Cochlear Implant Activated

First Activation appointment!

I'm sorry it took so long for me to update Jace's blog.  We have been busy with camping trips, vacation bible school and other fun summer stuff.  Here's the deal--Jace isn't so crazy about the device.  He loved it at first as you can see from the pictures.  However, it continues to annoy him throughout the day.  When he is tired, he hides it somewhere in the house, or hurls it through the car if we are driving.  Go ahead, laugh...I know it's funny now.  But it won't be when he REALLY loses it.  Thankfully, it has a remote that I can use to help find it-no, really!

He goes for his 3rd activation on July 6th.  I hope to do a better job at updating this blog in the future...smile...

Jace's CI Surgery

The CI surgery went GREAT!  Here he is before playing on the floor of the OR prep room.

 The orange bucket is his--in it he chose to bring a stuffed lion, a car, and a toy gun.  The nurses were super sweet to him, and seemed to be able to communicate just fine.  One wanted to be his 'girlfriend'...he smiled at that.

When it was finally time for surgery, I walked him into the OR, on my hip.  He was a little curious and even more cautious as we stepped into the cold room.  In the OR were about 6 or 7 people in blue scrubs with masks.  They took one look at him with that toy gun and melted.  Of course I had to be my theatrical self and EXAGGERATE the fact that 'all his friends were here'...all while I was wearing a full-bodied sterilized white( bunny suit) scrub and an ever so flattering OR hat.

He laid down on the table and let them put the mask on him.  His eyes shown that he was scared but my eyes pretended that it wasn't so scary.  My silly faces seemed to soothe him as he drifted into sleep.

Three hours later, the doctor came out to tell us that everything went incredibly well.  He told us that he had high hopes for 'that little guy'.  He said that Jace was 'gonna sail' through the next years with having his new ear.  I couldn't wait to see him and hold him.  Poor thing had no idea what he would wake up to.

 He fought the waking after anesthesia.  It was hard to comfort him.  He couldn't wake up his eyes and of course he couldn't hear anything.  I wonder what he was thinking?  I cannot imagine.  The nurses let me just hold him and rock him as he cried.  As soon as he recognized me, he calmed down into a whine.  After about 10 minutes, a nurse rubbed a popsicle over his lips and that did the trick!!

Here he is after a nice bath and a lot of food!

Alex and lil brother fell asleepthe next day after a movie.

Day three.  I removed the bandage and cleaned the wound.  It is healing so nicely!!

 Thanks for all your prayers and support!  I can't wait until June 13 and 14.   This is when they turn on his new device!  I can't wait to film it and show you too!!!!

El-Elyon, Hear My Prayer...

...and so the day is coming.  The day I prayed for.  The day I dreamed of.  And yet, the day I can't help but worry about.  Oh, I know in my heart that God is in control.  In fact,  I know Jehovah-Rapha.  I have witnessed His touch, His power, and His healing.  So tell me then, why am I constantly worrying over this?  Why am I not the trusting, faithful, and quiet daughter of Elohim?  Why do I not pray about it and leave it to Jace's Creator?

Because in my flesh, I know that a mere doctor is going to drill hole into my baby's skull.  I've seen the CAT scan and how closely the facial nerve lies to the cochlea.  Sure, I've heard the surgeon tell me that he has 'plenty of room' in my baby's head to not 'hit' that nerve that may cause paralysis. I've heard him tell me how successful this type of surgery is.  I've spoken with the audiologist, the psychiatrist, the speech therapist...the list goes on.  I've researched the internet until my brain was overwhelmed.  I've talked to others who've had the surgery and tell me that is SO worth it.  Nonetheless, I sit here and fret.  About the surgery.  About the recovery.  About the ENTIRE decision I've made for my son who has NO idea what is about to happen.  And suppose...just for a moment...that something bad DOES happen?  Here I am, making a life altering decision for Jace without his opinion! Without his approval! Without any knowledge of his whatsoever!  Suppose he LOVES a silent world.  After all, he is SO happy.  ALL OF THE TIME!  What if he hates the sound of people talking on the street?  Or background noise?  What if he doesn't want to hear a car horn...or a siren...or WOSRE... the filth that so frequently comes from a mouth without a conscious....

But what about the beautiful things that he has missed out on hearing?  Like the birds in the morning-calling to a darkened world-to arise and greet the sunshine!  Or the rhythmic sound of raindrops that falls on the window as we settle in for a nap...the giggle of a baby...the 'pop' of a toaster...the VOICE of a momma telling him that she LOVES her baby boy.  Oh, how I wait for the day that Jace hears my voice! Will it be a whisper?  Or will it be a drawn out, 2 syllable 'Jaa-ace'? It doesn't matter, does it?  He will hear my voice!  And it is my voice!...I pray he will embrace it!  Even the sheep know the voice of the Shepherd!  And so the day is coming...

Please, Adonai...let me hear Your voice!!