My C.I. Journey

Mapping Update

2009-06-22T23:00:00.002-04:00

I went to Nashville for my 3rd mapping today. I can tell a little difference, but nothing major. Susan also remapped my right processor and I can tell a big difference in it. I got the Music program added to both processors. I haven't really tried it out yet because it was so noisy in the truck.

After Susan mapped my older processor, I was surprised at how "bass" everything sounds compared to my newer processor. I am hearing higher frequencies in the new processor. There is a very distinct difference in the two, but when I turn both of them on...WOW! It just sounds so much better! With both on, I can't tell that one side is getting the bass and the other is getting the high frequencies....it just blends together!

I turned my bluetooth neckloop on after I left her office and called my daughter. It was very loud and I had to turn the volume down! :) It was a little clearer too. My true CI moment came as we were driving down the interstate. It was very noisy (especially since I was hearing more sounds) so I put both processors on the ADRO w/Sensitivity program. It is so cool how it turns the road noise down! It's as if I am turning a volume knob and the wind and tires gradually decrease and the voices increase! James uses his right ear when talking on his cell phone and when we are in the truck, I can't understand what he is saying because his hand blocks his voice and lips. Well, not today! He was talking to our daughter and I heard everything he said! I wasn't even looking at him either!

The HLAA had a convention at the Opryland Hotel this weekend and I stopped by to check out the Exhibit Hall. Some really cool gadgets there! I also signed up to receive a free neckloop which will be cool because I can use it with my work cell phone (it doesn't have bluetooth.) I tried to get some help with my Clearsounds blue tooth loop (I can't get it to work with my blackberry mp3 to play music) but it seems there might be some technical problems that won't allow it work. I need to contact Clearsounds. I did get to see my friend, Laurie, at the convention and she gave me some good tips on keeping the processor on and listening to music. I also met some of the gals from Cochlear at their booth. I had forgotten about listening to the CD that came in my kit and they really encouraged me to do this to improve on my listening and understanding.

I also had a wedding to attend in Brentwood this weekend, so it has been a very busy 4 day weekend for me. I'm glad to be back home, but not looking forward to going to work tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted with my new sounds and experiences!

My Hook Up

2009-06-10T17:12:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I had my follow up doctor appointment with Dr. Haynes. He said everything looks good. There is a place at the top of my incision that has not completely healed. He said my body might have rejected the stitch and it has opened back up. It is now scabbing over and should be healed up soon.

After the doctor appointment, I went to my audiologist appointment for the hook up. After Susan went throught the T & C levels and turned the processor on, it sounded much like when I got the new Freedom processor for my other ear in February. At first, there was this long screetching sound. I think it was the fan or air conditioner. Next I heard the "robotic" voices. The voices sounded kind of far off, but I could understand them. I noticed the higher frequencies immediately because they sounded like wind chimes (like in February.) When I turned the old processor on, it was really cool! I could tell a big difference, even though the new implant wasn't understanding much at this point. This appointment only took about 2 hours. Susan told me to wear the new processor that afternoon and evening and to also wear the old processor with it occasionally.

We left her office and went to check in our hotel. After we checked in, we walked down to Music Row (Nashville.) The CMA Fest started today so many vendors were setting up and it was started to get crowded. Walking downtown, I had only my new processor on. The sound wasn't very loud. We went into the Cadillac Ranch Bar & Grille to eat. There was a couple singing and it was very loud. I turned both processors on because it was so noisy in there and I wouldn't have been able to hear James with just the new processor. I thought the music sounded loud and blaring and James said it sounded that way to him also. I couldn't understand the singer when he talked because it was so loud. Later that night, I watched tv with just the new processor. I was able to hear the voices and match them up to the closed captioning. Everything still sounded really soft though, much like it did when I first got hooked up to the Freedom in February, so I figured I just needed more volume.

