Last week, as we made big decisions about Marlee's implants, I felt like I was stuck in a shoe store and could not get out! I won't go into all the details of this decision-making fiasco because, well, that would be embarrassing. I'll just say that I'm glad the week is over, Greg and I are still married, I have a few friends who have stuck with me, and Marlee doesn't yet know the truth about her over-analytic, crazy mother.
After weeks of research, conversations with our audiologist, and even attending a cochlear implant conference, we have chosen the Med-el cooperation for Marlee's implants. Med-el and Cochlear are the two cochlear implant companies our surgeon uses. Both companies are wonderful! There are only small differences, which is why the decision was so difficult. In the end, we feel like we made a well-informed decision and are happy with our choice.
The next decision was choosing the color of her implants. Here were the choices...
OH MY! It's like shoes lined up in a shoe store. Only these shoes cost $30,000 each! Most people match the color of the implant to their hair or skin. In fact, Cochlear only offers "neutral" colors. While neutral is the practical way to go, I just couldn't get away from that baby pink. It had Marlee written all over it!! Much more appealing than a brown piece of equipment. Pink seemed to make a decision over a device I wish my baby never had to wear more fun.
It's a big decision though. Not like a bow you change with every outfit. She may wear this same device for years and may not want baby pink five years from now. She may want it to blend in with her hair. I don't want implants to be the first thing people notice about Marlee, but I also never want Marlee to be embarrassed by them in any way. They are part of her miracle story which I pray will be her testimony to people around her of the Lord's goodness in her life.
In the end, we decided on a neutral color. After talking with me on the phone, the poor Med-el representative offered to send as many pink "accessories" as I would like for FREE! That's what poor decision making skills get for you! Sometimes it gets you free things just so you will leave them alone. It's happened to me once before, only that was at the Clinique make-up counter when I couldn't choose between the two "bonuses", so the salesperson gave me both of them :).
Marlee will have six devices in all. Four behind-the-ear processors (the Opus 2) and two all in one processor and magnet (the Rondo). Through the end of the year, Rondos are free with the purchase of a behind-the-ear processor. See?? Just like shoe shopping. It's a BOGO sale!!
The Opus 2 is the behind the ear processor (the one pictured with the wire attached to a round magnet). The Rondo is the thicker round processor/magnet that Marlee will not wear until she is older. It's amazing to think that one day she may have nothing behind her ear and her hair will completely cover the processor. The processors come with a remote control to adjust settings according to the environment Marlee will be hearing in. The clear device in the picture is the part that will be implanted into her head.
Marlee's device will look similar to the devices in these pictures. Hers will be darker to blend with her hair. Unless I change my mind again and change the order to pink! JUST KIDDING! (maybe) ;)
Surgery is still scheduled for September 30th - two days after her birthday. In between party planning :), I hope to continue blogging about Marlee's journey to this point. I will also explain exactly how the cochlear implant works. I think you will be amazed!
