My friend Kerri and I decided to forego Christmas presents this past Christmas and instead plan a day together. We had that day yesterday. We started off with lunch at Saul Good. It was fabulous!! I had only eaten there once and Kerri had not eaten there at all. If you are in the Lexington area, GO!! It is soooooo good!! We split a Southwestern Dip with Blue Corn Chips appetizer. YUM!!! Not at all what I was expecting. It was TOO GOOD!! Then we had Saul's Veggie Pizza. Another YUM!!! Topped it off with Bananas Foster Waffle. Oh my gosh!!!!! Everything was way too good! Makes me want to go back real, real soon. Afterwards we rolled ourselves out the door, headed over to Hamburg shopping center. We went to HH Gregg, Kohl's and Bed Bath & Beyond. After we shopped around for a while, it was movie time!! I never, ever go to the movies, but the captioned movie was It's Complicated and it looked funny. We really enjoyed the movie and the laughs! However, I got a small popcorn and a large diet coke......it cost me $11.50!!! That is not a misprint!! $11.50!!!! That should not be legal!! I won't do that again. I just about fell over!
We had a great and fun day!! I much prefer this kind of Christmas present instead of something I really don't need. Spending time with a friend and having fun is the BEST!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Running in the Snow
Where were you at 7am on this Saturday morning? I was with our running group out in the frigid cold gearing up for what I thought would be a 9 mile run. Two things to be thankful for.....it originally was suppose to be about 5 degrees this morning and it ended up being 15, so that was nice! I was very thankful for that extra 10 degrees! Then found out that Ernie, our running group leader --- that would be The Ern Dawg, or The Great Running High Priest as he is affectionately called --- had decided that we would only do 6 instead of the 9. The massive thankfulness for that one came a little later on. At first I was thinking why shorten our run? Last Saturday the temperature was about the same and the road where we were starting out was clear....so why?? Well, about 10 minutes into the run I understood why. All those side roads that we were running on had not been cleared of the snow. Nooooo boy. Within a few seconds of running in the snow I felt the total difference a little snow can make! It wore me out quickly!! I was thinking there's no way I could even do 6!!! Well, we trudged on, had to take a couple of walk breaks, but made it through the 6. Man, I was glad when that was over!!
If the roads had been cleared it would have been a very nice run. It was beautiful out there, very peaceful and calm. The squirrels were out playing and having a big 'ol time!! However, I spent most of the time carefully planning where I was going to plant my foot! Had to be careful not to slip and break my tooshie! I was constantly scanning the road to try to find a spot with the least snow. I'm telling you....running in the snow is hard, HARD work!! It's like running in very soft sand. Now, if I'm going to run in something soft like that, I would much prefer that it be sand and not snow!!
Afterwards we all did go to Doodles and get some breakfast! That's the best part of the Saturday morning runs!!
If the roads had been cleared it would have been a very nice run. It was beautiful out there, very peaceful and calm. The squirrels were out playing and having a big 'ol time!! However, I spent most of the time carefully planning where I was going to plant my foot! Had to be careful not to slip and break my tooshie! I was constantly scanning the road to try to find a spot with the least snow. I'm telling you....running in the snow is hard, HARD work!! It's like running in very soft sand. Now, if I'm going to run in something soft like that, I would much prefer that it be sand and not snow!!
Afterwards we all did go to Doodles and get some breakfast! That's the best part of the Saturday morning runs!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Treadmill Update
I have a renewed HATRED for that treadmill!!! A true hatred!!
It started out nice enough. I was actually a little excited about giving it a try again. I mean I got to put on shorts, a sleeveless tech shirt, hair was a mess, make up a mess, I dragged the boombox in there......yes folks, didn't hook up to the IPod...used an old fashioned boombox!!! Anyway, picked out some tunes, opened the window and turned it on!! The first 7 minutes were good because I walked a half mile to warm up and while doing so, I was boogeying to Play That Funky Music! At times it can get difficult, but you can dance and walk on the treadmill at the same time! Then it was time to start running my 3 miles. At this point, I'm thinking I may even do a little more and run 4 miles. Within a few minutes the dislike started. I was bored out of my mind....even with the music. I had nothing to look at but the wall or the treadmill read-out....which seemed to never move!!!!! Then I was sweating up a storm. Had to stop and open the window all the way. Ran a while longer and had to stop to turn off the music. By this time I'm just irritated with it. Back on for a while, then had to walk for a minute cause I was going to hurl. Finally finished the run. I thought 3 miles would never, EVER end!!
