I got invited to go back to Valencia for my third time and I am grateful for the opportunity to go back and learn about their products and how the implants work.  The best part of the trip is to see others that I've met in the last two visits.

The primary goal is show us the Neptune, AB's new baby on the market.  Its being shipped in the beginning of January 2012.

We got photos done by a professional photographer.  One is the group photo of all of us Mentors and Chapter Leaders. We also got to play with the Neptune. They wanted to take photos of us wearing it any way we want to.  I made my Neptune Pink and then clipped it to my hair.  Oh my goodness. it was so light!!! Nothing on my ear. It took the weight off and loved it  - too bad I couldn't take it home :(

We also got to spend some time with the CEO and CTO of AB, Dr. Gerhard Roehrlein.  He was so interested in hearing our journeys and why we chose AB and why we have have been a loyal consumer and volunteer for AB.  I thought Gerhard was a pretty cool guy from an engineer perspective. He knows how important it is for us to 'hear' and hearing stories from us enforced that.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet him.

Of course, I've got photos from the trip!  :)

My friend Sam with Buddy!

Renee, Gerhard, Evelyn, me and Sam

We had a great time meeting Gerhard!

Our cute Flash Drive with all Neptune PDFs in there!

The rainbow of colors for the Neptune!

Advanced Bionics HQ!

Me modeling the Neptune.

I made mine pink (the photo does NOT show the pink well)

And the best part was it was off my ear finally!!!

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Today was the BEA's Fall Gathering since AB has been on the market. We had the event held at a pumpkin farm in Howard County... They had a huge pumpkin patch, hayrides, farm animals, and a cute gift shop.

We actually gave away Arlene's 2nd Book at this event and had a great turn out.

We also had a visitor from Massachusetts that has a bilateral surgery scheduled for November. This surgery is not very commonly done in adults since they want to preserve their 'good' ear in case something ever goes wrong with the implanted ear. Since his hearing aids aren't doing the work for him, he opted to get BOTH of his ears done on the same day!  Yes it has its risks but each individual is different!

It was a great day with just the right amount of people just before Halloween. The environment was perfect with the exception of the tractor riding every 30 minutes.

Enjoy the photos!!!

Mini-Melody hanging out with the refreshments!

Our information table

Of course Buddy had to have bragging rights :)

Me and my BEA manager, Katie

Mike and Katie talking to a teacher that wants to get CIs

Mike's two kids - Joshua and Annie

CI candidates!

Awesome shot of Katie in the background with the balloon in focus!

More talking!

Another shot of our brochure table

All huddled up and talking about our CIs and how we benefit from them

Fish-Eye Lens shot

Another Fish-Eye Lens shot

Fish-Eye Lens shot - me talking to a teacher that is seriously thinking of getting CIs

Me and my husband, Tom

Thanks for all his awesome help!

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You heard it right - we went out of our way to hold an event at the DC Zoo... the best part, there is no admission prices... but there is a parking fee if you want to park down there.

We had a great group of people showing up today!  We thought it was going to rain all day... the weather held off til the closing time of the zoo! And boy, we got tons of pictures to show!  If you couldn't make it, you missed a great gathering and we had so much fun meeting new people and becoming friends with them :) We sported some cute new stickers to show off our CI status. :)

Enjoy the photos!!!

Brochures, Bags, Monkeys, and much more!

Sign-In Sheets, more brochures!

Me and my BEA Manager, Katie

Some of the AB's recipients.

Scott's Family eating lunch before the big trek around the zoo!

Tina and Carrie talking while walking

Really Cute Panda.

Scott, Tina and Carrie

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We used a new location for the Winter BEA support group.  This library is spanking brand new and CLEAN!

We had BethAnne from AB come and talk about the changes with AB.  There are so many new changes... if you don't know... Sonova has acquired AB and they are also patterned with Phonak (the top digital hearing aid company on the market) which will mean that in the future, our CI's will get small!!!!

The two recalls were discussed.. the patients are explanted and re-implanted and doing very well! The root of the source of the recall was a shortage in the electrode.

Since they found the root problem, they are going to change the ways they manufacture the product and the steps towards it and work on getting it back to the market.

Also discussed about AB's new CEO, Gerhard Roehrlein. He has 25 years with Siemens and also a global pioneer in electronics and electrical engineering.  I think this is going to bring some great stuff to AB! Cant wait to see what the future brings us!!!!

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It was a great turn out... but we had some visitors there that we had to kick out since I had a permit to have the space for the entire day. They weren't too happy. Sorry!

We had Meredith - who has a rare kind of dwarfism called Morquio Syndrome that is thinking of getting an CI. Her only challenge is that she had a spinal fusion which means if you have surgery and get intubated, they can't tilt her neck at all.  We were told that Dr. Niparko from JHH has some surgeries as a local... eek!  I can't imagine that!

Of course, Carrie showed up just one day post-op. My BEA manager, Beth Anne called her a brave soul. She didn't come alone :) Her mom drove her and brought her down. I think she was in good spirits and well medicated for her pain management.

I was happy with today's outcome. Let's hope that the next one will be even bigger!!! Here are some photos!

Tom with AB's Directional Signs

Me with AB Balloons!!!

Carrie (blue shirt) with Me and Meredith (purple shirt)

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It's early in the AM!  Got so much prep work to do for the BEA's Picnic Gathering!  I got balloons to fill up, directional signs to put up too!

My fiancee is helping me a lot to do this!  We got people coming from Delaware and New Jersey!  And we have a gal that just had surgery yesterday that is coming to the picnic!  I know - already? She said that she really wants to go but I told her to take it easy.  I was able to go to her surgery yesterday since I had a mapping that morning.

Wish me luck! Hopefully it doesn't rain or get too hot.  We have a gazebo, so we should be in the shade all day!!!

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It was a great turn out. I think I shocked everyone that I was 4 days post-op.  I told them that I was bilateral as of 4 days ago... not activated but surgically wise.  Most of them were amazed that I was feeling good in a short time. (The trick was - - - the best pain meds you can ask for!)

My balance is back on track as well, I explained to the group that with my first CI surgery, my balance was a bit out of whack. And this bilateral surgery could either make it or break it. Since the surgery, I've noticed a huge improvement in my balance, its better than before.

Hopefully the next support group at the end of the summer will be even bigger!!!

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Yes! There is a support group held at the Elkridge Public Library... I know I just had surgery 4 days ago but I feel great!!!  I have friends that will help me with all the lifting (since I can't lift anything more than 5 pounds for a few weeks due to the surgery).

Let's hope for a great turn out. I have Beth Anne and a clinical specialist coming in today to help anyone with any questions they need answered!

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