002008-04-20T23:38:45.623-04:00

I've now been given the go-ahead to wear both implants and I'm ready for the Bilateral Life!! Michelle, my dear audiologist, did a minor bit of tweaking of my C1, my old implant, and tested each electrode of the new Harmony. There was one frequency that would not become uncomfortably loud, even when programmed to do so. So Michelle just left it equal with the other pitches rather than de-activate

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-11670248733138781522008-04-06T21:47:00.002-04:002008-04-06T22:29:45.314-04:00

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) can be awful. If you've ever had it, you know what I mean. There will be no pictures with this post as the scene would be too unpleasant, not to mention embarrassing. Gerry was on the phone with my surgeon after 11:30 pm on Friday evening, seeking advice concerning my vertigo and throwing up. Dr. Danner was so wonderful, staying on the line for over 20

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-34644779199582156782008-04-03T22:04:00.008-04:002008-12-09T23:41:33.029-05:00

It seems that the problem-solvers at Advanced Bionics are always working to better our lives. The new smaller T-mic is just the ticket for me, I think. Time will tell if the reduced size will eliminate my sore spot, but it already feels more secure and less tender after 10 hours.

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-34666688813572919202008-04-01T21:28:00.004-04:002008-12-09T23:41:33.197-05:00

It's hard to believe that it's been only 15 days since activation of my second ear. There was a time, many years ago now, when the suggestion of entering the sound booth to test my ears would immediately produce a feeling of dread. Today I welcomed the suggestion of getting a baseline score on the new Harmony. Twenty sentences in quiet - - - 97% accuracy!

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-36201245062867499132008-03-26T11:15:00.008-04:002008-12-09T23:41:33.377-05:00

After another trip to the optician, I think the soreness from my glasses is now solved. The tenderness on the top of my ear is still an issue, but a thinner moleskin on the T-mic is helping. Such a minor thing, yet we little-eared people need to pass on our trials and tips. If only some other parts of my anatomy were also little!

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-20462813997699148172008-03-24T23:08:00.008-04:002008-12-09T23:41:39.845-05:00

I expected that I would see my audiologist this morning for a second time for my second mapping on my second implant. Not so, because she called in sick. (Do you think I’m enjoying the “s” sound?) Michelle, my audi for today, has a different approach to initial mappings than Lisa and changed all 3 programs to 50/50 (50% T-mic, 50% processor mic) with each one differing in volume only. She raised

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-66300343197481616632008-03-22T22:55:00.009-04:002008-12-09T23:41:40.103-05:00

No one would ever describe our church, St. Andrew's Chapel, as contemporary in style. We don't have a plexiglass pulpit, large screen monitor, or "worship team" of electric guitars on stage to lead us in praise songs. There would never be a skit or mini-drama as part of the Sunday service, and no applauding after a soloist or choral piece. St. Andrew's is classical Reformation faith in practice,

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-52293741289482162932008-03-22T20:24:00.005-04:002008-12-09T23:41:40.478-05:00

My serendipity today was an unbelievable sight rather that an unexpected sound. On a whim and for a change, Gerry drove home from "our" Wendy's by turning down a dirt lane to see if it would be a shortcut. We've lived here nearly 6 years and never checked this out. Not more than a few blocks from our house, sitting on an old wooden arbor, was a baby barred owl! Now there's a face that only a

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-82325863677095973172008-03-22T12:36:00.000-04:002008-12-09T23:41:40.805-05:00

This is the dehumidifier that has kept my C1 processor dry, clean, and safe from a playful dog and many rambunctious cats over the years. Gerry once commented that the unit has quite a hum for 10 minutes or so when it's sanitizing and a soft motor noise all night. Of course, I only turn it on when my "ear" is inside, so how would I know? Well, by getting a second ear, that's how. I put my C1 away

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-83959176701352923032008-03-21T22:52:00.011-04:002008-12-09T23:41:40.903-05:00

