Thursday, June 14, 2018 – SO
IT GOES
So
far today the excitement has been taking off the hard plastic ear
protector, and following directions to gently wash the area of the
incision. The only "dressing" that had to be removed was a
tiny strip of fabric around the base of the ear. Here's a photo. As
you can see, there is a little edging of dried blood over what
covered the incision.
Of course, I can't see behind my own
ear, but lightly touching the area I can't feel anything under the
skin that feels like a magnet or receiver. No trouble combing my
hair, which I keep very short.
I use an electric razor which vibrates
very slightly. If you wear hearing aids, that sound is amplified
unless one removes the aid or aids - which I do. There is no
sensation of sound or vibration when the razor is next to either ear.
I've applied the first of three daily
applications of Mupirocin
Ointment
with my fingertip. This is to go on for 7 days. I can't feel
anything like stitches, but a friend says they are there. They'll be
removed on "Turn On Day" for me, which is on the 27th when
I return to Tampa to see my doctor.
He is to expect a hug and kiss!
I've
had an excellent, quiet breakfast. Those of you who wear hearing
aids know one of the most annoying things is the amplified sound of
chewing. Unless I remove the aid in my right ear, I sound like a Ty
rannosaurus Rex gobbling the remains of a distant ancestor. With the
aid out, there is no sound of chewing on either side. But with both
sides off, table conversation is as well. One of my future hopes is
that with the implant and linked hearing aid opposite, the talk will
return when dining with friends.
Stay tuned, as I turn on and tune in!
I had some residual hearing in both
ears - somewhat better right side, where I'll wear an aid after the
implant - perhaps the Naida Link. As a veteran, the VA has provided
Phonak aids, upgrading about every five years. The most recent pair,
about six months old, are controlled by a ComPilotII I wear on a
lanyard around my neck. Before the impla nt with aids in both ears I
was hearing - somewhat - bilaterally with three modes, Default for
typical situations, T loop, and Off. I listen to TV with a cable and
jack that plugs right into the bottom of the controller. I also have
an in-line volume control in the wire just before the jack.
You're probably wondering about using
the phone, aren't you?
It's often like this: "Who is
this?" - "Is this Richard?" - "Yes, who is
this?" - "Mumperfluff, How are you today?" -
"Say that again - who are you and what is your company?" -
(Very fast) "Mumperfluff wi' Guberthummpp." - "What
are you selling?" - "Bobbllfrumpkins." - "I
don't think I need any." CLICK.
Sometimes I'm left with the nagging
thought that a "Bobbllfrumpkins" could
come in
very handy – but I'll never know, will I?
And what will it be like after I'm up
and running with the new system? Me, too.
Even though my Samsung Android
smartphone has proper amplification, it is challenging to use except
where very quiet. For most of my conversation with the cell, I use
texting.
At
home, I use a Magic Jack with my desktop Apple PC. It can be turned
up very loud, so I prefer to take phone calls there, even though the
MJ sometimes cuts in and out.
My generation began between the
hand-crank, party line on the wall and the rotary dial phone. Yes, I
think I talked on a Candlestick phone, probably showing off by
demonstrating how well I could say "Mama," "Poppa,"
"Cat" to an adoring grandparent, aunt or uncle, but what
they said has slipped my mind - like the conversation I had three
minutes ago on my Internet Magic Jack. What goes around comes around.
Right?
I remember when the local trunk line
wasn't three numbers, as today.
On I Love Lucy, whenever Lucy
or Ricky Ricardo gave out their phone number, they'd say “Murray
Hill 5 - 9959.” Sweet! Kinda miss that.
The honest-to-goodness Magic for me
won't be a new and improved Magic Jack. It will be new and improved
hearing with my Cochlear Implant!
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