18 September 06 - Implant Day

This is a past news that I thought would be worthwhile to be posted.
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Big day today! I did not sleep well last night, partly because the hospital ward aircon too cold, but mostly because there's so much going on my head about today's surgery.

Fakhri has fast since last night, his last feed (a bottle of milk) was at 2 a.m. This morning, we are told that nurse will pick him up around 7.30 a.m - which in Singapore that looks like 6.30 a.m in Jakarta. We did not get a chance to bath him, but last night we did and we shampoo his hair so it is now smooth and easy to be trimmed for the surgery incision.

I opt to carry Fakhri to the operating theathre. What I did not expect that only one person is allowed to come in, my husband will need to stay outside - instantly my feet went cold. The team was getting ready, preparing the equipment, table, etc when we came in. Prof. Low came and asked if I have any more questions. The anasthesia doctor came, and the whole charade of distracting Fakhri begun. Unfortunately, the anstesist was not succeed in putting in the needle to Fakhri's vein. So I need to hold him tight while they're putting a anasthesi masks while he is screaming and kicking on my lap......

We waited for 3 hrs till the nurse pick us up. Fakhri was in recovery room, has not open his eyes, crying and seems to comprehend the situation, and only calm down when I hold him. It was not until 7 pm that he is fully awake - before doze off again. That night, I again did not sleep as Fakhri does not want to be put on the bed.

The next day, Fakhri developed a fever, first low one but then gets to 38 C. He also got a mild diarhea, Prof. Low said it was the effect of the anasthesia and antibiotics and should wear off the next day. So we stayed another night at the hospital.

Thursday, the fever wore off, and Fakhri was his usual cheerful boy again. The bandage was removed, and what remains behind his right ear is a small piece of cotton plester to protect the wound. Fakhri was a little annoyed when nurse tried to remove the bandage. We were discharged that day and back to our apartment.

Fakhri in AVT Session

1 Nov 06 - 3 wks Post Switch On

Today is exactly 3 weeks post switch on. As we were initially doubtful on Fakhri's progress, we have more confidence now that he hears and picking up language in his brain.

The first 10 days was adjustment period for Fakhri. His awareness to sound was inconsistent, and most of the time he does not show sign that he hears, in short his reponse was worse compared to when he wears Hearing Aids. In addition for the first couple of days post switch on he seems to loose his balance - he falls easily or bump his head to the table or floor more frequently. We are seing AVT therapist once a week and a structured 1-1.5 hours per day session at home with me, but Fakhri is now in the physically active stage that his focus span only lasts about 30 minutes and he starts climbing up the chairs or crawling around the therapy room.

I was quite nervous to see all of this, but then I found out from Cochlear Implant Parent Support Mailing List that all of this is normal, and in fact it is not until the third mapping that we can see real progress.

Then something happened on the 2nd week. Fakhri shows an interest in banging table, knocking doors, and pressing buttons on his toys that produce sounds. And then he touch his right ears suggesting that he hears. This was never happened when he was wearing Hearing Aids. The next day he even claps his hands and smiling! After that almost every day he shows new things he learned. 3 days ago, he picked up his brother's walkie-talkie toys, put it on his ears and produce sound "Aooo ??" (for hello...?) My heart jumped - maybe this is a coincidence. The next day, when I got home from office he spotted me and yelled "Aiiii" (for Hi...), and just last night he started waiving and said "Gaaaa"... (for Daag....!).

And the best of all.... happened this morning when he is with his father and I am preparing myself to go to the office. As usual, Fakhri gets jumpy every morning when I'm preparing for work and basically he wants me to hold him. So when I just waived and try to soothe him to wait me gets dressed, he yelled "Mmmmaaaa !"

WOW ! I was stunned and can not believe what I'm hearing.

True that his babling is not consistent yet, nor that I suspect he knows whats the meaning, but I think his brain is absorbing LOTS of information and develop skills to imitate the sounds he hears for the last 3 weeks. I am looking forward to his next words... really can't wait !