Year End Note..

In mid December we took the dogs and drove up to Plano TX to spend a few days with our good RV friends Bob and Barb Diehl.  In addition to seeing the amazing Christmas program put on by the Prestonwood chuch, we spent a day at the  Dallas Arboretum.   Carol is still on the board for  Mercer Arboretum and is charge of their education programs, which includes visits to other places of interest. She is planning a 3 day trip to Dallas for next October and the Arboretum there is a major stop so we wanted to check it out.

It so happens that they had the Chihuly Exhibit of his Glass Art on display...  located throughout the Arboretum ... it has been in Dallas for several months before moving on. Most are lighted for a dramatic effect at night.  As usual I took some pictures which you can see by clicking HERE if you choose.

Christmas eve was great as usual.  Daughter Cathy and her fine family joined us for dinner and a fun time opening gifts.  We are thankful to be mobile, healthy and happy for another of many years and wish all of you a blessed and productive 2013.....   in spite of the duplicitous, lying, evil clowns who currently lead and infest our three branches of Federal Government.  Did I mention that I have spent much of 2012 following the economic and political news? 

Have a good one...

December Update

On the 11th of this month I return to Envoy Medical to have the audiologist continue to fine tune the frequencies and amplification of the Esteem device.  It is working as advertised but we will continue to adjust for clarity for the next few months as expected.

We had a great RV trip to Charleston SC to James River County Park where they are celebrating their annual "Festival of Lights".  We were in the area for about a week and the weather couldn't have been nicer.  Most days we walked 2 to 4 miles through the park trails in the evening to see the lights. It was  great getaway before the busy holiday season.   We toured the city, visites Ft. Sumpter, and the many old homes.  I took few pictures but a lot of the lights.  If interested this link should do it...   click HERE

Not Much To Report

I am about 4 weeks into the 8 week time period where I increase the volume on the Esteem device a notch every 3 days or so.  This is to gradually get used to the volume and to find which settings work best for different situations.  All seems to be going as planned.

I am looking forward to have the audiologist set the device for different environments. That should help improve clarity. So far we are just changing amplification.

Activation Update

This is the 4th day since the implant was turned on.  I am on the schedule of gradually increasing the amplification (volume) of it, a notch every couple of days.  I found out I don't need to wait 3 days unless it is uncomfortable... so I am using two. Now on the 3rd step.  I continue to be pleased.

As I fool around with headphones, I have determined that the "implant ear" is now about the same, in terms of hearing voices, that my other ear is without any aid in it.  That is good.  I can expect the Implant Ear will get better with each step up.

The "fidelity" of the Implant Ear, however, is not yet "natural."   A man with a pleasant resonant voice sounds a bit like Barny Fife.. a little tinny or twangy.  That is very similar to what the old hearing aids produced as well.  I am hopeful/optimistic that they will be able to improve on this when I go back in (in 6 weeks or so) for an updated setting.   Right now, the major objective is to fine the most useful upper and lower volume settings. And to let my brain start to filter out the "internal noises" of chewing, swallowing, and my own speech.  They always sound load with each change in the volume.. but I also know that in a short time one doesn't notice them any more than a "normal" person does.

Overall,  is a bit hard to make a good comparison between "now and before" as for the last two months I have had no hearing at all in the Implant Ear.   So, of course, anything is an improvement. There is a BIG benefit to "always having an aid in", even at night.

So, I am feeling pleased about the whole project to this point.

All Went Well

We just now (6:00 PM) got back from my session to have the device "activated".  The MD checked the ear and that was fine.  Then after an hour delay (the first time an appointment did not start right on time) I met with the audiologist and the Esteem "engineer."   It works.  Big sigh. But there is still quite a ways to go, which I was not fully aware of.  They turned it on, and then I went through a battery of audio tests to get it initially programmed.  Now I start a protocol of stepping up the volume through 15 increments, with 3 days at each.  This gets my ear, and me, accustomed to the device as the ear continues to heal.  So this will take 45 days or so.  Then back to the audiologist where they will test again, fine tune the programming, and create 3 alternative programs I can use for different situations.

I entered into this whole adventure with rather modest expectations.  So far they have been met.  I have thought that if the new device works at least as well as the exiting hearing aids I have been wearing (which are a lot better than nothing but still not great) that would still be a big plus in that I will not constantly have to be taking them in and out because of rain, sweat, etc... or Carol having to try to determine if I have them in or not when she wants to say something to me.

