Evan & the Paparazzi

Our local news station is following Evan's journey from silence to sound. They did a story on him before surgery, an update yesterday and will air his activation next week. Here are the links to the KIMT website to watch and read what they have done so far...
Initial story...video
Follow up...article

I will post when his autograph signing will begin...we are working on it!

As many of you know when I get my mind set on something, I make sure as many people as possible know about it. I really think hearing loss awareness is important including CI awareness. All the research I have done has been amazing and I continue to be awed daily. Now I can't be quoted, but I read that something like 90% of infants born deaf every year are born to hearing parents like Rich & I. WOW! I also read that out of all the people infants-adults in the US that actually qualify for cochlear implants...less than 50% actually get them. Some chose not to, some don't truly understand how they work, and some can't afford it. Hearing care is an optional coverage by insurance companies! OPTIONAL! So if you are Deaf, it's not considered medically necessary for insurance to cover hearing aids, and if you are Deaf they won't help you anyway and they DON'T have to cover cochlear implants either. No, it isn't cheap and either is the care needed after surgery. A great deal of appts. follow in the years after implants to program(map) them with and audiologist and with speech and language pathologists. Many parents have to fight to get coverage for their kids, it just blows my mind.

I am not into politics, but I think sharing Evan's story might make people realize that it is necessary! HELLO! I can't wait to see the progress he will make, that wouldn't be possible without some form of hearing. I know he will always be deaf, but with the implant he will hopefully be able to communicate and verbalize. Now seriously look at this little guy and tell him he doesn't need to hear. I hope his story helps someone! I might never know it, but I think sharing as much as possible will help get the word out there!

So as far as the paparazzi goes, he's pretty photogenic and we will work on the autographs. I hope to share his progress with anyone who will listen. And if you don't have the ability to listen yet, I am working on signing :)

Surgery...he has his ears!

Surgery was yesterday and Evan did great! He was a little trooper. My mom came with us to Iowa City, an extra set of hands is always great. We had to be at the hospital at 5:45. Evan was wide awake and didn't really mind getting his vitals done and getting ready for surgery. I was all geared up to go to the operating room with him until he fell asleep, but he was sleeping before we went back, so he really had no idea it was coming! Surgery took about 4.5 hours, shorter than they had us prepared for! Nana Lori also came to keep us company during surgery. It was so nice to have her there! Dr. Hansen said it went perfectly! The electrodes tested well and there weren't any difficulties placing the implants.

Coming off the anesthesia wasn't too bad. He of course was not a happy little guy for awhile, I don't blame him! He slept on and off most of the afternoon and had an upset tummy in the evening. We went for a short walk and it was on our little stroll that he creamed me...bad! His poor tummy was really upset and throat was sore from the breathing tube he had during surgery. His congestion from that has cleared up and with a little medicine to calm his tummy he is doing great today. Kelsey was our nurse in the evening and she was so sweet! I got pictures of everyone, gotta love the scrapbooker in me! This morning we saw a familiar face, Holly Winter(maiden name:) from our hometown was our nurse. It is truly a small world and it was nice to have her as Evan's nurse today.

He is wanting the bandage off so we are trying to keep his little hands busy with other things. His balance is still a little wonky so he is spending time in the exisaucer, sitting and crawling is still a bit of a challenge. By tomorrow that should be a ton better. We are so glad to be home and can't believe it's done! Yea, one step closer to hearing!

Thank you to everyone for your extra thoughts & prayers!