Surgery Day

Ben's surgery went beautifully! (See the before and after photos). We arrived at Johns Hopkins before 5:30 am for the 7:30 am surgery (which means we left our house before 4:00 am)!! Ben's CI surgery was the first simultaneous bilateral surgery for Dr. Niparko and Johns Hopkins so there was a lot of interest in Ben while we waited until it was time for the surgery. I walked him back to the operating room at 7:30 and at 9:00 we received an update that all was going well. At 10:30, Dr. Niparko came out to tell us that the surgery was over and that everything went great. The entire surgery took three hours! Fifteen minutes later, I was holding Ben in my arms. We left for home a little after 1:00 in the afternoon and were home at 2:30.

We are SO GLAD that we decided to pursue simultaneous bilateral surgery! I can't imagine going through this again in 6 weeks. The stress of getting up there so early and worrying through another surgery would be awful. Ben's recovery has been amazing. He was in pain the first day and still wobbly and fussy the second day, but was much better yesterday and today he is back to his old self. We took the bandages off yesterday morning and I have been trying to keep a hat on since then so he won't touch the stitches. He hasn't had the pain medication (Tylenol with codeine) since yesterday morning - just regular Children's Motrin since then. I don't think he will need that after today. He is also on an antibiotic for a week. Ben's incisions are not bad at at all - much better than I expected. Dr. Niparko does incredible work.

We are so relieved that the surgery is behind us. Activation day is November 20!! We can't wait to finally get Ben to hearing. Thank you to all of our family and friends who prayed for Ben and helped us out during this week - and actually since his diagnosis. We are so grateful to Dr. John Niparko and the incredible team at Johns Hopkins that has taken such good care of our baby and guided us to this point. Now the three week countdown begins to Ben's hearing birthday!

Surgery Day is almost here!

Ben is scheduled for surgery the day after tomorrow, Oct. 28.  We are getting anxious as the big day approaches, but we are excited to finally be at this point.  He is doing so great!  He weighs 21 pounds and has started pulling up to stand and is busy cruising around the furniture.  He loves to climb on and attack his brother and sisters when they are on the floor.  His introduction to sound can not come soon enough as his development is progressing so rapidly at this age.

Please keep Ben in  your prayers Tuesday morning.  We owe so much to the support of our family and friends, as well as to all of the other families of children in the CI community we have had the good fortune to come to know and learn from. 

The last few months have been a blur of appointments and therapy for Ben, in addition to the usual round of sports, lessons, and activities for the older kids.  I can't believe we are finally here.  Ben's journey to hearing can finally begin.

Simultaneous Bilateral Surgery!

We received a call from Ben's CI surgeon last week and he told us that after further research combined with the fact that Ben is so big (20+ pounds) and healthy, he has reconsidered his position and has agreed to perform simultaneous bilateral surgery on Ben! As long as we receive insurance approval (prayers, please!) Ben's surgery will be October 28 - when he is 9 1/2 months old! We were surprised and excited at the same time. I have been dreading putting Ben through two surgeries, especially after how much he screamed when he wasn't allowed to nurse for 6 hours prior to his CT scan last week. The logistics and stress of getting to the hospital over an hour away, and getting babysitters and drivers for the other kids a second time were going to be difficult as well. But most importantly, Ben should hear from both ears that much sooner!

We are so grateful to the many parents we have come to know who have been down this road ahead of us and have helped us reach this milestone on our journey. From the first day we received Ben's diagnosis, I learned of hospitals that were doing simultaneous bilaterals on infants around the country and was able to contact their parents and follow their progress on their blogs. This was key to developing my awareness and shaping my view of what could be possible for Ben. Now that we have the bilateral surgery set, we need to focus on the activation and mapping of bilateral implants on infants. We are hoping for an activation date right before Thanksgiving. What an absolutely incredible, joyful, blessed Thanksgiving it will be!

Ben at 8 months

I'm back from a VERY LONG blog break and there is so much news to share about Ben. I can't believe it has been so long, but this summer and the beach in August and then getting four kids (well 5 if you count Ben's Early Intervention) back to school have had me running like crazy the past few weeks. I am exhausted, but so excited that we have been given two dates for Ben's bilateral CI surgeries at Johns Hopkins: October 28 and December 9! We took Ben up to Johns Hopkins for a hearing booth test in August and asked if they would consider doing Ben's first surgery in October when he is 9 1/2 months old. We are still awaiting the insurance approval and it is complicated by the fact that we have recently changed to a new insurance company because of Nathan's new job (another bit of excitement around here). We are praying that this change will not push the surgery date back. We are going to be at Johns Hopkins (about 1 hour and 20 minute drive) three times in one week at the end of this month for an Auditory Skills Assessment, a Speech and Language Evaluation, and a hearing booth test, as well as the very important device selection appointment. We are getting very close to making a final decision on the CI brand Ben will receive. It is a difficult decision as we have talked to people who have been very happy with both of the main brands (Advanced Bionics and Cochlear America).

Ben has been continuing with his weekly AVT appointments and today had a visit from his new EI teacher. She has worked at the John Tracy Clinic in LA, so we are excited to have someone with a strong oral deaf education background. He is scheduled to have a CT scan next week at our local hospital. He will be put under an anesthetic for the scan - it will be the first of three times in the next few months. Ben has been growing so big - I think he must be at least 20 pounds now! He is presently cutting his 7th tooth and has started eating Cheerios and small bits of table food. Ben has also started crawling!! He started scooting around on his belly a few weeks ago and today he officially got up on his hands and knees. Everything around this house is about to change!

The other kids are doing well, too. Abby started fifth grade, Sam second, and Grace first, with Ella attending preschool three mornings a week. Things are starting to settle into a routine with Nathan at his new job and the kids in school, but I think it will be a little while still before I get back in the groove. Ben's CI surgery will be here before we know it and that will bring more changes and challenges - but it is what we have been waiting for all these long months. To think that our baby will hear soon is just too amazing to put into words. I can't wait to get to the other side of this journey.

I want to post photos of our wonderful beach vacation and more updates, but I will save it for next time. The biggest news is that Ben has his surgery dates - it is really happening!!

For My Husband

Fourteen years ago today, I walked down an aisle, joined you at the front of an altar, and began a new life. Fresh out of college, more than one person said we were too young, but I knew in my heart exactly what I was doing. Eleven years ago this week, you were awaken early on the first morning after finishing the bar exam, to the sight of a positive pregnancy test and a stunned wife, and so began a new journey together to parenthood and the building of our family. Five children and many pregnancy tests later, I can say you have deepened and enriched my life beyond anything I could have foreseen that day. You have kept every promise you made to me back in Blacksburg and then some.

We have three daughters who adore you, who are establishing self-worth through their experience of your love and attention; and now, not one but two sons who worship you and are learning to be good and righteous men by your example. You are teaching both your daughters and your sons how to cook, how to garden, how to camp, and how to throw a punch.
Your are this family's captain and our compass. When life has surprised us as it has this year, it has been you who has righted our ship and set us on a new course. You are our provider and our protector, my champion and my rock.
Of all the decisions I will make in my life, I am certain that the greatest will be blessing my children with you for a father. I love you.

Happy Anniversary.

Camping with Friends

Jamestown and Williamsburg