how a deaf fluteplayer gets to hear again

[Innocent Bystander]

We will be thinking of you tomorrow, Berti. With our fingers crossed. I hope it goes well.

[Berti66]

so...........just got home from Belgium.
believe me, that room was CRAMMED with all of you over there.......barely room to breath....

five hours of intensive testing and also very painful experiences sending me through the roof (and everybody in shock)
it was such a great team and very nice and kind people, how DIFFERENT from what I have experienced so far the last years......they planned a quiet day on purpose so they had all the time for me.
I was happy round 2 PM that testing finally was finished as it wore me thin..........

but

then

I got to the professor again to discuss results and ............

he told me........

I AM GOING TO GET A NEW IMPLANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am still i a state of shock two hours later and it is not yet fully dawning to me........only with bits now and then, which bits made me VERY emotional though.......
when I came outside, the sun was shining and it just felt like "something" was telling me, everything is going to be allright again.

it's gonna take a few months but this spring the job should be done, another surgery, healing again and starting over.
BUT
this time I won't have to start from zero like last time, and it's said that it should be a matter of weeks until I would be back where I left off.

squeeze please.....not too hard though

[Denny]

'bout time!!!

Congrats on hangin' on long enough

[Jayhawk]

Berti,

that's really cool! If I recall some of your earlier posts, it was working great until you had an accident, right? Sounds like they may have decided it was damaged (or just defective)?

I am very happy for you.

Eric

[anniemcu]

YAY!

[peeplj]

Berti, I'm so glad!!!

You will continue to be in our thoughts.


--James

[devondancer]

Oh, what wonderful news! You have made our day, here in Devon! We are both so delighted for you, my friend. You have held on, and fought, and now you have the second chance you so deserve.

We will all be with you when it happens, too. Remember that you will not be on your own.

[Berti66]

you all are such sweeties, thank you !!!!
and yeah the prof said, that with the second time, I will be back "where I left off". (or citing him: back to what you had a taste of.)
that makes me feel and at the same time.

I think I will really start to realize what's going on AFTER the surgery is over and I will have the first fitting again.... but the replies I get from all the people today are SO heartwarming

Fanny already has been in touch with me through a very nice email and we will get to talk again about what's going to happen now and about choosing an audiologist next time.
As you all can imagine I am DONE with the academic hospitals over here (which do implant surgeries etc) so I should try and find an audiologist who actually is open to my feedback and the way of working I need/ like.

[Innocent Bystander]

Good, good. I think I could feel waves of joy washing over from the Low Countries!

[mutepointe]

Not to be a wet blanket but does this mean the all expense trip to California is off?

[Alan]

WOO HOO!!

Out with the bad imp, in with the good!

*hugs*

[Berti66]

it's getting late over here and bedtime as I am drop dead tired.....
but I notice that YOUR happiness makes ME happy too.

sorry mutepointe, I dunno about the trip I guess there is no longer any need for AB to beam me over...
won't say I will NEVER visit the US in the future....but first things first.

goodnight to all of you my friends. for those of you still awake, please drink one to me tonight, preferably some irish liquid, to a happy end!

*smiling*
berti

ps got another mail from Fanny Scherf my AB person. we will remain in touch discussing things.
I suggested that I wanted to try do my own fittings.....first she said, it's against FDA rules but she is going to ask around anyways
there are some hard decisions coming my way now and one is the audiologist problem. that is how the idea started......would save others money and time.

[kkrell]

Yay!

I'm sorry you have to go through the implant procedure again, but it seemed to me the obvious necessity half a year ago. You've seen the great results possible with a properly working and setup implant, and now hopefully that will become your everyday experience. Keep those lips in shape for flute-playing!

Kevin

[Berti66]

yes kevin
another day just started here and I sit here smiling.
was really totally utterly worn out yesterday....

it is starting to dawn to me a bit more now. (saying that while outside it's still pitch dark )
WHEW.
yes sure am now motivated to get my lips back in shape.......... will do that.
meanwhile I keep getting swamped with excited emails from anyone I have told so far.
it helps with making me realize this is REALLY happening........

[devondancer]

Enjoy it all, Berti!
(And good morning!)