David Goes Bilateral?

David had his second post-surgery check-up on Friday and all is well.  He has a cold so I was afraid he might have an ear infection, but he didn't, so the appointment was pretty much uneventful.  Tomorrow the doctor is submitting paperwork to our insurance company to get David's second implant approved.  I'm expecting we'll have to jump through the same hoops we did for his first implant.  We get denied, then we get denied again, then we appeal and get denied again, and then we appeal a second time and finally they approve the surgery.  At least this time we know what to expect and what we need to do.

I don't think Steve and I are ready to get David a second implant tomorrow, but I think we are almost "there", and we want to be able to schedule surgery ASAP when that day comes.  We have seen the amazing results with just one implant, and we know that with a second it will allow David to hear better in noise, be able to localize sound, give him "fuller" sound (think surround sound vs. one working speaker), and will allow him to not have to work as hard to hear.  But at the same time it means taking away the residual hearing in his left ear and being committed to the implant technology available today (since the internal part can't be replaced unless there is some kind of malfunction).  I know what the right choice is, I know what is best for David, but you're asking the most indecisive girl on the planet to come to the most definitive answer.  Hopefully it will take me and Steve (and the insurance company) just a few weeks to come around, because we have a tentative surgery date for March 11th.  Mark your calendars!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Yes, I'm two weeks late, but things have been kinda busy around here.  I can't believe I'm looking at the calendar and it says 2010 and David has been around to see three years!  Looking back at 2009, I think I will remember it as the hardest, most emotional, and proudest year of my life -  the year that Steve and I went through the joy of having a new baby boy, the grief and sadness of learning about his deafness, the anger and blame that came with the diagnosis, and the year that we became experts on cochlear implants, made decisions that will change David's future, and became advocates for David.

2009 gave us David's CI surgery and his first hearing day.  His progress has been nothing short of amazing (in my opinion) in just two short months.  I just can't wait to see how he develops in the coming months.  2010 has much in store for our family, and there are many unknowns.  Steve already started a new job last week.  Maybe a new job for me?  Maybe a second cochlear implant for David?  Hopefully a much needed vacation?  I have many hopes, dreams and worries, but am certain that 2010 will bring us more joy than we know what to do with.

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Obviously this should be dated December 8, 2008.  I've been neglecting David's blog for a while, and I didn't realize that the post I wrote on his actual birthday didn't post correctly.  So...I really can't believe how fast a year has gone by, and oh what a year it's been!  You've certainly kept us very, very busy David.  But you've also made us so happy and proud.  We've enjoyed watching you learn and grow into the cutest little boy with your crazy head of hair.  You keep us smiling and you constantly remind us of what is really important in life.  Happy 1st Birthday David!