tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90423303584962722782024-02-18T21:31:44.462-08:00My StoryOn December 8,2010 I had my cochlear implant turned on. This is my continuing story of how I am learning to hear againchrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-15213929380859245612013-07-22T09:31:00.001-07:002013-07-22T09:31:17.993-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV2iBebKYhUeYeDKw0VMLjCnAvhxO64K6lX318y0laarI3twQPn5bbm3W1H4w0e7fO1y0ZvoXT1Gr2Y_MD_1kZDWk9P0Y5KVw1wTzJfHc8eYeLjF7vl28SRkZZQ75AMbYTTLTMHwD7T51/s1600/.facebook_1543731741-777994.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTV2iBebKYhUeYeDKw0VMLjCnAvhxO64K6lX318y0laarI3twQPn5bbm3W1H4w0e7fO1y0ZvoXT1Gr2Y_MD_1kZDWk9P0Y5KVw1wTzJfHc8eYeLjF7vl28SRkZZQ75AMbYTTLTMHwD7T51/s320/.facebook_1543731741-777994.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5903478414123073858" /></a></p> chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-75604705479576581822012-05-01T09:37:00.000-07:002012-05-01T09:37:30.030-07:00May 1,2012 .................... it has now been 18 months since I have been turned on with my CI and what a difference it has made in my life . It has changed things with Rhonda, with the grand kids with friends and family and it has made so many new things available to me . I say new because they are new . I have been turning up the volume whenever possible these last few months and so many new sounds are coming .<br />
yesterday I was cutting the grass first the first time this year, now I know that I cut the grass last year with the CI but so many things were happening to me that I do not think I paid that much attention to the mowers and maybe I just turned so low I could not hear ...well yesterday I heard both of them --those suckers are loud --lol ...I had the ci cranked up so I turned it down some but not so low that I could not hear all the sounds --I use two mowers and both sound different .....I had a great day hearing all the different sounds from those mowers ...here is an interesting thing --if I stood with my CI ear to mower hear it perfectly clear but when I turned away from mower it just sounded far off --no idea which direction the noise was just noise far off ...<br />
just to repeat again from other posts that when I am in a quiet room with no more than 2 other people and I can see them ...I can get at least 90% ..... change any of those and my hearing understanding changes ---<br />
Now --- the other day I did get a new I phone and YES I do love it ...a buddy knew I had the phone and so he called me using 'Face Time" ...well I heard my phone ring --saw it was Wayne --saw the face time connect and next thing I know I am looking at his face and Yes I could get what we talk about because I could both hear and see him ..........oh technology is sooooo amazing .<br />
With this higher volume I am using more power so batteries lasting even less time ---I have been taking the car charger with me lately as the other day I went thru 5 batteries ... again PTL they are rechargeable ...<br />
Life is rolling along --I feel so lucky and blessed that this hearing opportunity has been given to me ..the last time I was in to see the Doctor he told me that they had done this operation now on a number of NF2 patients and only 1 had not worked. That is fantastic news for any NF people.<br />
Enjoy all the sounds you hear and Remember to always Protect your hearing ...<br />
Have a great day ...Chrischrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-53987313110121058742012-02-03T05:28:00.000-08:002012-02-03T05:42:19.407-08:00Feb 2012 in the<span style="font-size: large;">Well good morning ......sun is brightly shinning over the snow in the back yard .....have not had much snow this year so far and I am just fine with that . Yesterday I sent a note to a friend that is doing a travel blog and told him that his blog will be a great mémoire for him in years to come and that is also how I feel about my blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday am I am in bed and I put on CI on, Rhonda has the radio on and there is no other noise in the house. I can easily tell when the DJ is talking or when there is music on but what is being said is not clear at all. When R wakes up I tell her all this and then she suggest maybe putting on a song that I like using the ipod. So we do that and again not clear as to the words in the song. Then we get the idea that maybe I should read the lyrics as the song is playing just like closed caption on TV or at the movies . So I go get the note book and bring up lyrics by Charlie A'Court and song starts and now as I read along I am able to hear and understand what is being sung 90% of the time ......this is amazing and it just reinterates the fact that I need to lip read along with hearing in many situations .It also points out again that I really can only do one thing at a time --if I am going to listen to music I need to sit and take the time to do it but I think after a number of times in reading it my brain will make the leap when it hears the song .....how many times I will need to read the song is yet unknown and also finding the time to do just music ..... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I am going to treat myself right now to one song .... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">have a great Fryday ................... Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-47631224585755900742012-01-12T10:45:00.000-08:002012-01-12T10:45:03.697-08:00January 2012 ....<span style="font-size: large;">Well almost the middle of January ....I know that I have not posted often but that is kind of a good thing too because that means that life is flowing along pretty smoothly ....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am really liking the new program in that a lot of back ground noise is much quieter ....I really notice it in the car but is also noticeable if I switch back to the regular program just how loud everything is ... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am hearing a lot of voices very differently since December and they are not clearer but almost like I have a cold and hearing that way ...it is different because some people that I could understand perfectly before now have a higher or fuzzier voice ...... the TV is worse instead of better ...... funny how that seems to be .....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now the neat thing that happened to me this morning and that I wanted to share was this ..... I really needed to get outside today so found a few caches close to home so loaded my gear up and took off .... one cache that I did I needed to walk in a small farm field . As I am walking along I could hear myself walking in the long grass. It was soo cool ...there was no snow down and grass was very cold as it was about -12 this morning ...... it was not just a crunch crunch but rather I could hear the grass blades bending .... it was just so quiet and I was all alone ................ wow ....I did say a prayer of Thanks and then thought .... blog this Buddy ........</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great Thursday ..... Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-65789298141112041892011-12-10T16:29:00.001-08:002011-12-10T16:49:16.553-08:00One year later ....Well Hello Bloggers ...on Friday I went to see Adrienne and had my one year review . She was very pleased with how my hearing had progressed over the last 12 months ....there is still a bit more growth in the hearing that should come over the next 3 to 6 months if I keep working on increasing my volume and pushing the hearing a bit more ... so I will continue to try and do that but what happens some times is that I get in a very comfortable place with my hearing and just want to stay there . So I need to work on this a bit more ....<br />
On Friday I got the program "Clear |Voice " ( CV) on one of my 3 programs . This program softens the background noise . I could not wait to try it because all noises are equal with my C I and the world is a very noisy place . I turned the program on with CV as soon as we left the office . We were in Park Lane and once off the elevator and we were walking out I noticed that I heard no sounds --- where are they ?? Talk to Rhonda and all seemed normal but no other noise --amazing --- then we drove to Mic Mac Mall --the drive over was again in silence except when Rhonda talked -- no road noise at all ................. in the Mall all was quiet --then we stopped for coffee and I put on the other program which I usually use ---- Oh the NOISE in the mall ...... it was soo loud ... I changed back very quickly ........then off we went home ... we were going out later so I went upstairs for some quiet time and when I came downstairs I could hear some sound --- not sure what it was but it really sounded like a sewing machine and I am thinking --what is Rhonda doing sewing ?? As I got into the dinning room I could see that Rhonda had the vac going but the noise I was hearing was soooo soft ...... that was neat ,,,,,<br />
Today I used CV all day --the drive into city was so peaceful and we were in a restaurant and it was certainly much better for me BUT ...I told Rhonda on the way home that I am really missing all the sounds I heard all the time and that my hearing right now almost does not seem real --- I know I can switch back and forth and I will just giving the CV the full run right now .....<br />
My 3rd program is the one that I use with my MP3 player and there some changes made to that also but so far have not had time to check it out so will save that for another blog ....<br />
Have a good Saturday night ............ Cheers ............chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-11942503770526172462011-11-04T05:21:00.000-07:002011-11-04T05:21:11.216-07:00almost a year<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">good morning ..... well it is almost one year with my CI ... what a year it has been for me .... this time last year I was not allowing myself to believe that I might be able to hear sounds again let alone my wife's voice, my sons laughter or the grand children ....... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other day I was out on the trails with my buddy and I was hearing this very loud noise --- what is noise I asked him ?? He said it is the water in the brook but it is very full and running very fast so we went over to it and it was soooooo loud to me .... amazing .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now this is gonna sound really weird but the other day the furnace came on and there was a new sound I was hearing --what is that --no one home so I am going around the whole house trying to figure out what the noise is ....... then it shuts off ..... think ..... think .... had to be the fan blowing the hot air up so I just waited and a few hours later back on came same noise and sure enough --- hot air blowing out --- these simple things make me laugh so hard .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I still have some problems understanding some people ...the more I spend time with people the better it gets --of course if I control the conversation I seem to get more but not always .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every day I smile about some new sound I hear or just the fact that I can hear sounds and I always count my blessing each night ...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have a great FRYDAY ...... </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-54826205454714278822011-09-11T07:50:00.000-07:002011-09-11T07:50:14.467-07:00Sunday , September 11, 2011Good Morning All ....<br />
I do not think any of us will ever forget September 11th date and for all those families that lost loved ones the media attention is such a hard reminder --- I pray for them all ......................................<br />