I have no desire to get back on that thing! None!! I'll just brave the elements and run outside, or hit the gym. It was AWFUL!!
Oh well, the good thing is that it is over. Now I have to gear up for a 9 mile run early Saturday morning in the frigid cold. Yes, right now they're talking single digits. Not sure how that will go. Stay tuned......I'll let you know!
It started out nice enough. I was actually a little excited about giving it a try again. I mean I got to put on shorts, a sleeveless tech shirt, hair was a mess, make up a mess, I dragged the boombox in there......yes folks, didn't hook up to the IPod...used an old fashioned boombox!!! Anyway, picked out some tunes, opened the window and turned it on!! The first 7 minutes were good because I walked a half mile to warm up and while doing so, I was boogeying to Play That Funky Music! At times it can get difficult, but you can dance and walk on the treadmill at the same time! Then it was time to start running my 3 miles. At this point, I'm thinking I may even do a little more and run 4 miles. Within a few minutes the dislike started. I was bored out of my mind....even with the music. I had nothing to look at but the wall or the treadmill read-out....which seemed to never move!!!!! Then I was sweating up a storm. Had to stop and open the window all the way. Ran a while longer and had to stop to turn off the music. By this time I'm just irritated with it. Back on for a while, then had to walk for a minute cause I was going to hurl. Finally finished the run. I thought 3 miles would never, EVER end!!
I have no desire to get back on that thing! None!! I'll just brave the elements and run outside, or hit the gym. It was AWFUL!!
Oh well, the good thing is that it is over. Now I have to gear up for a 9 mile run early Saturday morning in the frigid cold. Yes, right now they're talking single digits. Not sure how that will go. Stay tuned......I'll let you know!
Inside or Outside?
It looks like we're finally getting some snow. Maybe after this we'll get some balmy weather!! I can always hope. The big question of the day is where to run? I need to do a 3 miler, but just don't know what I want to do. Well, I do know I would rather be outside than inside. Because of the snowy roads I won't be going to the gym, so it's either hit the pavement or use the treadmill.
First off, let me just say, I HATE the treadmill!! It is so boring! You just stand in one place and stare at one spot!! If the weather is bad and I do my running at the gym, I always run the track, which is spot #2 for don't-care-to-run-that. Round and round and round and round..... To do a mile on our track is 7 1/2 laps around. So I have to keep count on my fingers. Sometimes I don't know if I counted that lap or not!! I have to remember to move another finger!! Also, the back part of the lap is all windows, so right now that part is very cool (which is niiiiice), but once you pass the windows you hit a wall of heat. It's downright painful after a few laps! It's like getting hit in the face with a hot brick!! So I don't really care for the track either, but I can do that easier than the treadmill.
I have to say I have this big ol' nice treadmill in my house that I bought several years ago thinking I would use it. Riiiiight! I actually forget I have it. Last night, while pondering my run for today, it literally hit me.....I mean the light bulb went on that I have this treadmill right here! If the weather is too nasty, I don't have to go far to get in a run. Well, I swannie!!
But I'm still wondering whether to head out or use that dern treadmill. I would much rather be outside. The temps aren't bad for running, but I don't want to fall and break something. As long as it's not icy, it probably would not be too bad. I'd just have to be a little more careful. I couldn't be running those 6 minute miles!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!! But....since I only need to do 3 miles.....and since I remembered I do have that thing up in the corner room, I may just get on it and see what happens. At least I won't have to get bundled up. I can put on some shorts and a t-shirt. That part is nice!! Ok.....I think that is what I'll do. I figure I'll be freezing my tooshie off later on when we go outside to play in the snow with the girls. Getting bundled up once for the day is enough!
Ooooohhhhh, I can't wait for spring!!!
