Back to myself

My right Esteen sound processor was implanted again last Thursday. It has been far more painful than any of my other surgeries but I am so thankful to be able to hear again! Recovery has been challenging this time and I actually took the pain meds, so this post is long overdue. :)

Surgery day was pretty calm. I was a nervous wreck. I had flown in from OKC at 11:30 the night before and was pretty tired, too. My sweet friends kept my phone lit up with messages all morning, which helps a ton!! I even heard from Julie and Amy at Envoy. How sweet is that??

The anesthesiologist was a gentleman I had never met before. I thought he seemed pretty serious until I noticed a hammer sticking out of his pocket and asked about it. Turns out it was just a pen but after that, we all lightened up a little bit. :) 

This surgery was at Dr. Shohet's new surgery center. Of course, everything was too notch, as I've come to expect from anything relating to his practice.  It was very nice being the only patient having surgery that day. I begged Dr. Shohet to use sedation instead of general anesthesia but he would not agree. My mom finds it hilarious that he told me, "You are very influential, you know?" They all know me after 5 surgeries. :) I HATE anesthesia. In fact, I hate it even more after this surgery. 

Apparently, Dr. Shohet came in to talk to me but I don't remember that at all. When I woke up and was alert, I asked the nurse if things went well and she kept telling me she thought so. This nurse was wonderful but that was horrifying. I needed to know for sure! I asked her to get Dr. Shohet but he was gone. I even asked them to call him haha. It was very scary. Eventually, the anesthesiologist came in and gave me more details. I started crying as soon as he told me everything was working well. He actually got tissues and wiped my eyes for me. That was so sweet. 

My mom tells me I woke up MEAN and was yelling at everybody. I don't remember that at all, but am very embarrassed. That's another reason for me to hate anesthesia. I do remember everyone being very sweet. Even the ladies from the regular office (not surgery center) came in to check on me. That was so nice! They brought me coffee, too, and so did mom. Michiko blinged out my ear bubble, too. Isn't it adorable??

Dr. Shohet turned on and programmed the Esteem in surgery so I could hear when I woke up. The ear bubble precluded me from hearing much, but I could hear my own voice and a lot of screechy feedback. I DO remember freaking out at that point. Everyone went into motion, getting my remote and making arrangements for me to see Sam (my audiologist) that afternoon. Robert, the Envoy tech who was in surgery, didn't know how to fix it, so they thought I should see Sam.  It still amazes me how caring the entire practice is. 

Mom and I were planning on driving home immediately, but we had to kill time to make the audiology appointment. Fortunately, I felt GREAT!!!! It was like the huge burden I'd been carrying for 4 1/2 months was gone. I felt like myself again. Two of my friends actually commented that they could tell I was back to normal just from pictures that day. Mom and I went to the beach and got food. It was a nice afternoon. Mom was surprised that I was hearing better even with the bubble. 

Of course, seeing Sam is always fun. Seriously, I really like her. I love that I feel more like a friend than a patient AND she's great at her job. I LOVED it when she pointed out that I was communicating better already. She did a tymp and it was almost normal. Apparently the bubble was causing the feedback. I saw Dr. Shohet briefly. It was nice to hear him say that everything went well. 

Recovery has been difficult this time. I didn't sleep well that first night and the pain got pretty bad. Friday and Saturday were AWFUL  I couldn't move at all without excruciating pain. The pain meds didn't control it at all. I texted Dr. Shohet's nurse and got the OK to add ibuprofen. That made it bearable. I actually fell asleep sitting straight up because I couldn't move. Mom said I was moaning and grimacing all night. I had never had pain like that with the other surgeries. I actually rested for an entire week this time. I am the worst patient ever and have never rested for as long as the drs recommend. This time, I had to. It was pretty painful and consisted of a whole lot of this...

It's been a week now and I'm still not back to normal (physically). I'm sleepy and still have pain. The great thing is that it doesn't matter. :) I can hear again!! I'm not trapped in that horrible isolated state. I had to go to target today and was able to understand the cashiers. I can hear the dog's collar jingling when he comes down the stairs. I hear the doorbell and my phone and so many other sounds I've missed. Most importantly, I can communicate again. I feel like me! I'm so thankful for this miracle!