CI Appt..updates

Hi.. we got a new person today as the other audiologist that Cory had before, she is finished with her terms.  This guy, T seems really nice, and when I first met with him, I had a hard time understanding him because he is not a "lip mover" or it's because I'm not used to him??   I thought oh crap..but then the interpreter came by and I didn't know they got an ASL interpreter for that appointment.  That was strange...we never ask for one and I only had to use an interpreter once at the very beginning when this is all new to us, but after that, we never had one.  Anyway, I think it was a good thing until I'm used to the new guy.  
It was interesting to see how Cory fares with him too, despite the fact that Cory can hear and understand most of the time but if its not a familiar face,...actually, its more of if its not a familar "voice"..Cory will not respond to it or it will take time for him to digested it.   When T spoke with Cory, he would look at him first, then you can see how he is figuring out what he is saying THEN Cory looked right at the interpreter for the clarification. 
We talked about the FM system, and I know everyone has their own opinions about them.  The other audiologist we had felt that it was not necessary for her reasons.  And I spoke to some of the parents regard to it, seems that yes we should get it, some said no etc.
There is a NEW product that just came out about two weeks ago, its for CI Nucleus 5 "FM" system, so basically its just a piece of boot that you can attached on to the processor.   It is a new thing and it's something that we may want to try it.  My biggest reason for Cory to have the FM is that he can use it in hearing preschool, he will probably go in January if I find one that is available...you know the government is NOT gonna provide us an ASL interpreter if I had my way so I have to opt for another choice.  So FM will helps him in noisy classroom settings and his able to hear the teacher alone. 
T is little hesitate about the FM himself, I wanted to know what his opinion etc.  ITs good to hear different people 's ideas and opinions for it.  Not just one person..it's IMPORTANT to ask around and get as many as other opinions.  T, his concerns are that people overuse the FM system and not allowing CI getting the regular stimulations as they should.   He wants Cory or CI users to relies on Cochlear Implants alone not the FM.  That is the only problem he has..and I think he is right!  You don't want to get into the habits of using FM all the times, but use it for important listening environments!   It makes sense.   We don't know if we will get it yet..its the $$ part, will they just give it to us? or will we have to get funding for it?  Or will we get a loaner first and have it on trial basis?  I would like to try it first before having to purchase it...
He is very impressed with Cory, considering he is only 3, had a late start with CI and process and is doing very well more than he has expected.  He commented that one of his client who is 6 years old and has CI for 6 years..and Cory is meeting the same expectations as her as she is right now.  Astonishing huh?  

Telling beforehand..

I find that lately, if I tell Cory beforehand with anything that I know "behaviour" will occurs..I would give him a warning and expectations.  It really works.  Cory is more cooperative now..and not so suddenly outbursts.
For example, before we go into the classroom, I would remind him to remember to play with friends nicely, share toys and when it's clean up time, he has to help or will have timeout etc.  
With cleaning up..lately I noticed he has been slacking off not cleaning up like he used to before...and then I noticed that the last two weeks HE has not been "helping" with clean up times at preschool, it was hard for me to sit in the observation room and watching him doing nothing!   I really tried to keep quiet about it but finally after two weeks and how he is not helping at home either.   That makes things harder for us...
So today I discussed with him, what the expectations are and most of all, be a good boy and have fun!

And another tactic that I know that works for him...(lucky me)..is "If you don't do it..Mommy will do it for you." HE HATES that!  He is so independent, he likes to do things on his own.  So I ask him to go put your clothes on or shoes on etc..and he doesn't..then I would tell him one more time, "if you don't do it..then Mommy will do it." You will see him scramble so fast and get it on hisself!!!  LOL.  
I also would start counting 1, 2, 3 and when I reach to 5 and he hasn't do it.  Then there are consquences.  He knows that.

One thing, I noticed that Cory is so dead on with routines, if there is a slightly change, he gets upset or mad.  Today at school, we ran out of time so there were no time to do "Auditory" games so we had to go straight to calendar time.  Cory starts yelling and getting mad..and I was like "I'm out of here!!" because its between him and his teacher.  (I'm so glad!!!) she did a great job explaining to him and eventually he accepted it but with a new word "I'm disappointed"..  LOL
I know they feel bad in changing the routines, but honestly, I'm glad!! Because it is important for Cory to understand that not ALL always will be the same, he has to accept the changes and the situations.  The other night, he missed bathtime because we were outside playing and he got upset with it.  It was almost his bedtime anyway.  So he had a hard time with that...we stick with it though.   Or if we were coming home from after an outing, its already past his bedtime, so usually he goes straight to bed without bath, books etc.  He gets into fits.   We are working on "you need to accept it"..eventually THAT will be accepted as part of his life.

oy iy iy..watching this replay in my head in slow motion...

Poor Cory..he fell riding his bike down the steep hill near CA's school.  FACE splat first on the concrete..and dragged him down a feet after.   That is how fast he was going..oy oy oy.   It would have been HELPFUL if I had a FM when I hollered him to stop and wait..but unfortunately, he went down the steep hill and didn't hear me because it's really noisy at outside the school with kids running around and screaming.     Cory realized after a moment that HIS bike doesn't have brakes.  (it's the "runner" bike..) and then he couldn't stop.   Everyone were running after him but it was too late, it was the biggest wipeout I ever see..

