Marlee's Miracle Day

Four weeks after her cochlear implant surgery, on October 28th, 2013, Marlee's implants were turned on! We were excited and anxious and not sure what to expect. We were prepared that hearing sound may scare her but also hoped for a great response! A smile or tears, either way, would tell us what we needed to know - Marlee was hearing! 

We met our parents and Melissa Thompson at Memphis Oral School early that Monday morning. Melissa is my sweet friend from Trinity, also a speech therapist who works with the deaf education program in DeSoto County. The day of Marlee's first hearing test, Melissa was one of the first people I called. She has been with us every step since. I was thrilled to have her join us and video Marlee's big day!

Marlee wore a special outfit for the occasion. Her shirt had an elephant with music notes and said "Make some noise"...so that's what we did!!

The appointment began when the audiologist, Dr. Elizabeth Domico tested each electrode which had been implanted into Marlee's cochlea. We could not hear the beeping sound when each was tested, but Marlee could. The first response we saw happened when the electrodes were tested in her left ear. You will see in this video that Dr. Domico cautions that Marlee may or may not be hearing sounds when she responds - but what do you think?? We think she heard something!!

                                                         
Next, Dr. Domico programmed the left processor and placed the magnet on Marlee's head. She began talking, and Marlee HEARD her! Not only did she hear her, but she gave Dr. Domico her signature wave :).

                                           
After programming the right processor, both magnets were placed on her head. This time the sound scared her. Her lip began to tremble, and she cried. Of course, she quit crying when we gave her the toy of all toys - my iphone. In this case, crying was a great thing because it meant she was really hearing!

Think of the implant like a computer with an internal and external component. Both work together to bring Marlee sound. The external component is programmed with a "map" which determines the level of sound she hears. The internal component contains electrodes which are stimulated according to the current "map." We go back to the audiologist for mapping each month until the implants are at the level where she is hearing as she should be. In between each visit, I am able to increase the "volume" by using a remote control to change the program on each processor one ear at a time.

It was a wonderful morning!  We left MOSD several hours later with big boxes of equipment and minds FULL of new information on how to work and take care of Marlee's new and very expensive "ears"!

On the horse outside of MOSD.

That evening we celebrated with an activation party for Marlee!  After all, this was her hearing birthday and it needed to be celebrated! We thought Marlee may be overwhelmed with all of the new sounds, but she did very well. The best part was seeing a serious look come over her face when she heard something. It was as if we could see her "wheels turning." The processors (the part with the microphone) would not stay on here ears, so they dangled most of the night. We later discovered that headbands hold the processors on very well!

Here are some pictures from our celebration!

With her Grandpop and Hunt

She loves her Gran!

Listening to her Aunt Lissie!

With her buddy, Uncle Hunter

And her Uncle Robert

Then it was time for Marlee to hear us sing Happy Birthday!!

It is fun to have two birthdays - one real birthday and one hearing birthday!

Her Mimi fed her the delicious cake!

We all watched Marlee's activation video from that morning.

And played with new toys that made noise!

Marlee found her new equipment!

LOTS of new equipment!

After a year of what if's, whys, and tears (with lots of reasons to smile too) the Lord gave us a miracle day to celebrate His work in Marlee's life. It is an experience none of us will forget, and it was just the beginning of Marlee's hearing adventure!!