Today was supposed to be one of the biggest days of Dallas’s life thus far.  For us and our immediate families, we have been highly anticipating this day since the day we learned of Dallas’s profound hearing loss.  It is with great disappointment that I write the cochlear implant surgery has been delayed.

Dallas woke up Wednesday morning with a typical cold and after lunch he was clearly struggling to breathe.  I took him up to the ER and he was admitted that afternoon for respiratory distress.  He was treated with antibiotics, steroids, and neb treatments.  No-one knows why he was having difficult time breathing.  They treated him as though he has pneumonia, although there was no hard evidence that he did have it.  He was deemed unfit for surgery, as I suspected he would be, and we came home yesterday.  He’ll continue to be on oral steroids, an antibiotic, and neb treatments for the next week or so.

We had the second opinion down at Mayo yesterday and I left there with mixed feelings.  This surgeon had a far different demeanor and feeling regarding the surgery.  He was very positive and confident regarding the implant itself.  He was not confident regarding long-term outcome, and stated it would all depend on how Dallas's brain reacts to sound.  His brain may decide to take in the sound, but do nothing with it.  He stated that an improved quality of life for Dallas is a reasonable expectation.  He did agree that the implant is the only way to get Dallas any sound and also concurred that the hearing aids are virtually doing nothing for him at this point.  He felt like there were two options, do nothing, or do something.  This reassured us in our decision to go ahead and give the implant a try.  While I did like this surgeon's personality and overall disposition, it's hard to erase the connection with Dallas's current surgeon at the University.  He does express more skepticism, but we believe that to be his MO (so to speak).  He likes to under promise, and then over deliver.  Let's pray that's the case this time.

We have not rescheduled the surgery yet, but my best guess is that it will be about 6-weeks out from now.

Dallas has his first independent skill!!!!

Dallas had a great birthday and birthday party.  He could barely stay awake through his gift opening and did not make it to the cake and ice cream, but he enjoyed the celebration just the same.  Our family made the day very special for him and I know he felt their love.

The month of June went by so fast, I cannot even recall what we did.  I do know we continue to have appointments every week and that keeps us very busy.  We have a surgery date set for a cochlear implant in the right ear on July 15^th.  This is less than 2-weeks away and the anticipation is certainly leading to fear as the day gets closer.  Between now and then, we have 2 separate days scheduled at May to get a second opinion.  We will not have much time to make a decision after the second opinion, but I am hoping that my gut tells me right away.  I just want the ENT surgeon at Mayo to believe that there is a shot for success with this surgery.  I also want to hear that he would DO the surgery based on the information we have to this point.

Assuming the surgery goes as planned on the 15^th, Dallas will also have a bronch.  My understanding is that they will send a scope down his throat and look more closely at his voice box.  This will help us understand if there is “a flap” that isn’t opening and closing quickly enough to allow Dallas a normal swallow.   Depending on what they find, there may be something surgically done there as well.

On a fun note, Dallas had a great 4^th of July (which also happens to be his 1-year anniversary of the day we brought him home!).  He spent lots of time outside and went in the lake for the first time.  He did manage to get a flu bug and an ear infection, so he missed out on one day of fun, but then he was right back at it!  His family and friends commented relentlessly on his good nature and cute smile. J



Happy Birthday to me!



Is this supposed to be relaxing?

We kept a wet pair of swim trunks on his head to keep him cool!

Fun in the camper during a hail storm

The kids are really into the picture :)

I love you mom!!