First off, let me just say, I HATE the treadmill!! It is so boring! You just stand in one place and stare at one spot!! If the weather is bad and I do my running at the gym, I always run the track, which is spot #2 for don't-care-to-run-that. Round and round and round and round..... To do a mile on our track is 7 1/2 laps around. So I have to keep count on my fingers. Sometimes I don't know if I counted that lap or not!! I have to remember to move another finger!! Also, the back part of the lap is all windows, so right now that part is very cool (which is niiiiice), but once you pass the windows you hit a wall of heat. It's downright painful after a few laps! It's like getting hit in the face with a hot brick!! So I don't really care for the track either, but I can do that easier than the treadmill.
I have to say I have this big ol' nice treadmill in my house that I bought several years ago thinking I would use it. Riiiiight! I actually forget I have it. Last night, while pondering my run for today, it literally hit me.....I mean the light bulb went on that I have this treadmill right here! If the weather is too nasty, I don't have to go far to get in a run. Well, I swannie!!
But I'm still wondering whether to head out or use that dern treadmill. I would much rather be outside. The temps aren't bad for running, but I don't want to fall and break something. As long as it's not icy, it probably would not be too bad. I'd just have to be a little more careful. I couldn't be running those 6 minute miles!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!! But....since I only need to do 3 miles.....and since I remembered I do have that thing up in the corner room, I may just get on it and see what happens. At least I won't have to get bundled up. I can put on some shorts and a t-shirt. That part is nice!! Ok.....I think that is what I'll do. I figure I'll be freezing my tooshie off later on when we go outside to play in the snow with the girls. Getting bundled up once for the day is enough!
Ooooohhhhh, I can't wait for spring!!!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
It's A New Year and A New Look!
Yes, it's 2010! I've not been around for a while, but Cynthia got me inspired with a new look, so I guess I need to write some words!
Aren't these cherries down right cute!!?
There's just not been too much to tell about my implant. We've went through a kind of rough patch. Trying new things that just did not work. So, for several months I had programs that were bad,....some were very bad! But we are finally on the right track again! Meg tried a different approach and it is working much better. I may just have to come to grips with the idea that things will never be as good as I would like them to be. Now, I'm not complaining......my hearing is much better than before! However, of course I would like things to be GREAT!! And that will probably be a hope I'll always have, but unless a miracle takes place, with my type of hearing loss and the technology right now, I may have to settle for good. Oh well, good is better than bad!!
Aren't these cherries down right cute!!?
There's just not been too much to tell about my implant. We've went through a kind of rough patch. Trying new things that just did not work. So, for several months I had programs that were bad,....some were very bad! But we are finally on the right track again! Meg tried a different approach and it is working much better. I may just have to come to grips with the idea that things will never be as good as I would like them to be. Now, I'm not complaining......my hearing is much better than before! However, of course I would like things to be GREAT!! And that will probably be a hope I'll always have, but unless a miracle takes place, with my type of hearing loss and the technology right now, I may have to settle for good. Oh well, good is better than bad!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Don't Be Scared!!!!!!!
Yes! I actually am going to mosey over here and lay down a few words! Since last we spoke.....
At my March 14 appointment with Meg, she stuck me in the booth to see how I measured up at the one year mark. We all know how much I love the booth!! However, it is nice to see how much things have changed. With the sentences, I got 35 out of 52 words correct, for a score of 67%. There were 3 sentences that I got completely right. For the word list (which is much harder), I got 11 out of 25 right, which is 44%. I got 47 out of 75 phonemes (partial words), which is 63%. Coming right along! This is a big improvement from the way things were before!
We keep making changes and some of them I just don't like. Sometimes it seems like things are not as good as they were at a previous time. So we keep trying this and trying that! About a month ago, Meg was trying different tones that corresponded with certain electrodes. There were some high pitches, which are the last electrodes, that I actually felt before I heard them! It set off a pain in my head! She thinks it's possible that I may have never heard in those ranges and therefore the nerve and my brain are having a hard time processing them. So, she set me up with a program that cut off the last 2 electrodes and another program that cut off the last 3. I had to see how that worked. Plus, she left the current program that I had been using.
I couldn't really say which of the 2 programs I liked better (with the electrodes cut off), but after using those for a while, I switched back to my original program (with all electrodes firing) and really noticed a difference! The original was worser!!! Yes, worser!! It really did kind of shock me.
