My first few months

I went to see my doctor back in May, asked if I could be referred to have a cochlear implant and she asked me a few questions and would make some calls for me then a letter would be sent to me, I recieved a letter on 17th May to see Dr Blanshard at the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke on 6th July.

He asked me a few questions about my medical history and why I was deaf, had a look at my ears, asked me why I wanted to be considered for a cochlear implant - my reply was that I would like to achieve my dream of being a midwife and also to be able to communicate better with my six children whom are all hearing....he was happy with that and said that he would refer me to the cochlear implant centre.

Heard nothing for a while and had begun to give up hope until I went away for our annual family holiday and that year we went to Wales (cut short because our tent was flooded due to the torrential rain!! Our dear friends who camped with us - bless them - had sewn in groundsheets with their tent offered us to stay that night and we would dry everything up, pack up and go home), upon coming home, I was greeted with a big pile of letters, one struck me as obvious with the big brown envelope (brown envelopes are always important letters!) - it was from the Cochlear Implant Centre, I opened it up quickly and said that dates would be in September, October, November and December and final dates would be to followed.

A big smile was on my face...here it was, it's begun and week later I got final letter with dates - September 19th was my first appointment at SOECIC (South Of England Cochlear Implant Centre) at Southampton University.

Other dates I had to go back were October, November for my MRI and CT scan, December and a final appointment in January (I think - just need to find letters to confirm dates)

Appointments consisted of having audiograms - twice, meeting people, assessments and stuff like that, think I had a total of about 10 visits to SOECIC. Several emails and appointments to the doctor for the meningitis (which was the wrong injection in the first place!!) and a pneumoccoccal injection (which was meant to be done first time round) I'll explain why for the need of the injections when I find the proper papers - I do know that it's needed to prevent infection of the ear as it's cut open, something to do with the fluid...