I have not blogged for a bit as life is going along pretty normal ..... once in a while when my battery goes dead I leave it for a few minutes and being deaf is such a void ---- I can still remember the morning I woke up deaf while we were on vacation in PEI and how blank I felt and that is exactly how it feels ---- I thank God every day for my implant .....<br />
Yesterday we had our annual around the town yard sale ---- it is one great big social event .. we sell lots of stuff but we also get to visit with friends that drop by as so many people know that we always have stuff in the sale .....so one thing I had in the sale was my door bells notifies that flash lights .... I do not use them any more --- BOUGHT REAL ONES AFTER CI !!!!!!! anyway I saw this young lady looking at them and she pointed them out to fer friend so I went over to explain what they were and she said Oh I do not need them I have a cochlear implant ---- I said really ..tell me about it and she said she got it as a little girl --then I showed her mine and told her my story .... off she went and I thought wow that was neat ......<br />
Later in the day this couple comes in our drive way and I am not sure exactly how the conversation got going but very quickly we found out that we both had CI , both were implanted by Dr Morris and both went Adrienne our Audiologist ----man we were talking back and forth so much -- he had been totally deaf for 6 months --his name is Mike and was the first person I had met that was similar to me in that he heard went deaf and now hears with a CI ......we were like 2 little kids ---( Adrienne don't listen) we even switched receivers to see if they would work LOL !!! they didn't ...<br />
One thing we did talk about was battery power and where I use up to 4 a day , his uses 2 ..... so need to find out why ..... he asked about my balance --those of you that know me know how bad it is ... his too ...<br />
Mike lives in PEI .... He said he might be a candidate for a 2nd one ---- I sure hope that it works out for him ......<br />
Well I was just so excited all day to have met Mike and so needed to blog that ...............<br />
Sun is out today so to one and all have a GREAT SUNNY SUNDAY ........ Chrischrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-40833481883802125362011-08-19T03:32:00.000-07:002011-08-19T03:32:46.164-07:00August 19.......<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well Good Morning Blog followers -- it is bright and early this am but I did have some things to write about so needed to "get er done !!!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My son Nick wrote this week that I had not been on the blog for 6 weeks and so what's up ??? I have been having a great summer , enjoying the summer hearing to its fullest , family friends, birds , water lapping , motor cycles , music ....... it has just been wonderful and I have not blogged because no real Firsts since the "thunder Storm" till last evening ........................</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday after a wonderful day at Bayswater beach with 6 friends .. not sure if I ever described what happens when the wind blows but it whistles kinda of in my ear --- reminds me a lot of sailing in a boat when I wore a hearing aid --- lots of that yesterday at beach but also some great one on one conversations which were just great ..after the beach Rhonda and I went to Chester to meet up with my sister Lynn and her husband dave and also my 1st Cousin Elaine and her husband Michael ... Elaine & Michael are from California and come stay in NS for the summer months -- we try to connect a few times while they are here. Both are wonderful super people. Last night was the first time I had seen Michael and |Elaine since I had my CI installed . It was so neat to tell them my story and honestly every time I do tell the story I realize just what a miracle it is and how lucky and blessed I am .... Thanks You God & Dr Morris !!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Back to last night , I was having my usual one on ones to get caught up with every one and when I talked with Michael I noticed something different in what I was hearing ---- most voices sound the same to me --that most women similar not same but similar and same for kids and also men so Michael was very distinctive so I asked Rhonda .... Does Michael talk different ? ..She laughed and said he has a strong British Accent !!!So I am able to tell that --- it was my first recognition of an accent ...I am sure in the last 8 months I have heard many but did not know ......so that is really cool ..we did have a great evening and when we went out to eat it was noisy in the restaurant I loose the conversation at the table but am just so happy to be able to hear all the "Noise" I just sit there and smile .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have a great weekend Bloggers ..... Hugs to all ... Chris ..</span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-31834522410247320952011-07-04T04:21:00.000-07:002011-07-04T04:21:20.408-07:00July 4th<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well Happy Summer one and all .. hope that you all had a great Canada day weekend--- Great to have a long weekend . </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My highlight of Canada day was the fireworks that night here in H town ..... they were spectacular but for me the noise was almost as exciting as the light show ......I could hear the initial pop when shot off and I never in my life heard that ...then when they banged in the sky it was an awesome sound not too loud at all very comfortable till the very end when they blow off so many all at one time and that noise was not comfortable to me at all but I soooooooooooooo loved the fireworks .................. rest of day and weekend was fun ...lots of family and friends and yesterday we went to a big Geo Caching event in Liverpool and it was fun to meet a bunch of new people as always I am not good in large groups but one on one was great ...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">okay --lets hope for a warm and dry July ....lots of beach days I hope ..... Cheers ... Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-86823262077051383822011-06-25T07:27:00.000-07:002011-06-25T07:27:37.453-07:00June 25, Saturday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well I cannot believe it has been couple weeks since I have been on this blog but the weather was sooo bad it was depressing and then this past week we had sun every day and I had a list a mile long of things that needed doing ................... today , Saturday and wet again so getting caught up on some inside jobs .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well first for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Adrienne, the day after seeing you I switched to program 2 and have been there ever since ...I had the sound lower at first but now right up at the middle level and it is great . I am picking up a lot more sounds now ...like I can hear the keep pads as I am typing and I did not hear them before .................... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last week I went to have dinner at a friend's home and there 5 guys invited. We used to spend most Thursday nights together on our boat years ago. We had not been together for over a year . They were amazed at my CI and how well it worked . Now on a one to one -- I got it all --sitting out on the deck in a group --I knew when someone spoke but not always what was said and when all talked it was a lot of noise but when I explained to the guys --one fellow said -- Hey just hearing the noise must be pretty awesome and it is ..........</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week I did get out for a short hike with Rick and as we were walking back down the trail I could hear the birds in the woods and it was so neat -- 2 months ago I did not hear them ......</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had a lot of work to do outside this week and so I hooked up the MP3 player in my phone and it plugs in direct to the CI and I had music playing steady all day ..... it was awesome for me and I find that when I repeat the same songs over and over that I get a better understanding of the words ........................ </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am just loving this whole new experience in my life .............</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Have a great weekend ............................. Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-67143365435086681302011-06-08T16:35:00.000-07:002011-06-08T16:35:27.527-07:00Wednesday June 8th<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sun, Sun & more Sun .all day . I loved it .... Bring it on Baby ....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Bring it on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok enough foolishnish.... I just made that spelling up ....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I went to see Adriane my Audiologist today and we did some testing as my Doctor is going on a conference and he wanted some info on test results ...... so we did some words , some sentences and some sounds --- Adriane said " Chris , I could just cry .... You did so well !!!" ..... Now she did have the volume up louder than normal but still I did pretty good --- my sounds are still in the mild section and we need to raise this up and the way to do it is by increasing the volume on my CI .... so today I had volume up a bit higher but most of the day was in the car and that is noisy -- tomorrow louder again .. then Friday up to channel 2 and that is now programed a bit louder than #1 .... </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6 months and I feel like I have come so far ---- there are still people and situations that I cannot understand but I am getting better at knowing and handling this ...... on we go .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">lets hope for more sunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn tomorrow .. Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-29993806119263365062011-05-28T17:55:00.000-07:002011-05-28T17:55:11.430-07:00End off May<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Saturday night and we are home relaxing and I thought that maybe I better get caught up on my Blog ................... life is good I am really glad to say ... it has been 6 months now since I had my implant turned on and I have come so far in that time frame --- every week I hear more and more and I also learn what situations I just cannot hear in and also that some people I just cannot understand but I am learning that .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The other night a friend was here for dinner and after we were all doing the dishes -- we do not have a dish washer so Rhonda was washing and Jan and I were drying and all of a sudden I said what is that noise and they both looked at me --- the water was draining out of the sink and it was the first time that I hear it ,,,, I laughed so loud at that ...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then on Friday morning I was outside doing some work and I hear this noise , a new sound and I have no idea what it is --I know it is a motor but nothing out on the street then I look in the back yard which backs onto a soccer field and a worker was out there with his gas powered whipper snipper .......</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thursday night I went bass fishing with two of my buddies and all of a sudden I hear this squawking sound and I look up and there is a sea gull flying overhead and again I laughed out loud .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That is how my life is going and I am so enjoying it and thank the good lord every night that I am so lucky , Friday night we did go to a local pub to hear the band that was playing --it is always a very noisy place --- I might as well have been deaf because I could not understand any of it because of all the noise -- I still enjoyed my self but no hearing in that situation ...... lots of speech reading to communicate there . </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok , I am going to say good night ... sure hope all that read this have an enjoyable weekend and will blog again soon ......... Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-10784478776586028992011-05-15T15:22:00.000-07:002011-05-15T15:22:56.395-07:00Sunday Night ...WELL I am sitting here with my MP3 player hooked up and Charlie A'Court playing --- Heartaches of a Fool -- which was taped Live at the Marigold ---- I am just loven it --- the guitar is awesome --- words are not all clear but that is ok -- music is awesome ----- so another busy week in the Fry household but the weekend was the best hearing wise both positive and negative ....<br />