I've always liked the word serendipity; it's a fun word, sorta like zippity-do-dah. When you are thrilled by the unexpected, when you discover or observe something by "chance" that is exceedingly special - that's serendipity!I was thinking about dates today and about a plaque I'd seen in a catalog that read: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1580025188119299792008-03-21T21:57:00.010-04:002008-12-09T23:41:41.019-05:00

Our church parking lot is surrounded by tall, deciduous trees and bordered by a retention pond on one side. Did you know that from 6:00 - 7:00 pm scores of birds give a free concert? You don't need a ticket, just a car with the windows rolled down and TWO ears that work!The birds start "tuning up" about 6:05 and by 6:20 they are singing their little avian hearts out. I couldn't actually see the

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-27309217989462856742008-03-21T13:12:00.008-04:002008-12-09T23:41:41.181-05:00

Last night, I wrote across the cover of my church bulletin: "My first bilateral church service". While the string quartet played and people meandered in for our Maundy Thursday service, Pastor Parsons (yes, that's really his last name!) came over to where I was seated along the center aisle, knelt down, and asked, "How does it sound?" All I managed to do in response was to get all misty-eyed and

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-66680880428350525272008-03-19T22:40:00.002-04:002008-12-09T23:41:41.320-05:00

My tiny ears often complain of too much baggage. My eye doctor straightened the temples of my glasses so it would grab the side of my noggin' above the power slim battery, but my ear is still not happy! Maybe my skin will adapt with a bit more time?

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-91823227985349327752008-03-19T22:18:00.018-04:002008-12-09T23:41:41.950-05:00

I cried today - - - twice! First, while sitting in the car at the mailbox, listening to the CD, A Thousand Voices. Track 7 is a beautiful organ arrangement of the American traditional classic, "The Promised Land". I heard the melody line all the way through and it was gloriously filling my whole head! How apropos that the first instrumental piece to flood me with wonder was so named." I am bound

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-65891896173904767972008-03-18T19:25:00.015-04:002008-12-09T23:41:42.529-05:00

I am thrilled beyond words and completely exhausted from my first day of surround sound!! God blessed me above and beyond what I could ask or think. To understand speech right out of the gate was miraculous to me, albeit a bit strange-sounding and demanding that I look at the person. My activation day eight years ago with my first CI also gave me speech understanding, but it was a robotic noise

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-56013363510042503082008-03-05T22:42:00.004-05:002008-12-09T23:41:42.619-05:00

My incision after only 2 weeks. Wow, CI surgery these days is really minimally invasive. Today was my post-op appointment. Everything looks good, both inside and out, says my surgeon. Only 12 days until activation!

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-28316661084891516962008-02-28T15:10:00.004-05:002008-12-09T23:41:42.777-05:00

It's been very quiet this time. I expected a repeat performance from my Jamaican steel band or at least the man who plays the wood block or castanets! I had sooooo much company last time: a radio man chatting about something I couldn't quite understand, heavy rain on the roof, the approach and departure of a passing train every time I turned over in bed. Where is everybody?The night's are so

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-82695923750425705452008-02-27T16:41:00.006-05:002008-12-09T23:41:46.077-05:00

Ah . . . I'm finally feeling drug-free and sensing the approach of "normal". Yippee!! It takes me such a long time to get over medications, even over-the-counter cold medicines wipe me out. It's been a week of slight improvement each day. Some dizziness and queasy stomach when not looking straight ahead has kept me inactive, unable to focus on the computer screen, and fairly bored. But I'm so

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-53180454091396933812008-02-23T10:24:00.006-05:002008-12-09T23:41:46.467-05:00

It is now 4 days after my surgery and I'm ready to talk about it . . . a little bit. I can't help but compare this surgery with my first one nearly 8 years ago. The differences seem to outnumber the similarities. Some of these differences may be a product of time between surgeries (e.g., improved surgical procedures, smaller implant) or of location (e.g., different state, different hospital,

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-75458837469039076892007-12-27T11:28:00.000-05:002008-12-09T23:41:47.142-05:00