This morning, I went back for my 2nd appt. I told Susan I thought we needed to turn the volume up. She went through the T & C levels. She said I did better on the T levels (could hear more of the faintest beeps.) I was really shocked when she did the Comfort levels. The level she started out with is where my "maximum comfort level" was yesterday. I could barely hear the beeps! In less than 24 hours, my brain had adjusted to the sound levels and I already needed it much louder! Once she turned the processor on, it sounded too loud. She kept adjusting it until it sounded better, but still kind of loud. My voice sounded really loud. She backed away and put a cover in front her lips and talked to me. I could understand everything she said with just the new processor! The sounds are still a little different to me though. The higher frequencies are going to take some time. The best way to describe it is that it sounds like someone is using a voice distorter that makes your voice sound robotic. There is a lot of "s" sound in every word. When I turned my old processor on with the new, it was really loud, but I could hear sooo much better!

Two implants vs. one:
When I turn the new processor on, everything is raspy and I am hearing ALOT of environmental sounds (maybe more than I hear with my old processor). I can tell a difference with voices, but they still sound kind of robotic.

When I add the old processor, it really makes everything sound so much fuller. Everything is much louder and I can understand voices and environmental sounds better. With both processors, I don't even notice the raspy robotic voices. I know the new side still has a lot of learning to do, but I don't even notice it with both processors on.

Now, when I turn the new processor off...I really notice the difference! Even though I am still learning sounds with it, there is a huge void with it off. I especially notice it when listening to music. I think I hear more instruments with the new processor.

I am due for a new mapping in the older processor and I think it will be much better after that. I am going to be patient with the new one because I know it will get better. I have also been using my new bluetooth neckloop and there is a huge improvement with the new processor. Last week, everyone I talked to had to repeat about every other sentence. With the new processor, I can hear almost every word.

So far, I am thrilled with the new implant and know I made the right decision to get it!

3 More Days!

2009-06-06T18:40:00.002-04:00

Just 3 more days til I'm hooked up! I am getting excited and nervous. I know what it can be like, but I am hoping it will be better than the last time! I'll keep you posted!

Facebook | Cochlear™

2009-06-06T18:25:00.000-04:00

Facebook Cochlear™

1 Week Post Surgery

2009-05-25T23:58:00.004-04:00

Well, it has been one week since my surgery! Activation is only 2 weeks away! My family and I went up to the mountains for a cookout today (Memorial Day) and had a great time together. When I woke up this morning, I wasn't in any pain so I didn't take any medicine. On the way to the mountains, I went ahead and took some extra strength tylenol, but still had no pain! After we ate lunch, my ear started hurting so I went ahead and took a pain pill. It is still hard to eat because my jaw is sore.

After we ate, we walked down to the creek for pictures. My ear started hurting later but I didn't take anymore pain medicine because it was too soon. The pain wasn't continuous, it would just hit me every now and then. It feels like a sharp object is being thrust into my ear drum or something. I didn't have to take anymore pain pills for the rest of the day. I am about to turn in for the night and still no pain. Hopefully, the worst of the pain is over.

I have posted a few pictures of my family. I am so proud of them!

Day 7 Sunday

2009-05-25T23:52:00.002-04:00

I went to church this morning. We were late because I had taken benedryl at 2:30 this morning and couldn't wake up. After church, we met Brittany and Chris at Olive Garden for lunch. We all went to Walmart afterwards and then came home to rest. My ear started hurting when we were eating lunch and I had to take a pain pill. I started feeling better later and the pain wasn't too bad for the rest of the evening. I talked to the pharmacist at Walmart and she said I shouldn't put anything on my ear and just clean it with peroxide several times a day. I am going to try this.

This was a good day for me and I didn't have to take as much pain medicine. I went ahead and took one before going to bed just in case it started hurting throughout the night.

Day 6 Saturday

2009-05-24T02:06:00.002-04:00

I rested most of the day today (including taking a 3 hour nap!) and feel much better. I am still taking my pain medication every 4 - 6 hours because if I let it go past 6 hours, I am in a lot of pain.

The rash around my incision has gotten worse. It looks and feels almost like poison ivy. There are tiny bumps all around it and on the back of my ear lobe. We called the doctor's office tonight and they said I might be allergic to neosporin. The doctor on call said she wouldn't have advised using neosporin on this incision. The nurse at the hospital told James to apply neosporin 3 times a day and it even has it listed on my discharge paperwork. I guess I'm allergic to it though. James went out to Walgreens tonight (or rather this morning) at 2:00 a.m. to get me a different ointment and some benedryl to stop the itching.

