Taking the plunge

After months of testing and debates and research and tears and prayers... we've finally made the hardest decision we've been faced with yet: 

Milo is getting a cochlear implant on September 27th! 

There. I said it. 

Just feels good to have finally made up our minds and we're ready to move forward. 

I wasn't aware that with that one decision would come many others! Did you know that there are only 3 companies that make cochlear implants, and the parents have to decide which to go with?! No clear-cut winner (or loser), no real recommendations from the audiologist. Every single person I've asked - and I've asked A LOT of people - says that it's impossible to make a wrong decision. No matter which we go with (Advanced Bionics, Cochlear America or Med-El, in case you were curious), Milo will likely be successful. They all look [mostly] the same, function the same, will give Milo similar benefits. The main differences between the companies are the "bells and whistles" that are offered. BTW - Milo will be able to do far more with this device than you could with your last cell phone. And SWIM! Each of the three companies has water accessories that make it possible for Milo to wear while in the pool/ocean/bathtub. Marco Polo, here we come!

Now, I'm not so naive to think that there won't be lots (and lots and lots) of challenges with this. They won't even turn it on ("activate") for about a month. And when they do, it's very likely that Milo will hate it. His brain will have to learn to interpret the sound in a whole new way. Doesn't sound fun to me. One adult CI user told me that in the beginning, when they heard a bird chirping sounded like a car alarm going off. But eventually she adapted and chirping is no longer unpleasant. 

Everyone says kids adapt SO fast. Apparently, kids have this heightened elasticity (or sponge-y-ness) in their brains until about 3.5-4 (and then it starts decreasing), so we'll have lots of time to capitalize. It's the same reason why kids can learn a second language so much more easily. Let's hope Milo is able to adapt fairly quickly to these new sounds so that we're not second-guessing this decision. I know it'll be better for him in the long run, but when things get tough in the short term, I'm going to need you to remind me of this. 

And don't get me started on how nervous I am for the actual surgery. Milo reacted less than pleasantly (to say the least) during the anesthesia for his ear tube surgery that we had back in July, and this time they're inserting a medical device inches from his brain. (Do not, I repeat, do NOT do a google image search for CI surgery. I saw some black and white pics in a book and got a little queasy.) Rest assured - the pain meds will be administered to a T, and the ice cream will be more than plentiful. I'm hoping for hugs and snuggles rather than tantrums and glares. We shall see. 

Luckily, I'm tied into an amazing network of Moms here in Dallas who have gone/are going through the same types of struggles as we are, and it's so cool to have this kind of support. They speak this language. They know what it's like. Advise is given without judgement. We can joke about attaching refrigerator magnets to the sides of our kids' heads. (True story!) Pretty sure you might feel awkward doing that. Not these Moms!

Another exciting change is that Milo will be starting preschool through Plano ISD when he turns 3 in October. He'll be in an aural communication class with other kids with hearing loss. We toured this classroom a few months ago and fell in love - I'm so excited to see how he progresses. I never ever wish time to go faster, but I'm ready for October to be here. After school, he'll be bussed to the preschool where he is now (and where Reilly will be), so he'll get [what we consider to be] the best of both worlds. Six hours of speech and learning with his new teachers and friends, followed by fun and controlled chaos in a mainstreamed preschool with his familiar teachers and friends. 

In other news - we just returned from an awesome trip to Asheville and had the best time catching up with friends in our favorite city. Reilly is now FIVE months old, and the happiest, laid-back baby you ever met. She's still our chubby baby, and it's so fun watching her learn new things, and to see Milo interacting with her. Peek-a-boo is a new favorite, and she'll give the cutest lil giggle whenever he makes silly noises/faces at her. Here's a couple of photos of my two favorite Motts: 

And here's how I feel most days... but it's alllll worth it. Right?

Thanks for reading! Hope you have a great Thursday. 

- Jaime