update

January 14, 2003

Great Cheri! Keep up the good work.

Alley

update

Hi- Just wanted to let you all know that @ my 6 and 1/2 weeks post

tx Quantisure Plus Test, I am still the same as I was during 6th

month Quantisure Plus test that goes to 5-copies NEGATIVE. The test

goes to copies and again somehow the lab got a 2 copies or less

result!!! Rem I hv cirochiss and genotype 2b. Just wanted you all to

know! Thanks cheri

January 14, 2003

Cheri...

We just love news like yours....so happy for you!

Tatezi

January 19, 2003

CONGRATULATIONS CHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's great. Just had my PCR done

too this month and I am still undectable........16 months post treatment..

gee

January 19, 2003

CONGRATULATIONS CHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's great. Just had my PCR done

too this month and I am still undectable........16 months post treatment..

gee

January 23, 2003

Congrats Cheri

Suzy

_________________________________________________________________

MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*

http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus

March 6, 2003

Hi Tim

Glad your surgery is behind you and thanks for the update. Please keep me informed as to how well you are progressing.

Sally

May 21, 2003

Rosemary,

Glad to hear you are doing fine. You are haning in there like a real trooper!

Now go get that hair done and pedicure!

B

July 4, 2003

Hi Rosemary,

You sound so much better and I am happy for you. Take care of yourself and

do you plan on going to the picnic in September?

glinda in NC

gsaxon@...

July 10, 2003

Hi, Gayle, I think you might need to look at counting some calories so you

know what you are taking in, so that you know what you might need to add.

I'm not Dana, but maybe she knows. Take care, and " way to go " Best, ~K

Update

> Hi everyone,

> I rarely post but wanted to let you know how I am doing. My MGB was 4

months ago with Dr. Hargroder (March 6). I have lost

> 71 lbs & I am wearing a size 8. I never would have believed it 5 or 6

months ago. It has been tremendous. Sometimes I worry that it won't stop

since I have lost very steadily all along. I do work out with a trainer 3

days a week & I'm sure this has helped. Luckily I don't have alot of excess

skin, thanks to the exercise & weight lifting! My question is: How does my

body know when to stop losing? I really shouldn't lose over 10 more lbs or

I will look too thin. I'm wondering if I should slow down on the exercise,

but it is such a thrill to be able to do it after being heavy for so many

years! I know that this sounds weird after wanting to lose, but have very

many people lost too much weight? I would appreciate your input. I take all

of my vitimins, etc, & still drink my gatorade. I haven't had any hair loss

(knock on wood).

>

> Gayle in OKC

> 3/6/03

> 220/149

>

July 16, 2003

Hi Rosemary,

Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Just remember you are not alone. We

are all your friends and are here for you when you need us.

Love

Pat Iurato

September 7, 2003

Hi,

It is great to hear you are doing so much better. Sorry I won't be at the

picnic to see you this year. I have already commited to be in a walk-a-thon

that day. It's for a good cause. It is sponsored by the Bariatric Support

Centers International, " Walk from Obesity " . I hope it will bring hope to

alot of folks who haven't thought about surgery or haven't met anyone who

has had surgery. So, you have a good time for me ok? I'm still struggling

with the extra 20 lbs or so. I have changed my eating habits drastically

and I am doing a little better as far as my activity level. But, my clothes

still fit the same so I know nothing has changed. However, if you look at

it this way, whenever I would diet successfully and lose weight, I never

achieved this size so, that is good!

Take alot of pictures to share!

aW

-- updaate

Hello to everyone,

It has been awhile since I have posted. I cannot wait to see

everyone at the picnic. Things have been getting a little better for

me lately. Some days are much better than other, but on the whole I

am doing fine. I have finally lost 5 lbs which hasn't happened in so

long. Remember, I said after my 2 plastic surgeries I had gained.

