Healing Begins

More than a week has passed.  The plastic cover over my new BAHA post with snap fastener is exposed to the air. My doctor doesn't expect to see me again for three months when the hearing tests and device fitting will occur.  I won't see him unless the site gets infected, but they don't act like that is a big concern, although we were given explicit instructions on what to look for and how to react and when to call and get our bods to Omaha.  

This was our day on Tuesday.  

This morning our alarm rang at 4:45 and we left the house through intermittent fog for Omaha.  We would have liked to linger for a few outdoor minutes at our favorite Milford rest are, but as I didn't have enough jacket for the 50 degree temps, we decided to forego that and continued on our way. We got to to office at 8:30, and were ushered into the examining room at 9:10, and after a quick pull-off of the plastic cover and unwinding of the corn wrapped around the post and approval rating of 0 (which is good), we were on our way out fo the parking lot at 10:45 to get home at 1.  A long trip for a short exam.  I was VERY pleased that the area looks so good.  I know someone else, who had horrible problems with infection.  I hope I am spared that.  We have to watch and clean the spot of course.  I would really like to get by with no infection.  I've had so many other problems. 

I wanted Jim to help me with the first hair washing that hadn't been done per doctor's orders since the surgery.  I was a little bit nervous about the newly placed rod that isn't firmly grown in.  I have to, after washing, dry that spot with a hair dryer.  No more drip drying hair, ever.  That spot HAS to stay dry.  I wonder about swimming?  So, I went out and bought a hair dryer.  I haven't owned one for decades, although their presence has not been unknown in this house because I have two girls. 

So, the waiting begins. 

BAHA At Last

Several years ago, I wrote an exciting blog post about this BAHA thing.

(Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) on April 12, 2016 and then I wrote nothing because the insurance company denied me, twice, even after a couple of appeals showing that my hearing loss wasn't just happen-chance, but a series of unfortunate events starting with radiation and ending in destroyed

 ear drums. 

Well, a couple of years and a couple of insurance companies later, plus some enlightenment on the part of said insurance companies, the bone anchored hearing aid is becoming a part of accepted treatment for hearing loss, and we decided to try again.  

We were waiting for resolve and time.  I wasn't any too sure I wanted to start again and face more appeals and more surgery.  After Lorene graduated and didn't need me so constantly to watch the boys, it was feasible to think about it again and in July we started the process all over again with more hearing tests and waiting to hear from the insurance company.  

From there, things went quickly.  In a month, surgery was scheduled, pre-op physical done, and we were on the road to surgery.  

It's done, and I am home again, recovering.  I have very little pain in my head where the post has been put in, but my throat is very sore, since they had problems putting the breathing tube in.  That part of my anatomy has been compromised because of the radiation, and gives me plenty of problems. In three months, we will talk about fitting the hearing device. 

The white disc covers the incision site and the post, but you can see the area. 

This surgical center sends home a red rose. 

July

July was a busy month.  

We had a family dinner.

I had the boys two days a week.

My brothers and I met at our folks.  

Lynette and Anthony moved to Texas.  

Here's our life in a few pictures. 

Family Dinner

Pies for Dinner

Helping Papa

My Brothers and I 

Feeding a giraffe at the Zoo. 

Leaving for Texas in the rain.

Boys at My House 

Barry and Christian's gardens.

Zane's Garden

A visit to the cemetery in Netherlands for WWII soldiers.  

The Last Dinner

Lynette took this picture and wrote these words:

Today was Anthony and my last Sunday dinner at my parents’ for a while. The first Sunday after I moved into college and Anthony moved to Nebraska they invited us for lunch and then had us over almost every Sunday for the next four years. I loved watching my parents get to know and love Anthony during those times and we got to witness the best example of a Godly marriage as my parents helped each other in the kitchen each week. We will miss my sweet parents so much but I’m so thankful for the times we spent with them while living close.

A Long Way From Home

May was a busy month this year.  Aside from two graduations, we took a trip to see Bonita in New Hampshire.  I find that I have putting too much pressure on myself to get all the photos and all the story out for things like graduations and these visits.  

Suffice it to say, we found New Hampshire very different from home and very delightful.  

Therefore, this blog is just a few photos, well maybe not so few, of getting there and one day trip.

and...here we are!!

Stonewall Kitchen, where we bought wild Maine blueberry jam. 

Nubble Lighthouse

This is borrowed from Wikipedia

The Cape Neddick Ligh is a lighthouse in Cape Neddick, York, Maine.  In 1874 Congress Appropriated $15,000 to build a light station at the "Nubble" and in 1879 construction began.  Cape Neddick Light Station was dedicated by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and put into use in 1879.  It is still in use today.  

We saw some people cross over with this cable car.

Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine

We can't go to Maine without having lobster.

Or ice cream with blueberries.

Jim rather reluctantly put his feet in the Atlantic.

It was pretty cold to be letting the waves wash over our feet, but as a flatlander, 

I wanted to make the most of my opportunity.  

We don't see much water where I'm from.