Other than that, I am doing great! Can't wait until my activation day....June 9th! I am trying to use the phone with my CI in the right ear (worse ear) and I am doing okay talking to family members, but sometimes I get stuck on a word or sentence and they have to repeat it several times. I do fine one on one because I read lips too. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it won't take long for my brain to relearn sounds in the left ear. I think being dependent on the right ear now is helping me to hear better in that ear though. I wouldn't have been able to hear as well as I am if I hadn't gotten the new Freedom processor several months ago. It is amazing!

I also bought a Clearsounds Bluetooth Neck Loop and can hear much better on the phone with it. The only problem with it is that I can't listen to music on my Blackberry phone and I am supposed to be able to. Not sure why I can't.

I took a shower tonight and washed all of my hair. I put cotton in my ear so that I wouldn't get water in it. I am planning to go to church in the morning.

Day 5 Friday

2009-05-23T13:44:00.004-04:00

I think I did too much today. Last night James washed my hair for me (most of it) and it feels so much better. Brianna picked me up today at around 10:30 and we went to my aunt's house for lunch. My oldest daughter, Brittany and sister Shelia met us there. We had a nice lunch. After lunch, I went with Shelia to her eye doctor appt because she wanted me to help her pick out some glasses. I was sleepy from the pain meds, so I took a nap in her car while she was in with the doctor. It is amazing that I can take a 15 or 30 min nap and feel like I've slept for 2 hours! After that, we met up with Brianna again and went shopping! lol We shopped for about 4 hours! That's where I think I overdid it. At 6:30, Brianna and I met with my younger sister, Karen and my nieces, Kaitlyn and Kacey at the Babies R Us store. Karen was helping Brianna to register for her baby shower. She has a daycare and is up-to-date on all the latest baby products. James picked me up at Brianna's house and then I finally came home. I was exhausted! I am planning to take it easy and rest all day tomorrow!

My incision was bothering me a lot today. I didn't have the neosporin with me and didn't put it on 3 x like I am supposed to. I don't know if that made a difference, but the incision actually looks worse tonight. It is red and appears to have white blisters. James said it was the same as my first CI in 2002, but I don't remember it looking like this. If you look at the pic from yesterday, you can see the color is more red today.

Day 4 Thursday

2009-05-23T13:34:00.003-04:00

I am still doing pretty good. Brianna helped me wash my hair a little, but it still feels dirty. I was able to style it alittle today. Brianna, James, Shelia (sister) and I went to El Paso Mexican Restaurant for lunch today. It felt good to get out of the house. After lunch, I went shopping for a little bit. It didn't take long to wear me out. lol

My incision appears to be healing very well. I haven't had any problems with bleeding or anything. No dizziness or nausea either. This time is a breeze compared to 7 years ago! We are planning a big day tomorrow...more shopping and to visit my aunt.

My View

2009-05-20T16:36:00.004-04:00

Here are some pictures taken with my cell phone (not great quality) of my views while laying in bed...

Day 3

2009-05-20T16:04:00.002-04:00

I am still doing remarkably well; however, today I am not feeling as well as yesterday. I think it is because the swelling is going down and some of the numbness is gone. I feel a throbbing pain in my ear at times which sometimes feels like a pulse. I have my pain medicine, so all is well! lol

I can't wait to wash this stuff out of my hair, but apparently that will be several more days. I can't get the incision or ear wet, but we can try to wash some of my hair. I'm just laying around today taking it slow and easy. James is working on the outside of our house so I can lay in bed and watch him work at the same time. Sweet! lol

Here is a picture from my 1st CI in 2002

2009-05-19T13:34:00.001-04:00

As you can see...the incision is much longer and the whole side of my head was shaved in 2002.

Day 2

2009-05-19T13:19:00.004-04:00

I am doing amazingly well today. I didn't sleep too well last night though. I got up this morning at about 7:00 a.m. and started cleaning (seriously). I still have not been sick or dizzy at all! I am having minor pain and still taking my pain medicine. Dr. Haynes wrote me a prescription for Percocet because that is the only pain medicine that doesn't make me feel loopy. I can't even tell that I'm taking anything except that it takes the pain away. I have had tinitus one time since the surgery. I do have some soreness in my neck, jaw and back. My face is still alittle swollen on that side as well.

We took the bandages off today and I don't think Dr. Haynes cut/shaved any of my hair! I am posting pictures. I will post a picture of my incision from the first CI in 2002 next.

