Morgan's Magical Ears

Cochlear recalls N5 implants!

2011-09-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

http://products.cochlearamericas.com/suspension

We will have to be on the look out for problems that could come. This recall is for the exact time period where Morgan falls. She is pretty good at telling us when something isn't working correctly but is is a little harder for her with two ears now instead of just one. Maybe because she is 5 and doesn't take that close of notice when she is playing.

She is doing fantastic in school. She thinks it is hard but works very diligently. She is memorizing the 23 Psalm. Is this possible for a kindergartener to do this. You are darn right it is. In one week she has done a fantastic job so far. I will have to do weekly updates to show you.

1st day of Kindergarten Picture

2011-08-30T05:18:00.001-07:00

Morgan could not have had a better first day of school!

Kindergarten!

2011-08-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well it sure has been a long 5 years. We have had many many wonderful people help get Morgan to where she is today.
We will never be able to thank everyone for the jobs they have done but maybe seeing where Morgan is today is a thank you from her.
Morgan gets the bus at 6:55am and school goes from 8:10 to 3:15, she arrives back home at 4:28. That sounds like a super long day for a kindergartener but as other parents of CI kids know, this is pretty normal for them. CI parents and kids seem to travel far and wide for their CI
Kiddo from birth. It is not even unusual for families to have to move to different counties or even states! Morgan and her grandmomwould drive at least an hour to get to the Clarke school.
Morgan has found a good home at Pennview Christian School. This is such a good fit. Pennview goes above and beyond for Morgan. Wonderful teachers and staff all willing to learn about cochlear implants and how they work. Morgan is only 5 but these are her ears and she knows everything about them. She can change the batteries, knows how to use the charger and understands the remote.
Next week Morgan will be joining the cherub choir at church. She loves music! This is something a lot of CI kids don't do well with.
Today was our first experience with a school bus. Still hard to believe no seat belts.It was a challenge to get someone to listen to me that I really needed to teach the bus driver a little about Morgan and her implants. Ex: If Morgan was to fall asleep and the magnet slipped off she would not hear the bus driver or anything else for that matter. Job completed my Mom day before school. They will make sure she has 2 implants on when she gets on and off the bus! I feel better about this. Playground aid also informed. It feels like we are teaching the world again. As Morgan is getting older she is very good about teaching too. It is going to be a great year.

Rylee is growing so fast. Our hearing baby is learning to listen as if she were deaf too. We have done this for so many years I guess that is all we know. "listen Rylee, do you hear that" That's just our listening world at the Keely house. Let's see how fast a hearing child will learn sign compared to a deaf one. We always found signing harder with Morgan cause she could only see.

Hopefully another update later this month!

God Answered a million prayers!

2011-06-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

Baby Rylee arrived on June 1st at 3:15 PM, She is 7 lbs 11 oz and 19" long.
Baby Rylee can hear! We have no words to describe this miracle, just a ton of tears.
Rejoicing today

Happy Birthday Rylee!

2011-06-01T03:21:00.000-07:00

Today we will meet Rylee. The Dr decided to induce me due to blood pressure issues. We are anxious to meet her. Yesterday we took Birthday girl Morgan to the doctor for some spots on her belly. Well I am so upset. Morgan won't be able to come meet Rylee cause the dr had to do a culture for staph infection. I was so excited for Morgan to come to the hospital to see me and Rylee. I planned the perfect present for Rylee to give Morgan. This isn't going as I planned so far. I am praying the rest goes smoothly. We won't know right away if Rylee is deaf. It will be at least 24hrs after she is here. Praying!

Anxious!

2011-05-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

We can hardly wait to meet Rylee Jean. Jean was picked because that was my grandmother's middle name. She would be so proud of Morgan if she was here. I am down to weekly dr appointments. Last week I was fifty percent effaced and one cm dilated. So exciting to be this close to welcoming a brand new gift from God! My mom thought full moon would maybe put me in labor but that didn't happen. The last couple weeks seem to go on forever. We would like to go to the beach this weekend if my status didn't change and the dr says ok. The problem is that we have arranged to have Rylee's cord blood taken for the hearing issues in our family. This is only set up at the home delivering hospital. We do not want to mess this up!

Countdown is on

2011-03-31T13:41:00.001-07:00

April 1st already. It has been a long winter. As a matter of fact they are expecting a snowfall and its April Fools Day. Morgan's ears birthday is coming up in April. Our new ear will be celebrating it's first birthday. Another perk of a CI kiddo. 3 birthdays a year! Morgan has done an astonishing job with her new ear. Someone would never know she is totally deaf! She is planning on going to Pennview again next year but just in case the money part doesn't work out we are also preparing the public school in our area for her arrival. They have had only one CI kid in the past and he was very old when he was implanted. That being said, she is actually their first CI kid implanted at one year old. I don't think they know what to think. They are still from the old days where they think she needs "speech theapy" meaning pronouncing sounds. They don't understand the listening part. At Pennview Morgan doesn't need an FM system or soundfield. They have done an amazing job with her and providing an environment that is superb! Thank God we found each other. Hopefully she will be attending Pennview again next year. Morgan's baby sister is almost here. Rylee is her name. She is over 15 inches long at this poing and a whopping 3 lbs. We are still hoping she can hear. She seems to like the song Turkey in the Straw but we will have to wait and see. Hope and Faith are what we have going for us! The other night Mommom was saying her prayers with Morgan. Mommom of course asks God to let Rylee be a healthy hearing baby. Morgan's turn is next and she proceeds to ask God to not listen to Mommoms prayers and make Rylee a baby that can hear but only with implants! Mommom said, Morgan you are not allowed to override Mommoms prayers! This will be an interesting journey no matter what the outcome.

Here is a 3 D picture of Rylee.

Can you hear me?

2011-01-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

Mommy is 1/2 way there. I am so excited to be getting a baby sister. I really want her to be just like me. I know I stand alone in that department. I know it is hard to take special care of me and my new ears. My family works very hard getting everything I need all the time. I wouldn't be the girl I am if God didn't choose an awesome family for me. We try singing Woofy the Missionary puppy song to her all the time to see if she moves when she hears it. It is too early to tell but the experiments Mommy does to see if she can hear seem quite silly to me.
I just can't wait til she gets here!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

It has been a bit since Morgan's blog has been updated. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Morgan was very into Santa and thanks to Pennview Christian school she is very intune with why we have Christmas.

Morgan is going to be getting a baby sister. She is very excited. We will not know if our new arrival will be deaf as we had hoped to find out ahead of time. Insurance issues. We are preparing for the baby to be the same as Morgan.

Morgan had a visit to her surgeon this morning and she had one tube that has fallen out. It has left a hole in her ear that we need to watch. If it does not close on its on Morgan will be seeing the inside of the operating room again. We are soo hoping this hole closes on its own. While we were at the surgeons office we talked about proactively preparing for two more implants. The new baby will be implanted in one ear at 9 months old and the second ear around her first birthday. The surgeon is planning on making sure they get the cord blood from this new little one also. Wouldn't that be cool to maybe help another child battling leukemia. With cord blood the match doesn't need to be exact as in a transplant. Morgan really wants the baby to be deaf just like her. We are hoping for the opposite to happen. But, if it does God knows what an awesome job we did with Morgan and we welcome his gift with open arms.

Next month Morgan will be registered for Kindergarden. She will be attending Pennview Christian School.

We have been given so many wonderful gifts all because Morgan was born deaf. We are so thankful to have met the people that would have never walked into our lives if this didn't happen. Blessings Blessings Blessings!!!!

Until the next post, hopefully not as long, God Bless!

Picture People take 2, Christmas 2010

2010-11-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

What a surprise it was to go into Picture People to pick up our CD and find this on their big wall!

Love this Psalm

2010-11-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

I lift up my eyes to the hills- Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you- The LORD is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life;
The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

Celebrating Holland- I'm Home Now

2010-11-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Holland- I'm Home
By Cathy Anthony
(my follow-up to the original \Welcome to Holland\ by Emily Perl Kingsley)
I have been in Holland for over a decade now. It has become home. I have had time to catch my breath, to settle and adjust, to accept something different than I'd planned. I reflect back on those years of past when I had first landed in Holland. I remember clearly my shock, my fear, my anger, the pain and uncertainty. In those first few years, I tried to get back to Italy as planned, but Holland was where I was to stay. Today, I can say how far I have come on this unexpected journey. I have learned so much more. But, this too has been a journey of time.
I worked hard. I bought new guidebooks. I learned a new language and I slowly found my way around this new land. I have met others whose plans had changed like mine, and who could share my experience. We supported one another and some have become very special friends.
Some of these fellow travelers had been in Holland longer than I and were seasoned guides, assisting me along the way. Many have encouraged me. Many have taught me to open my eyes to the wonder and gifts to behold in this new land. I have discovered a community of caring. Holland wasn't so bad.
I think that Holland is used to wayward travelers like me and grew to become a land of hospitality, reaching out to welcome, to assist and to support newcomers like me in this new land. Over the years, I've wondered what life would have been like if I'd landed in Italy as planned. Would life have been easier? Would it have been as rewarding? Would I have learned some of the important lessons I hold today?

Sure, this journey has been more challenging and at times I would (and still do) stomp my feet and cry out in frustration and protest. And, yes, Holland is slower paced than Italy and less flashy than Italy, but this too has been an unexpected gift. I have learned to slow down in ways too and look closer at things, with a new appreciation for the remarkable beauty of Holland with its tulips, windmills and Rembrandts.

I have come to love Holland and call it Home.

