Lauren's Cochlear Implant Activation

Lauren's cochlear implant activation on the left side was yesterday. She did very well. We were able to get a response from her and set the lower limit thresholds with beeps... Then the fun part where we got to talk to her for the first time. It was a breathtaking moment for all of us. She was just curious and had an amused look on her face. Big difference from Taylor's crying when she was activated at 15 months. I think a part of that was that Lauren was only 9.5 months, and Lauren had always worn hearing aids... She at least knew there was such a thing as sound, although it had been very far and distant. Channel 4 in Oklahoma City filmed the activation because it was the earliest surgery and activation ever done in Oklahoma. Here is a link to the new story: http://on.kfor.com/0k3t6vT Youngest Okla. baby to get gift of hearing Taylor and Derek were so excited to see Lauren her new "ear.". What a family moment! We are going to post more pictures later, but we are moving over this weekend. I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us. Lauren will be learning to listen, and eventually speak. We are thankful beyond words.

Lumps around the CI

Last Thursday, I took Taylor back to the Hough Ear Institute.  We always try to watch the implant area closely for redness or irritation.  Occasionally, infections can occur.  Taylor's dad noticed when putting on the coil that there was a lump right below the CI on her head.  It felt like a cyst.  We were able to get right in with our surgeon and had him take a look.  He found two lumps, and started asking me about bug bites, etc. because he thought it was swollen lymph nodes associated with a skin irritation.  I remembered that while we were on vacation, my mom had put Taylor's hair in pigtails and we found a little seed tick on the back on her head near that area.  It was from that tick!!  I hate ticks but what a celebration to know that all is well with the cochlear implant.  :)