Thursday, April 17, 2008

Are You Sitting Down?

So, the phone rings yesterday morning at 8am...I see it's a Baltimore number, and I know it's the call that I've been waiting by the phone for. Chuck was staying home for the day, as we were going to see the Holy Father (look for a recap post later).

There was a cancellation.

We're not waiting until June.

We don't even have to wait until May.

We're getting it THIS Monday. This time next week, he'll be implanted. I can't help but point out that we received this news on the day that we were going to go see Pope Benedict XVI (for those of you who don't keep up, we received the candidacy news on the day I received my Papal Mass ticket).

We haven't even had a moment to breathe about this. I went into my typical logistical management mode (because that's what all Event Planners do), and started writing my list of things that needed to be taken care of. It was surreal and absolutely a shock. We were completely prepared for an "Early Summer" date. This Monday? Yeah, not that much...

So, here we are. Our good friends and parents have asked us "Are you ready? How do you feel?". In all honesty, we're totally ready for this. We've been waiting to get on with our journey with Christian. We've been researching this option for months and months. I've read what seems like every single article on the internet, watched all the videos on YouTube, talked with parents, and have already went through all the emotions surrounding the actual idea of an implant. Now what I'm dealing with is the anticipation, and just the general worry of having my baby in surgery. While it IS an outpatient, the fact that he is going to have to be put under anesthesia and have his skull drilled through is really giving me serious anxiety attacks.

We've pretty much decided to clear our calendar of our usual weekend craziness to prepare for this. We have some serious family time planned on Saturday and Sunday. And Chuck and I need to get emotionally prepared for all of this...come Monday, everything will be different.


For everyone who is curious about exactly what is going to happen to Christian on Monday, here's a link on YouTube that shows a Cochlear Implant Surgery.

This is a great animation that demonstrates how the CI works...

Please continue to keep our family in your prayers---we'll keep you posted throughout the weekend, and of course when we get home from the hospital.

10 comments:

Mom to Toes said...

Tina!!!!

WOW!

I am sitting here stunned. This update didn't even pop up on my Google Reader page. I just hopped over to ask if you were going to post an update about your experience at the Mass today and I find *this*???

I am SO excited for you guys!

This is seriously the most exciting (and moving) CI journey I have ever seen.

Can't wait to follow along.

The Pink Totebag said...

Wow. So soon! It's amazing how quickly things can change. I know that as of this past weekend, it sounded like early summer! We will absolutely keep you in our prayers, and hope that this will be the miracle that you all are hoping for. Just look at what you made happen, Tina. What an amazing mother you are! And Christian is an amazing little boy for having you. Have faith in your decisions - everything happens as it should, even when it doesn't make sense to us at the time. We'll be thinking of you guys over the next days, weeks, and months, and if there is ANYTHING we can do, all you have to do is ask!

Love,

Jenny, Steve, and Caroline

MB said...

How nice to not have to be anxious for the next two months! Congrats!

Jennifer said...

NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!! There was a cancellation with my first CI surgery, so I got in in less than two weeks, or something like that, but good grief, girl, that's just crazy stuff!! INCREDIBLE! I know it's thrown you for a loop, but what it did for me was that I didn't even have time to get the least bit nervous, and then it was over. It will be SO worth it...I am SO excited for you and your family, and will be watching this space like a hawk!!!!!

Kristen said...

Congratulations! He will sail through the surgery and be hearing everything before you know it! As everyone says, the surgery is harder on the parents than the kids....

leah said...

I almost fell off my chair when I saw your blog entry- WOW! Our thoughts and prayers are with you for this coming Monday. You have had the most amazing journey with your little guy!

By Monday night, the mother-worry will be over and you will be on the countdown to activation day. I can't believe how quickly everything has come together (God seems to be sending you lots of love letters these days)!

Christian and Lily's Mommy said...

Gals, you have no idea how shocked we were to get that date. It was CRAZY!

So, here I am. It's 80 degrees...and I'm working...well, sorta. I'm on the phone with the insurance company, writing lists, and trying to get all in order.

Thank you for your prayers!

Unknown said...

Christina,

This is wonderful news. Christian will be in my prayers,as well as you and Chuck. See ..god nevers give us a cross too big to bear. :)


Sally

Abbie said...

OMG!! That is absolutely amazing! There must be something beyond our grasp that made this possible so quickly!

This is only the beginning and I can't wait to follow along with you! :)

Drew's Mom said...

I'm so happy they were able to get you in so soon! That is just amazing...

We'll be thinking of you and Christian during surgery on Monday. He'll bounce back to his old self so quickly - these little ones are amazing.

Then the countdown to activation begins!