So with the experience of just a couple of hours, I think the implant will be noticeably better, due to improved clarity of what I can hear.  It is too early to really tell much because the volume is set so low.. but my best guess now is that I will be very pleased that I have had this done.

More later as things progress....

Nothing New

Nothing really to report.   We are waiting for the "activation date" on Aug 14 when I am scheduled to have the new hearing implant "turned on."  All seems fine.  Coolest July on record for Houston.  Although hot an humid as usual... only mid 90's vs low 100's as usual.  And, rain from time to time.

Drying Out

The water stated to recede, albeit very slowly, yesterday late afternoon.  At 8:00 PM our street was still flooded and we had water standing in the back corner of our lot.   At 6:00 AM this morning, there was no water in our street or intersection, nor in the houses/yards on our block.  But one street north everything remains flooded for the 2 blocks I can see.

So we are back to business as usual this fine Saturday morning.  Only problem now is a minor one.  The yard hasn't been mowed for over 1 1/2 weeks so my lawn guys will have a job whenever they next show up.  

Good News ... Bad News

Good News... saw the doc this AM... all looking OK.  No need to return until the activation in August.

Bad News...
 This was taken this afternoon about 1:40 PM looking East down our street from our upstairs window. There is one house you can't see here between us and the white one in the picture. That is our pine tree in the foreground.


If you want to see a series of pictures on my web album you can click HERE

This is what about 9 inches of rain over 2 1/2 days does when to our West.  We are one block west of the Jones Road and Fawnview intersection at the end of Fawnview.  Cypress Creek and "Anderson Ditch" are about 2000 feet and 200 feet respectively behind our yard to the West and they both run South to North.  The ditch feeds into Cy Creek about 1/2 mile North of us.  The houses one street to our North (the left in the picture) were all bought out and removed by FEMA as they had all flooded several times in the past few years.

We have seen this kind of thing about 5 times in the 31 years we have been here.  The water gets into the NW corner of the back yard, but has never come close to getting into the garage and the house.  The houses you see above will likely get a few inches inside.

More Good News... amazingly, we still have power.

4th Week Check In

I have just been reminded by a caring neighbor that I haven't been keeping this up to date.  Thankfully, that is because there isn't much new to report.  It is now 4 weeks since the surgery.  I am almost back to normal.  The only restriction being that of keeping water out of the bionic ear for another 4 weeks.    I am scheduled for the "activation" of the device on Aug 13.  They wait this long to ensure fluid and other issues from the surgery to the middle ear have resolved themselves before applying the power.

So I continue to shower with the Vaseline/Cotton Ball "plug" in the ear.  And of course, can only hear (poorly as usual) from the one ear.  I have no sense of direction, even with the one hearing aid in. This is illustrated by my wandering in circles the other day when Carol was honking the horn so I could find where she had stopped the car while waiting for me in the supermarket parking lot. It is clear that few people think to help a hearing disabled person.. several just walked on by and looked at me strangely.  Guess I need a white cane.

One minor issue remains.  A small portion of the scar in the hairline behind the ear is healing a bit slowly.  Carol applies hydrogen peroxide and antibiotic cream 3 times a day and it is getting better.  I have been seeing the doc at the Woodlands each week for a brief followup check. He isn't concerned.

Thanks for checking in.   Feel free to leave comments or questions below...  

Two Week Check In

Things are coming along fine.  I was encouraged to stop by Envoy to have the doc take a look at my progress if we were in the area.   Carol has wanted to visit the brand new Trader Joe's in the Woodlands so we had planned a trip.  It is a really nice store. We wish there was one closer than 45 min. away.   Anyway, one of the first things we encountered was a TJ's staff member sitting on the floor (wine section)  in about a pint of blood, while two others were wrapping his arm in gauze. There was a suspicious looking box cutter on the floor at his feet.  It looked rather serious to me, but they helped him to the back somewhere; dripping all the way.   

So since we had planned to go to The Woodlands anyway, we had made an appointment with the doc there at Envoy Medical. My visit was not nearly as exciting or bloody.  As to my head... all seems to be doing fine, at least in terms of the operation.   He took the tape off and the incision is healing  nicely.  I can't see it of course, but Carol says I really don't look too much like something out of a Frankenstein movie with the 4 inch scar on my skull behind my ear.   It lives !!  It lives !!  Yes, thankfully.

I am doing just fine. Six more weeks until they "turn my ear on."