I have become a world traveler and discovered that it doesn't matter where you land. What's more important is what you make of your journey and how you see and enjoy the very special, the very lovely, things that Holland, or any land, has to offer.

Yes, over a decade ago I landed in a place I hadn't planned. Yet I am thankful, for this destination has been richer than I could have imagined!

Shhh,,,, I just can't keep a secret

2010-10-17T16:26:00.000-07:00

I didn't really tell anyone, only my class and my teacher! I am so excited!

I am going to be a BIG SISTER!

Keep your eyes peeled

2010-10-12T11:15:00.001-07:00

News will be coming. School is has been so much fun. Ms Derstine is awesome. She figured out yesterday something was wrong and by darn, last night Mommy did some trouble shooting on my implant and the processor is bad. I didn't hear what Ms Derstine said to draw and she thought that was really strange. I even cried and said I missed Mommy but she just had a gut feeling that wasn't the case. Yeah for Ms. Derstine, the teacher that is just learning about a deaf child did something phenomenal!

Disney 2010

2010-09-27T15:27:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome trip to Disney. Disney Guest Relations made Morgan's trip so special. We stayed at Port Orleans, Riverside. Disney arranged to have the room decorated before our arrival. It was complete with embroidered Minnie Mouse ears, Autograph book and pen and a beautiful frame with a signed picture of Mickey inside it.
Morgan did Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo on Sunday and then dinner in the castle afterwards.
On Monday morning Morgan was greeted before the park offically open by none other than, Mickey Mouse. Disney had another set of embroidered ears complete with princess crown and veil. It was the most precious picture, Mickey coming out of his house and Morgan running towards him! After Mickey took her around his house and Minnie's house they had another surprised planned. Morgan spent about 20 minutes with Mickey. Mickey then handed Morgan back over to the Disney people and they walked her down this long hall. At the end of the hall was Belle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The look on Morgan's face was priceless! She spent 1/2 hour with the princesses. They told stories and danced and just had a fun time playing. We had dinner Monday at Park Fare with the mean step sisters. After dinner we headed over to the Magic Kingdom for VIP seating Disney arranged for the Electric Light Parade. What a show! Even the floats bowed to Princess Morgan. We ended Monday evening with the Wishes Fireworks! This day was a dream come true for Morgan, THANK YOU MR. DISNEY WORLD!
Everyday when we returned to our room the cleaning woman made sure she had a different animal made with our towels. Morgan's American Girl doll always was seated doing something different. We had more towel animals than on a cruise.
Morgan's favorite ride was Kali River Rapids and right behind this ride was the Barnstormer in Toontown. Morgan was a complete angel the entire trip. We spent time swimming everyday to take a break from all the excitement. We all enjoyed this down time.
Friday Disney arranged for Morgan to have special seating for Beauty and the Beast show along with the Beast giving Morgan the Red Rose.

Big day!

2010-08-27T09:09:00.001-07:00

Well today is a big day, Morgan and I are doing a taping of our campaign speech for United Way. We are both pretty nervous, and I am totally on edge. They are going to play the video at a bunch of meetings at Knoll so that all the employees get a chance to see it for the United way kick off. Wish us luck! Thank you United Way!

Morgan's Hearing Journey

2010-08-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Morgan's Hearing Journey

This is just one of the slideshows I put together to pitch the 2010 United Way Campaign for Knoll Inc. We are so honored that they picked us to share our story!

To Morgan, Love Mommom

2010-08-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Morgan,
Someday when you look back at this blog and see what a good job your Mommy and I did trying to make sure we touched everything along your journey.

This morning you were laying on the couch when I came in for my morning visit. You were just waking up. Nothing at all seemed unusual to me. After a little while I sat down with you and you seemed sad. You never seem sad. You are a fisty little girl with lots and lots of energy and enthusiasm. As a matter of fact, last night was your first soccer practice and you just had a ball. You ran and ran! Even when your ear came off you just put it back on and kept running. We talked a little more this morning and then all of a sudden I saw you really were sad. There was a big ole tear running down your sweet cheek. I had no idea why but oh my goodness I had one on my cheek that followed right behind yours. We started talking a little more and you told me, "Mommom, I wish I was like other kids and could hear. I wish I didn't have to wear these Cochlear Implants". Well, Morgan you did break Mommom's heart this morning! But you know Morgan, You are never alone in this journey that won't be easy at times. Your family is right there with you and when you have a tear you will see we do too. And when you smile we will smile too. We are part of you Morgan!

Love, Mommom

What does a kid speech with a CI sound like?

2010-08-11T03:38:00.000-07:00

A lot of our friends have asked how is Morgan's speech? Since cochlear implants are still a very new piece of equipment for most, it is a very good question. Most people would think she talks the same as a deaf person with a hearing aid. A hearing aid makes what a person hears just louder. A cochlear implant makes what the person hears clearer. I found a video for you to hear what Morgan sounds like. In the next month we should have her own video posted. As some of you know Morgan and Mommy are spokes persons for the United Way. We might do a power point with Morgan talking back and forth so that you can hear her also. She does sound just like these little guys in the video though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6UQBX8sNPY

When you are having a tough day, just remember:

2010-08-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

"The Special Mother"
by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice,
a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children.
Did you ever wonder how these mothers are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.
As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew."
"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia."
"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard.
He's used to profanity."
Finally he passes a name to an angel and smiles.
"Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience,
or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence
so rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of it's own.
She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that.
This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occassionally,
she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word.
She will never consider a step ordinary.
When her child says momma for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--ignorance, cruelty,
prejudice--and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life
because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Thought of the day

2010-07-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

I think only a CI family can associate with this..... Why is it that your child's EARS birthday is more important to you than the kiddos "real" birthday?

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY TO MORGAN'S 1ST MAGICAL EAR!

We are so proud of you and the hard work you have done for the past 3 years with that ear. That little ear is the most precious thing to Morgan. If she ever thinks it is lost or misplaced she totally freaks out!!!! The feeling someone would get if they lost their engagement ring or wallet or any sentimental thing they might own.

We are celebrating with a cookie dough birthday cake and some awesome presents. Morgan got a new Willie Wonka Choc Factory movie and lots of arts and crafts stuff. Aunt Cheryl came bright and early with a Tink fairy and chapstick. What an awesome day. It is a day that will always bring tears to my eyes! The first time she ever heard us tell her,,,,, " We Love You Morgie"! Ok, enough of this post, I am crying now!

Summer fun

2010-07-28T07:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to my ear!

2010-07-27T13:53:00.001-07:00

Friday my first implant (that is what I call my ear) will be 3 years old. I can't wait to have birthday cake and maybe get a present. I would like a junior size football. The one that Uncle Jamie has is a little big for me. I can do a nice catch and even a spiral toss. I will show you pictures of my birthday cake after Friday. I even have a special Tshirt to show you.

My very own Marine!

2010-07-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

I had such a nice week. I got to spend time with my Mommy's Godparents and their children at Paige and Tom's house. They were all together because a very SPECIAL man, Tommy was home to get married to his beautiful bride Janet! We don't get to see them much especially with how darn busy these magical ears of mine keep us. It has been 4 long years of lots of Dr appts and therapies and surgeries. Hopefully, since my ears are doing so well and the bilateral surgery is over I can become what some would call a "normal" kid. I had some really nice family members help my Mommy and Daddy come up with the rest of the money to buy those expensive batteries I need. THANK YOU EVERYONE! I can now hear in the bathtub and the swimming pool. Of course we are a little chicken of the pool yet.
I CAN'T TELL YOU IN WORDS HOW AWESOME IT IS TO BE ABLE TO HEAR!!!! When my ears are off I am very quiet and it isn't fun. I always want my ears on.
What a great week I had getting to know everyone and especially, my very own Marine, Tommy! I love you! Wait til Tommy's friends see he is going to be getting letters from another pretty girl named Morgan. They are going to be jealous!

CHOP Mapping appt 7-13-10

2010-07-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

We had our 8:00 appt at CHOP today and a 9:00 appt for speech. They were so surprised how well I was doing with my new implant. I am two months post activation. They have scored me at 6 months post activation. I have to thank all the people that are helping me with the numerous hours of therapy that I am enduring. Heather from the Montgomery County IU dept comes to my house bright and early every Thursday and Friday morning. We work from 8am to 8:45am. I still go to see Lindsay for an hour a week at Theraplay. These two girls have put so much time into my progress that I will be forever grateful. Heather from the MCIU thinks I am gifted. I think I have so many wonderful people that care about me and work so hard with me that I am not gifted but just plain old BLESSED! I am starting to not hate my new ear. I like to wear it every day but its the first one I take off at night when I get tired. I will head back again to CHOP in another month and they will be checking the electrodes in my oldest implant. If you remember they weren't working and last month Carmen checked them again and they were working. She hasn't turned them back on yet because she is still watching them.

I got my birthday pictures taken a couple weeks ago and this what Picture People did with all the pictures they took of me.

1st day of summer therapy

2010-07-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day that my therapist from the IU was at my house. Heather was surprised that I could do all kinds of stuff with just my new ear. She thought I had both of my ears on. This is such hard work and I love my OLD ear but I am working hard with just my new ear on for a lot of time each day. Today Cochlear shipped my rechargeable batteries. I am so anxious! I will finally be able to swim and play in water and be able to hear. I don't know who is more excited about this, me or my Mommy and Mommom. They say it is such a pain to take me swimming and me not be able to hear anything they are saying. I don't know much sign language anymore so that doesn't help. And, just think about it even if I know sign language no one else really knows sign language around here so they wouldn't know what I was even trying to tell them. YEAH for rechargeable batteries! And, one more thing today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPPOP!