Friday night there was a fund raiser at Rhonda's school for Harvest House in Windsor ---it is a place that helps the homeless with meals ---- very worthwhile cause and the young lady that organized it all was in grade 10 and is 15 years old ,,,she did an excellent job ... there were 4 sets and first Caitlin spoke as she organized the event and I could understand more than 50% of what she said ,,, that was neat ..the first entertainer was Peter Gibson , he played the guitar, the mouth organ and he sang ....the Guitar I got , the mouth organ only that their was a new sound not what it was but because I could see him I knew and his singing was not clear .... next was Merle Jacklyn and he played the guitar and it was awesome -- he sang and most songs I could not get but when he sang Folsom Prison --- I was rocking hahhahhah ,,, the next two acts were the same .... I left feeling really good and enjoyed it completely ....<br />
Saturday was the Walk for Spring Sprint and I was fired up -- I reached my goal for fundraising .....I was not completely organized to go and so rushed at the end and guess what ---- half way to Halifax realize I forgot my spare batteries for the CI ----dam , no time to go back so on we went and we got registered and the opening talks and 1/2 way thru my batteries die..... I am not happy -- we did the walk and family bbq at my niece place all as a deaf man .....taught me a good lesson but Did I not say that a week ago when I forgot my batteries ----- I really need to try harder to remember ...<br />
Ok we get home and get hooked back up and so weird --everything for first hour sounded very different almost like I was in a cave and all echoes --- Rhonda said I had 5 hours no sound to my brain and then noise so another adjustment ... very interesting ......<br />
Today we went to church in Hantsport because our parish priest had returned after a break ---- now it is a single room place and lots of echoes --- when father Mike spoke I could get maybe 50% of what he said --- when the lady that was doing the reading spoke I got maybe 5 % --interesting again as it all depends on voice sounds --the singing was all a blur,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,<br />
okay ..that is my update -- I am playing the volume control a lot and it makes difference<br />
Have a great week ............................... Chrischrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-65409071731093298522011-05-10T09:11:00.000-07:002011-05-10T09:11:01.194-07:00May 10/2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another wet day but we cannot complain really -- we are safe and our homes and families are safe while so many people are not so lucky so no complaints about the weather BUT Singing -- </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> " Rain, Rain go Away !!!" that is allowed .......LOL ....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On Tuesday I volunteer at the hospital in the computer site -- most times I do not do a lot but the site is open from 10 - 2 and they need a person in charge ... some days I do help some people ..last Tuesday I had rushed to get here for 10 am and after 2 pm I went upstairs to visit a friend. I was with him about 10 minutes when my CI shut down as battery was dead so I said just a minute and dug in my pocket and no battery --- 1st time since Dec 8th that I did not have the batteries in my pocket so I said I gotta go .....Home I went --it is about a 10 minute drive -- it was so weird to not hear any sounds at all .... I did not like that and was so happy as soon as the CI was activated again .... +</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That night we , Rhonda and I were watching TV and I really wanted to try to hear it so I had the volume on the CI cranked way way up -- I could hear TV --not understand all but a little then they said something funny and Rhonda laughed out loud !!!!! Oh Man --it was like a mega phone was in my ear --- it hurt hahhahha ... I turn it down when we are in the room together but when I am alone I crank the sound on TV to 30 and turn up CI --- yup it is loud but it helps me --- again I am sure that as time goes on this will get better .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the weekend Rhonda and I looked after Lara (1+) and Aidan (3+) ... we had so much fun and kids were great but when Lara screamed it was pretty loud as I had the CI turned up so I could hear the kids --- Aidan talks very softly but he did repeat a lot for me and we were able to figure out what he wanted so again much better than last time with kids ...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am adjusting the volume for different situations and I am seeing changes every week .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wind in the CI is almost deafening some times and I found wearing a stocking cap over CI makes a big difference in the wind -- not sure how that will look mid July on Queensland beach but we will see LOL .....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ok just wanted to add my up date -- have a great day and just enjoy the liquid sunshine ----- Chris </span><br />