Modest Milestones

I am up and around just fine, and sleeping well. I still can't lift much (I could, just not supposed to) but otherwise doing well.  We got our two miles in at  the mall on Friday and will do so again tomorrow. 

I finally got a shower after 12 days  (yes.. I took a bath each of the 12)  The idea was to not get the surgery area wet at all, thus the bath. But that prohibition ended Saturday.  And I still have to not get ANY water in the "new" ear until early August.  The procedure to prevent that when taking a shower works quite well.   You take part of a cotton ball, work some Vaseline into it, and place it in the ear canal. Then you take a glob of Vaseline and seal up the ear over the cotton ball.    Only modestly messy.  The tape over the sutures did get a little wet and I thought that might hasten its coming loose.   It didn't.   I am supposed to let the tape come off by itself. 

Almost all discomfort is gone with the exception of one issue which I haven't discussed much. TASTE.   As indicated in one of the earlier posts, one of the things that has to happen is they must sever a nerve that goes to the tongue when the make the entry to the middle ear.  It is one of a number that impact one's sense of taste. The tongue feels "barely numb"... a bit like it feels after you eat some kinds of fruit or something, or when your mouth is really dry.   Things don't taste bad, the sense of taste itself just seems to be somewhat less intense.  Nerves do not regenerate, but I believe this does go away over time as the brain adjusts a bit.  It is certainly I am glad to live with if the tradeoff is "better hearing through electronics".

By the way... the bull frog is still out there but the heron remains absent.
 

Doing Well

Yesterday I actually got a little work done around the house and garage. Not anything very impressive.  Just hanging a few racks on a pantry door for foil and stuff.  Charged up the car battery in the Toyota that never gets driven.  Repaired a 12 volt plug on the tow car break system.. etc.  I am looking forward to getting out in the RV again.

We will likely do our exercise walk at the mall again today, although we took the day off from that yesterday.  I'll shoot for an easy two miles.

As to the head/ear.  Not much pain any more.  Just a little.  It comes in the form of a slight "twinge" that lasts 2 or 3 seconds, every couple of minutes.  It is hard to tell just what the origin is.. either the implant site for the processor or from the middle ear work.   I take a couple of Advil about every 12 hours and it helps, noticeably.

The tape over the incisions is still firmly fixed, as I have avoided getting that wet.  Starting tomorrow, I'll return to showers instead of a bath, and I expect it to start to come off.  A plug to keep water out of the ear is made of Vaseline soaked cotton ball, then covered with another glob of Vaseline.  That all seems like a good tradeoff to be able to have a real shower.

As expected... no hearing at all in the ear they worked on.  Will have nothing there until the device is "activated" in early August.  (that is when I will be able to hear whispers and read your thoughts if within 7.5 feet)  The right ear still uses a hearing aid so I can get by OK.  I'll have both aids set up for the right ear so I'll have a spare.  I still use the "TV Ears" and the wireless Sony Headphones, on our TV sets as the hearing aids have never given me very clear input when listening to TV or radio. Of course, those too, only work for the right ear.

But I don't want to miss a bit of anything Eric Witholder, Chairman Issa, or the Mystic Leader might have to say.  At least I have been healing in interesting times.

Slow Improvment

Yesterday was a bit better, and today is starting off that way.  Head isn't very sore but still have "twinges" of ear ache.  I think that is normal for quite some time from what I have read. Today is the last of the various antibiotics, but I am still not to get the stitches wet for another week or so.  The tape is showing no signs of coming off and I am supposed to leave it on until it does.  And no water in the ear for 7 more weeks.  That is about the time they are supposed to "turn it on."

Father's Day

Yet another "easy" day.   Advil is working.   The Heron has decided not to visit today. However, sitting here for hours in front of the big windows, I have noticed a bull frog the size of a small cantaloup who is in and out of the pond.  He is clearly not just eating flies.  My guess his breath would be a bit "fishy" if I were able to get that close.  It is a wonder the fish have survived this long with the little attention they have been getting from me.

First time out in the car since I came back from surgery on Tuesday.  Mom drove us to Cathy's where we had pizza, salad, and a great chocolate cake.  It was good to get out and around a bit.  My Sudoku skills continue to improve and I am looking forward to some TV this evening.  Tomorrow we will try a round of walking at the mall.   Happy Father's day to Tim, Dave, and Chip and thanks to Carol for enabling me to be one. 