My surgery has been delayed until Feb. 19, 2008. This is actually a blessing as we are finally in the midst of moving, after spending 14 months remodeling an older home just a few blocks from where we were living. We've been bringing over each piece of furniture we've decided to keep by loading it on a sturdy yellow wagon. I think the neighbors are enjoying the steady processional.The essentials

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-19874312473016664982007-11-01T08:39:00.001-04:002008-12-09T23:41:47.360-05:00

Back in 1999, when I was barely hanging on by my fingernails, a colleague asked me if there were any benefits to having a hearing loss. The question took me by surprise since my modus operandi was mere survival, just trying to make it through the day with some semblence of functioning. The only thing I could think of to say was, "I don't hear my husband snore."Now, almost a decade later, my list

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-26879126600632049572007-09-19T22:31:00.001-04:002008-12-09T23:41:47.481-05:00

My 7th CI anniversary!! I can hardly believe it! Today I sent an email to my CI center confirming my surgery date for a second implant --- Is that cool or what! I will become bilateral on December 28, 2007. Whoopee!!

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1171842801723286992007-02-18T18:52:00.000-05:002008-12-09T23:41:47.632-05:00

We CI users need to celebrate every new hearing accomplishment, don't we? Well, I made a solo round trip from Orlando to Dallas yesterday, even changed planes twice. When uncertain, I verified what I thought I heard over the PA systems by asking a nearby person, "Did they just say that . . ." so the answer would be either yes or no. People didn't seem to mind at all. This flying day without my

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1170470783144743692007-02-02T21:44:00.000-05:002007-02-02T22:13:59.136-05:00

We are up to our ears (or paint cans) in remodeling projects. I discovered an advantage to being a CI user today. A shop vac is painfully loud to normal ears when operated in a small space, like a closet. Gerry can't handle it, but I can remove the CI and vacuum in silence - - - no pain, no risk of damaging my hearing. Pretty cool!

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1170437158843485962007-01-02T12:17:00.000-05:002007-02-06T15:39:02.493-05:00

"An alarm is beeping," I said, and all heads turned to me with looks of bewilderment."What?""There's an alarm beeping somewhere," I repeat, grinning from ear to ear.It is pure delight to hear something that no one else in the room can hear! (Now that sounds like I need the help of a psychiatrist, doesn't it?) Both Gerry and Dad received new watches for Christmas and neither of them can use the

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1161637953355717842006-10-23T17:09:00.000-04:002006-10-23T20:00:15.706-04:00

Our AB "friends" joined us for a fun time in Greenville, South Carolina, this past weekend (Oct. 13-14, 2006) at a regional AG Bell workshop. I was smiling, too, when I realized that I was hearing the seminar very well when I positioned myself under the ceiling speakers. The setting was a large ballroom where exhibitors framed the many rows of attendees. An acoustic challenge for the average

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1151942910455681282006-07-03T11:44:00.000-04:002006-07-03T15:25:16.163-04:00

A deluxe fireworks show is so much more than a visual experience. I learned this back in 2001 when I thrilled to my first fireworks display with a cochlear implant. But this year was another memory maker because of an event sponsored by Advanced Bionics at the Hearing Loss Association of America's annual convention at Disney World in Orlando. Imagine experiencing a grand fireworks extravaganza at

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1150166992184523192006-06-12T22:48:00.000-04:002006-07-03T15:26:50.850-04:00

Does it look like Gerry and I had a good time at Georgia Peach this year?

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1147751476695264942006-05-14T23:50:00.000-04:002006-05-21T14:40:52.283-04:00

I had an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to surprise my mom at a ladies luncheon on Saturday. Unbeknownst to her, I had submitted a tribute about her which was chosen to be one of three to be presented after the meal and before the keynote speaker. I had also submitted a set of pictures and had gone to the church's sound booth for a recording session prior to the event so that it would

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1146680077072054552006-05-03T14:08:00.000-04:002006-05-05T00:24:21.176-04:00