Cochlear Implant fundraiser

2010-06-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

We had our 2nd annual bake sale to raise awareness for Cochlear Implants. It was such a hot hot day. Some of the people remembered us from last year and were running to get their favorite baked good. Mommy and I can bake some really yummy desserts. Some of the people in Delaware call whoppie pies, gobs. They were a big seller again. We didn't have too much left over this year. One man that owns a catering business actually would like my Mommy to bake for his events if he has them on the weekends. How exciting since this is really Mommy's dream to own her own bakery.

After the bake sale we spent time in the pool. Mommom says that swimming and deafness is the worst combination. Just think about it, I always want to go to the other end of the pool and I am much faster on the outside of the pool and I can't hear anyone tell me to not go to the deep end. So, they are trying to get my attention and it just doesn't work well at all. Especially cause they are usually in the water and have to jump out really fast to get me before I jump in at the wrong place. Soon I will get special batteries so that I can hear when I am near water. That will be such a big help for whomever is watching me. I read lips really well but I have to be close to you to do this, so again swimming and deafness are like oil and water!

Surprise!

2010-06-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

Guess What ,,, Guess What ,,, Guess What,,,,

Mommy told me a big surprise today.......................

I will give you a hint..................................

4 year old check up 6-18-10

2010-06-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

My Mommy says when I have a birthday that means I have to go for a check up. I am not keen on going to any type of Dr and I am sure you all can understand where I am coming from. Mom and I went on Friday morning and we had a very nice pediatrician. I am 29 pounds and 36 1/2" tall. They said that means I am in the 9th percentile in weight and 12 percentile in height. I gained 2 lbs from last year and 2 1/2" taller. I had my eyes checked and at 4 years old you are supposed to get your hearing checked. I didn't have to do that, um wonder why? Probably because my ears are bionic and I can hear like superwoman. I got two shots and only cried a little bit cause I didn't want to scare the other babies in the Dr's office. Mommy is sooo busy baking this week and finding lots of freezers for the baked goods. We are doing the 2nd annual Morgan's Magical Ears bake sale. We send the money we make to the Cochlear Awareness Foundation. I will show you pictures after the bake sale so you can see what our stand looks like. Mommy bakes so much that I am the official egg cracker now. I don't even get any shells in the batter!

Visit to CHOP on 6/15/10

2010-06-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

Daddy and I had a special visit this morning to Philadelphia. We had an 8:00 appt with a booth test and mapping. I tested 25 decibels in the booth and the mapping only needed to be tweaked. They were so proud of how far I have come in the past 3 weeks. I then spent an hour in speech. I surprised them also. They said that I was testing at 4 to 5 months post activation instead of a short 4 1/2 weeks. I am working very very hard though. I now don't mind as much when I have to take my old ear off to listen. Carmen at CHOP also tested the two electrodes that were no longer working and found that they are indeed working again. She didn't turn them back on just yet. they want to watch and see next time I go. Mommy takes me to Theraplay on Mondays. My therapist is working so hard in learning everything she can to make this new ear transition really fast. On Monday night they told Mommy I did so well and scored 90% accuracy in speech recognition. My special prize was not just one but THREE bottles of glittery nail polish! I am such a girlie girl.

I am finishing up my first year of mainstream preschool at Pennview. I have had such a great experience there. I had an awesome teacher that learned everything she could about a deaf child. I am the schools first CI kiddo. I also had a fantastic teacher from the IU that worked very hard making sure I wasn't missing a trick. I want to thank every person that has helped me become the outgoing girl I have become this year. I am no longer a toddler but have grown into a big girl. I am ready for summer and spending lots of time with my friends at Auntie Gails.

Happy 4th Birthday to Morgan!

2010-06-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

May 31, 2010-HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN! Mommy and Daddy love you so much!
Some days I can't believe you are 4 alreadys...other days it seems like you should be turning 14. I can't believe all that you have been through in your short 4 years. You have accomplised so much, and I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of you. You have faced everything head-on and have done it with such grace, and have always come out on top! You are the strongest little girl I know and I couldn't have asked for a better daughter! I hope you had a GREAT Birthday Morgie!

5-27-10 Ear tube check up

2010-05-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well today was an important appt. We had to go see Dr Germiller to check Morgan's right ear tube that was all clogged at her visit after her surgery. We did peroxide for about a week and a half and then perscription ear drops for 5 days. We were hopeing it was all clear because it if wasn't she would have to have surgery again to replace it. Good news was that it was all clear and she is good to go for another 6 months. As much as we love Dr Germiller it will be nice not having to go back until November. Yippy!!! Morgan continues to work very hard everyday at learning to listen with her new ear. Its is very exhausting and frustrating as times for her but she is doing amazing. On Tuesday when she only had her Right(new) CI on, I called her name and she answered my by saying, "what". It was music to my ears. She was able to recognize the sound of her own name with just the new ear! What a great morning that was. Now two days later she is a pro at responding to her name with only the right CI. Keep up the good work Morgan, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!!!!

Exciting!!!

2010-05-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday when I got home from work Morgan and my borther had a special show for me. It almost brought tears to my eyes! Morgan had me sit down on the floor so I could watch and listen. She sat on my brothers lap looking at me. Jamie would say a word and then she would repeat what he said. It was all just random words or names that he was saying! I was in shock that she was able to hear and distinguish language already. I wasn't expecting her to be able to do that for at least a month or two after activation. This morning Morgan and I were looking at a book with just pictures. The one page had a pictures of body parts (hand, foot, nose and eyes) I would say "hand" without her seeing my face and she was able to point to the correct picture!!!!! It was so exciting...I am one proud Mommy!

1st mapping after activation

2010-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

That was a fast week! We did end up going to the please touch museum after activation and sure enough there were 3 tickets waiting for us along with 6 tickets to ride the carousel and a parking pass. That was such a treat and we are very thankful for that kind lady we met in the store!!!! Thank you! We all had a great time! Today May 17th Daddy took Morgan for her mapping, they had an 8am appt so had to leave at 6am again to beat some of the traffic. They made good time again, but this time I had to leave Daddy in charge of fixing Morgan's hair...I can only imagine! LOL. Morgan was able to get through all 4 of her programs by Wed afternoon after just being activated Tue. She likes having two ears on but is not a big fan of only wearing her "new ear" She isn't able to hear us talking yet with that one, and can only hear muffled loud sounds. We are hoping with this new set of programs she will start to hear more things! She did a good job this weekend in NY at a parade listening to bands play with only her "new ear" She was even taking the "old one" off without me even telling her too. I was very impressed and proud of her. This week the intense therapy will begin. Carmen her audiologist says she will notice the biggest difference between her progam 3 and 4. We can't wait to see how this week goes. She doesn't go back until June 15th.

Activation Day!!!!!! May 11, 2010

2010-05-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

Today is the big day! I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited. Activation was at 8 am so we left the house around 6am to make sure we made it on time....You know how the traffic is on 476 and 76. Horrible all the time. We just picked Morgan out of her bed and put her in the car, so she slept till we got there and woke her up. We got there around 7:30 am. We had just enough time to wake her up and get her dressed before we went in. This was such a special day, with Morgan getting activated and both Ben and I having off at the same time. We were going to treat Morgan to a day at the Please Touch Museum after she was "turned on". Once in the hospital we stopped in the tiny convenient store to grab a little something to eat and drink. Morgan was telling the cashier that she was going to hear for the very first time today out of her New Ear, and that Mommy and Daddy were taking to the Please Touch afterwards. It was so cute listening to her tell the lady all about getting to hear for the first time! The lady asked what our names were and told us to just go to the front desk when we got to the museum and there would be tickets waiting for us. Ben and I looked at each other and were thinking could this be real? Well have to wait and see. Activation went fantastic....Morgan did a great job, but we were a little out of practice at our condition response listening game. We need to work on that. She was acting like this was no big deal and Heather her TOD(teacher of the Deaf) and I were about in tear when she said "I HEAR IT"! Morgan has 4 programs to go through until she goes back on Monday the 17th. These 4 programs are very basic just to get used to everything, so hopefully after next Monday we will be able to really start some intense therapy. I will post videos.

May 3rd, 2010

2010-05-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

Today is an exciting day....we are going to CHOP to pick up Morgan's new N5!!!!! She is getting her left ear mapping all set up to wear the N5 and she will also get to wear just the processor on her Right side without it turned on so she can get used to wearing something on that ear. I was glad to be able to have a week to play with the new remote before we got the new one activated. We also got to see how good of a job Dr. Germiller did at making the two even. That is one of the hardest things for a dr to do when going bilateral. We also had appt today to see Dr Germiller so that he could look at her incision and clean out any leftover junk in Morgan's ear. She absolutly hates when he puts that "stick" in her ear. Of course the tube in the right ear was still somewhat blocked so he had us put peroxide drops in her ear until it "hurt". I was like oh great...does he not know this drama girl. She doesn't like drops in her ears so they always hurt. Well she actually did a great job with them and didn't complain of them hurting. We did the peroxide drops 2-3 times a day for about a week to a week and a half and then she started saying they hurt...It was actually exciting. So then we switched over to her floxin drops for 5 days. We go back to have that tube checked again on May 27th! Please pray that is all open and good so Morgan does not need to get another surgery to replace that tube. Thats the last thing we want right now....

On the way back to school...

