What Really Matters

I, again, apologize for not hanging around lately. These are the last few days before Celebration Pet Day, and I'm swamped answering e-mails, questions, running errands, and making last minute preperations. I just had to write today and let you all know about something TRULY amazing!!

One of my dearest childhood friends, woke up one morning at four years of age completely deaf. The specialists never did figure out an exact explanation as to why this occurred. Eventually, she recovered about 20% hearing in one ear. Last summer, she discovered that what little hearing she had left was degrading and would eventually be completely gone. She did A LOT of research, consulted a surgeon, and was deemed a candidate for cochlear implant surgery. She and the surgeon decided to do the implant surgery on the ear that had no hearing at all. After months and months of paperwork, testing, insurance wrangling, and prepartion, she underwent surgery on September 11th. After nearly one month of healing, she went to have her implant activated yesterday. All of us, friends and family alike, were holding our breath waiting for the results. I am SO VERY HAPPY to report, that she is hearing!!! She said that she feels it mostly, like sonic booms. Apparently, that's a very good sign. When she went to take a nap yesterday, she moved some hangers that fell against some lightbulbs and heard a "tink"!! She also said that she can hear her fingers tapping on the keyboard and the sound of her voice!! Now, she really has to work at retraining her brain to recognize different sounds. I cannot tell you all how VERY HAPPY I am for her!!!!!!!! I love this girl beyond belief, and I wanted so very badly for this surgery to be as successful as she did. When I read her recount of yesterday's events, I think I nearly gave Casey a heart attack! I ran around the house screaming and jumping up and down like a mad woman. Then, the tears just started and haven't stopped since. I can barely tell anyone else for looking like a blubbering idiot! I did manage to get myself together and call to leave her a message by phone (she still hasn't regained the ability to hear a telephone conversation yet), after completely forgetting her number, only to call her Dad and speak with him first (what a fruitloop I am).

I am still truly amazed at modern medicine! It's at times like these, that I am brought to a screeching halt to realize what a lucky person I am and how much that God has blessed me. Through his works, all things are possible. It's just up to us to keep the faith. I'm just so very greatful that things are progressing so well for her. I can't wait to see what the next few days and months bring her.