What a Great Year!!!

Jack is making such great strides in regards to his apraxia. His hearing if you can believe it is actually his strength, thanks to his implants.

I just had Jack's parent teacher conference and his is doing quite well, better than I expected. He is keeping up in math and his teacher says that his patterning is at the highest level they test so far this year. Yea!! He is quite the little artist too.

He is getting so much better with his speech and his teachers have noticed a big improvement from last year. He still has some word retrieval issues associated with his apraxia, but it is getting much better with training. No we see as things have been sorted out that he infact, does not have memory issues and it is all do to his filing cabinet (brain) and the things he wants to say have not been in the right place for him to grab. Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Jack is still having some issues with speech errors, but those too are finally being sorted out and his is speaking wonderfully.

Finally, I can now sit back and relax a bit........Jack is progressing and progressing well. He is even keeping up in school!

The picture above is from our summer vacation. Ahh....summer....please come back!!!

Totally Implantable CI's In Our Future?! YES!!!

I just read an article on completely implantable Cochlear Implants. I am very excited to see what the future will hold for all CI's users. Just to think that my son will one day be able to hear in the pool, shower, while sleeping........ Never to be without sound is amazing. No more stress of being invited to pool parties! One day this will be available and hopefully soon......

http://www.citeulike.com/user/thenose/article/3318698

Progress Notes

Hello All, It's been along time since my last post and I felt I should give an update. Jack has made the biggest gains this year and it is a miracle to us. Jack is finally getting good control over his speech and working on increasing his sentences. His ablitlty to be understood also has increased. He still has the diagnosis of Apraxia, but I have been told by his therapist that one day (hopefully soon) he will be free of his diagnosis.

As I have said in earlier posts, hearing is not Jack's main issue anymore. Yes, he is deaf and wears a cochlear implant, but he hears and is able to reproduce any sound as a hearing child with beautiful sound quality. Jack can hear me when he is upstairs or in the other room and we can talk back and forth and he has hearing friends that he communicates verbally with. The implant is a wonderful miracle, and that I can see hearing is not an issue is beyond what I could have ever imagined when Jack was first diagnosed.

We are still working hard with Jack, but Jack's progress this year has been the biggest of his life so far. Jack is a spirited young boy and able to do anything he sets his mind too. We are blessed to have such a wonderful caring team behind us and helping our son.

Harmony Processor

Jack is now using the Harmony processor! We are very lucky that when he had a internal device failure (vender b) Advanced Bionics upgraded Jack to the Harmony processor for free, on both ears. We are all loving the new features of longer battery life. Jack can now go about 11 -12 hours without changing his batteries it is so nice to not have to think about that like we used to. Jack can now go to school all day without having to change his batteries and they are the SLIM size batteries too!! Also, having the light to let us know if something is wrong is nice too. Jack is not using the 120 programming yet, but I'm sure we will be upgrading to that when it is available. The new t-mic hook is something you should try also. It is much smaller than it used to be and is available now. It can be used on all processors.

Jack is also making such great progress in his speech, finally! We have found Jack's missing link into why he was so far behind in his expressive language. Getting him help with his apraxia has made a tremendous differnence. Jack is now starting to put 3-4 word sentences together and they are getting clearer by the day. A prayer has been answered!

Picture is from Jack at school last month.

Another Sucessful Surgery

Yea, surgery is over and we are back home. Jack had his re-implantation yesterday and the surgery went great. The surgeon got full insertion again, and said it was "test book". Jack is at home and resting (trying to get him to rest) and doing great. These kids bounce back so fast it is unbelievable. Jack's turn on is scheduled for May 2nd....can't wait to get things back to normal again.

Jack is doing so well with his "newer" ear since his failure. I can't believe that he is caught up without doing much individual work with that ear. He has not missed a beat and has attending speech and school without any problems. I have notice a big difference in hearing with background noise, but other than that he has done great. I recommend bilateral implants to all families out there. I don't know what we would have done if Jack would have been completely off air for the last 3 weeks......

AB Failure after 3 Years

After 3 years of hearing out of his right side my son has now lost that hearing due to a device failure. We just had it confirmed yesterday by his Audiologist. I thought that this might have been happening a little at a time for the last month or so because Jack would complain that it would go in and out.

Jack is scheduled for reimplantion in 2 weeks so I will post on the outcome. They said it will take Jack a couple of weeks to a month to get back to where he was again on that side.

On a positive note Jack will receive that upgraded Harmony processor which I am happy about. I thought we would be fighting insurance again soon for the upgrade, I'm glad I will not have to deal with that now.

Another thing I am thankful for is Jack is BILATERAL!!! What would I be doing now if he wasn't. He does not know sign language and I don't know how to deal with him any other way than though speech. I think about how Jack would be with a device failure and not hearing at all for a month!!! Jack really was upset when it first happened, but now is going about his day and not really missing a beat. He saw his SLP yesterday and actually had a great session and he will be going to school this afternoon. This is another reason why bilaterals are such a benefit....you have a backup!!! That makes it all worth it alone, not to mention the other incredible benefits!!!!!

