Cochlear Implant

**DJ’s Timber** · 24th September 2011, 11:15 AM

Hi guys and gals,

Haven't being visiting the forum of much lately but thought I'd let you all know that I have just undergone a Cochlear Implant operation.

Wasn't scheduled to have it done yesterday, but they had a cancellation so I was fast tracked in, funny thing though, I had my pre op assessment done on Thursday morning and as I was about to walk out the door, my phone rang and they asked if I would like to come in tomorrow for op, could have knocked me over with a feather

So I then had to travel back home, then back to my Parents as I had to be here by 7am plus of course I had to get my Dad to drop me off

Came into the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital yesterday morning and was under the knife by about 8.30am and out of the theatre about 2pm.

This is me in my ward at 2.30pm.

Attachment 182445

Surprisingly I wasn't as sore as I expected to be, probably the painkillers doing there job

Didn't really get a lot of sleep during the night as I think I may have still been a bit too rested from the effects of the general anaesthetic.

The Doc has been in earlier this morning and removed my bandage and has said that all is well and I can go home today, me from behind without bandage about 9am.

Attachment 182446

My Mum will be in about 11am to take me back to her place for a few days where I'll get to enjoy some good old fashioned home care and cooking

Will have a check up in about a weeks time, appointment will be scheduled for me before I leave today, then in about fortnight I think, I get the outside part fitted and turned on. To start off with, only some of the 22 probes going into my Cochlear will be turned on, with all expected to be turned on over the following 3 months and fine-tuned.

Don't think has all quite really sunk in yet, it has all happened so quickly.

**AUSSIE** · 24th September 2011, 11:33 AM

Great to Hear all went well DJ.They didn't give you much time to worry about it did they

Now for a fast recovery.Mums food sounds OK

**Groggy** · 24th September 2011, 11:53 AM

Onya DJ. Bit of a worry when they have to put a big red arrow pointing to the ear for the surgeon isn't it? You would hope he/she would recognise that big flappy bit by now

Look forward to hear how the testing progresses.

**tea lady** · 24th September 2011, 12:25 PM

Cool! Will be interesting to hear about your experiences with it!

**FenceFurniture** · 24th September 2011, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Groggy

...... put a big red arrow pointing to the ear for the surgeon isn't it?

Nah Groggy. This was a special one for DJ. Coz he's got such a thick beard, they need to know which way is up. This becomes particularly important when the patient goes to recovery and the nurses get him to stand up for the first time. The middle ear is affected by the op and he might topple over.

Mind you they could determine the direction by seeing how gravity affects the dangly bits.

DJ: was your hearing loss for part of the spectrum or just a general can't hear a bloody thing?

**DJ’s Timber** · 24th September 2011, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

DJ: was your hearing loss for part of the spectrum or just a general can't hear a bloody thing?

I got bacterial menegitus when I was 11mths old and either that or the drugs they used to get rid of it destroyed most of my hearing.

I have managed to get by with hearing aids until about 3yrs ago when the hearing in my left ear went downhill very quickly, I also lost my middle ear balance in that ear around the same time as well, so had no balance problems after the op

Losing the last bit of the hearing in that ear, it hit me pretty hard and with my depression I sort of withdraw from it and had a few false starts to go to the Cochlear Clinic but the staff there are very understanding and realise that it is a big step. So about this time last year I finally worked up the nerve to get the MRI and CT scans and balance testing done and was then placed on the waiting list.

**FenceFurniture** · 24th September 2011, 01:35 PM

I see. Well keep us up to speed - I'm sure there are many who would be interested in seeing how you go.

**witch1** · 24th September 2011, 04:40 PM

groggy
Over the years there have been mistakes made in operating theatres with the handing of operations.
the arrow painted on the site of the op. is just another precaution taken in hospitals to eliminate the chance of this kind of mistake . If you have a left one and a right one it is mandatory to make sure that the correct body part is operated on.
I find it reassuring when they mark my bits up with non fade ink to know while i am conscious that I have been mapped out for the surgeon to find his way to the correct area
regards
witch1

**Sturdee** · 24th September 2011, 05:06 PM

Great to hear that you are getting better DJ, when you are well I've still got the sandpaper that you paid for last year.

Any time that you are ready let me know, no storage fees charged.

Peter.

**Waldo** · 24th September 2011, 08:50 PM

Still better an arrow pointing to an ear than stuffing up and rigging the implant elsewhere.

Great to read the news Dj.

**Ozkaban** · 24th September 2011, 09:56 PM

Have a good friend with an implant. Very interesting how they work.

Hope you heal up quickly and they work well for you. It's truly amazing what medical science can achieve.

Cheers,
Dave

**dai sensei** · 24th September 2011, 10:23 PM

Great news DJ

I'm sure it will all heal up well and work a treat

I'm coming down to Melbourne on Wednesday, staying until the show, so hope to catch up.

Cheers

**Cliff Rogers** · 24th September 2011, 10:53 PM

Good on ya DJ, all the best mate.

**Ruddy** · 24th September 2011, 10:58 PM

All the best DJ...speedy recovery and keep us all posted with your progress...

**RufflyRustic** · 25th September 2011, 09:30 PM

Heya DJ!!!! So good to read your posts. Am totally wrapt for you that the op is over and went well.

Cheers, Wendy

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