What a day....what a day!

What a day this has been! If you have been following my blog (thank you ) you will remember that last Sunday was a nightmare for me at church. I came home, went to bed and slept all day and all night. Well this morning I woke up, dreading what I was going to hear today. Can you believe I said that? Dreading??? Sunday School was great and again, made a few comments at the end. Well after Sunday School off to church I go. I sit down with my family and lo and behold I HEAR THE MINISTER! ME! I hear Rev. Wayne Horne. for the first time! Oh man...Praise be... then wait theres more....The choir entered and I was able to hear the melody of the song they sang! Last week it was awful with all the screeching. Well today I was able to hear the melody and at times 2 different parts. The music was filled with sharp and flats but thats ok...its coming! I know I will be hearing normally again one day that I just need to have patience. Oh I cried and I cried. I looked over at my mother in law and told her I hear the melody! I dont know how loud I said it but shes starting to shed tears with me and then down the row it goes. I was giving a thumbs up and trying to contain myself but we Ropers cant do that if we got something to share  lol After the service some friends of mine came up to me as they probably were wondering what I was doin making a spectacle of myself during the service and after the service I just told everyone! Went to Wayne to tell him I heard every single word and I heard his prayer! With my eyes closed I heard him! Now I still hear funky sounds. People still sound either like a robot or a duck but at least its getting better and I can understand words better. Big breakthrough for me today. Wonderful day and am so thrilled that I could share it with you...Today was awesome, amazing and was completely overwhelmed. Thanks for stopping by and hears to hearin ya!! Later!

Its time to update my post and really there is nothing more to add. I did decide to go to choir on Wednesday night as encouraged to do. It was not pretty. I was not able to make out the different parts the were being sung even when following along with the music. We did however rehearse a song I have sung many times and when the choir performs that song, I will be able to tell if I have made any progress as they are not singing it for a month of Sundays :)   So hopefully..... Have not ventured out much the last couple of days since I am painting. I did notice a coupe more sounds. My dogs claws on my kitchen tiled floor.  Also heard the kitchen faucet drip, drip, drip while sitting in another room! Amazing isnt it? I sat there for the longest time trying to figure out what that LOUD noise was and here it wasnt even in the room I was in! I am forever walking around my house trying to figure out some things that I hear. Still one sound I cant find and sounds like a door slamming...think this house is haunted?  lol I did visit a friend today and heard every lovely word...it was so good seeing her as I have not seen her since my surgery. It was wonderful. Just lovin' all these visits I am making here lately... Also today I went to the car place to get my oil changed. It was sooo loud with the TV blastin, people chatting and I just busied myself and tried to play a lil game called who is saying what  lol  That hour flew by! You guys have a great weekend and as always, thanks for stoppin' by! Here's to hearin' ya... Later!

Reflections

It has now been a week since my CI has been activated. All in all its been ok. No, thats not correct, its been awesome! I am sitting here reflecting on the week and rereading my previous posts. First thing that comes to mind this morning as I write this is I am blessed. I am truly blessed. If I put all my trials and tribulations in a pile with others, I would grab mine back as they are insignificant compared to what others are dealing with. I am so fortunate to have the love and support of family and friends. And my church family. How do people survive without a church family? My husband, Ed has been my rock. He hears my joys and sorrows, my complaints...everything. He keeps me in line and keeps me seeing the big picture and reminds me how patient I need to be. A good friend told me yesterday...Karen! Its been a week! Yes it has and I am trying my best to relax and just let it come....to let things happen as they should... Ok on that note speaking of relaxing. I stayed indoors yesterday. I caught myself for the first time ignoring the little sounds my house makes. I was painting the baseboards in the hall of our home when I heard a noise. Oh yea, thats the fridge. and oh yea thats the dishwasher. Then I tuned them out! Here I am hearing these noises and I am tuning them out? Is that what I am supposed to do? Tell me that just after a week I am already working on selective hearing? I guess I am. Moving on, I feel like I need to mention my dog while I am reflecting on this past week. I apologize if I am long winded but it runs in the family and she is important to me also. My dog Shelby is, we think a 4 year old yellow lab who is a rescue. (Insert here a shout out to Low Country Lab Rescue, please support your rescues and animal shelters) She has always been my right arm or should I say ear and alerts me to EVERYTHING and I mean everything. Since having my implant she has a sense that something has changed. She is staying at my feet at all times and seems to need more cuddling and affirmation like she is still needed to help me "hear" things. While painting the baseboards she would lay beside me and watch me paint, as I slid, she slid...so cute. Now when I am at the computer or sitting down reading, she would just come and put her nose in my lap and just look up at me. So sweet. So she is adjusting to this as everyone else. Im also feeling a bit guilty and whimpy today as I am not at my swim class nor am I going to choir practice tonight. The swim, because I just dont feel like going  lol and the choir, I was thinking that maybe it is a bit too soon to introduce music afterall. What do you think? Heres to hearing ya and have a great day. And as always, thanks again for stopping by and giving me your support and encouragement. It means everything to me. It is because of you that I am trying so hard to make this CI successful. Later!