Jack Turned 5

Here is a picture of Jack blowing out his candles. I can't believe he is 5 already.....where has the time gone.

Jack Making Great Strides in Language!

Wow it has just been a month since we have been seeing a speech pathologist for Jack's apraxia and it is paying off. Jack has really made great strides in his speech and his intelligibility. I feel a prayer has finally been answered!

His teacher even reported that she is really noticing a difference.

Jack has been so responsive to the new therapy that they have now diagnosed his apraxia as a mild case because he is moving along so rapidly.

Here is a cute picture of Jack at school. I will keep updating on Jack's progress.

What about Brian

DISREGARD MY FIRST POST REGARDING THIS SHOW!!

I am so upset by where the What about Brian storyline has gone. Just recently a little 12 month old underwent implant surgery on the show. I really thought this story line was going to educate the public on the miracle we have all had in our lives, the Cochlear Implant. I just wrote a complaint to ABC and I would ask you all to do the same. http://www.abc.com/ I think they should give a service announcement at the end of the next show saying that the information that they gave in the last show was inaccurate.

Thank you!

Jack has Apraxia

We have been in AVT since Jack has been 41/2 months. He received his CI at just under 2 years old and was bilateral implanted this past May. Jack's understanding has always been ahead of his verbal abilities and now we know why.

Jack was recently diagnosed with Verbal Apraxia. He has started seeing an Speech Pathologist that has worked with a lot of kids with Apraxia. She said she is impressed with what a good foundation Jack has and that is due to all the AV Therapy he has had over the years.

Jack has been to the speech pathologist only once and I have already notice a difference in a week. She gave us exercises to work on his "p" and now he is able to say the "p" and is even realizing when he switches it out with a "t" as he did before. I'm very excited that we have finally found the reason for all of Jack's struggles. I just wish we would have known sooner that this is what it actually has been all along.

We had been working with a Oral Motor Specialist since October and I think she has helped, but I really believe that this was not the main factor to him being unable to put things together. The Speech pathologist said that Jack has enough oral motor to make speech. I don't know if it has been all the work we have done since October, or if was never really a factor. He never had a eating issue and he was able to do tasks with his mouth when we asked. I really have felt like a piece of the puzzle has been missing and now it has been found.

I will keep you all up to date on Jack's progress.

What about Brian

This past Monday on "What about Brian" there was an episode about a young couple making a decision on weather to implant their almost 12 month old daughter. This story line should be very interesting, especially for us with implanted kids. I'm so glad there is a show out there that is addressing this issue. The more information brought to the public the less harder it will be for our children to break free from any preconceived stereo types of the past. You can watch the episode from January 21st on http://www.abc.com/ This is definitely a story line to watch!!!

FYI, there is also another implant story on televison on "The Young and the Restless". An older boy who caught menengitis has recently been implanted. I don't watch it but I believe it is Dru's son. Check it out!

Happy New Year - Update on Jack

Jack has now been implanted for almost 3 years with his first implant. He has had his bilateral implant for 7 1/2 months. I have noticed so much improvement on Jack's listening since his bi-lateral. He is so much more in tune with what is being said and picking up incidental speech like crazy. Yesterday, I was in the kitchen and Jack was in our office which is quite a distance away. I called his name and I heard him in the office say "what". It is amazing how well Jack is hearing....it's a miracle.

Jack is doing well with his overall understanding, but is still behind in his ability to use his words well. We had Jack evaluated by a oral motor specialist this past October and we found out that Jack is having some sensory issues with his mouth. We have been working on his oral motor issues since October and I have notice a difference in the last few weeks. He really is adding more words to form more complete sentences. He is still having troubles forming his B's and P's, but his M's are coming around. I know that this is why Jack has not progressed in his verbal abilities and I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring for him as we finally resolve this problem.

Jack is still attending AVT twice a week, oral motor once a week and Montessori Pre-school half day, everyday.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Jack in New Advanced Bionics Calendar

Advanced Bionics has just issued it's 2007 calendar. Jack did make it in this years calendar, his picture is in February. It is a fantastic calendar and I look foward to seeing all the kids pictures and reading there comments. If you would like a copy of the calendar you can log onto Advanced Bionics web page and request one. On the side of this posting you will find a link to Advanced Bionics. Have a Happy New Year!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Jack is doing well in school and we had very positive comments at his parent-teacher conference. Jack's understanding is increasing so much he loves numbers and counting! Jack is still behind in his expressive communication, but with the amount he has in understanding it is only a matter of time when it will all come pouring out! Jack has a very "head strong" personallity which has never been to his advantange....hopefully it will be in the future! Here is a picture of Jack at school. Jack attends a montessori pre-school. I would highly recommend this type of schooling for any child.

CI- Circle

I wanted to tell everyone about a great online support group for parents of children with cochlear implants. I have been a member for two years have gotten so much great advice from other parents that are going throught the same things that we are. I actually enjoy talking to other familys and giving my advice also. If you are a parent of a newly diagnosed child and would like to talk or get information please sign up for this yahoo group. You can register at yahoo groups - ci circle.