Last month’s topic at my CI support group was emergency medical issues and cochlear implants. We discussed medical identification jewelry, the training (or lack of) that's given to local hospital ER personnel concerning how to deal with hearing impaired patients, and other issues related to safety. So when a notice was posted on our community bulletin board, “Volunteers needed to act as victims

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1131680892977536582005-10-03T23:47:00.000-04:002005-11-18T20:20:22.493-05:00

Our travels in southern Europe in the fall of 2005 to visit my brother will forever bring back some wonderful memories and a few CI recollections as well. Gerry and I traveled in a rather non-conventional way, crossing the Atlantic and hopping from country to country in military aircrafts as space permitted. This entailed a considerable amount of sitting in terminals waiting for flight

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1123275278765292222005-08-05T16:54:00.000-04:002005-08-05T17:15:39.546-04:00

The bags are unpacked, the laundry’s done, and the accumulated mail is sorted and awaiting action. It’s a bit of a letdown that our summer trips are over, and the mundane routines of life at home have resumed. But what an adventure Gerry and I have shared, and now I’ll record some of the highlights.

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1123279828674816052005-08-05T16:09:00.000-04:002005-08-05T20:46:10.136-04:00

In June, Gerry and I had a wonderful 3 days in southern California (my first time to see the LA area), the first leg of our week’s adventure. There were 16 of us volunteers in attendance at the home office of Advanced Bionics, coming from all over the USA and from Canada. The agenda for the 2 days of training was packed with presentations by senior managers, research directors, and training

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1123282349367926142005-08-05T15:51:00.000-04:002005-08-05T21:44:23.176-04:00

We left California to fly to Georgia to begin Phase 2 of our trip. My parents met us in Atlanta, and Gerry took the wheel to drive us to the north Georgia mountains for the GPCIA (Georgia Peach Cochlear Implant Association) family weekend retreat. God graciously provided safety on the highways for my folks' journey from Orlando, and the trip northward on Friday seemed effortless since we had so

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1123278341431370482005-08-05T15:45:00.000-04:002005-08-05T21:45:15.260-04:00

After a long, hot drive and a less-than-invigorating encounter with Miami’s afternoon gridlock traffic, we arrived at the Airport Hilton. The beautiful view of the surrounding lake and the distant downtown skyline from our 17th floor window immediately refreshed us.It was such a joy to share our story that evening with the attendees of the Advanced Bionics summer seminar. Back in our room, we

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1123292412490248142005-08-05T15:11:00.000-04:002005-12-14T17:19:08.230-05:00

Flying Southwest Airlines to New Orleans was not one of the highlights of our trip to New Orleans. We didn't realize that we'd be at the end of the line for first-come-first-serve seating on a flight that originated from Hartford - - - ah, the stuff of which memories are made! After checking in at the Hyatt Regency and photographing our very urban view from the 26th floor, we decided we had time

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118879267390774972005-01-01T18:47:00.000-05:002005-06-24T17:32:37.326-04:00

My Heart will be Blessedwith the Sound of Music Music --- for some, it's just that annoying sound piped into restaurants that interferes with conversation, or it's that incredibly loud racket that causes people and even cars to visibly gyrate at traffic lights. It may bring to mind the word diversity since music comes in many different styles and tastes: jazz, classical, sacred, country, R & B,

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118793831589801432003-11-14T19:03:00.000-05:002005-06-14T20:44:42.296-04:00

I suppose that implant procedures have changed quite a bit since my surgery 3 years ago. My post-surgery agenda did not include a post doctor's appointment. I had surgery early in the morning and was home in my own bed by evening, armed with pain medication, antibiotics, suppositories if needed for nausea or vertigo, a huge bandage secured by a velcro-type head strap that was not to be removed

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1119645072434965242001-07-09T16:31:00.000-04:002005-06-24T17:27:07.980-04:00

A Future and a Hope“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11(NASV)“What’d he say?” my husband asked absently. A young man, who was carrying his young daughter, had just exited the elevator at the Outpatient Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The dangling, bare foot of this little one had captured

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1119646826413774442001-07-08T16:57:00.000-04:002005-06-24T17:19:11.610-04:00

