We had the most wonderful time on our cruise from Carnival to the Bahamas from Baltimore.  We also requested an interpreter since it was recommended by several people.  We are so glad we had Kristin.  There are so many accents on that ship!  I did meet one father that had a daughter with one implant from Cochlear. I offered to share my interpreter but his daughter doesn't know sign language at all :(

Here are some of our favorite photos from the cruise :)

The different country flags on the Carnival Ship

Me on Carnival Pride leaving Baltimore!

This isn't Titanic!

Playing Digital Scavenger Hunt - Had to find 4 people to join me doing a conga line!

Me with Ship's Mascot - Freddie!

Arriving at Cape Canaveral - doesn't the skyline look like a Carnival Ship?

Me and Tom at Nassau, Bahamas!!

Me and Tom at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas

Tom, Kristin and me

Kristin was our awesome interpreter!!!

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I finally tied the knot to my best friend I met 8 years ago thru an CART reporter in college.  If it weren't for Fran, my transcriber - I would have never met Tom who can understand my frustrations, challenges, and goals in my life.  Tom also has a hearing loss whom wears bilateral hearing aids.

Our wedding day couldn't be more perfect. We had the perfect weather and everything went off without a hitch.  But we were both SO sick with bronchitis the week before the wedding.  We weren't so sure if we were going to make our honeymoon or not. I got better the day before the wedding and my husband, Tom got better the morning of the wedding!

We had a fabulous wedding photographer that I found thru a really nice lady who I still haven't met to this day. Her name is Abbie. She mentored me over two years ago when I was in the process of getting an CI.  She got married last year and her photos were exactly what I wanted for my album. Cindy Dyer is a photographer and graphic artist for Hearing Loss magazine that is by HLAA.

Cindy did our engagement photos and our wedding photos and I couldn't be more pleased! Here is a few photos from my family and our photographer.

Me & Tom kissing....

Woo-hoo!

My portrait

Reception Time!

Our rings

View of my dress and my bouquet that I made...

Us cutting the cake!  It was sooo good!

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Can you believe it? Just less than a month away til I say I do!

I had a huge bridal shower that was given by my family - Katie and Debbie. It was supposed to be Matt's graduation party. Me and my fiancée dressed up in the Raven's gear since they were playing that day! They sure surprised me! My entire family was there including my fiancée's. My grandfather's sisters were there as well his sister-inlaws. It was so good to see everyone!!

Then there was another one given by my best friend BrookeAnn and Jen. It was small but it sure was so much fun!!! There are a few photos of it below.

And finally, my work gave me one. The best part, they surprised me with my mom. I was in shock on how she got to Washington DC!!!! There are also photos below for that one too!!!

Brookeann, Me, Kim, Jen and Faith

Kim acting out!

Mom surprised me at work.

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Yeap, you heard it right!  AB announced the re-entry of the 90K implant. Start calling your Implant Centre and start making those appointments to get your first CI or your bilateral surgery!!!! Cant wait for more and new exciting things in the future!

Here is the press release:

VALENCIA, Calif., September 13, 2011 – Advanced Bionics (AB), the only U.S.-based manufacturer of cochlear implants and a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Sonova, announced today the approval of the FDA for immediate market re-entry of the HiRes 90K cochlear implant in the United States. In recent months, Advanced Bionics received approval from several other regulatory agencies, including Health Canada and the European Notified Body, TÜV, to resume distribution of the HiRes 90K implant to Canada and countries accepting the CE Mark.

“Everyone at AB and Sonova is excited that we are back on the market globally. We stand by our commitment to putting patients first and delivering high-quality products for the best possible hearing experience,” said Hansjuerg Emch, Group Vice President Medical of the Sonova Group. “The support we have received across the industry for our integrity has been incredible.”

AB’s first priority is the safety and well-being of patients, which is why it instituted a voluntary recall in November 2010 after becoming aware of a rare issue with the HiRes 90K cochlear implant. Of the more than 28,000 implanted HiRes 90K devices, only two (0.007%) explanted devices were confirmed to have this issue. In the months since the recall was instituted, AB implemented changes to its manufacturing process to ensure that there is no effect on the safety or efficacy of the HiRes 90K cochlear implant.

While off the market, AB actively continued all research and development projects that were under way prior to the recall.

“Our upcoming launches and products currently in development will continue to lead the industry and help our patients hear their best and live a fulfilled life,” said Dr. Gerhard Roehrlein, CEO and CTO of Advanced Bionics, LLC.

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I'm hearing rumors about a totally swimmable CI!  There isn't any material for the US but I was able to find some stuff on the UK websites and UK blogs about it.

Is it worth getting the 'NEPTUNE' by Advanced Bionics??

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The HLAA conference in Crystal City was a BLAST!!!!  This was my first time attending the event but I wasn't going there as a attendee.. I volunteered my time with Advanced Bionics booth to show the consumers how great AB's implant is!  Even though we are not 'back' on the market. We were able to show off our SKIN-ITs which are like really durable and thick stickers for our CI.  Mine lasted for almost a year!

I got to see my AB gang such as Sam, Evelyn, Jen, Dot, Becky and the list goes on and on and on!!!!

If you have never gone, promise yourself to save up the money and go one year!  You will have the best time of your life!  And the highlight is seeing WICKED in captioned!! My first play ever in caption.... I even sat in the very front row with my best friend Meredith who is a dwarf and needed to be seated closer to the stage so she can see the captions and the performance as well!

Enjoy the photos!! (They are compiled by all of my friends and me!) (and in no particular order!)

Sam pointing at Evelyn on the screen!  Here she is in person!!!!

My fiancee Tom doing a side handstand on the light pole!  Perfect timing with taking the photo!

Tina and Tina (from Chicago)

Tina and Sam

BethAnne and Tina

Evelyn and her pal, Shrimpy

Me (using a fisheye lens)

Me and Meredith

Barbara, Evelyn, Me and Jen

Wicked Play!

Meredith and Jen - look at the height difference!!!!

Sam giving Meredith some help on the bus! 

Jen and Me

Crabtree & Evelyn

Tina signing Crab, Jen signing Tree and Evelyn pointing at herself!

Showing off the AB's booth!

Tina and Anna from UK

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4 more months til my wedding day!  I'm all prepared and getting my last map soon before the big day! Had make up trials and hair trials too!

I did get an interpreter for my wedding.. I figured with everything going on that I am going to hear that day is going to completely exhaust me out. I thought having an interpreter for someone does the speeches will help me not to concentrate so hard.  I want to enjoy my big day and have so much fun!

Here is our engagement photo taken by our photographer who happens to work for the Hearing Loss Magazine for HLAA!

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