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</span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-24310552867096655342011-05-01T10:48:00.000-07:002011-05-01T10:48:08.484-07:00May 1sthello Blog ........... no I did not forget you and yes I know it has been two weeks but other things were in high priority so just getting to my blog now .... things are really good in the hearing department -- yesterday Rhonda asked me if my hearing had leveled off and I said no , not really ... especially with people's voices . I am getting to have fewer people that I cannot understand on a one to one . So that is a very big positive step for me Over easter weekend we saw all the grand kids at different times and I was able to know when each of them talked -- could not understand them completely but did know they were talking which is awesome for me .. I know that as time goes on the kids and I will work it all out ... that is great ...<br />
last Sunday Rhonda's sister had a major heart attack so we spent best part of the week at various hospitals . The good news is that she is home . Has been patched up and hopefully will be fine for a long time but it was a scary few days . We were with a lot of family all week and for me the one on ones were great but groups I did not get a lot so Rhonda as usual helped me out . What a partner !!<br />
Thursday I was coming out of the hospital and all of a sudden the noise I was hearing was so so loud --what is that ---- Oh man I was scared it was so loud and I had no idea -- I looked up and a helicopter was landing on the roof of hospital --- I laughed at that one but it also showed me how my brain has still many sounds to learn . Background noises are very loud --like the wheels on the carts in grocery stores .... stop smiling ..they make a racket !!!! I am finding in some situations I need to turn the volume down because the sounds are so loud it hurts my ear . The other night I wanted to hear this TV show . I was watching it with Rhonda so I cranked the CI full blast --- I was hearing the tv but all of a sudden Rhonda laughed and |I grabbed my head --- it was like she had a mega phone right in my ear ..... I turned the CI back down -- LOL ....<br />
Today I went fishing out at the beach with my buddy Paul and it was dam cold !!! and wind was up a lot -- I had a stocking cap on over the CI to help break the wind and it worked quite well . When the big waves were coming in I could get a roar in my ear from the water -- that was worth freezing my butt off for !!<br />
Okay -- have a good week to all and I hope to blog again next weekend ...<br />
Happy May !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-27091719737025753142011-04-17T13:10:00.000-07:002011-04-17T13:10:51.655-07:00Sunday 2nd try<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well darn this is my 2nd try -- I had a long blog done and got called away and when I came back hit wrong key and lost it all ....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Week was busy mostly at food bank .... we were ready for out families on Wednesday and we helped 37 families but it cleaned out most of our stock so later that day 2 women went on a shopping spree and Thursday I worked filling all the shelves .. we are now ready for next month . On Thursday after FB I went to Wolf Ville and was out on the dykes geo caching. It was so windy and so noisy in my CI that I finally had to take it out --- 1st time I had to do that. It was too uncomfortable to wear. Thursday night we went to Windsor;s volunteer banquet where I get to present the Judy Fry Volunteer award .. Great tribute to Judy -- The acoustics in the room were very bad. I was able to know when some one spoke but no idea what was said ... BUT I did hear the piano play "O Canada" for the 1st time !!!!!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Friday was in Halifax as my sister had some oral surgery and I took her. I was able to easily communicate with nurses and doctors. each situation is different and learning to adapt is all part of the whole process. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rhonda has been so supportive to me. She listen to me when I tell her of a problem or a frustration and offers her thoughts and opinion .Our life is good together and just lately we have started to talk about a long car trip after Rhonda retires. This was never in the cards before because no fun to travel in a car when u cannot communicate. An hour or two ok but days on end no fun for anyone . It is wonderful that we are now able to plan this ....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok supper is almost ready -- Have a great week ..... </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-65784042789831809272011-04-11T16:26:00.000-07:002011-04-11T16:26:04.647-07:00Spring Sprint 2011<a href="http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1043917&langPref=en-CA">Spring Sprint 2011</a>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-24143114197484041572011-04-11T15:42:00.000-07:002011-04-11T15:42:58.980-07:00Spring Sprint 2011<a href="http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1043917&langPref=en-CA">Spring Sprint 2011</a>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-43545131128290134952011-04-11T15:30:00.000-07:002011-04-11T15:42:09.247-07:00Spring Sprint 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hello All ... on May 14th we -- the "Fry family" will be walking in the brain tumor walk called the Spring Sprint -- we walked last year for the first time -- it was pretty amazing and the Fry family had a lot of people there who had brain tumors. As we can see through research many things can be achieved -- I am the perfect example. They told me that I would never hear again and a miracle happened and I am now hearing more than I ever thought I would again. I am asking for some sponsorship but I also know that we all get so many requests so I am keeping mine small and asking for $10 . All those $10 will quickly add up -- the link is below or you let me know by e-mail that u want to support me and we can arrange to get the $$.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">thanks for all of your support ... Chris </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ok the link is not shown below but I am going to send it as just a link on the blog and I think that will work -- Thanks again </span><br />