2010-05-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Well on Tue April 27th Morgan was going back to school for just the morning, so we can get back into our routine. Well that didn't end up happening that Morning. On the way to school Morgan and I got in a bad car accident. We were coming up a hill to a stop sign when a car coming down the hill started to lose control and was all over the road heading right for us. There was a big field on our right hand side so I pulled off the side of the road right nead a telephone pole. I turned around to talk to Morgan and just as I turned my head back to look out the front window the out of control car t-boned the telephone pole so hard it wrapped around it and totally took out the whole front end of my Jeep Liberty. Morgan and I walked away with minor bumps and bruises but they young man who hit us was it bad shape. My Dad did take us to the hospital so we could get checked out and have some x-rays done. We were released shortly after. We just keep praying that he will make a full recovery and we hope that we will be able to meet him sometime! We feel a special bond with him! So much for having a low key two weeks after surgery for Morgan. We are very blessed and thankful!

Where to begin.........

2010-05-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Its has been a whirl wind of a couple weeks....so so so many things have gone on. Well Morgan had her 2nd cochlear implant surgery on April 21st. Here Pop Pop came along to keep me company in the waiting room. My dad and I were together the day they told us Morgan was deaf and we were together the day they came out and told us all the electrodes were firing, and she would soon be hearing with 2 ears! I am so lucky that I will always have that special bond with my Dad! I don't know what I would do without my Mom and Dad, they are definitly parents that would do anything for their children and grandchildren. They are the two most unselfish people I know. They are always going out of their way to make it easier or to help their family out any way they can. We are very blessed!
Well we left for the hospital about 5:30 am and got there just before 7 am. We checked in and they took us back to a room almost right away. They did all the vitals etc and then we just had to wait for Dr Germiller to come in and do the measuring so he could try his best to make them even. We waited for a long time. They finally took her away from me around 10:30 am and started surgery around 10:50 am. The nurses were great and came out ever hour to give and update. My dad and I passed the time with a subway hoagie and kept busy searching on the internet. We were anticipating Michael(the audiologist) to come out, he is the one that was testing all the electrodes to make sure they were all working properly. There is always a chance that it might not work. We were lucky and everything was great. I broke down in happy tears! Shortly after Dr. Germiller came out and told us that everything went great and we would soon be allowed back to see her. I could hardly wait to see my baby. Its the worst feeling as they take your baby out of your arms into surgery! I knew it was the best thing for her though. She was still asleep when we went back and she slept for a little while. The nurse said that was great that she was sleeping like that. It would help her wake up better. After she woke up we got her dressed and headed down to get xrays, to make sure everything was in the right place. She was still really groggy, and slept the almost the whole way home until we stopped to she Melissa. She wanted so bad to stop at the hair cut place to see her. I have a picture of Morgan actually smiling with Melis and it took all Morgan had to get that smile out! It brought tears to my eyes. Around 8:30 pm that night you could tell the anestesia was wearing off and she was feeling pretty good. She was no stop talking from that point on. We thought we would be awake alot of the night but she basically slept right through the night. She is a trooper!!!! The next morning we were allowed to take the bandage off her head and boy it was a sight to see. As soon as we took it off the blood started coming out of her ear and for a couple days after. It was the worst that Friday night after we got down to the shore for what we thought would be a nice relaxing weekend. I was a nervous wreck. I called the ENT on call and he had no clue about implants and was having me go to the ER. The bleeding did stop and wasn't to bad the rest of the weekend. I did have Dr Germillers cell number so I gave him a call just to make sure everything was good so I didn't have to worry any more! He calmed me down and we had a great rest of the weekend! Melissa was coming Monday to spend the day with Morgan so she had another day of rest before we went back to school on Tue Morning. Pictures to come!

Pictures from Easter Weekend

2010-04-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4160837014/a=120542064_120542064/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

I am starting to get into photography and I really enjoy it. Here are some pictures I took of Morgan over Easter Weekend! Enjoy!

Almost there.....

2010-04-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that Morgan's new ear is right around the corner. It's only 14 days away! So scary yet so excited. Morgan isn't as thrilled with getting a new ear anymore since she has an idea of what surgery is from getting her tubes done in Feb. It depends on the day if she wants a new one or not. She was very excited to be able to pick out the cool covers for her new N5 that she will be getting. She picked a pretty light purple one with white flowers on it. Grandmom Frank would have definitly loved that one...Morgan and Grandmom F. share the favorite color purple.
Insurance on the other hand is so confusing, it drives me nuts sometimes. They tell me the surgery needs to be pre approved, and then I call today to check that it was approved and they tell me that it doesn't require pre authorization. They insurance will decide at the time of billing if they are going to pay or not pay for the surgery. CHOP said there is no guarantee that an insurance company will pay for any surgery. So I am like great, I could end up with on very very very large bill after this is all done, and I will have no clue. As if having to put your child through surgery isn't stressfull enough.
Keep us in your prays for a safe surgry and a quick painless recovery!

Two more appts checked off the list for 2010

2010-03-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

Monday March 22nd Morgan had her Cardiologist appt to follow up with a very very tiny hole in her heart that causes a very very small heart murmmer. You can only hear the murmmer if you are listening really really really close said the Dr. and if you know what you are listening for. Nothing needs to be done about it, a surgan wouldn't even be able to find it to surgical close it. It may still close all the way on its on or it may just be something she will always have. Either way no biggy. She doesn't have to go back for 5 yrs. I must say it was the fastest CHOP visit ever. Melissa was so great and came along with us and she must me our good luck charm. We were in and out in 30 mins. So Awesome.

Thursday March 25th Morgan had her follow up urology appt. She had her ultrasound done first and then she saw Dr. Carr. This appt also went very well. She stiill has the kidney stone, but is remains in the same place and the same size which is good. Her kindeys are growing nice and healthy! We don't have to see the urologist again for 2 years. Its always nice when they increase the amt of time between visits.

Yippy it was a good week of good news Dr. appt! Great job Morgan!

You know your child has a Cochlear Implant when:

2010-02-25T11:27:00.000-08:00

You know your child has a cochlear implant when... (Thank you Jenn for starting this)

...her hearing aids made better chew toys than amplification devices.
...you're on a first name basis with the employee at Sally Beauty Supply, because you buy so much wig tape.
...you momentarily wonder why anyone would try to teach the alphabet in the bathtub when your child can't hear in the bathtub, and then you remember...
...you worry about rough play, tumbles, jumping, etc. because her coil might fall off.
...you have a fear of plastic slides
....you carry along static guard and dryer sheets when you go to the park.
...you find yourself pointing out every sound that you hear (while pointing to your ear), even all those lovely potty sounds.
...you pop her coil off once and a while and yell really loudly, to make sure that she really can't hear without it.
...you've ever gotten strange looks or questions while in public.
...you know what "ear gear" and "critter clips" are.
...you never leave home without extra batteries, a back-up processor, a remote control, or extra wig tape.
...you've discovered a contraption, like an aloksak or food saver bag, to allow your child to hear while swimming.
...children without cochlear implants start to look stranger than those with cochlear implants.
...you decorate your child's CI to make it look "cool".
...you've ever been driving and gotten hit in the back of the head with a flying processor.
...you've had to search high and low for a processor that your child has mysteriously hidden somewhere, maybe even having disassembled first.
...you know few, if any, other kids (or even adults) with cochlear implants. You've made most of your connections through the blogging world, or on facebook.
...you've traveled far and wide to meet up with other families of children with cochlear implants....you've taken the John Tracy Clinic correspondence course.
...you are a member of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Hand and Voices, or the American Society for Deaf Children.
...you've ever received or know of others who have received hateful comments from a member of the Deaf community
....you check the Ling sounds every day, and get worried if your child doesn't respond.
...you refer to her processor as her "ear".
...your child takes off her "ear" because she's mad, frustrated, or doesn't want to hear you anymore.
...you spend at least 2 hours a week in formal therapy, but all playtime is unofficial therapy time, and you're always looking for a teachable moment.
...you narrate everything that you do, and even elicit strange looks at the grocery store from your repetitive comments like "up, up, up you go", "do you want a piece of cheese? hmmmm, cheese? I like cheese. Do you like cheese?"
...you marvel every day at how the simple act of attaching the magnet allows your child to go from 0 to 95 in an instant.
...you've adopted the "I love you" sign as your family symbol, even if you don't use sign language with your child.
...you can't imagine life for your child without it.
...you are able to vacuum, hang pictures, and told as loud as you want while your child is napping.
...you have to pack batteries for a sleep over.
...you get a call from school/babysitter not because the child is sick but because the light is flashing red, or her ear isn't working right.
...we got to the craft store for ear decorations.
...people appologize to you when they find out your child is deaf
...people think the flashing red like is a cool new earring
...when people actually think I would let my toddler wear a blue tooth
...when you can pretend the blinking red light is a "kid finder" just to see that persons reaction..LOL

