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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Surgery was successful!  No problems with my sugar!  The OR nurse LOVED my CGM.  Well worth it!

I was up and going home before 1155am!  Got home at 1230pm! No complications, less bleeding than the other surgery which was less bleeding than normal.  Thats pretty good!  Dr. Limb liked how the procedure went and was pleased with the results. He's excited for me for my activation!

I woke up with NO pain at all!  I was such a happy camper! Will do a posting on comparison from both surgeries. And was able to walk to my second phase of recovery!  From waking up and getting over there was about 15-20 minutes apart.  When I woke up, i immediately saw the nurse and asked for a drink and crackers.  I was smiling away cuz I was pretty numb  this time.  Really nice nurse.

One bad thing... I got stuck 3 TIMES for a IV!!!!!  This pre-op nurse must have been new and was not experienced in doing IVs.  But I asked for my old pre-op nurse, Victoria.  She didn't come in til later but she was able to get in a nice line for me and was happy to see her again.

Had the same anesthesiologist!  It was a small world!  She was glad to see me again!  She was like number two already?  I was like up, lets get the show on the road!

Didn't even say bye to my parents.. only my fiancee. I was put under about 10 seconds. This was so much smoother than the last time.  Had a good surgical experience.

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Yup, today is my surgery day!  Whoot!

I'm so pysched!

Sugars are running normal and will have my CGM and Pump during surgery!

Wish me luck!

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I was invited to go back to AB's HQ for Chapter Leader Training!  It was a great training session, got great ideas for my upcoming support groups! I can't wait to try out new ideas.

Finally got to meet a guy I've heard so much about in the AB world, Sam. He made me feel right at home in Valencia. And gave me some great laughs!

I was the ONLY person there with one implant.  Everyone was bilateral but I told em all that I was going to be bilateral in two weeks... can you believe it.. two more weeks to go!

I met a fellow named Stu, he does the AB BEA for the UK side. I was able to understand his british accent since I grew up with a few UK friends. And he has one implant himself and I asked him why not two? He said that UK doesn't approve bilateral implants for adults like the US does. Thats a bummer.

The worst part, I had to leave on my birthday! Needed to fly back home for an information booth in Virginia the very next day. I was hoping to get special treatment from the airline since it was my birthday.... no one noticed :(

Here are some photos from the visit!

Tina & Stu

Paul, me, Sam and Wayne!

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I got my bilateral surgery! Its on May 18th! I am psyched! Ill finally be 'stereo'! Dr. Limb will be doing my surgery again. He did a great job with the first one and has awesome bedside manners.

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I know its been forever since my last post but will update my blog eventually.

I did a comparison of my audiograms so far to this point and thought it would be great to share with everyone.

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I had the opportunity to go to Valencia, California to visit AB's Headquarters for Mentor Workshop training.

This HQ is nested in Valencia, the beautiful valley in California, about a hour north of Los Angeles.

I got to meet other mentors which was nice to meet other people with unilateral and bilateral implants. Even met a cute little gal that is bilateral. I think she was the age of 2 or 3. She was super darn cute!

The time there was so short and didn't want to leave everyone. We could relate to other people's issues and problems.

I was considered as COCHLEAR BABY since I was only turned on for 3 months.

During my time there, I met so many people that were bilateral and I think Ive made the decision to go bilateral in next 6 months to a year!

If you ever go there, be sure to stop at the plant and get a tour of how they make the electrodes! They are made by hand!

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