So, back to Meg I went last Friday. We are now trying the program with the last 2 'trodes cut off. AND she stuck be back in that da-gone booth!! This time I got 49 out of 57 words which is 86%!!! WooHoo!! I got 7 of the sentences completely right! So, things are still improving! However, for the single word test, things have not changed much. For the words, I had 44% and 69% for the phonemes. She said we need to work on increasing some of the low tones without them taking over the other frequencies. I guess we'll be working on that later.
She has given me homework. Oh, I love homework. Rick has to read to me while I follow along. We need to do this most days of the week for at least 15 minutes. Then, after about 3 weeks, I am to listen only.....no following the words. This helps me work on my hearing skills. The more practicing I do, the better things should get.
So, that's where we are right now. I don't go back to Meg for 3 months, unless I feel the need to. If I don't like this program or feel that something needs to be changed, then I give her a buzz and she'll work on me some more! Poor Meg. I do feel sorry for the poor girl.
At my March 14 appointment with Meg, she stuck me in the booth to see how I measured up at the one year mark. We all know how much I love the booth!! However, it is nice to see how much things have changed. With the sentences, I got 35 out of 52 words correct, for a score of 67%. There were 3 sentences that I got completely right. For the word list (which is much harder), I got 11 out of 25 right, which is 44%. I got 47 out of 75 phonemes (partial words), which is 63%. Coming right along! This is a big improvement from the way things were before!
We keep making changes and some of them I just don't like. Sometimes it seems like things are not as good as they were at a previous time. So we keep trying this and trying that! About a month ago, Meg was trying different tones that corresponded with certain electrodes. There were some high pitches, which are the last electrodes, that I actually felt before I heard them! It set off a pain in my head! She thinks it's possible that I may have never heard in those ranges and therefore the nerve and my brain are having a hard time processing them. So, she set me up with a program that cut off the last 2 electrodes and another program that cut off the last 3. I had to see how that worked. Plus, she left the current program that I had been using.
I couldn't really say which of the 2 programs I liked better (with the electrodes cut off), but after using those for a while, I switched back to my original program (with all electrodes firing) and really noticed a difference! The original was worser!!! Yes, worser!! It really did kind of shock me.
So, back to Meg I went last Friday. We are now trying the program with the last 2 'trodes cut off. AND she stuck be back in that da-gone booth!! This time I got 49 out of 57 words which is 86%!!! WooHoo!! I got 7 of the sentences completely right! So, things are still improving! However, for the single word test, things have not changed much. For the words, I had 44% and 69% for the phonemes. She said we need to work on increasing some of the low tones without them taking over the other frequencies. I guess we'll be working on that later.
She has given me homework. Oh, I love homework. Rick has to read to me while I follow along. We need to do this most days of the week for at least 15 minutes. Then, after about 3 weeks, I am to listen only.....no following the words. This helps me work on my hearing skills. The more practicing I do, the better things should get.
So, that's where we are right now. I don't go back to Meg for 3 months, unless I feel the need to. If I don't like this program or feel that something needs to be changed, then I give her a buzz and she'll work on me some more! Poor Meg. I do feel sorry for the poor girl.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
February 27, 2008
Happy Anniversary to Me!! Happy Anniversary to Me!! Happy Anniversary to Meeeeeeee!! Can you believe it has been one year since my surgery??!!! Wow! Where does the time go??
Of course I get asked how things are going. But also if I am happy I had the surgery. Do I regret having the surgery? Would I do the other ear?
Things are going very well. YES I’m happy I had the surgery! No regrets whatsoever. But no plans to do the other ear at this time.
I can truly say that I am very happy I had the cochlear implant surgery. I hear so much more than I used to be able to. It still amazes me sometimes the things I hear. Things I could not hear a year ago. But (there’s always a “but,” isn’t there), I am not where I had hoped I would be. I really thought I would be hearing much better by this time....being able to pick up more things, more words, more music, going to movies without captioning.....I know that things will continue to change and continue to get better. I’m not disappointed, I just had high hopes! One day those things may come.....but then again, they may not.
It’s still an exciting journey!!! At this time I have no plans to do the other ear. That ear picks up the bass sounds that my implant is not getting. The two ears work together pretty good. I think if I took away my regular ear I would not hear as well. So, for the time being, I’ll just stay the way I am. Also, it used to be so weird....I would definitely hear from a particular ear. It was very divided....but kind of cool too! It was like I would hear some stuff from one ear and other things from the other ear. Now, things just blend. I guess my brain has adapted and decided to put the two sounds together. Works for me! However, I can still tell what I’m hearing from which ear, but I have to think about it and pay attention. As I’m strolling through my day, I don’t have 2 sided hearing anymore.