Before my MGB I was 297 lb, within a year I had lost 105 lbs. But

then my average weight stayed at 195 for over a year, I had surgery

on my arms to remove the batwings, and then 5 months later had a

breastlift, after both of these surgeries I was 15 lbs more. Now I

have finally lost 5 lbs and I am at 210 lbs. (was at that weight for

the longest time before). So I am hoping that I can still go down in

weight. Just wanted to share this with all of you that have heard me

complaining for the longest time. I do have some good news once in a

while. The best is I am coming for the picnic and will get to see

everyone again and meet those of you that I only know through emails.

See you soon. Hope we have good weather and a nice turnout of people.

Rosemary Commisso

October 13, 2003

This is wonderful. I'm excited and I know all about those butterflys.

They'll go away and hopefully you will be flying high when they tell you that

you

are a candidate.

Alice

October 13, 2003

In a message dated 10/13/2003 12:57:10 PM Pacific Standard Time,

evel339@... writes:

> I have butterfy's in my stomach

> already )

you will do just fine....... good luck!

Lee

October 13, 2003

My appt. is tomorrow at 9am.. I have butterfy's in my stomach

already )

Cheers,

Evel

> Hi all,

> Just a little update..

>

> I filled out my questionaire and will set up my appt. soon. I

> will share the outcome with you.. Wish me luck )

>

> Evel

October 14, 2003

Thanks, I hope so too.. I will post later today with results..

Evel

> This is wonderful. I'm excited and I know all about those

butterflys.

> They'll go away and hopefully you will be flying high when they

tell you that you

> are a candidate.

>

> Alice

>

October 14, 2003

Thank you! my appt. is at 9:00 am..

Evel

> In a message dated 10/13/2003 12:57:10 PM Pacific Standard Time,

> evel339@y... writes:

>

> > I have butterfy's in my stomach

> > already )

>

> you will do just fine....... good luck!

>

> Lee

>

November 6, 2003

Hi eve,

I read your post and had to respond, to make a long story short, I lost my hearing at 42 yrs of age. woke up deaf in the left ear completely , the ENT I ran to and evntually sent me to the Ear Insitute in Farming Hills MI and that was a dream come true. again to make it short. my right ear is going but not to rapidly, I do wear a reagular aid in the rt ear to hear ( not great but enough to function). I was implanted on Sept 23rd and activated on 10/31. and if you go back and read any of my post(s) it was so hard to decided but my friends on ths site gave me great advice and I listened to my doc. He said it only made sense to put the device in the "bad" ear "I could hear a little out my right ear before surgery" with the help of an aid. and when I was activated on the 31st and you can read my post made on 11/01 I can hear out of my left ear! the completely gone deaf ear, I was told I would never hear out of again, now I go nov 11th for my second adjustment

after activation, I had GREAT CI moments I shared on the forum and hope to have many more. Everyone has to decide what is best for them, but I let my hubby and doc decide on the ear in question for implant I just signed on the dotted line so to speak. And I am so glad at the results I have gotten. Now if I remove both aid and the nucleus 24 3g implanted on the deaf ear I cannot hear a thing, total silence, but when both are on can hear this key board click as I type this............... something that never heard before I lost the hearing do to auto immune defiency ( learned later ) Alos the doc told me that when he operated I had only two bones left barely held together ( do to my Osteroprisis and rheumatioind arhrits). I would research alittle and ask your doc his/her opinion and ask why? to what they tell you . My cat scan was a big help in the docs deciding on which ear, I wish you all the best. I am no expert and have no magical answers, only what I have is what

I went thru already. ;-)

good luck

cyndi in MIevel339 <evel339@...> wrote:

Hi All,Well, I had another round of testing Tues. and I am a CI candidatenow.. The biggest decision for me is do I implant my right ear whichhas not heard speech in 21 years.. Reason unknown, but i had a caraccident and fractured my skull and ruptured my ear drum. Aftereverything healed I could no longer hear much at all with that ear..My Audie is betting that when I had the accident the cochlear lostsome fluid and the hairs were damaged very rapidly.. Not sure if theCatscan will show this?My left ear has about one frequency that has hearing left. The info.I am getting is that the better the ear that's implanted, the betterchances the results will be.. Still there are no guarantees and Iwill be completely deaf when I don't have the processor on.. Theaudie has recommended I do the good ear but it is still my choice

inthe end.. Naturally I want the best chance at success.. I will seethe Surgeon next and have a catscan..Is there anyone here that has a CI been able to put on a helmet withthe CI in place? I don't want to be completely deaf when I ridesnowmobiles and motorcycles ) The Audie said maybe I would have toModify my helmets a little which I would not have a problem doing.Evel

November 6, 2003

Cyndi,

I think I understand why they did your bad ear in your case?.. I am

guessing it was your best ear before the sudden hearing loss?? The CI

works completely from the hair cells in your cochlear.. Yours sound

like BOTH are fine but your left may have been better even though the

other parts (bones) were worse.. I have perfect ears as far as bones

and structure.. They even function great.. The trouble is the link

between the ears and brain which are the tiny hair cells.. Mine are

damaged from nerve deafness in BOTH ears and my Audie feels the bad

ear hair cells may be worse.. The success rate for the CI is greater

according to him when the patient is implanted asap after loseing

their hearing. Rush L. is a perfect example.. Since I have one ear

that has some hearing left and one that has not heard much in 21

years, he feels the best success will come from my good ear.. I will

ask more questions when I see the surgeon at my next appointment..

Thanks for the info. and I am very happy for you and hope your

success continues to grow )

Cheers,

Evel

> Hi All,

>

> Well, I had another round of testing Tues. and I am a CI candidate

> now.. The biggest decision for me is do I implant my right ear which

> has not heard speech in 21 years.. Reason unknown, but i had a car

> accident and fractured my skull and ruptured my ear drum. After

> everything healed I could no longer hear much at all with that ear..

> My Audie is betting that when I had the accident the cochlear lost

> some fluid and the hairs were damaged very rapidly.. Not sure if the

> Catscan will show this?

>

> My left ear has about one frequency that has hearing left. The info.

> I am getting is that the better the ear that's implanted, the better

> chances the results will be.. Still there are no guarantees and I

> will be completely deaf when I don't have the processor on.. The

> audie has recommended I do the good ear but it is still my choice in

> the end.. Naturally I want the best chance at success.. I will see

> the Surgeon next and have a catscan..

>

> Is there anyone here that has a CI been able to put on a helmet with

> the CI in place? I don't want to be completely deaf when I ride

> snowmobiles and motorcycles ) The Audie said maybe I would have to

> Modify my helmets a little which I would not have a problem doing.

>

> Evel

>

November 7, 2003

In a message dated 11/6/2003 5:24:10 AM Pacific Standard Time,

evel339@... writes:

My Audie is betting that when I had the accident the cochlear lost

some fluid and the hairs were damaged very rapidly.. Not sure if the

Catscan will show this?

Your CI center should offer Otoacoustic Emissions Testing to detemine if your

haircell is damage or missing. This, I was told, is best way to tell.

Lee

November 7, 2003

I will ask if that is offered when I see my Dr. at my next appt.

Thanks,

Evel

> In a message dated 11/6/2003 5:24:10 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> evel339@y... writes:

> My Audie is betting that when I had the accident the cochlear lost

> some fluid and the hairs were damaged very rapidly.. Not sure if the

> Catscan will show this?

>

> Your CI center should offer Otoacoustic Emissions Testing to

detemine if your

> haircell is damage or missing. This, I was told, is best way to

tell.

>

> Lee

>

January 21, 2004

Hi ,

Great news on your son's implant tomorrow. We will be thinking of all of you as

I am sure that you are nervous about this. I'm sure things will go well.