Becoming More Productive

Last night was the most uncomfortable so far.  I just couldn't find a place and a way to rest that wasn't doing a number on my head and neck.  But today is looking up.  They sent me home with a good sized bottle of Vicodin for pain.   But I quickly found that the stuff "shut off my water" to where I could have been a great ad for Flomax. I would rather have my head hurt. So I have been making do with Tylenol since Tuesday, as it doesn't thin the blood and encourage bleeding like aspirin or Advil.   Tylenol just hasn't been doing very well for me. Today, however, I was able to take my old standby, Advil, and it is working much better on the earache discomfort.

This Guy Looks Like I Feel

So I am being much more productive today.  Here is a picture of the Green Heron that has taken to sitting on our fence or patio to eyeball the fish in our little lily pond.  I am ready at any time (assuming I am awake)  to throw a sock at the window and scare him off when needed.   Also, I rediscovered  the Sudoku Dragon program on my computer and have successfully solved 4 "moderately hard" puzzles, each in under 10 min. All of that and the day is only half over.

Yes... more productive indeed.

Sorta Like Yesterday

I slept better last night and I did "more effective" napping today, then yesterday so I guess that is an improvement.  Less headache and more earache. Heat on the neck helps but am concerned that if the tape loosens -  the left side of my skull will fall off.   Likely not a valid concern.

Day Two... Following - UGH

I guess the after-anesthesia effect is finally hitting.  I felt essentially "normal" for an old guy yesterday, and was pretty happy about it.  Today not nearly as spry. I have been sitting around all day, "taking it easy" as was told to do, and just feel bum all over; sore, but not really in pain.  My glasses don't fit right because of the stitches, so can't see well, mouth still sore, only one ear works (and that poorly of course), can't lift anything, can't get anything wet, pills and drops to take more frequently than I can remember, listened to our President's speech, yadda, yadda, yadda.  Poor me.   Poor me.   Come to think of it, I think most of it was that speech.    A very good thing I am living with such an efficient and cheerful nurse.  And I did get the Garden Blog updated.    I look forward to tomorrow .

Post-Op Day

2:30 PM Wed.   Well everything went better and with less discomfort than I had expected.  They sent me home yesterday afternoon about 4:30 or so looking like this.  Not much pain, but very groggy from the 4.5 hr. surgery.  Either this is supposed to protect my "work site" or else I am confused about where my protective cup is supposed to be.  Not much of a picture but you wouldn't want a good one.

Lots of up and down last night with all the fluids I had with the IV and constant water after getting home.  We went in at 10:00 AM today for the post op visit.  They took my cup back and answered questions, etc.  Lots of antibiotics and do nothing for 10 days. A real concern with any kind of exercise, lifting, or strain causing problems for the middle ear work.  Big concern about not getting water on the area or in the ear for 2 months.  Infection can be a real problem with this deal I guess. 

I am feeling tired, and mouth is still yukky from the breathing tube and anesthesia. But otherwise just fine.  Head feels like I had bumped it a bit. They do "sacrifice" one nerve that goes to the back of the tongue as they make the path for the wires into the middle ear..  Leaves it just a bit numb on one side and changes the way things taste a bit.  Others have reported that you don't notice it after a month or so as the brain compensates. 

So.. for the six weeks to 8 weeks I operate on one ear with one hearing aid.  It is working better then I would have expected so I'll be as fine as usual in that regard.  Then they "turn it on" and I will be able to hear whispers and read your thoughts if within 7.5 feet. It has a wireless controller to make adjustments.

 I took a picture of the "model device" after the pre-op session.  My little knife is just over 2 inches long for comparison.  Battery is like for a pace maker and is supposed to last 5 to 7 years with emphasis on 5 I think. They replace it under a local.

Pre-Op Session Results

(Monday, 6:50 PM)... Well, the "pre-op" session went fine.  I came away impressed with their facilities and their people.  First up was a one hour audiogram session.  It confirmed what others have shown, but this one was more extensive.  

Here is a quick look at my results.  Left and Right ear are almost the same. Hearing scores at 40db and greater are considered moderate to moderate-severe.   Higher scores mean sounds have to be at higher levels to be heard. I have put notes in blue on the left and the red boxes show normal ranges for volume (db) and frequency. The X is left ear, the      < is right ear and the A is with aids in both ears.  "normal hearing of speech is in the shaded yellow.

 These scores explain why I have so much trouble understanding, even if I can hear.  I am missing the normal speech frequencies, especially the lower ones, even with the aids.