Ear tube surgery 2/19/10

2010-02-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well Morgan is doing well after her surgery on Friday afternoon. Boy what a day. My Mom came with me this time and it was her first and last. Its so hard to see the stuff these little kids have to go through. We arrived at 12:30 pm and they checked us in and took us into a room pretty fast which was nice. There they gave Morgan a gown and a pair of pants to wear, and a pair of socks. She looked like a yellow duck. They took all her stats like her blood pressure, oxygen, weight (27 lbs), height, temperature etc. Then she had some downtime until it was time for the giggle juice. The Dr came in and asked if we had any questions, and the anesthesiologist came in and gave us a run down as well. He said since its such a short surgery there was no need for an IV "unless" certain things happened. He listed a couple things but said don't worry it only happens like 2 times out of a 100 or its only a 5% chance. I looked at my Mom and said he doesn't know Morgan very well. She is always in the small percentage. She didn't want to take the giggle juice so we had to make her take it. Not fun. When that started to kick in she got more limp and heavy. Kinda like a baby. She wasn't able to walk on her own so she had to stay in my arms the whole time. She kept pulling up her gown and showing her belly to us and the nurses and giggling. She thought that was pretty funny. I guess thats why they call it giggle juice. We gave her hugs and kisses and watched the nurse pick her off my lap and walk away with her. Its the worst feeling in the entire world. I really hope she never remembers it. Off to the waiting room we went. We got to talk with another nice family that was also waiting for their little girl to get out of surgery. Dr Germiller then came out after about 15-20 min and said everything went great. If she didn't get those tubes in today he said, she would have been at the dr that night or the next morning with an ear infection. He drained alot of yucky cloudy fluid of of her right ear. Then the anesthesiologist came out and we asked "how did everything go?". He said "ok Now". My Mom and I were like what do you mean Now? Well believe it or not Morgan was one of the few that had a small issue with the anesthesia, I can't remember what he called it but what happened was her vocal cords closed up, its the brains way of protecting the lungs from getting any fluid in them. So they needed to put in an emergency IV so they could give her a muscle relaxer to release the vocal cord muscles. Thank goodness though before they put anything in the IV her vocal cords released on their own. She was all out of sorts when she first started to wake up. She fell back asleep for a little while and then woke up a little better the second time once she realized it was me holding her and it was all over. She then freaked out when the nurse tried to put a band aid on her IV when she took it out. Morgan is the only kid I know that HATES band aids. I can only imagine how she is going to be with a big bandage wrapped around her head in April. Then we got all dressed to go home and Morgan gets sick all over both of us. Didn't think to bring extra clothing. We left shortly after. All her color came back after that. As soon as we got in the car she was asleep for the rest of the ride home and afternoon. She had a lazy night of lying around until Aunt Marcie, Kacie, and Megan came over to give her an art set for being such a brave girl. She was then up and running around and giving them a fashion show with her new bathing suit and summer dresses she got the other week. She needs drops in her ears for the next week and boy I can't wait until that is over. She hates them and it takes both Ben and I to hold her down and get them in her ears. She always says they hurt but I don't know of anyone who really likes cold liquid being in their ears. That part will soon be over! Another milestone accomplished for Morgan! Morgan you are such a Trooper and I am so pround to be your Mommy! I love you!

New tubes in the ear....

2010-02-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

Well Feb 19th is approching very fast, it will be the end of the week before we know it. I think its finally starting to set in that Morgan is going to actually have to go through with getting the new tubes put in before the implant surgery in April. I just had to have to see her put under twice so close together. It breaks my heart. And even though I know its only a small procedure, and it will be for the better my fear and anxiety is on the rise. I just keep praying for a quick, successful, painless surgery. I know I will start crying the min they take her out of my arms into the O.R. room. Its a scary moment for a Mommy, and it doesn't matter how many times you have gone through it in the past or how fast or long the procedure. It really sucks to have to watch your baby go through this. I got the call yesterday that we should arrive at CHOP in Chalfont at 12:30 pm. I couldn't believe it. I have to tell this poor child she isn't allowed anything to eat or drink(besides clears) from 11pm Thur night (which for her is like 8pm bedtime) until after the surgery. Thank goodness she is allow popsicles without any pulp in them. We are trying to make it into a fun things, telling her she is allow popsicles all day and she can even have one for breakfast. We will be going to the store Thur night to get a variety of popsicles. I am going to have to tape the pantry and refrigerator shut so she doesn't go helpping herself. Well wish us luck on Friday! I will post after we get home! Morgan Mommy knows you will do great and you are a brave little girl! You amaze me everyday! I love you as big as the sky!

NBC 10 news....

2010-02-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

It was an exciting morning....Morgan got picked to be on NBC 10 news this morning as part of the "Me and My Wheels" segment during the 5:15 am and 6:15am traffic report. It was such a coincidence that at the 5:15 am one they were talking about cochlear implants...how weird is that. She wasn't part of that though. They said, "This is Morgan Keely of East Greenville Pa. She loves riding her John Deere Tractor with her Pop Pop and her dog Spencer. Here is the picture they used.

January 2010

2010-01-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

Well this month has been very crazy! Morgan started going to school for the full day now instead of 1/2 day. She goes to Mrs. Mcamy in the afternoon for more fun and education...she is one smart cookie! She loves going and asks to go everyday! We found out that we are officially schedule for a 2nd "ear" on April 21st. I am so excited yet so nervous. I over analyze everything so I am starting to wonder if we are doing the right things. Thanks to my friends on CI Circle I feel much better about it.
January 13th-was a crazy horrible night. Morgan woke up with vertigo. She was so dizzy she couldn't walk, and she kept bobbing her head to the right side. I was so scared. Even though she had a dizzy spell over a year ago it was still really scary. She threw up a few times and then finally fell asleep for the rest of the night. Which wasn't very long since we didn't fall asleep until about 3 am. She wasn't dizzy anymore when she woke up, but was still a little unsteady walking. We went to the pediatrician right away at 9 am to have them check her over and make sure her ears were not infected. Everything checked out good. Also was in contact with Dr. Germiller and his nurses. There weren't to concerned about anything and had us watch to make sure she didn't get really high fever in case of meningitis and that if she showed signs of ear infection to take her to her dr. Well she ended up getting an ear infection that Saturday night into Sunday(Jan 17th) The Dr said there was lots of cloudy, mucky fluid in her ear and it didn't look nice. He told Morgan he was looking for potatoes in her ears, and then when he saw that he told her she had rotten potatoes in that ear. She really enjoyed his humor.
January 28-we have an appt to see Dr Germiller for a checkup and to see if we need tubes put in before the implant surgery, since we had another ear infection. During the check up they asked a bunch of questions for the anesthesia part of her surgery to get that out of the way and Dr. Germiller also still found some fluid in Morgan's right ear. It wasn't infected but it just wasn't draining all the way. He had them to a tympanagram to see if her ear drum was moving, and the results were just what he had suspected. Not moving very well from the fluid. He also had them take an xray of her neck and head to look at her adenoids, to see if he needed to remove them. Luckily they are normal and can stay put. He will need to put new tubes in on Feb 19th though. So we can get rid of the fluid and have time to recover before the big surgery.
Here is a copy of the x ray that they took, you can see the implant that is inside of Morgan's head... I thought it was awesome.

This first one is from the day she had surgery on 7/13/07 and the second one is from her dr appt 1/28/10.

End of One Year/Beginning of a New Year

2010-01-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

Well I have made a promise to myself and Morgan that my New Years Resolution is going to be to keep her blog updated on a regular basis from now on. I just let life get in the way of sitting down and writing and sharing some of the events that have been going on. So in this post I will fill you in on the end of 2009 and the beginning of the New Year 2010.

Oct 20th, 2009
Morgan had an audiologist and speech therapy appt at CHOP. She was first tested in the booth and did very well, heard things that I myself couldn't hear. They didn't really change to much on her mapping except that the little light that would always blink red is now reprogrammed to only flash red when there is a problem, such as the magnet falls off her head or something is wrong with the coil, processor, or microphone. So far that has been going very well. Her teachers seem to like that much better! They have less to watch for and they know for sure is something isn't right. I have so videos of Morgan in the booth being tested and what she has to do in the booth. She also had her speech therapy appt, they said you could line up a bunch of "normal" hear kids and you would never be able to tell that Morgan wasn't one of them. She fits right it. What more could a Mother ask for. She was testing at a 4 year old level in some things and then age appropriate in others.

Dec 1, 2009----Morgan is going to be getting a second implant in 2010, so one of the tests that Dr. Germiller wants Morgan to have is a Vestibular or Balance test. This has to be done at University of Penn because CHOP doesn't do it. Its a test that is usually done on older people. They just keep telling me that it will be really dark and they will spin her and that she will have to wear a type of goggle over her eyes to measure the movement, that will be able to tell them in there is any inner ear damage. I was very nervous for this testing as it doesn't sound like it will be very fun. I asked around to see if anyone else had this done and not many other did, and the ones that did have this testing done didn't have it done the same way they are explaining it to me. So to me the unexpected is a little scary when your getting it done to your 3 yr old. Well we get to the hospital and it started off bad from the time we walked in the hospital. Due to the Swine Flu going around they made all the children wear masks....Morgan did not like this especially because we didn't have to wear one. She just didn't understand as well as me. I could have gotten the germs and gave them to her as soon as we got in the room and took her mask off...yeah well what are you going to do, we need to follow the rules. Next they looked in Morgan's ears and low and behold she had a bunch of wax in her ears. Nothing new, she must have the waxiest ears ever. I think she gets that from her Pop Pop! So the Dr had to find and ENT to come in and remove the wax. She came back and said it was going to take a little longer because none of the ENT's at the Univ of Penn wanted to do it...since when won't they work on a child? So they paged Dr Germiller at CHOP in hopes that he was in that day. It was our lucky day, he was in and he said instead of us walking over there, that he would come to us. I love that Man! In the mean time we did a test that didn't matter if there was wax or not. Morgan needed to sit on either my lap or my husbands, and well lucky me Morgan wanted me, and I so didn't want to do this(hence why I made Ben come with) Well they sit me on a chair that looked like a chair from the eye dr's in a little tiny circular box. They put this huge crazy headband looking thing that had a turn dial thing in the back to loosen and tighten the goggles. They were just clear lenses that hung infront of Morgan's face. I had to hold her head from moving as well as hold the headband/hat thing on so it didn't move as well. You can only imagine my face at this point and then they tell us they are going to close the door and it will be completely dark. Then a little red laser dot came up on the wall and Morgan had to follow it with her eyes. They should have tested me to cause my eye kept following that stupid thing too. Then the chair starts spinning pretty fast I must add, she could not have sat in it herself and stayed put. Then the walls turned to thick black and white stripes as they continue to spin us the whole time. Then it just went pitch black again. I was asking how much longer, and Morgan just thought of it as a ride at Disney World. The spun us from anywhere between 5-10 min. My stomach was sick:( Good for Morgan Yucky for me. Then we went into a different room, and as we were sitting in there Dr Germiller found us and cleaned out Morgan's ears. Not her favorite thing, she throws a fit every time and it getting harder to hold her down. Now with all the wax out we are good to go for the next test. She had to wear goggles again but this time they were directly on her face, and she had to look through them at a projection screen and follow I believe it was a smiley face and then a green dot. Then then blacked out the lenses and she was seeing something in them but I don't know what. The last part of the test was they had to blow air into her implanted ear for 1 min straight. Of course right after it gets cleaned out and she freaks out again about have something in her ear. It took three of us to hold her down and the tech to be blowing the air in. Then her implant was falling off and we couldn't find it because it was in the crack of the chair and we needed her to open her eyes once we got the goggles positioned again and she couldn't hear us telling her to open her eyes and this was all time critical. Finally she opened her eyes in enough time to get a reading. We got the results before we left that she was approved to get her second implant. This test was to see if there was any inner ear damage done during her first surgery. If there was damage in her left and then got her 2nd implant and there was also damage done on that ear it could throw off her balance for the rest of her life. Yippy we are good to go. Now we just need to fill out the intake paperwork and get insurance to approve us. Oh and we have to go have a sticking hearing aid check to make sure yet again that it doesn't work.