Attempted to swim and...

Well I have been cleared to get back in the water and I attempted to swim a lap and attend my water aerobic class today. I got in the water, started my slow jog, so far so good. About midway into the class when we were working on our legs, I notice that my balance wasnt so hot. Hummmmm. Kept on going with the class and next came a wave of seas sickness! Now, I have done my reading and researched this CI to death and nowhere did I read that I would experience sea sickness! Another one of those go figure times. Anyway, had to cut out of my class early but will be going back to attempt it for a longer stay on Wed. Other than that had a good day. Went and did some more visiting and felt pretty good as I heard a few comments made while the speakers back was to me so thats a plus. Making headway on this CI. Meredith, my audiologist called me today to check on me. Well actually she called my hubby since I cant talk on the phone yet. Wasnt that nice of her to call? Im tellin ya, Im in good hands!..Oh, I wore my cowboy boots today. Know what that means? I will conquer whatever is thrown at me. Im dressed the part. Bring it on! Later!

The day I awaited for is almost over...

Today is Sunday. The 1st Sunday in my new world with a CI. Oh how I looked forward to today as I had a list of things to listen to. I was so excited to get up and get ready to go to church! It was almost like the 1st day of school! I arrived in Sunday School and everyone was great. I participated in small group conversations before the class started which I usually do but usually just nod and smile. Today I did and everyone either sounded like a robot or a duck. What a great time I had chitchatting with everyone. The class begun, my husband had the opening prayer which I heard with my eyes closed and I must say, I love that guy. His prayer was wonderful and perfect. I heard the lesson overall at least I thought I did and even made a few comments towards the end of class. Not really sure how I did but I hoped I followed the lesson along well enough that my comment was not too off the wall. Ed had to leave early or he would have told me how I "performed" In the past I would make comments that had no real meaning to anything and Ed would just say, sorry, she didnt hear you right. This group knows me well enough that they would hear me out regardless and be gracious and not say anything if I missed it. Anyway, I thought I heard really well for my 1st time out. So, with that Im winning the world kind of attitude, I head down to the sanctuary. Oh my goodness...The organ started and I thought I was going to lose it! I heard all this racket! The foot pedals sounded like thunder, the higher notes were screeching! I was so upset.Then...here comes the choir. The minute I had been waiting for. One of the main reasons I got my CI was to participate with my choir. The choir starts and all I could do was cry and collapse in the inside. MY beloved choir sounded like a little country church choir that all sang in unison and screeched out the high notes. I hope I dont offend anyone with my comparisons, that is not my intention. Just wanted you to know what I heard. It was devastating to me. Now I know with me starting to sing to myself yesterday and to Ed and his mom, I knew it would not be perfect. I didnt know it would be that bad! I told Ed afterwards that I just wanted to go home and pull the covers up over me. And that is what I did. I slept all afternoon! Now I know I have my work cut out for me and I am ready. I am going to put on my cowboy boots and go after it all and win! Thanks to you all for reading my blog and showing me your support. Because of friends like you make me want to rise above and get out there a kickin' to win this thing and be successful. Have a great week and heres hearing to you! Later!

Tried and failed but try again...