Hopefully, the tubes will work for him too. I wish they had had them when my

children were small and I'm glad they are available for my grandchildren.

The wait for hookup of cochlear implants has dropped drastically and it is

pretty common to see this done in 2 weeks now. They have been able to do this

because the incision can now be smaller and take less time for healing. Just

one more great thing that has happened for those of us that have a need for

them.

Let us know how things went when you can and a special congratulations for

making this decision for him.

Alice

From: Montgomery

Hi All,

Just wanted to keep you posted on what is going on right now. My 13 month old

son is having surgery tommorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.

February 15, 2004

someone told me they packed a big bag of all sorts of stuff to bring while

waiting for a 10 hour surgery they had crossword puzzle books and table

jigsaw puzzles also took their son's gameboy and played it awhile she

stocked on magazines even just to look at pictures she bought along paper

to write down anything ... made lists put down decorating ideas

and even put down her own thoughts about sitting there playing cards were

good especially if others are waiting too

it's going to be hard and i agree with alice you are one very special mom

and your daughter is a lucky girl

best of luck to both

susan

February 15, 2004

Boy...this is coming fast. I may have forgotten but where will this surgery be

done?

Now.. to answer your question. That's about the toughest one I've seen. I

don't know what to suggest. Watching 3 movies might help pass the time. Have

family there to keep you company. Read a book? I don't know if I could

concentrate on anything but the operating room. I hope someone has some good

suggestions.

Hugs! You are very special parents. It's going to be wonderful to read this

story as it continues. I commend you for your decision.

Alice

update

Hi everyone. I just wanted to update you on what is happening with

us. We just heard from the insurance company and they have approved

the bilateral implants for my daughter. Wow, I am not sure if I was

ready for this to move that fast. No, really I am not complaining

because I know that we have a short time for the approval and this is

really good. It's just now it is really going to happen. No, I am

not having second thoughts either. I know that this is the right

decision for her. It just doesn't make it any easier to work through

the fact that I am deciding to put my daughter through a 6 hour

procedure. Now we just have to sit and wait for surgery day. That

is going to be on March 1st. I know it is only two weeks away and

with our schedule it is going to go by very fast. And in some ways

this is good and bad. But now that I am definitely going to do this

I have one question if anyone can help me. I know this may seem like

a weird question but I need to ask. To say that the fact that I have

to wait for a 6 hour surgery scares me to death is an

understatement. My question is if anyone has any suggestions on what

I can spend my time doing during the surgery so that I don't

continually pace the floor and basically drive everyone around me

nuts. Anything you could suggest would be great. Take care and I

will keep you updated.

February 15, 2004

In a message dated 2/15/2004 3:51:00 AM Pacific Standard Time,

rlw70@... writes:

My question is if anyone has any suggestions on what

I can spend my time doing during the surgery so that I don't

continually pace the floor and basically drive everyone around me

nuts. Anything you could suggest would be great. Take care and I

will keep you updated.

Well I know what I would be doing if my child was in a six hour surgery for

bilateral CI's. I would gather up all the information about CI's and the

chosen brand....print out positive posts from the forums and use the time to

read

and reassure myself that I am not forcing my child to endure this long surgery

for nothing.....you are giving the gift of hearing and committing yourself to

the best for your child! When I was in surgery my daughter spent her time at

the hospital ( surgery was 2.5 hours) in the cafeteria and she wrote me a

lovely letter....putting down her feelings about things ( she was there when I

had the first failed CI)and her hopes I would do well....you might want to write

a lovely letter on how you are feeling at the time and save it for the

future. I treasure the letter my daughter wrote!

You could bring a small recorder and talk about your feelings....and she can

listen to it years later! It's a big day and the start of something special.

Granted six hours is a long time....but if you keep busy with positive

thoughts it will go by faster! : )

Deb H

February 15, 2004

Her surgery is going to be done at the University of Minnesota.