Dec 18th, 2009--Morgan had her first dose of the swine flu mist vacine. Nothing to eventful with that thank goodness.

Dec 24,2009--Morgan started her Christmas Eve with a hearing test with her hearing aid on her right ear. She just didn't undstand why she couldn't have her implant on. She kept saying I can't hear its not working. If that isn't enough proof that she can't hear with the help of a hearing aid then I don't know what is. Needless to say she is approved from the audiologist stand point.

We had a GREAT Christmas, and I think santa was very good to everyone. Morgan was as the perfect age for everything this year and she really understood santa this year, and loved sitting on his lap.

She has been still going to Theraplay once a week and doing great there. Her two favorite therapist are Lindsay and Emily. She basically won't give the other poor girls the time of day if she has them. But is a little chater box for the other two.

Penn View continues to do a fantastic job with Morgan. On the 29th of Dec we all got to go watch her in her first play. She was the cutest little lamb, and she sang her little heart out to Away in a Manger and Jingle Bells. It brought tears to all of our faces hearing a deaf child sing so beautiful!

I promise to do a better job at updating this. It makes it hard when I can't sign in on my own computer at home for some reason...I need to get that checked out.

Disney On Ice

2009-10-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

We took Morgan to see the 100th Anniversay Disney on Ice show this past week, I didn't tell her until that morning because she would have been asking everyday when we were going. She was so excited and she didn't have to wait long to actually go then. Her babysitter said she talked about it all day!!! So at 4:30 pm we left and were on our way for a 7 pm show, we thought we would grab some dinner when we got there or close. Well that didn't happen the traffic was so bad that we almost thought about just turning around and not going. We just barely made it. We got there at 6:50ish. Well the stress of the drives was totally worth it to see this little girls eyes just light up as Micky and Minnie and all the princesses came out on the ice! To see her little head bobbing to the music and her arms going was just priceless. It brought tears to my eyes just know she was able to hear and enjoy this because of Gods great technology! We are very blessed. It was so cute when Belle and the Beast came out as she yelled over the music to her Pop Pop "Don't be scared Pop Pop he turns into a Prince, its ok" What a beautiful sentence! Thank you Mom and Dad for coming along and being such an inspirational part of Morgan's Life.

PS...REMEMBER TO TURN THE MUSIC OFF TO WATCH THE VIDEOS!!!!

2009-10-09T14:24:00.001-07:00

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Happy Birthday to Zoe

2009-10-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

Morgan went to her friend Zoe's 3rd Birthday party this past Sunday in DE. It was so much fun. Morgan had such a good time seeing all her friends from Clarke. There was four of them there from her class. It was Morgan, Zoe, Abby, and Kwan, they were missing Gilberto. I am so glad we made the drive becuase it was worth it to see them talking to one another, you could tell they missed each other. Here is some pictures and a video.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Soundfield is set up in school

2009-09-17T14:23:00.001-07:00

Morgans soundfield system was all charged and set up for school on Tue. Mrs Derstine said that Morgan didn't miss a beat. Its a small box(maybe the size of a brick) and it sits on the counter behind Morgan and Mrs Derstine wears the Microphone around her neck or clipped on her shirt. She says its working fantastic. All the children seem to like it as well. They want a magic ear like Morgan. Morgan is all smiles when she gets to show something new to the class. They all got to put their ear up to the amplifier box and listen and feel the vibrations from it. We are so happy that everything is still going great. Heather also has been having all great comments about Morgan. Today they worked on things that are the same and different. Keep up the good work!

A little something to make you smile!

2009-09-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

On the way to school yesterday I was telling her that her Pop Pop was going to be picking her up, I said "Morgan Pop Pop's picking you up from school today." Morgan quickly responded,"Mommy, look at my lips, you should say Pop Pop IS picking me up at school today,Now you try. So, of course I have to repeat it correctly only to get a GOOD JOB MOMMY from Morgan. Thearpy therapy therapy! Amazing CI kiddos!

Only a Pop Pop would let their Granddaughter ride the fake deer! Morgan just loves her Pop Pop. They played all afternoon together.

Bilateral?

2009-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

Morgan had her regular 6 month check up with Dr Germiller last week. Everything looked good as far as her tube in her left ear, and her implant site. I asked Dr. Germiller his thoughts on going bilateral with Morgan now that the new Nucleus 5 is out. Its a new smaller and thinner implant. Morgan will be able to get the new device in 2010. Dr. Germiller said the new internal device is very nice, its much smaller and there is no drilling into the skull, just a small amount of shaving would need to be done to ensure it lays flat on the head. This is very exciting. He already had kids lined up to get it this coming week. He suggested we go to the University of Penn to have a test done on Morgan to see if there was inner ear damage to her left her from her first surgery. When and implant is done there is a risk of inner ear damage, if you just have one implant this isn't an issue because you still have the other ear that is not damaged. If Morgan had damage done to her left ear, and then went bilateral the risk would also be there that damage would be done to the inner ear of her right ear. If that were to happen she would most likely have balance issues for the rest of her life. If she doesn't have any inner ear damage to her left ear then it won't be an issue for her right ear if it were to get damaged. Your balance comes from your inner ear and you only need one good inner ear to sustain your balance. Dr. Germiller is having this balance testing done this coming fall/winter. He suggested that since Morgan has done so well with just one, that if she was his child he doesn't think he would get the second implant if there is inner ear damage in her left ear. Balance issues for the rest of her life is much worse than having to wait to get reimplanted in her left ear is a malfunction were to ever happen. I love that he puts himself in your shoes and gives you his honest opinions about things. He really makes you think about all the options before you make a decision. We just love Dr. Germiller!

Genetics

2009-09-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well we have known for awhile now that Morgan is deaf due to genetics and the connexin gene, but I have been really curious as to what connexin genes Ben and I really have that we passed on to her. So I decided to do some digging and get some testing done. I first asked St Christophers for a copy of Morgan's genetic test and went from there. I didn't really understand it so I call CHOP and asked the genetic counselor to help me understand it. Turns out that Morgan has one connexin 26 gene which is a mutation in a gene, and she has connexin 30 which is a deletion in a gene. So I figured oh she must have gotten one from me and one from Ben. The geneticist explained it to me that she actually could have just gotten one gene from either Ben or I and the other one just spontaneously happened. After hearing that I was even more anxious to get tested. Having one of the gene spontaneously happen would make the chances of having another deaf child decrease greatly. However that was not the case. We got our results back on Thur Sept 3. I have the connexin 26 mutation and Ben has the connexin 30 deletion. So we are back to square one with it being a 25% chance at having another deaf child.(a 1 in 4 chance) The geneticist also continued to tell me some of the options that we had before a baby was even born. One being that we could have an amino done or a CVS (Chorionic villus sampling) which is done at 10-13 weeks after conceiving naturally. They do a biopsy of the placenta and test that for those particular genes. Both of these were out of the questions because Ben and I would never not have a child just because they were deaf. However the other test they can do is called Preimplantion Genetics Diagnosis (PGD). This is used along with in-vetro and they test the cells of the eggs or embryos. Here is a link www.reproductivegenetics.com/pgd.html. We have done alot of thinking about this and have put religion and all other factors out of the picture except that fact that I would do anything to ensure that another child wouldn't have to go through everything Morgan has gone through and will go through. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't change Morgan for the world, we have been so blessed to have her and learn so much from her. So we are going to go for a consultation to really find out what its all about, the cost, the risks, and if it is something we are interested in. Can't hurt to listen and learn about it. We have an appointment at the University of Penn on Sept 22. So much to learn and think about.

