Blog one, post one...

Please bear with me - this is my first blog, ever. I just thought I would like to share my Cochlear Implant journey, or indeed my journey through life. I was completed deafened in April after an air flight, and have been off work since. Have been for an assessment for a Cochlear Implant - so fingers crossed all is okay to go ahead! I have been deaf all my life and heavily dependant on lip-reading but what little hearing I had seemed to help. Now I only pick up half of what is being said - so hope its the better half! Its been a long summer though - not being able to pick up what my six year old is saying...tiring too.

Still, the assessment was an eyeopener. It confirmed more or less what I knew, but somehow it was a shock to see the results in black and white. It was reassuring that its no fault of mine that I miss hearing things - when I have only 6% hearing with hearing aids on. I'm an 'above average' lipreader though but even then only scored 54% on the speech recognition test using both lip-reading and hearing. Its good to have these results too - so many people ask 'how much do you hear?' or 'what don't you hear?' (eh? if I can't hear it, how do I know I don't hear it?) - now I have the answers!

This Blog is not all about Cochlear Implants (CIs) though. I'm off work at the mo and missing the patient contact, but keeping myself busy. Painting and decorating on wet days, gardening and sunbathing on dry days (yes, I am a sunworshipper - and yes, I know the risks, and not just being caught half-undressed!). I've even knitted four jumpers too!

I have also just put an offer in, which has been accepted, for a beautiful cottage on the beach - can't wait to move in. The garden will be a new challenge for me as it has been neglected for four years. Let's hope that it all goes through as planned.

I am thinking that this year is going to be one of challenges, but excitement too. I hope that you will share my experiences as time goes on, and I get used to blogging!