Happy Birthday Lily Elizabeth Jones

We like to keep things out of control in our family, or so it may seem.  This is why soon after Macey’s activation, we were due for a new baby girl.  While the official due date was October 17th, Dr. Steve didn’t think Brittney would make it, and decided to induce her on the 12th.  He actually didn’t think she’d make it to the 12th even!  We did make it however.

One last picture of our pre Lily family.

On Wednesday October 12th, Brittney and I called the hospital around 5:30 to see if we were allowed to come.  Denied.  There were no rooms open.  We are happy to say, however, that by 7:30 a room had opened up and we were ready to go.  That room even happened to be where Macey was delivered.  While Macey stayed home with grandma, we brought a picture to have her with us nonetheless. 

Brittney began the labor like last time, natural, but with early signs of back labor, we decided to forgo THAT fun and opted for the epidural.  The drugs settled in and all of a sudden, we had a baby!  No, it wasn’t that fast, but almost.  Brittney was induced around 9 AM and two and a half hours and 3-4 pushes later (at 11:25) Lily Elizabeth Jones joined our family.  She came weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and stretching 19.5 inches. 

When we were ready, we invited Macey to come and join us and meet her little sister.  At first, she was just happy to see mommy and didn’t care much for Lily, even trying to push her out of the way.  After some time, and some teaching, Macey smiles at Lily, brings the pacifier to Lily when she’s crying, and is well on her way to being a wonderful big sister.

Macey’s New Ears

Our last post kind of left everyone hanging, for a long time.  So to catch up, there are some things we must share!

After we came home from the surgery, there was a 2-3 week period where we had to wait for everything to heal properly.  For most patients, that wait is even longer, but they made an exception for us because of our impending baby situation.  This meant no hearing aids or cochlear implants.  That transition period was a change.  We no longer had a house full of happy Macey squeaks, coos, and babble.  It was definitely quieter, which was sad at times.  The surgery presents other risks for side effects, but we were happy to see none of them as her incisions healed.  She still posed for pictures, flashing her cheesy, eyes closed smile, and was her happy, playful, Macey self, only quieter.

Here are some pictures during that time with her BYU wear, her new big girl car seat, the park, etc. 

Activation

On September 22, Macey’s new ears were activated.  In plain english, this was when the external portions of the cochlear implant system were fitted to her ears, programmed, and turned on.  It happened at our audiologist office.  The standard procedure is basically to set the system at a volume level she is comfortable with, but will also be loud enough to get a response from Macey with different sounds.  At the appointment, Macey did as wonderful as always.  She responded appropriately and everything was set up.  At home, after some custom adjustments to her fittings (using her old hearing aid molds instead of the silly ear clamp system), Macey was comfortable with her new hardware.  She almost never takes them out, then or now. 

The first couple of days with her new implants were slightly disappointing for us.  We felt that we saw little results.  She seemed to respond far less than how she did with her hearing aids.  However, all that changed after the next processor adjustment appointment.  At the appointment, Macey’s ears were turned up, to a point where she was being startled and slightly upset at sounds that were around her.  From there, she’s only made improvements.  Since the activation, her volume level has been steadily increased, thus allowing her to hear more and more.  She hears and responds to all kinds of things including, but not limited to: her name, the microwave, running water, the front door, the oven timer, etc.  She’s on track and we work with her every day with new sounds, teaching her to use her new ears.  Way to go Macey!

Macey gets her Cochlear Implants

 

Pre-Op

After 11 months of anticipation, Macey received bilateral cochlear implants Friday at Primary Children’s in Salt Lake. We were required to be at the hospital at 8:15 for her surgery which was scheduled at 9:45.  Despite the fact that she was required to fast, she was still happy sweet Macey the morning of her surgery. She got the cutest little hospital jammies and was interested in all of the medical equipment.

After getting her ready, the docs came out to talk to us about the procedure. After that, we carried Macey to a yellow line in the hospital hall and handed her over to the doctors. The doctors gave us a stuffed koala bear with cochlear implants in exchange for Macey. The doctors definitely got the better end of the deal. Below is the koala. I’m keeping the implants to put on hippo and getting rid of the bear. I hate it.  I don’t like the memories and feelings it reminds me of.

It was a painful experience, one that we never want to relive.

Post-Op

After 4 hours of surgery and almost 5 hours of waiting, I was able to go to the recovery room with Macey. Only one parent was allowed in the recovery room. Mommy definitely trumped Daddy in who got to go. It was really hard for me to see her so out of it, but I was so thankful to have her back in my arms. 

     

As  soon as she was moved to the post op room Kristopher was able to join us. While I was in the recovery room with her, he slipped down to the gift shop and bought her a ladybug balloon. When she finally came to and saw the balloon, she got a smile on her face and held it. It definitely put a smile on Kristopher’s and my face to see her happy little smile.

 

We spent the rest of the afternoon and night at the hospital. We tried to keep her as happy and comfortable as we could. She was a champ!

  

 

That evening we took Macey for a walk in the hospital to get her out of her little room. The hospital halls are lined with wagons and cars for the little kiddos so we took Macey for a drive in one of the cars. She enjoyed the car ride and knew exactly what to do with the steering wheel and horn.

 

We were released from the hospital yesterday morning. All of us are thankful to be home. Macey is recovering well. She’s just a little tired and sore. We’re so grateful that the surgery was successful and there were no complications. She is definitely a special little girl and we love her so much!