Jack and his "New" ear

Update: Jack is now loving his "new" ear. He wears it alone and is understanding with it. He still likes his "old" ear best and really prefers to wear both, but he is able to tolerate his new ear alone and is pretty proud of himself. It's about time! Jack has not been too keen on working with his new ear alone until just this month and now we know that he has caught up with out strictly working with his new ear alone. Which is good news for all of you parents with headstrong kids who are unable to get there kids to tolerate working on the new ear!!! Now that he will tolerate his new ear we have been able to test how well he understands and can repeat what he is hearing.....and he really is close to being where his old ear is. He questions somethings, but very little, and he is very quick to repeat and respond.

I have noticed such a difference with him in noise. My husband races cars and we were at the racetrack last weekend and Jack was hearing as well and my hearing daughter. I and everyone around us were so impressed. We actually had a similar situation at Great American this summer. With all of the noise of the rides and screams from the people it did not seem to effect Jack's hearing. He was hearing so well even at a distance....the miracle of two ears! I am so thankful that we have been able to give my son the gift of hearing and now that he can hear with both ears it is icing on the cake. He is doing so well and I am so proud of him.

He is also doing well at school and his teacher said that she has noticed big changes in Jack since spring. He is more attentive and is working on a lot more advanced concepts!

I would recommend bilateral implants to any parent who is thinking of them for there child. It has made listening so much easier on Jack and on Mommy.....I don't have to repeat and he can hear greater distance and in noise! He seems to process sound faster also!

Start of the School Year!

Where did the summer go......too fast! Anyway Jack has started his second year in pre-school. He is attending a mainstream montessori in our community. Jack is now attending 5 days a week for half day sessions. Last year he attending only 4 days a week. We are still in AVT and are attending twice a week for a hour session.

I was so nervous for Jack to start school this year because when we would talk about school he would just say "no" and get mad at me. I thought he would have a major meltdown, but actually he did weep a little but his teacher said he calmed down quickly and went right to work. I think now that he is bi-lateral I'm a little less concerned about his hearing this year. He is a really good listener (when he wants to listen..ha ha) and his understanding is increasing daily. He still has a way to go with him using his words, but knowing he is understanding concepts and hearing them I know they are getting in there he will talk more when he is ready!

Jack's teacher said she is shocked how much Jack has improved in the last 3 months and that he is verbalizing with her more and repeating. Jack is a very smart kid and I know he will do well. So on to another successful year! I will update on Jack and school throughout the year.

His teacher took some pictures of Jack's first day and attached that picture. I knew Jack's hair needed to be trimmed, but seeing these pictures made me get him in for a haircut that night....so excuse the hair!

P.S. Jack is also tolerating his "new" ear alone. We see his audiologist in two weeks and I will let you all know how that goes.

Update of Jack's Bi-lateral Progress

Hello. It has been a while since my last posting, but I have had nothing to really add regarding Jack's progress and we have also been very busy. Jack's progress with his bi-lateral has been slow. He is defiantly hearing out of it, but has been fighting us "tooth and nail" regarding working with his "new" ear alone. He had an audiology appointment last Monday and we just tested his "old" ear because he was getting upset about taking his "old" ear off and testing his "new" ear.

I have discussed this situation with Jack's AVT and audiologist and they have both said not to push it and let Jack take the lead. He is wearing his new implant religiously all day, every day, so I know his nerve is being stimulated it is just obviously going to take Jack a little longer to get his "new" ear caught up. Oh well......what can I do? I don't want him to not wear it and I know he does like the "new" ear just not alone!

NOTE: Today he got a Pirates of the Caribbean rag to wear on his head from McDonald's and it was fitting small because of his two BTE implants. He asked me to help him put it back on and his "old" ear fell off as I was trying to tighten it. I think because he was only thinking about the rag and not his implant I started talking to him about pirates and the rag and if he needed help, ect. You know what he really is starting to understand.....Yeah!!! I asked him if he wanted help and he said yes with his "new" ear on and then I asked him if the rag was ok and he said ok. It's coming....yeah!!!!

We sure have a head-strong little pirate on our hands! LOL.....

New Family Pictures

Bi-lateral is working

Jack is now starting to understand with his bi-lateral. It has really been quite a fight to get him to even work with his new implant alone. I have been taking Jack's lead and letting him slowly work alone with his "new" ear. Today I got about 5 min with his "old" ear off and he understood and repeated the sounds I said. I used cards with an airplane, boat, and mouse. I put the cards on the table and did ahh (for airplane), puh, puh, puh (for boat), and eee (for mouse). He not only picked up the right card for the sound he repeated the sounds without hesitation! Finally were getting somewhere.....yeah!

We have only had one adjustment since his turn on date of May 23rd. He did not cooperate at his adjustment because he did not want to do any work with his "old" ear off. He is a very stubborn boy and he does not settle down easily when he was upset so his audiologist just turned everything up generally without any real information from Jack. Hopefully next adjustment things will be better and we will get more information. Otherwise, Jack is now starting to work with me and understand. Yeah!!!