1 Month Post-Activation
September 10 was a big day for us. Little Man had his CI's activated for the first time - there weren't huge smiles or giggles but there weren't tears or screams either! We saw a really positive response - I think I would classify it as curiosity.
The team at CHOP evaluated the surgical site and gave it two thumbs up - apparently Little Man heals well and having a nurse in the family (my mom- gran) isn't a bad thing either! She helped us to take care of the wounds and that sure made a big difference!
It's been nearly 1 month that he's been "hearing" and little man is doing amazing things in our eyes and the eyes of his therapists. He's been showing off some new sounds, responding to sounds (alerting to them by quieting/stilling), watching our faces much more than ever before and even starting to chatter as soon as his CI's are placed on his head. Yesterday, when I ran home for his developmental therapy he reached out his arms as soon as he saw me and with a big smile goes "hhhhhaaaaaaaaa" which I'm translating as HI! :) It was beautiful and so special.
At this point he doesn't know how to localize (determine the source of sound) and so we'll be working on that pretty consistently. We are narrating as much as possible and introducing him to vocabulary as well as sounds. To be honest - that part is exhausting some times. Don't get me wrong - I love to talk but sometimes you just don't remember to narrate that you're turning on the water or that you just dropped a pan or that the lawn mower is running. BUT it's so good! And that's what we keep focusing on.
Little Man has several wonderful therapists in his life. Early Intervention is an amazing gift. Right now he sees a Physical Therapist, Developmental Therapist, Speech Therapist, Teacher of the Deaf, and an Occupational Therapist. All working on different pieces (but there is overlap). Truly we've been blessed with an amazing group of women.
Some days are harder than others - sometimes I get mad that he needs these pieces with blinky lights on his head to hear me or that he can't hear me when he's in the bath or that he can't hear me when I go to get him from his naps - but I'm trying to focus on the fact that the rest of the time he can hear me! How incredible is that! Through it all Anna is a champ. I've told a few of you this story but he and Anna were laying on the floor and he grabbed Anna's hair. She pulled her hair away and got right in his face and told him sternly and loudly "No Jamesey". I want her to speak up but we still needed to chat about tone and nicely telling him what he couldn't do and so I told her that. Her response was "But Mommy - he can hear me now!" I thought it was hilarious! :)
Thanks for celebrating with us and praying with us! More updates to follow :)
The team at CHOP evaluated the surgical site and gave it two thumbs up - apparently Little Man heals well and having a nurse in the family (my mom- gran) isn't a bad thing either! She helped us to take care of the wounds and that sure made a big difference!
It's been nearly 1 month that he's been "hearing" and little man is doing amazing things in our eyes and the eyes of his therapists. He's been showing off some new sounds, responding to sounds (alerting to them by quieting/stilling), watching our faces much more than ever before and even starting to chatter as soon as his CI's are placed on his head. Yesterday, when I ran home for his developmental therapy he reached out his arms as soon as he saw me and with a big smile goes "hhhhhaaaaaaaaa" which I'm translating as HI! :) It was beautiful and so special.
At this point he doesn't know how to localize (determine the source of sound) and so we'll be working on that pretty consistently. We are narrating as much as possible and introducing him to vocabulary as well as sounds. To be honest - that part is exhausting some times. Don't get me wrong - I love to talk but sometimes you just don't remember to narrate that you're turning on the water or that you just dropped a pan or that the lawn mower is running. BUT it's so good! And that's what we keep focusing on.
Little Man has several wonderful therapists in his life. Early Intervention is an amazing gift. Right now he sees a Physical Therapist, Developmental Therapist, Speech Therapist, Teacher of the Deaf, and an Occupational Therapist. All working on different pieces (but there is overlap). Truly we've been blessed with an amazing group of women.
Some days are harder than others - sometimes I get mad that he needs these pieces with blinky lights on his head to hear me or that he can't hear me when he's in the bath or that he can't hear me when I go to get him from his naps - but I'm trying to focus on the fact that the rest of the time he can hear me! How incredible is that! Through it all Anna is a champ. I've told a few of you this story but he and Anna were laying on the floor and he grabbed Anna's hair. She pulled her hair away and got right in his face and told him sternly and loudly "No Jamesey". I want her to speak up but we still needed to chat about tone and nicely telling him what he couldn't do and so I told her that. Her response was "But Mommy - he can hear me now!" I thought it was hilarious! :)
Thanks for celebrating with us and praying with us! More updates to follow :)
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