I know things are still gradually changing, but they come on slowly and I don’t really notice them until one day I realize that Hey! I didn’t use to be able to hear that! Or I notice that something has a better sound. Such as music. Music has a looooooooooooong ways to go!…but it is much better than it used to be. I get more variance and more of a tune. A lot will depend on the song. Is it a song with lots of “noise” or more of a simple song without a lot going on? But it just hit me today that not too long ago I wasn’t getting any of it at all. It’s just a sloooooooooooow process....at least for me. I am so jealous of the other folks who get hooked up and can hear so quickly. You know...they kind of tick me off!!! :-)
So, all in all it’s been great! There are still things we need to work on and things that need to be changed. I go back to Meg in a couple of weeks for another tweaking. We’ll have to see what needs to be switched around. I’m also sure there will be testing done. She’ll put me in that booth!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I hate the booth!!! But after it’s all done, it’s cool to see the changes on paper. So, I’ll let you know what I find out.....it could be good, it could be bad, it could be downright U G L Y!!!!
I would have to encourage anyone who has a bad hearing problem to consider a cochlear implant. It can really change your life! Get evaluated, do the research, talk to the doctor, talk to those who have one, but really ponder the idea!!
As always, THANKS to everyone who keeps me on their prayer list!!
I can’t wait to see what is ahead for me in the upcoming year!! WOOHOO!!!
Of course I get asked how things are going. But also if I am happy I had the surgery. Do I regret having the surgery? Would I do the other ear?
Things are going very well. YES I’m happy I had the surgery! No regrets whatsoever. But no plans to do the other ear at this time.
I can truly say that I am very happy I had the cochlear implant surgery. I hear so much more than I used to be able to. It still amazes me sometimes the things I hear. Things I could not hear a year ago. But (there’s always a “but,” isn’t there), I am not where I had hoped I would be. I really thought I would be hearing much better by this time....being able to pick up more things, more words, more music, going to movies without captioning.....I know that things will continue to change and continue to get better. I’m not disappointed, I just had high hopes! One day those things may come.....but then again, they may not.
It’s still an exciting journey!!! At this time I have no plans to do the other ear. That ear picks up the bass sounds that my implant is not getting. The two ears work together pretty good. I think if I took away my regular ear I would not hear as well. So, for the time being, I’ll just stay the way I am. Also, it used to be so weird....I would definitely hear from a particular ear. It was very divided....but kind of cool too! It was like I would hear some stuff from one ear and other things from the other ear. Now, things just blend. I guess my brain has adapted and decided to put the two sounds together. Works for me! However, I can still tell what I’m hearing from which ear, but I have to think about it and pay attention. As I’m strolling through my day, I don’t have 2 sided hearing anymore.
I know things are still gradually changing, but they come on slowly and I don’t really notice them until one day I realize that Hey! I didn’t use to be able to hear that! Or I notice that something has a better sound. Such as music. Music has a looooooooooooong ways to go!…but it is much better than it used to be. I get more variance and more of a tune. A lot will depend on the song. Is it a song with lots of “noise” or more of a simple song without a lot going on? But it just hit me today that not too long ago I wasn’t getting any of it at all. It’s just a sloooooooooooow process....at least for me. I am so jealous of the other folks who get hooked up and can hear so quickly. You know...they kind of tick me off!!! :-)
So, all in all it’s been great! There are still things we need to work on and things that need to be changed. I go back to Meg in a couple of weeks for another tweaking. We’ll have to see what needs to be switched around. I’m also sure there will be testing done. She’ll put me in that booth!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! I hate the booth!!! But after it’s all done, it’s cool to see the changes on paper. So, I’ll let you know what I find out.....it could be good, it could be bad, it could be downright U G L Y!!!!
I would have to encourage anyone who has a bad hearing problem to consider a cochlear implant. It can really change your life! Get evaluated, do the research, talk to the doctor, talk to those who have one, but really ponder the idea!!
As always, THANKS to everyone who keeps me on their prayer list!!
I can’t wait to see what is ahead for me in the upcoming year!! WOOHOO!!!
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