Where to begin??? First day of school 2009

2009-09-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

So much has been going on that I just haven't posted in awhile...I have to admit that I am not the best as post right away when something happens...I promise I am going to try and get better at that. Well fist things first. Morgan had her first day at her new school, Pennview Christian School. We love her teacher Mrs Derstine, she has been GREAT with Morgan and is willing to learn all about Morgan's Implant and whatever she needs to do to help her. We couldn't ask for a better teacher. Heather is Morgan's Hearing support and comes into the classroom to observe Morgan to make sure she is staying on track with her listening and speech. We don't want her to fall behind, because its just going to be that much harder for her to try and catch up again. Heather has also been great in educating the teachers that are working with Morgan and even going above and beyond and introducing herself to other staff in the school and the nurse. This was a tough decision for Ben and I. But when it came down to it we know Morgan has it in her and is a very smart little girl, and we need to give her the best opportunity to hear and learn from "typical hear peers". We really miss our family at Clarke but we know they are always there for us. Her first day of school was on Sept 1st. She goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning. I am lucky enough to be able to drop her off at school and her Grandmom picks her up and they get to have a special afternoon together! Here is a picture of her on her first day of school. We got VERY VERY good reports home from Mrs Derstine and Heather on Morgan's first day of school. I think she really surprised them with how well she did. She made me so proud I was in tears. The letters home had things in it such as Morgan was able to follow the teachers directions from a 6ft-10ft distance(without speech reading cues), and without difficulty, such as "trace your hand","wash your hands", "put away the crayons". Morgan had and excellent first day at school. She did an excellent job of sitting for story with a great listening posture and attentively. (ps. Thanks Sherri and Sara) She did a fantastic job. Those were some comments from her hearing support teacher. Along with some other great notes from Mrs. Derstine. She is already making new friends and is loving her new school.

Summer 2009 so far....

2009-08-13T08:16:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Morgan's 3rd Birthday at School

2009-06-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

Morgan had a great birthday at school, and her teachers were so great about taking pictures and videos for me since I wasn't able to be there!

Morgan's 3rd Birthday (Party #1)

2009-05-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby is going to be 3 or May 31st. How the time flies by. Since we will be at the shore for her birthday we had a little party with Morgan's Grandmom, Grandpop and all her Aunts and Uncles. We had pizza, presents and a Cinderella cake. She had such a great time, and loves the new big girl bike that Grandmom and Grandpop got her. We will have a little something on her real birthday as well, and then she gets to take another Cinderella cake to school on Tue. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN!

Morgan's Magical Ears Bake Sale Prep

2009-05-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well here I go again, it felt so good being able to make a donation to the Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation that I am going to keep up the fundraising so we can continue to donate to this awesome cause. I reserved a table at a craft show in Delaware where my family has a beach house. I love to bake so I decided to do a bake sale. I have been up late at night and up early in the morning to make sure we had enough to sell at the sale. I also had the help of some friends and family to donate some baked goods. Everything looks so yummy its going to be hard for me not to eat it. Wish us luck on our 2nd Morgan's Magical Ears fundraiser.

IEP

2009-05-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Well our IEP day was May 20th. We started off the day with a trip to see Carmen at CHOP to be mapped. Nothing changed with that because Morgan is hearing all the high and low tones beautifully. She was hearing things that I couldn't hear( sad for me). And the appt after us never showed up so Carmen as able to give Morgan a hearing test in her right ear and programed her hearing aid. She is getting something from it which I really didn't think she was going to. Its not much but I might help with localization for her. She was able to respond when she heard something in that ear. I was very impressed. She was such a good girl and we were there for almost 3 hours. After we left there we went and took Morgan for her favorite chicken from Chik-fil-A for lunch before we went to the IEP. Since we were going from one appointment to the next we had to take Morgan with us to the IEP. WOW was she a good girl, I could not have asked for her to behave any better. She was a very good listener! The IEP last about 2-2 1/2 hrs and went very fast actually. The goals that were set for Morgan were very good and I think very attainable given that we put the effort into help her...I am now a 24 hr hearing support teacher as well as her Mommy or at least it feels like it. I am learning just as much as she is. I learn something new everyday and I have her to thank for it! With the idea of Morgan going to a mainstream preschool next year 2 days a week for about 4 hrs each day I knew I needed to have a support teacher with her each day so that they could make sure she was keeping up with her "typical" peers. Due to her scoring so well on all the test, and measuring as age appropriate they were not so willing to give me what I thought would be best for her. So after alot of discussion about the reasons why I wanted a hearing support teacher with her both days, they agreed to review the topic again. I took all the papers home to read more carefully. With the exception of the support teacher everything else looked pretty good. I was pretty pleased. Also on the way to our CHOP appointment we got a very nice phone call my in-laws. As you all know Morgan is attending Clarke right now and we were not able to send her there next year due to the fact that I had no way of getting her there 5 days a week from 9am-1:30pm, I was just thankful enough that my wonderful Mother in Law takes Morgan on Tue and Thurs this year. Well they told us they just love Clarke so much and have seen how Morgan has really made some astonishing progress that they will make sure she gets there next year. I was so shocked and thrilled I didn't know what to think. This was going to change everything that I had planned for her IEP that day. I decided to go into it with the intention of going to a mainstream preschool and see what happens. Now I am in the process of really deciding where Morgan will be going next year. Most likely it will be back to our Clarke family!!!!!!!!

IEP Tomorrow

2009-05-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

We have our dreaded IEP tomorrow. I am really not looking forward to it. We have been faced with some really hard decisions with school for next year and trying to do what is best for Morgan. We really would like her to continue at Clarke as that is the best place for her to be but the county will not fund that program and we have no way to get her to school that is about and hour away everyday. If I could only get some transportation, all my worries would go away. They county wants her to attend their program they have for children with hearing disabilities. Although it was a nice school it would not be a good fit for Morgan. They have all the children from 3-5 years all in one class participating in the same activities. The individual speech therapy is given right in the same class that everyone else is playing in, so that is a little distracting and they may not get individual therapy it may be with another classmate. Although we would have that constant monitoring of her progress we still didn't think that was the best place for Morgan. We have decided to send her to a Private Christian school closer to home. Our family at Clarke has yet again gone above and beyond for us. Two of her teachers went and toured her new school Pennview to help give us ideas as to what we would need for Morgan to succeed in this school. They did not have to do that and they they did...they are the BEST and I will miss them very much. Wish me lots of luck for tomorrow! I am already stressing out just thinking about it.

PlayTherapy Session 4

2009-05-19T05:48:00.000-07:00

Well things seem to be going very well with the new therapy...Morgan really likes going, and as soon as the therapist come out to greet us she is already saying " Bye Mommy" "see ya later". She if very comfortable with them. I went and sat in on the session for a little while today so that I could learn some things to help her move along at home. She is working on the He, She pronouns right now and syllables. She has already mastered the "ing" action words in less than two sessions. Way to go Morgan! They even made a little game for us to take home with the He, and She. They are already doing more than they have to. Morgan was able to master a two syllable word followed by a one syllable word very easily (ex: Muddy Boots). They moved her on to three syllable words then like Domino, Banana, Tomato, etc. They showed us how to use sing/song to help her make sure she got the three syllables in their. Or how to tap it out with/for her. It has really been working and Morgan thinks is fun. They aren't working to much on making sure all the pronunciation is correct right now as much as making sure she got the 3 syllables. Very pleased with the progress so far, and they are actually working on the same stuff she is doing in school which is another plus.

Playtherapy Session 1

2009-05-06T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well last night session went Great...It didn't even phase Morgan when we left the room...they had her so into what they were going to be doing she didn't even care. I would periodically listen at the door to make sure she was ok and all I hear was her talking up a storm and laughing...it was so wonderful to hear that. They did her therapy with a big bin of noodles which she absolutely loved with farm animals, working on 2 step directions to get into the swing of things. Then they played a fishing game and on all the fish were pictures of action "ing" words like "brushing, eating, drinking, climbing, etc" She got about 80% correct on her own, and would repeat nicely whatever she didn't get that the therapist would tell her. Then they also worked on cards with words and pictures just working on getting every part of the word in without leaving off the end or beginning. Morgan also got about 80% correct on her own. Miss Lindsey was very impress with her. Morgan is just always amazing me with all the stuff she knows and can do. She did such a great job she got to go for and ice cream treat!

Playtherapy

2009-05-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Well we officially start our lessons at Playtherapy tonight...Morgan's first two appointments were just basically introduction info and some expressive and receptive testing. They are suggesting us to start out by coming 2 times a week. She doesn't really need alot of speech therapy but with her turning 3 at the end of this month and losing her hearing support teacher we didn't want her to not be getting any extra therapy after school. She scored 102 and 103 on the expressive/receptive test that they did, and the range for normal speech is from 95-115, so she falls right in the middle. We were very pleased with that and how much progress we know she has made over the past year. We are so proud of her! They are going to work on her "ing" action words and also she leaves the middle or end of a word out sometimes, so they are going to work on that. We are going to be mainstreaming Morgan in a private Christian school in Sept. so we just want to make sure she is kept up to par with her peers. We know she can do it, and we will be there to help her ever step of the way. Wish Morgan luck tonight and I will let you all know how it goes, so far I really love this place they are so loving and seem to be willing to do whatever it takes to help the children!

Morgan's Magical Ears Casino Trip pictures

2009-05-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

The whole gang that was along for the 1st Morgan's Magical Ears Trip

It was a long fun day

It was beautiful outside!

Are we all ready?

Here are a few pictures from the 1st Morgan's Magical Ears Casino Trip, it was a great day and I hope to do more in the future. It was a great success and we were able to donate a good amount of Money not only for Morgan but also to the Cochlear Implant Awareness foundation. http://www.ciafonline.org/index.html Thank you to all that help, I couldn't have done it with out you!