I am doing rather well with my CI on the right ear with talking on the phone. I can't hear on the phone as well with it as I did with the hearing aid in my right ear, but it is getting better. I just need to keep practicing.

So, overall, I am doing great! Just can't wait until I can wash my hair! They got junk all in it. lol

Bilateral Surgery Today!

2009-05-18T23:27:00.003-04:00

I am now Bilateral! I received the Freedom implant in my left ear this morning at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. My hook up date is June 9th (3 weeks away!) Surgery went exceptionally well. I am so excited that I didn't get sick this time. (I was so sick after the first implant in 2002.)

My family (husband, daughters, sister and friend) went with me. We stayed at Union Station Hotel in Nashville (beautiful historical hotel) last night. It is on Broadway and we walked about a mile (one-way) to downtown Nashville and went to Wildhorse Saloon for dinner. I had to be at the hospital (outpatient) at 6:00 a.m. this morning. I went back for surgery at 7:30 and it lasted 3 hours. I also participated in a research study (I'll post more about that later.) The nurse told me I would be in recovery for approximately 2 - 4 hours. He said I would have to at least stay the minimum of 1 hour and it depended on fast I woke up and my pain as far as how long I would have to remain in recovery. I was in recovery for 45 minutes and then went home! Unbelievable, I know!

We left the hospital at 12:00 and stopped at Wendy's to get a quick bite since we still had a 3 1/2 hour drive. I ate a baked potato so I could take my pain medicine. I was in pain, but it wasn't excruciating or anything. We then went to Walgreens to get my prescriptions filled. The clerk said it would take about 45 minutes. We asked them if they could rush it because I had just gotten out of surgery and had a 3 1/2 hour drive, but she said they couldn't. So, we sat in the truck for 45 minutes waiting. We also tried to get them to call the prescription into another Walgreens that we would pass on our way home, but they couldn't because they said they needed the original (pain) prescription on file. My husband went in to get the prescription and when he came back out to the truck, he didn't have my pain medicine (only the antibiotic and nausea meds). He went back in and they said the doctor didn't write the "strength" down for the pain med. He was upset that they didn't even mention that they failed to give him the pain meds. It took them awhile to get in touch with my doctor to get this all straightened out. We spent almost 2 hours at Walgreens trying to get my medication for a surgery that only took 3 hours and just 45 minutes in recovery! And by this time, I was starting to feel a lot of pain. I finally got my pain meds and took them. The pain started to subside in about 30 minutes. I have been taking the medicine like clockwork and have been doing really well.

We got home around 6:30 p.m. and stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things. I actually went in with my husband! Mostly because I was tired of riding in a truck for almost 4 hours. I took a 2 hr nap when I got home. I have a huge bandage wrapped around my head. I think it comes off tomorrow and I can wash my hair in 3 days. Dr. Haynes said he didn't shave much of my hair...we'll see...he said the same thing last time and they shaved the entire side of my head.

My pastor met up with us and brought me a plant and fruit basket. Thanks Pastor Bill & Kay and FWC! There is Power in Prayer! I had sooo many friends and loved ones praying for me and I believe that is why my surgery went so well and I didn't experience any nausea! Whoever heard of having major surgery on their ear without some dizziness or nausea?

I will try to post my updates on here as well as on FaceBook. It's now almost midnight, so I better get in bed. I will also post some pictures.

Surgery is scheduled for May 18th!

2009-04-19T22:09:00.003-04:00

I am anxiously awaiting for my surgery...one more month! I am planning to take 2 weeks off from work.

I haven't been back for a new mapping on the new Freedom due to my work schedule. I've had to cancel and reschedule 2 appts. so far. My next appt. is scheduled for April 27th. I'm doing so well with the new Freedom so far. I can't wait to get a new map and see the improvements!

I'm in a Medical Journal!

2009-02-17T20:01:00.002-05:00

This is so cool! When I met with Dr. Haynes today, he was telling me that I was the only patient he has ever had that required more surgery after the Cochlear Implant. If you read my other website about the first implant, you would have seen where I had dizziness and vertigo after my surgery that never went away. Dr. Haynes operated on me 5 months later and fixed the problem. It was new for him because he had never had a patient with these persistent problems. Anyways, today he told me that he published an article about it! He was going to give me a copy of the article, but I forgot to get it before I left. I just found the article abstract online in a Medical Journal. You can check it out at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630359

I will also post the abstract summary below: (the "patient" is me!)

