Activation Day! - I'm Bionic! In rush hour morning traffic I made my way from west South Mountain across town to 1st, Mayo Clinic Phoenix, and after the okay from Dr W headed from Mayo Scottsdale and activation. Dr W appeared pleased at how well I had done and was doing. That was good to know.
Then I got hooked up by Dr Le - first she programed the HA. Then she went to work on the CI. After getting it mapped she asked me words. First session I think I got about 50%, especially when she gave me a clue of subject matter. I whipped those days of the week right off. The second time she mixed the days up so I couldn't cheat and I got them. Also no problem with colors when she wrote the word 'color' down to clue my brain. No chipmunk voices with the CI - some weird noises. It was a shorter session than tomorrow will be. Hardest was getting the CI processor set between a lot of hair getting in the way and the dreaded mask. She went over all the Advanced Bionic equipment (got a pack back to carry everything in).
On the way home I got a major boost. What had triggered my journey into getting a CI was I no longer heard sirens when driving - all of a sudden a firetruck or ambulance would appear in my back or side window with lights flashing (my only clue). Dangerous. Well, driving home I suddenly heard a loud siren coming from my left - sounded just like they used to and I knew where the sound was coming from! Then another one came from the right side. I had more than enough time to get out of their way! If the CI provided nothing else this alone could be a life safer.
Then to add the cherry on top my daughter, Robin, called. Used speaker phone as I don't get hooked up to my iphone until tomorrow. I not only could hear her clearly but her voice was back to the way I remember it. The same with my husband Bill.

Dr Le said to just keep them both on today and take it easy (no lessons). I'm to try and keep them on all day which doesn't seem like it is going to be a problem. I need to find some bobby pins for tomorrow to try and keep my hair out of the way for putting them on and off. She said it can take up to about 2 weeks to get comfortable with doing that. Of course the HA is no problem.

In an hour and a half I'm venturing back out to do a Fry's grocery pickup (First Wednesday of the month senior discount - I do love a bargain lol). It will be interesting to see if I can actually hear the carryout person - normally I have a major problem trying to make out what they are saying.

At the moment Fox News is on and coming in very clear. On the CI side I'm getting the tendinitis sounds that I'm used to hearing. Hopefully they will lessen, or even better, go away as my brain takes over.