After the audiogram session, mom and I spent about an hour with one of the doctors who checked me out and then explained everything that was going to go on.  Again, we felt very good about it.

We'll be there tomorrow at 6:00AM for 7:00AM surgery.. lasting 3-5 hours.  Should be home after 5:00 PM.  Cathy will stop by around noon, likely.    I am quite relaxed about it all, but don't look forward to sitting around for a couple of weeks.  And it is 8 weeks before the "implant" is turned on for the first time.

June 11.. A Day of Significance

Mom and Dad (Harvey and Harriet) Bennett were married on this day in 1939

Our daughter Carrie and Dave Reid were married on this day in 1994


And today I go in for a Pre-Op visit to become the bionic man.  The surgery is tomorrow at 7:00 in The Woodlands and will last 3-5 hours.   I should be home by the evening.  So more on that in a day or so.

Here is a very short video that describes what I am getting. The battery and electronics go behind the ear in the mastoid bone of the skull. Here is more info Click Here 

Blackout Ready

During hurricane Ike a couple of years ago, we SPENT OVER A WEEK without electricity.  Thanks to the generator in the RV parked in the drive we kept the fridge and freezer going OK.  Also, the old, old, gas generator I bought 15 years ago to keep my KOI fish alive during such periods, provided enough power for lights.

No hurricanes last year but I don't have a good feeling about 2012.  On Thursday night we had some rather miner thunderstorms go through and we lost power twice.. the first time for less than 1/2 hour, but then for almost 5 hours, between 1:30 AM and 6:30 AM on Friday morning.

So yesterday I got in gear and we are now ready.  I started up the old generator after its 2 year sleep and it seems to be fine.  I determined it can handle fridge and freezer, as well as light.  I got the heavy extension cords ready (generator runs in the garage with door partially open).   I also have two, 5 gal gas cans filled with StaBil added.  These were refilled in Jan 2012 and still the gas stared the generator fine. Our outdoor grill is natural gas, so it is always available

.After Ike I had purchased a very small 7 inch digital TV and a 600 watt inverter which I now have set up to let me run 110 volt things off of any of 3 deep cycle batteries I had changed out of the RV for new ones.  I keep these charged in the garage with a "battery minder" trickle charger.  The inverter lets me keep most things charged up, as well as run my DSL modem and WiFi router so we have internet.  Our DSL is a "hard phone" line like our regular telephone line is.  Both are ok with no power as long as a tree doesn't take them out. (sorry Uverse Users).

Frozen Food, Outdoor Cooking, Lights, TV, Phones, Cell Phones, Laptop, Galaxy Tablet, Internet Access ......

Now if it only wasn't always so darn hot.......  but there is always the pool.
   

Back From Carrie's

New Blog Site

As you have noted, I have shifted to a new blog site.  The old one was created in 2005 and there are more features available now.  I could likely have just modified the "Houston Bennetts" site but I had really done nothing with it since 2007.   You can always get to it with the link on the right.

Our Virginia Visit

 4 year old pix but only one I had

Maysville Baptist at Bucking VA (Justin on the steps)

We had a great visit with Pastor Dave, Carrie, Jordan, Jocelyn, Justin, Jayson, Joanna, and Blue. What a great multi-building compound you have. 

And thanks to Maysville Baptist Church for their RV parking space.

Well we are back home, as of yesterday, safe and sound. A trouble-free trip, door-to door-to door, and for that we are thankful.  We had a great time in our 12 days with Carrie and family in Buckingham VA.  Total round-trip millage was a long 2,617.5 miles.  We used 290.9 gallons of gas and averaged 8.71 mpg towing the Honda.  I ran 57 to 63 mph depending upon the roads.  Most were just fine except about 20 miles of bumpy I-10 near  Lafayette LA

Coffee Bean Nest On the Right

 We really pushed it yesterday, driving 565 miles from the Meridian MS area to Houston.  I am convinced the "Steer Safe" device I put on the Coffee Bean made a big difference as I was much less tired then usual driving the rig. Lots of good Interstate and no delays around Beaumont or Baton Rouge helped as well.

The Pastor Reid's House... (Blue on right)

Now to plan for the rest of the year.

 We are considering Natchez MS, Charleston SC, Rocksprings TX, and Ruidoso NM.  Time will tell.   We need to get my "ear surgery" done on June 12 first.  Will report on that here in the next couple of weeks.