Disequilibrium after cochlear implantation caused by a perilymph fistula.
Kusuma S, Liou S, Haynes DS.
Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for the Hearing and Communication Sciences, Division of Otology/Neurotology, Nashville, TN 37205, USA.

OBJECTIVES: Cochlear implantation has become a safe and effective method for the auditory rehabilitation of the profoundly hearing impaired. Incidence of disequilibrium and vertigo after cochlear implantation ranges from 13% to 74% in the literature. Most patients report resolution of these symptoms with medical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation. We present a case of persistent disequilibrium after cochlear implantation. Further workup of this patient revealed radiographic findings suggestive of a perilymphatic fistula, with immediate and complete resolution of symptoms after exploratory tympanotomy and packing around the cochleostomy. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of a patient with postoperative disequilibrium unresponsive to maximal medical and vestibular rehabilitation therapy. RESULTS: Diagnostic workup of the patient included a temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scan, which revealed air in the vestibule and the ampulla of the superior and lateral semicircular canals. After failure of 5 months of conservative therapy, the patient was taken to the operating room for middle ear exploration and repacking of the cochleostomy site. The patient reported immediate and complete resolution of vertigo postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We present a case of disequilibrium as a result of an apparent perilymphatic fistula after cochlear implantation that was refractory to standard therapy. In such cases, appropriate workup should include a temporal bone CT scan to look for air in the vestibule or other abnormalities that may indicate potential etiology. Surprisingly, this patient had immediate and complete resolution of symptoms after surgery. If conservative therapy fails, middle ear exploration by way of an exploratory tympanotomy and packing of the cochleostomy with periosteum and muscle is a viable option and may lead to resolution of symptoms.

PMID: 15630359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Appt. w/Dr. Haynes

2009-02-17T19:20:00.003-05:00

I am now on my way back home (3-1/2 hour drive) from Nashville. I met with my surgeon, Dr. Haynes today. I asked him how much of my hair he will need to shave and he said he does not shave much at all anymore. In fact, he said he might not shave ANY at all! Wow! Sounds good to me! He also said the incision is not as long as it was in 2002. He thinks everything looks good and will go well for me. I asked about how much time I need to take off from work and he said maybe around 1 week, but longer if I need to. I am planning to take off 2 weeks.

He sent me back to scheduling, but they didn't schedule my surgery yet. Apparently, when my insurance company told me they had approved me for the surgery, they were mistaken. They had actually just approved me for the "work up testing" for the surgery. The lady at the doctor's office said it sometimes takes up to 8 weeks to get the insurance company to approve the surgery....apparently she hasn't heard much about me. Persistence....that's my motto! My insurance company told me they usually get approvals in about 72 hours...of course they were wrong about some other things, so...I don't know if that is true or not. In any case, I will be contacting them next week and every other day until they get the papers to my doctor. :)

Dr. Haynes is currently scheduling for April, so if my insurance doesn't drag their feet on this approval, I could have my surgery as early as April, but I'm not counting on it. I am thinking it will probably be May. I'll keep you posted...

New processor...
I'm still doing really well with the new Freedom processor. I go back to my audi on March 5th and will probably be ready to turn it up some more. Speech is so much clearer with the Freedom! I am so happy I upgraded!

New Mapping & Tests for Bilateral

2009-02-10T20:26:00.002-05:00

I started my morning off by going to see Whitney (Audi in Knoxville) at 8:30 to get a new mapping on my Freedom processor. It is SOOO much better! I have the following settings:

P1 - ADRO - Everyday
P2 - Noise w/Autosensitivity
P3 - ADRO w/Autosensitivity
P4 - Focus w/Autosensitivity - Beam/Auto/ADRO

She wants me to try these out and see which I like best, etc. I will get music added at my next mapping. So far, I like P2 or P3 when driving to cut out the road noise. We went to a restaurant and I found P4 to be best. I haven't decided about P1 yet. I think I want to keep it because I might want at least one program without the autosensitivity.

