Miraculous Team...Eternal Coach

So, Monday was activation day. I talked in my first post about how Thomas was blessed with an amazing hearing and speaking team.

Well, his surgeon did a wonderful job on his implant surgery. The recovery time was quick and the bruises were minor. His doctor of audiology helped us select what we believe is the right device for Thomas and our family. She helped to pave the way to CI surgery and consulted closely with our surgeon. Our certified audio verbal therapist (I know know that she has many other acronyms following her name) truly outlined for us the path to listening and speaking success. Her opinion of the regression that we saw in Thomas' development was the main reason for our surgeon believing that it was time for surgery. So, we had our surgeon, our quarter back, the doctor of audiology, our play caller, and our cert AVT, the trainer that prepared us for the game. Overall a miraculous team...a team that got us where we are today. Our thanks are never ending and our appreciation is bountiful.

So, the star of the team, Thomas, prepared for activation with a 13 hour sleep the night before that gave him the stamina for game day. As you can see from the smile on his face, he was ready to take on the day and make it a success!



We head off to the stadium, Cook's Children Northeast Clinic, at about 9:30 for our 10am activation session. Of course, we don't go onto the field (our audiologist's office) without Thomas roughing up a few kids in the waiting area. We truly need to work on his aggressive behavior, but that is another post topic.

We begin the day with making the star player as comfortable as possible...DVD player, toys and snacks. Initial stimulation begins and Thomas reacts with a few amazing moves...watch this:



He breezed through initial stimulation and moved onto the sounds within the room. I brought out his "wheels on the bus" toy and he got to hear all the sounds...he loved playing the "r" sound and then listened to the song over and over again.

Our cert AVT/trainer was at the northeast clinic and came to see the star player. I so wished that we got her on video...but, alas that will need to be for another day. We were able to catch a picture of our audiologist/play caller before the star departed the stadium. BTW, this picture is in the booth because when we finished Thomas thought that it was time to go to the booth...so, we sat in the booth for this first picture with CI on...this still brings tears to my eyes.



So we get set on his first four maps or programs...not sure exactly what to call them. We leave the field and head back to the locker room (aka the house). He is wide awake...so I do about 30 minutes of therapy with him. Now remember that Thomas has very good residual hearing in his left ear and originally benefited well from the hearing aids...so we did his usual music therapy because there was no way that I was going to get him back in a chair. He didn't miss a beat, no pun intended. He did all the movements to "Wheels on the Bus," "Shake Your Sillies Out," and "Brush Your Teeth." He pointed to all the parts of the face and his belly button. He even did the "clap" for the snap of Mr. Crocodile in Five Little Monkeys. All was great...but, the star player needed to head to bed for a little rest before the second half.

Second half, we played a lot and I simply watched his reaction to sound. We then took our new dog for a walk around the block. As we walked, I heard an airplane overhead. I said to Thomas, "I hear an airplane. Do you hear that? (then pointed to my ear)." He looked up into the air, pointed to the sky (he couldn't find the plane because of the clouds) and said, "Ah!" He then pointed to his ear. I just about cried for the ump-tee-nth time that day. We then heard a helicopter and dogs barking. He doesn't know "woof" or "whopa-whopa" yet. So, he just pointed in the direction of the noise and then to his ear and made noises like as if to say, "I hear that!"

So, now you know how the star player was supported by his miraculous team. However, we cannot end talking about this truly great day without talking about the most important element of all...our Coach...Jesus Christ. Without Him, nothing about game day would have been possible. For so long I was frustrated, angry and confused as to why Thomas was given to Sean and me. So many people would say, "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" (which I still despise this saying to this day)...or God has a plan for you and your family. Well, the joy in our hearts on this very special game day could have only come via our Coach...He motivated us to face game day, and kicks our butts to ensure that we are ready to face the numerous games before us..and gratefully, He holds us in His hands when we need an "off day." Glory be to God! Without Him...we would truly not be where we are today. In a truly hearing world...one that contains all the wonderful sounds that the Coach has put in the big game of life...