3 weeks

It's been 3 weeks and I feel GREAT! I drove to Long Beach and went to the aquarium and on a harbor cruise with Jeralyn and the kids today and I'm not half dead. :) The implant site is still VERY sensitive and it hurts quite a bit. I am still not sure when activation will happen but I'm definitely ready. I'm not nervous about activation this time (yet) but I'm struggling without any hearing in my right ear.

Having Gavyn and Brynna here has reinforced why I'm so glad to have the Esteem before I have children. It's so sweet to wake up to a little voice saying, "Hi Jill. It's morning! Let's make pink pancakes!" The reassurance of knowing I can hear them at night is worth every second of pain as well. As much as I HATE not having my own family yet, I am very glad that God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed me to gain hearing before having kids. Now He can send me a man anytime. ;)

I didn't realize how much more social I've become since surgery. Without hearing in the right ear, I'm back to my withdrawn ways. It's soooooo much work to try and figure out what people are saying. Cars are the worst!! I get really frustrated when I'm driving and I can't hear anyone or lipread. Fortunately, this is temporary.:) I've forgotten so much of deaf life already and it's only been 8 months! This recovery is definitely reminding me of how amazing the Esteem really is!