Cochlear implant update

We had a wonderful holiday.  We spent it home in Austin with our little family.  Angelica is still not walking or crawling but she is scooting and rolling.  She is very much a fun spirited, silly and "I can do it myself" little girl. 

We tested the right side on Wednesday and did not get a response.  This was the side that we were hopeful would respond.  We will move forward with testing the left side on Tuesday.  Angelica did exceptionally well at the appointment.  It was just under 3 hours.  There is a great deal of testing that is involved when turning on a cochlear implant.  We are not upset with the results and if this does not work out we are confident she will be just fine.  The only frustrating thing with all of this is the 11 hour surgery.  Such a long time to have surgery for something especially with her heart condition. She is doing well from surgery so I suppose I need to move forward from that frustration. 

The deaf community is such a proud awesome community we are very blessed to have become a part of that community.  We are enjoying learning sign language and have quite a ways to go.  She loves to watch people sign and she is signing a few words already.  Dad was the first and mom is on occasion.  We have had so much fun watching her grow and learn.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

love,
Amanda, Chris and Angelica

Update 12/8

We are home! Feels good to be home.  Angelica is tired and fussy as expected but she is only expected to feel down for 3 - 5 days. Looking forward to catch up on our sleep.  We will follow up with the ENT in 1 - 2 weeks and then we will be told when we can test the implant.  Thanks for all the continued love and support.

Cochlear implant update

Surgery finished around 630. She did well overall. We are staying the night in the hospital to monitor her.  Plan is to leave tomorrow.  Cochlear implant testing in the OR showed limited stimulation on one side and no stimulation on the other.  It is unclear at this time if the implants will provide hearing.   We love our baby girl and are excited to cuddle with her this weekend.

Cochlear implants update

They have finished with the second implant. They will be finishing up and should be done in the next 45 minutes.  We are anxious to hold our baby girl.

Cochlear implants 12.7.17

Today is the big day!  Surgery began at 630 am.  Arrival was 545 am.  The expected length of the surgery is 8 hours.  This morning was one of the most difficult hand offs.  Angelica is so much more aware of her surroundings.  Praying this is the last surgery/procedure for some time.  Angelica is doing well.  They are working on the right side first.  Dr. Harshburger our plastic surgeon was present this morning to assist Dr. Roehm the ENT in placement.  They have mapped her nerves and are moving forward with insertion of the device. I will continue to update this blog throughout the day. 

-Amanda