After I left the Audi, I put my old processor on just to see what the difference was. I couldn't believe how much better the new processor was! Speech is so much clearer with it. I am so glad I upgraded!

Next, we headed to Nashville (3-1/2 hr drive) for my testing to see if I qualify for the bilateral. I also had my CT Scan at Vanderbilt. My Audi, Susan, did the testing and my hearing has dropped in the left ear (the one I use the hearing aid in.) In other words....I qualified! Yea!! So, next I will see Dr. Haynes (again in Nashville) in 1 week and they will schedule my surgery!! How cool is that?!? They said he is scheduling for April/May right now, so I am hoping they can get me in April. Maybe there will be a cancellation or something and I can get the surgery in March! lol You never know!

I will go back to Whitney on March 5th for another mapping. I will keep you posted on my sounds with the new processor until then.

Freedom mapping

2009-02-07T10:30:00.002-05:00

I went for my mapping on my newly upgraded Freedom processor yesterday. I was expecting sounds to be different and tried not to get my hopes up, but I am still somewhat disappointed. The sounds are different and that is okay because I know my brain will figure it all out and make it right, but my problem is that sounds are too soft. I think my volume is too low. My Audi is probably being conservative with the volume, but I am having a hard time hearing anything. I am going to try to get an earlier follow up appt. and see if she can increase my volume. It sounds like everyone is whispering to me. And since I can't hear sounds, I don't hear my voice well either and I am talking too loud in public.

So far, I love the controls on the Freedom. I do have to take it off to adjust the S & V, but I can change programs with it still on my head. Today is my first full day, so I will see how long the rechargeable battery works for me.

Sounds...
Voices are really soft spoken and raspy
I am hearing what sounds like windchimes with the voices. I think this is the new "high" frequencies I am now hearing.
I can hear the keys clicking on my keyboard really well.
The sounds are not as clear and loud as my 3G Processor yet.
It kind of sounds like I am in a barrel or something.

Programs...
P1 - transferred from 3G but sounds NOTHING like in the 3G
P2 - P4 My Audi increased everything from P2 to P4 and told me to start out using P1 for 2 days, then change to P2...P3...and finally P4. So far, I can't tell any difference between P2, P3 or P4.

Work up tests....

2009-02-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

I have an appointment next Tuesday, February 10th to get my CT Scan and work up testing with my audiologist in Nashville!

February 17th I meet with Dr. Haynes in Nashville and if everything goes well (or I guess I should say "bad") with the testing, I will find out when my surgery is scheduled for! Yea! Right now we are hoping for the end of March. Say a prayer for me!

My new Freedom came in the mail today!

2009-02-02T17:25:00.002-05:00

I am so excited! I received my new Freedom processor in the mail today! Wow! That was fast! If you (or someone you know) is having trouble upgrading, make sure they contact the Access Mediquip group at Cochlear. They help get everything approved by your insurance company!

I am going to see Whitney at Bridgewater on Friday to get the new processor mapped. I know it's going to be wild at first, but at least I will have the weekend to adjust to some sounds. I will keep you posted!

My Hearing Loss

2009-02-01T00:02:00.002-05:00

I was first diagnosed with hearing loss when I was around 5 years old. When I was 10 years old, they put me in the hospital to run tests to see what was causing my hearing loss. The doctors never could find anything. I refused to wear hearing aids, but I learned to lip-read and did pretty well in school. In my early 20's I started losing more and more hearing. I finally had to wear hearing aids. I wore the aids for many more years until they no longer helped. My hearing loss was profound deafness in my right ear and severe-to-profound in my left.

I had my first Cochlear Implant surgery (right ear) on March 4, 2002 at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN. You can read all about it (and see pictures) at www.geocities.com/lcpanthersmom. I kept a journal and have tried to update it through the years.

Now I am about to go Bilateral! My hearing aid in my left ear is no longer giving me what I need to hear. My insurance has already approved the surgery and now I just have to go through all the testing to see if I qualify (if I'm "deaf-enough") for the surgery. The will do a CAT scan as well. If everything goes well, I should be having my surgery around April (the sooner...the better!)

And so my 2nd journey begins...

Please keep me in your prayers!

Just Getting Started

2009-01-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

Day One...

Well, I'm just getting started and this is the first time I have ever created a Blog.

More to come....soon!