As I said earlier, I have 2 goals in order for me to call this CI a success. 1) Enjoy music again (which includes, singing, playing the piano and playing my beloved uke) and 2) Talk with my children on the telephone. Thats it. Just 2! Well Im not actually supposed to use the phone yet so I decided to start singing to myself. I was so surprised! I cant do it! I started off singing Happy Birthday to my dog. She didnt howl but she sure looked at me funny when I tried to hit a high note. Its the oddest thing. For me not to be able to sing happy birthday? Well I kept on singing while cleaning the kitchen and started off with Row Row Row Your Boat....well guess what? I started off ok then when I went for the high note on merrily...there it was again. I couldnt do it! And then totally bombed the rest coming back down from the song singing merrily merrily merrily merrily! Honestly...I just find this unbelievable given my background and all. Music means everything to me! One of my favorite quotes " For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the souls own speech"  I talked to Ed and instead of our usual chitchat I sang to him, we sang together with each other and well, knowing Ed he said "well yea I dont know but I reckon its ok..." Typical male response...am I right? We kept trying until we finally gave up. I went over to my mother in laws house and told her that I couldnt sing! So being the sweetie that she is, we sat down and she said now what shall we sing...she is also a choir member so she does have a good ear so I sang. Bless her heart. She said "Well I think on the high note you are over shooting and its a bit sharp"  lol I love her. Anyway, we sang a couple songs and decided I was going to sit in on choir practice and not sing but listen to the different parts. Kind of like therapy. What do you think? Im going to talk with the director tomorrow and ask if its ok but I think this coming Wed, Im gonna start listening to some real music! Wish me luck! Thanks for dropping by and come back tomorrow to find out how my very first Sunday School class and church service went..stay tooned  :)

another day...another discovery..

Today I reported to the Soup Kitchen and man oh man! Everywhere I turned there was a new noise. Pots clanging, water running, people coming in and out of doors, chairs scratching the floors. Think it was noisy? Yes it was but I heard all that noise. ME! I do hope it doesnt sound like I am complaining...Im not. Its an adjustment I have to make. I was able to talk to the people I serve with. Oh Ms. Betty it was a pleasure hearing your voice. On the way home, I hit a few of my shops in 5 points. One of my favorites is 2G's Love them they always have their beautiful dogs with them in the shop. I just went to visit and of course while chatting I saw these 2 to die for shirts I had to have  lol but sh mums the word  lol  Anyway, we chatted then a couple girls overheard and they wondered on over to join in on the conversation. I have never ever talked with as many strangers as I have this week. And to think I heard them and conversed. I had a glorious time! Absolutely fantastic time chit chatting as Ed says...Im learning how to chit chat and its wonderful. I am finding myself talking a lot about nothing  lol  Met 2 of my girlies from Hartsville for lunch today and I heard them both in conversation! I reached over to grab their hands to say the blessing and afterwards I thought, I should have let them say it so I could listen to theirs. But there is always a next time for that. I do have to say while dining, the ice machine sure did make a lot of racket. Again, not complaining. just making an observation :) It as such a nice lunch. I see many more lunch dates down the road. When I drove home lare after running an errand, I noticed an elderly neighbor out in the yard. I dearly love her but do not "chit chat" with her often as she is hard to "read". I saw her out in the yard, I stopped and we chit chatted all afternoon along with her daughter. Had a grand time. I love how everyone is so happy for me and just smiles and congratulates me. Makes me want to work that much harder to make this thing a success. I have gone out and about more this week then I have in weeks. Having a blast. Went to overnight a package and even the girl waiting on me was thrilled for me. I had to tell her I was wearing a CI as she was walking all around the shop asking me questions and I had to compete with other customers also...After I told her about my CI, she was all interested and the other customers, walked in closer and got in the act. What a marvelous thing. Again, met another stranger. Im tellin ya...this is a good thing. My girlfriend said today she even thought she could write a good murder mystery involving a CI wearer...Yes, my girlies are weird but ...takes one to know one, right??? OMG! My dog is behind me scratching her ear! WOW... Had a wonderful and blessed day. Im ready for hubby to come home so we can chit chat and tell him all about it.... thanks again for joining me. Later!