Preparing for Surgery

After our tough decision discussed last post we have had some further developments. Following my meeting with our surgeon to sign off on Jaime's bilateral implants, another clinical meeting was held to confirm final details for Jaime's surgery. During this meeting a concern was raised as to the accuracy of Jaime's responses to her past hearing tests, due to this it was decided that we would return to the implant clinic for yet another test.

On hearing this news we were disappointed, we had been given a choice as Jaime had shown consistent responses at 80-85db (on her right), we have travelled to and fro to ensure this result did not fluctuate, but now Jaime was expected to suddenly improve on these results?... We couldn't understand how or why she would suddenly improve. 

I am still unsure why, however a mere 2 weeks after our latest hearing results Jaime did indeed improve... Jaime now consistently responded to sounds played at 70-75db, disqualifying her from bilateral implants. 

After having set our minds on bilateral implant just the week before, it took me a while to accept that the decision to withhold the second implant was indeed in the best interest for Jaime. Now with confirmed hearing at 70-75db Jaime should be able to access a good range of sound through the use of her hearing aid, she will be able to retain her natural hearing and delight in the richness of true sound (that is not able to be achieved with an implant), and the most comforting thought, that when she is not wearing her aids she may still be able to hear a loud alarm or just make out a shout.

We now have our surgery date set, Thursday this week we will make the drive into town for the biggest moment in Jaime's life so far! Quiet World Daddy is already nervous in anticipation, he is great at reminding me of everything that could go wrong! I on the other hand have not yet reached the nervous stage, I am still excited. Tomorrow I think the surgery will begin to seem more real...

Tomorrow we meet with the surgeon to get medical clearance for Jaime to ensure she is fit to undergo surgery... This has posed us a tough few weeks of keeping Jaime quarantined from coughs and colds- a challenge in the midst of winter!!

This morning Jaime began a mild cough that has me on edge, I hope that its a mild 24hr bug, I don't know how I would handle the prospect of postponing the surgery... 

Fingers crossed my next post will follow a successful day Thursday and not tomorrow with a postponement of Jaime's surgery.

Stay tuned...