I did a silent prayer and hope it's not too bad but seeing the bloods all over his face and two bumps on forehead. (weird that happened..considering he has his bike helmet on) But it was pushed back when he fell.  He got some scraps on his knee, both arms, hands and mostly on his face.  And his CI flew out as well about two feet away from Cory.  OY!   Imagine how fast he was going ?   Poor guy..he was really upset (and me too..)  it was tough to see.  Thanks to CA's friends helping us to get home, they took his bike, helmet, our dog Pepper while I had to carry him home.  I think the worse part is trying to clean him up while he was howling and crying, I had to give him ice cream to calm him down.  I was trying to pry a piece of rock between his teeth and one logged under his cheek's flap.  Day three, today..he is still recovering.  Yet, he hasn't touch his bike...Photo: see it for yourself.  It's NOT bad then..it was two hours ago.

It freaked me about his CI..whether he impacted on it?  He only wore one that time because of the bike helmet, it is difficult to wear both.  It seems to be ok..tough little thing!

Nucleus 5 in the WATER!!!!

Two words.. THANK GOD!   I don't know what we can do without "waterproof" device..in general.  I know that Nucleus 5 is water resistant/waterproof..what's the difference? I'm not sure..but anyway.  IT is a MUST have if you have an active toddler or sport-goer type kid..and one thing I know for sure that Cory really LIKES having his CI on in the pool.   We went swimming with PALS class at BCF, I noticed two other kids that are wearing theirs in the pool.  One with swimband, and other one..nothing!   One of the mom kinda of twisted my arm.. LOL  ..no..she convinced me, I guess.  It would be important for Cory to swim with his CI.  ( I wouldn't use both)  For one thing for sure, I'm not "chasing" after him due to water safety, and it is hard to communicate when he doesn't have CI on but he knows sign language anyway.  So it's not a big issue.  However, I was thinking about signing him up for swimming lessons soon.. but how would he be able hear or understand the instructor at the pool?  So that's when I thought..okkkkk here we goes..
He loves it! You can see the instant sparks in his eyes..and immediately, he submerged in the water with his CI.  I was little bit nervous.  oy oy!   Then when a mom asked me if that his CI have  rechargeable battery not dispositable..I was like ??????  oh crap!   (It was ok..it just scares me when she said that..)
My parents said that I was LUCKY to have such a device.  They had to go through troubles with my hearing aids when I was younger, I was quite an athletic and would be playing soccer in the rain, mud and puddles.  That's where I played the best.  Mom and Dad would spend hours on drying my aids afterward, with a hair dryer and praying that they would be working again..back then we didn't have a special dryer or such a thing as waterproof aids.  :) 
One time, a month ago, we were in a park, when it was quite a downpour that day, Cory's CI fell out and landed right into a deep puddle.  I thought oh yikes!! Took it out right away.  It was still ok..
if that was my hearing aid..it would be a goner for sure!!! 

Anyway, Cory just kept on submerging his CI ear into the water over and over again..I can tell that he loves how it sounds and he become more awareness with it.   It is interesting to see how a child changes from not having it on and then have it on.  I think I will be in trouble..when it's bath time...

I don't know our audiologist feels at the BCCH about this..I know I asked about it before.  They strongly do not recommended this..maybe they are just being "safe"?    But I know it's under warranty so if anything..I can replace it?  is that true? is that too simple?  Or am I taking a big risk?

signing or verbal..

I think it's hard for Cory to switch over back and forth..when he talks..I don't hear it or understands him.  So he has to sign to me most of the times.  But it is nice to have that option between him and me.. it goes the same way for him.  IF I use my voice..which its part of therapy..he will use his voice but it backfires because sometimes I don't know what he is saying.  LOL.   So right now, we are using the concepts of who is hearing and who is deaf and maybe that will help him with the identify who is using voice or signings.  
I think it's a misconcept for Cory in a way..with CI, he is like "hearing" but without it he is "deaf".  so what do I say to him?   Even if I say, that you are "deaf" but he meet other deaf kids who doesn't use "voice"?  Yes, I would have to explain more in that details...gosh ..he is only three. How far do I go??  If he meet another deaf kid but this kid doesn't sign? but does act like hearing.    oh bother..

Bear...Pear...I can't even hear the difference!!

Ack ack..seriously..speech is more intense these days.   Part of speech therapy, mom or dad are to be part of it... for instance,  role playing to show the child how it is done by examples or ideas.  
Today, C, the speech therapist, has to asked me to help..she has two items: one is a bear and another is a pear.  So I have to listen and point it out which is which when she said it.  ack ack!  LOL.  Like I said, I'm definite not a good example for this type of thing!  She has to sign to me beforehand to get the right answer!   ha ha  It is amazing to see how  Cory CAN tell the difference! Not right off the bat, but eventually, he did got it. 

Bees/Peas..

At school, today, I was working on the names of CA's friends.  They get a kick out of it when Cory tried to say their names...Girls!  Suddenly, we had bit of a crowd...Cory didn't want to do it anymore.  It was nice to see and vision the possible idea of Cory going to CA's school one day.  When THAT day comes, I'm gonna cry.  It is a hopeful dream for all parents who have hearing loss kids..to be part of the world so they can grow and be strong! 

We're baccccccckkkkkkk!!!!!

What a summer!! I know it's already Sept. 14 but my goshness..it has been super busy since then.  Some of you may already know that I'm back to work only twice a week.  It has been an adjustment but beside my work, kiddies' schedule were pretty full too.  CA already had her first soccer game on Sunday, started piano lessons on Wednesdays and of course lots of "catching up" from not being at home for two months.  (and a lot of CLEANING to do too!!!)
Cory started preschool today..I am not sure whether if that preschool is suitable for him. But I promised that I will try to wait at least until the end of this month before making a drastic decision (to pull him out and put him in a different preschool)

I hope that things will work out..I have faith that it will.  It has been an exciting start so far..I won't let anything let me down.