The DecisionIn March 2000, I was once again seated before my doctor to discuss my annual hearing tests. The additional decline in hearing capability was no surprise but the news that I was now a possible candidate for a cochlear implant was unexpected. My otolaryngologist explained that his policy was to implant the better ear because there was a greater chance of success in the ear that had the

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1119647131326898552001-07-07T17:01:00.000-04:002005-06-24T17:14:55.220-04:00

The DiscoveriesI busied myself during the one-month recovery period between surgery and activation by learning Cued Speech. I reasoned that Gerry and I needed a means of communication that would help me with sounds that I might have trouble processing. Cued Speech is a system of hand placements used in conjunction with speech that corresponds with the 44 phonemes of English. Learning Cue has

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1119647339215809662001-07-06T17:06:00.000-04:002005-06-24T17:17:40.850-04:00

The DelightsNew delights and unexpected surprises defined the wonder of this adjustment time. These “CI moments” were awesome and created in me a deep sense of gratitude to God for this miraculous technology. Simple things like hearing someone call my name or understanding a private, whispered message brought a smile to my face and heart. I never realized how much more enjoyable television and

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1119647505805117312001-07-05T17:09:00.000-04:002005-06-24T17:16:33.506-04:00

The DestinationAdjusting to CI sound is an amazing journey that has no pre-determined destination. With each small victory on the telephone or each independent trip to the store or doctor’s office, I feel like I’m reclaiming the lost ground that was so reluctantly and painfully surrendered over the years. It’s as if the person of Sheila Adams is re-emerging after years of dormancy and despair.

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1119650350089991322001-07-04T17:59:00.000-04:002005-06-24T18:04:40.420-04:00

"I sure hope there's not a Part 6!"

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118976840938201402001-06-15T22:54:00.000-04:002005-06-24T17:29:27.640-04:00

The Professional Side of my CI JourneyI began my teaching career in 1975 with perfect hearing. I had a special education degree in emotional disturbances, but was hired as a resource teacher for learning disabled (LD) students. I got my first hearing aid in 1980 while teaching fulltime and working on my Masters in LD at night. At that time I had a mild loss in both ears and the audiologist had me

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118791243290349912001-03-18T18:20:00.000-05:002005-06-15T20:34:32.966-04:00

Happy to "hear" Santa (my hubby)Day 13 - heard definite female voice Day 17 - heard whole sentence behind me Day 25 - Angie, my English neighbor, sounded like Angie Day 28 - understood my brother talking from backseat of car, in the dark Day 29 - heard word or two of announcements in department store Day 47 - heard man in elevator, had to tell Gerry what he said Day 50 - heard saleslady

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118774709393151222000-12-10T14:37:00.000-05:002005-06-14T14:47:47.396-04:00

Nothing painfully loudLess fatigueNo more daily, chronic headachesCan hear frequency sounds could not hear at all, even w/ state-of-the-art digital aidsCan hear musicCan hear in the darkCan hear w/o seeingCan hear on the phoneNo squeal-y feedback or itchy ear moldsNo “clogged” hearing after airplane flights

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118774956978346272000-10-29T21:30:00.000-05:002005-06-15T20:25:25.826-04:00

Kazoo soundingBuzzy background sound like an oboe or bagpipe (using CIS)Barrel-y, muffledLike PA system – hollow, megaphonedDarth Vader with a slurBoink-y, like talking under water (using SAS)Monotone voicesMale and females sounding alikeReverberatingNon-human

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13671363.post-1118880477787282122000-10-19T20:07:00.002-04:002008-03-27T00:29:41.222-04:00

Birds chirpingSniffingSpoon in soup bowlRattle of ice in glassOven timerWine glass ‘ping’ Rustling leavesRain on car roofClock tickingGerry's whistlingSighing and wind chimes on TVComputer key clicksDog’s nails o tile floorHigh notes of music boxDial key tones on cell phoneShopping carts at Costco like loud running waterATM machine beeps

Sheilanoreply@blogger.com8