Well, where do I start?! Today has been an exciting day for us! Both of my girls recieved their new 3G BTE's and were mapped! It was awesome! I almost felt like I was back at "initial stimulation" time! There was Mayo Clinic media there, "documenting" the process for 2 hours! And during that time, I went back to the same feelings I had at "initial stimulation" time. It was humbling, realizing what all I take for granted, after being so used to my daughters' hearing so well for the last 2 years and 1 1/2 years respectively. What happened today, just made me sit back and realize all over again, that we have been so blessed to come so far!
First, it has been a long day. The girls and I left home around 4:30 am and drove to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We got there around 9:00 am. Everything was set up and ready to go. That was the first time we saw the girls' 3G BTE's! The girls were ecstatic! Actually, at first, Kelcie said..."no, I want MY cochlear implant(body-worn processor)." I don't think she realized that it would serve the same purpose...until she saw Cierra get mapped first.
Cierra needed a few adjustments from her BWP map to her 3G BTE. When it was turned on, she gave a funny look and said, "it sounds funny". That is when Anne said, "yes, it is going to sound a little different." Then, we went in and did some testing in the booth. At this time, Cierra had probably had it on for 5 minutes.
I was so thrilled, and it was so neat to see the smile on this cameraman's face...like he had truly seen a miracle! Cierra came out and said she can hear better than with her BWP. I asked her, "REALLY??" She said, "Yes, Really!" The camera was rolling when Cierra called her Grandma back home! She used the telecoil for this, and she conversed with ease!
Cierra, on the other hand, wore pink. We were in the car driving out of the parking ramp, and I asked Cierra a question. She did not respond, so I asked her, "can you hear me?" She did not respond and I looked back and she had her BTE in her hand!! I said, "what are you doing?" And she said, "I LOVE THIS, it is so neat. I love to look at it! I can't believe I really have it!" That just gave me the greatest feeling! I feel as though they have their cake and are eating it too! That is the best feeling for a parent to have(for me anyhow!)!