<a href="http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1043917&langPref=en-CA">Spring Sprint 2011</a>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-56286985487369202982011-04-10T06:54:00.000-07:002011-04-10T06:54:02.711-07:00Sunday againHappy Sunny Sunday Morning !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope that you all get to enjoy a little of this sun in some way today .another busy week of course as it is for us all . I am not complaining really . We are lucky that we are busy and that we can still do all things that we do --just takes some of us a little longer now and also we get tired more easily. I really found that this week . <div>Well it was an interesting week , Monday , I spent a part of the day with my sister Patsy and we had a nice drive in the valley and lunch and it was sooo neat to be able to communicate so well with her and laugh . Then Tuesday I was at the hospital computer site and we were fairly busy and that day I had a few problems understanding some of the clients and had to have one person write to me .... that shook me up a bit but I could not understand or speech read at all . </div><div>Then on Wednesday , Thursday and Friday I worked at the Hantsport Food Bank . We had some major problems with the building so had to move .. now the place we moved to was full of stuff so owner hired a crew to come and haul it all away but there was shelving we wanted so 2 of us went Wednesday to help the movers . They had 3 helpers and I could not understand one of them at all --the second one talked so fast and had a beard that I could not get him at all ....it was frustrating for me but we got it all done and I could hear lots of noise ....</div><div>then Thursday Friday we cleaned and build shelving and stocked the shelves --- Good news is that by Friday afternoon Food Bank was already for next Wednesday which is our open day so that is great ...</div><div>Now for me when we were all working there -- usually there was 5 or 6 of us -- I got all the noise , I got all the chatter but unless I was looking right at someone I did not know what was being said --at one point one of the workers asked me "Are you Ignoring us ??" I guess they were asking me a question --- </div><div>This is what is so hard to explain and for others to understand -- Yes I do hear .... Yes I can understand most of what is said directly to me ..... BUT I do not hear like you do and when lots of activity going on for me it is a lot of confusion . More than once the other day I thought someone was calling me but they weren't .. at one point I wondered if I was hearing things hahhahhahhahahh</div><div>Anyway it was an interesting week hearing wise and was a real education for me about this hearing process..</div><div>Next week is another busy week and on Thursday evening we are going to the Windsor Volunteer Dinner where I always present the Judy Fry Volunteer Award to the town recipient so it will be interesting to see how the CI works for me in that situation ....................</div><div>Ok , bent your ear enough ............. Have a great week and catch you soon ............ </div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-50904170832435009222011-04-03T11:10:00.000-07:002011-04-03T11:10:42.680-07:00sunday again<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday , last week just flew by ... I mean that , it was Monday then Fryday ....... wow ... Monday/Tuesday we went a retirement seminar put on by the teachers union. What a pile of information and we learned so much. Rhonda will now decide exactly when she will retire and I am hoping it will be sooner rather later. Now we sat right in the front and all presenters used handouts and displays on the screen and I could see all the presenters very well and I could hear them all. First thing in the day I would say I was hitting 90% of what was said using all that was available to me by late in the afternoon as I was more tired it dropped to 75% . There was only one female presenter that I really had trouble with and one man spoke very very fast so that was difficult but overall I did very well and was quite proud of myself. I did not get any of the ?? from the group as they were asked but Rhonda told me any that were very important. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">On way home on Tuesday , Rhonda had marking to do in the car so <i>I</i> just hooked up the mp3 and listened to some music --- sweet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday was a normal day here and that evening I was doing the dishes and thinking about my mp3 player and thought If I can hear the music that is saved why can I not hear the radio that I have in my player so got all the player hooked up and sure enough it worked --listened to Q104 and CBC ...took forever to get the dishes down I was having so much fun with radio. Now words are not clear most times in either the music or the talking but it is good for my brain and some words do come and each time things are repeated they get clearer. Thursday was out on the trails with my buddies and we had a great day . Friday errands all over the place -- and Saturday was my grand son Aidan's 3rd birthday party and the kids had so much fun and I did great hearing them all and last night was a 50th surprise party for a good friend and we really had a good time and again I was able to do very very well and so many people are so interested in the CI and so happy for me that I really do feel so lucky to have such good friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That is it for today and I hope that all have a good week . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And yes I am hoping for sun and warm this week !!!!!!!!!! </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-83894560812648299232011-03-26T16:50:00.000-07:002011-03-26T16:50:30.714-07:00saturday night<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that all are enjoying their weekend ... I am sitting here typing to all of you with music playing in my head from 3 songs that I down loaded to my phone and the instrumental is so real . It is truly miraculous . </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is a music weekend . Last night was a friends birthday so the gang met at the Spit Fire Pub in Windsor. There was an awesome band playing called 2 to Midnight .. what a great band and for the first time in many many years I was able to hear the beat of the music and on one song after watching the singer lips and getting the beat I knew what song was without Rhonda telling me. So I am one very happy camper and feel like I am taking giant leaps in this hearing process !!!! Bring it on !!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your Sunday ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hugs to all .... Chris </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-26176572243554375682011-03-23T11:39:00.000-07:002011-03-23T11:39:03.929-07:00Wednesday ....<span style="font-size: large;">This program that I am using now is very strong and yesterday I was the chiropractor for my back maintenance and was hooked up to the tens machine ( sp) ..which I get every appointment only yesterday when it shut off I heard it beep for the 1st time !! Very neat then when Lisa came back into the room I was lying face down but I did hear the door open and close ....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I had to go back into see Adrienne ... we have been trying to get an MP 3 player to work on a direct link ear piece ... it is wired direct from MP 3 to Processor and we could not get it working right but today Adrienne made some new changes and when I got home hooked it up and music was blaring in my ear .... MAJOR AWESOME !!!!!! now when it is hooked up that is all u get but it is very cool and I am happy -- now to down load some music ...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Adrienne upped one other program so now I have all three working and they are all quite loud .... I did another hearing test today between two different programs and there is a slight increase in the louder one but it is very strong so not yet . We also compared the results to one from 6 weeks ago and it is better -- we still have a ways to go Adrienne says but she is quite happy with my progress. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay , I am off on the trails with the guys tomorrow so it will be interesting to hear them and I am going to try the different programs through out the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great evening everyone .......</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-57736846185029493902011-03-21T04:52:00.000-07:002011-03-21T04:52:29.168-07:00monday<span style="font-size: large;">It is one large Monday morning -- that sun is awesome ... and the moon last night ... wow ... it was something ..... well we did fine on St Patty's day ...... and as usual in a crowed group I do not hear well but that is how it is for many folks that have hearing losses. Friday and the weekend were nice and quiet and I think that Rhonda did get well rested over the break and is now back at school . Yesterday while Rhonda was doing her school work I went to clean up a bit around our property. for the first time I heard the barn doors open , me banging around in the barn --wow I am noisy ---- had to get the extension ladder out to fix something it was quite noisy --- wow I could not get the smile off my face ---- lol ..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> when I was down near the road I could hear the cars approach ... I did not hear the car engines I heard the car tires on the road --- that is weird sound and takes me a minute to realize exactly what it is ....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay I gotta start and get my domestic duties started for the day ... have a great one ................ </span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042330358496272278.post-52612035148024449592011-03-17T09:17:00.000-07:002011-03-17T09:17:36.295-07:00happy St paddy's day to all ..............hey Hope you all get to enjoy the "Green" today .. we are doing an afternoon with friends and a pub evening so you know it will be fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
Saturday was my son, Nick, 30th birthday and Lisa his wife had a surprise party ---it was fun --lots of kids and lots of good friends --- large gathering are no good for my hearing but if I can get a one on one I am usually ok but i still just enjoy all the noise ...<br />
This week is March break and so Rhonda and I get to spend lots of time together --- the other day we were out in the car and I beeped the horn and then I laughed and Rhonda said --whats so funny and I said --- I never heard the horn before ---- she said never --and i said -- why blow horn I could not hear it but now I can .... ok to be honest with you I have blown it about 6 times since and laugh every time ....<br />
Our week has been pretty low key as Rhonda had the flue till Monday and is still not 100%. My big thing right now is working on the Tv and radio .... I am experimenting with volume increases when I am by my self and and it is very interesting how the volume helps at first then if too loud no help .....<br />
The other night at Nick's I met the first lady that I could not understand at all. Her voice must be very high because I could not get any of it and then because I could not understand here and I was trying so hard I then could not read her lips --- it was very frustrating and I did not tell her so I had to fake it and that was really hard for me .... next time I hope I can understand her if not I will tell her.<br />
Okay folks -- have a great Green day and blog later ................chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01041355225413060433noreply@blogger.com0