Casino Bus Trip

2009-04-24T12:57:00.001-07:00

Well the day is almost here for our 1st Morgan's Magical Ears Casino Bus Trip...I am getting so excited...We are supposed to have great weather to be going to the beach on Sunday. We are so very lucky to have had so many people and business donate prized to be raffled off on our bus ride. We are really looking forward to meeting everyone that is coming along, we are going to have a great time. Morgan is going to be staying home with Mom Mom, and will see us off and she will be waiting with open arms when we return. She will be there to hand out little sign language I Love You hand choc lollipops and Jars of Kelchners Cocktail Sauce with special labels made just for this trip. Can't wait to post how everything went and pictures as well.

Morgan's Magical Ears Casino Trip

2009-04-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

I am organizing a casino bus trip for Morgan and the Cochlear Implant Awareness foundation. We are going to the Tropicana in Atlantic City for the day. It should be a fun filled trip with alot of memories! Let me know if anyone is interested!

Another Ear Infection Continued...

2009-02-18T12:35:00.000-08:00

The medicne didn't clear up the ear infection and we were back at the Dr. Monday night. It was indeed still infected so she is now taking a stronger antibiotic. She also has such a bad ulcer on her little lip...it looks so painful. The Dr. said that is part of a virus that is going around and it would heal on its own. It seems to be getting a little better everyday but it still seems very sore. Morgan obviously hasn't been eating to much due to the lip and ear infection. Poor baby! The medicine they put her on taste so terrible, its a fight to get her to take it so I will be very glad when the 10 days are up. Here is to a seedy recovery and getting are happy girl back!

Here is a few picture from our last snow storm that we had and it ended up getting so nice that we could go outside and build a snowman. Enjoy!

Another Ear Infection

2009-02-07T04:20:00.000-08:00

On Wed night Morgan woke up telling me her ear hurt...I was thinking oh no here we go again. Well she woke up Thur morning and was acting totally fine. She told me it was all better. I sent her off to school and in the mean time I made and appt at the dr's for that afternoon...I just had a gut feeling. She came home from school and she still was acting fine. However every once in awhile she would just say ouch...my ear. So I knew it was still bothering her. We had an appt at 2:45. When I pulled into the Dr office..she started saying no mommy, no dr. I felt so bad. Then we the dr came into the room she put her hands over her ears and was saying no, all done, all better. She ended up doing great, and with an ear infection in her right ear. I was not surprised at all. Got our prescription and off we went.

Another CHOP visit

2009-01-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday when I took Morgan's Implant out(she wears a mold in her ear to keep the implant from falling off) I noticed what looked like a little bit of dry blood draining from her ear. That ear which is the left one is the ear that still has a tube in it. I called the resident ent on call that night to see if there was anything I should do. She just told me to put a couple drops of the floxin drops in her ear and I would get a call in the morning. Friday morning I get a call from one of the ENT nurses, she says it sounds like her tube might have come out and its just irritated from that. She calls in a prescription for more floxin drops which she needs 5 drops twice a day and also an antibiotic to take just in case it was drainage from and ear infection. I wasn't to thrilled with having to put her on medicine if I didn't need to. I asked the nurse to have Dr. Germiller call me since they couldn't see Morgan that day. Dr. Germiller did call back..her is the greatest! He said it could be the tube coming out or a granuloma which is a ball-like collection of immune cells trying to destoy a foreign substance . Dr. Germiller wasn't seeing patients on Tue but he said that he would fit Morgan in since we were going to be in the area. Morgan had school at Clarke that morning and then we were off to CHOP in the city. Morgan made little I Love You sign language choc lollipops for Dr Germiller to take home to his kids, and also we took him homemade sticky buns. She was excited to see him until she realized that he was going to be looking in her ear. He used a vacuum to suck all the junk out of her ear, which seemed like it took forever because it took me to hold the top part of her down against my chest and my Mom had to hold her legs down, and the Dr. was holding her head as much as he could. Boy is she strong, my arms hurt after that. It didn't hurt her but just being held down made her mad, she was fighting us so bad. Finally after all the sucking and having to replace the instrument he was using, because it got clogged he pulled out a granuloma from her ear. It was alittle bigger than a pin head. We were all done. Now she is on strong ear drops for 10 days. She was so exhausted from fighting us she was starting to fall asleep in my arms. Poor baby! She just kept saying "all done Mommy, all done" and she kept saying "car Mommy" I felt so bad. We go back in March for a recheck.

2009-01-18T15:16:00.001-08:00

I bought Morgan a snow shovel in hopes that it would snow enough for her to get to use it, and sure enough we got a little snow overnight, nothing big but enough for her to shovel. She loved it!

Merry Christmas!

2009-01-18T14:47:00.000-08:00

This was Morgan's third Christmas, and by far the best one, even thought we got another ear infection. Morgan went to the Dr's on Dec 23 and had another ear infection in her right ear...yuck. She got on some antibiotics and was feeling better for Christmas. She got so much stuff I don't know where to put it all. She was really starting to understand the whole Santa thing this year, but wanted nothing to do with sitting on his lap. She would wave HI to him from the second floor at the mall but that's was as close as she was getting. We had a busy day on Christmas...Mom Mom, Pop Pop, Uncle Jamie, and Aunt Cheryl came over in the morning to see Morgan open all her presents from Santa...shortly after that was done we went to Mom Mom's for Christmas lunch with Aunt Marcie, Uncle Luke, Tyler, Kacie, Megan, and Grandpop. Morgan got her awesome art desk from Mom Mom and Pop Pop! We just kept moving,after that we headed to Grandmom and Grandpop Slaymaker's house for Christmas dinner...Morgan got her bitty baby twins there, she just loves her babies! We were all so exhausted, but it was a great day.

Speech and Mapping

2009-01-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

Nov 21, 2008-we went to CHOP in Philly for Morgan's Speech therapy and mapping. We first started with the speech therapy at 9 am, we got taken back right away. Morgan's teacher Sherri from Clarke came with us today, and let me say thank goodness for her being there or it would have been a total disaster. She is the best!! Sherri came with a big bag filled with a bunch of toys and listening games. I need to remember to do that for the next visit. Marybeth was her speech therapist today...Morgan is a little on the shy side when she first meets someone and it takes her a little while to warm up, and unfortunately there is no time given to warm up. They take you back and start drilling right away. They were asking Morgan questions about pictures that I didn't even know the answer too. One was a picture of a girl and a boy both in rain coats and boots with hats on..."Morgan which one is the boy?" My gosh I couldn't even tell. Another one was a boy with and umbrella standing in a rain puddle, a boy on a bike, and two other pictures, I can't remember. The question was " Morgan Paul's shoes are wet, whats it doing outside?" I was like oh my gosh this a 2 yr old we are talking about here. So needless to say I walked out of the speech therapy room a little disappointed because I know Morgan could have answered, and done a lot more for this therapist is she wasn't so rushed and knew her a little better, I didn't know how she was going to score. As we were walking out to the waiting room where my Mom was waiting for us Sherri kept assuring me that Morgan did great and that we know her better than anyone, and we know what she knows how to do. Sherri was a great peace of mind, as my Mom could tell I was ready to cry. While we were waiting to get mapped Marybeth came out to us with Morgan's results. Expressively Morgan measured at a 2 yr 6 mo old....right at her age level and receptively she measured at a 2 yr old which is right were she should be for that. Pretty awesome that she was able to make up almost 2 yrs worth of language in a years time. After the test results I was feeling a little better, even though the therapist had some things she wanted to watch for, like a nasal sound, and the repeating questions. I figure for the first year of her life we were trying to get her to repeat everything and now we don't want her to...geez. Overall Morgan is doing EXCELLENT! I am so proud of everything she has done. Shortly after Michale Jackson her audiologist comes to get us. We started in the booth. Sherri, my Mom, and myself were all in the booth with Morgan. Michael gave us a huge bucket of Mr. Potato head stuff. Yet again thank goodness for Sherri and her bag of toys and expertise. Morgan first started with her listening check which she did very well at, next Morgan had to repeat the sounds that Michael was saying from the other side of the booth through the two way mirror...Sherri pulled a play microphone out of her bag and Morgan sailed through that one too. Next Michael dumped all the potato head pieces out and there were so many parts. He wanted her to put the different pieces in the potato head. I was very sceptical as Morgan does not play with Mr. Potato Head very often, and with the million pieces to pick from it was hard for even me. Thanks to Sherri after a bit she decided to put Mr Potato Head together and then ask Morgan to take the particular part off that Michael asked her too. She did awesome at that. Finally done the booth. Then we went in to be mapped...not many changes where made as her programs were pretty good. Michael was able to alot of testing due to Morgan being so cooperative and doing really well with the listening game. Sherri had a puzzle in her Mary Poppins bag and she played the listening game with Morgan using the puzzle. The listening game for those that don't know is where Morgan would put the puzzle piece or a block etc up to her ear and listen for a sound, beep, ling sound, almost anything. When Morgan hears the sound she puts the puzzle piece in the puzzle or a block in a bucket etc. or they may do ling sounds like "ahhh" "eee" "sss" "shhh", and then Morgan repeats what she hears and then puts the puzzle or block piece in. See all this repeating they want her to do and now they don't want her to repeat things....lol. After about three hour of being at CHOP and Morgan being on her best behavior we took Morgan out to lunch and did a little shopping!

ENT Check up

2009-01-18T14:09:00.000-08:00

Sorry its been so long since I last posted...Well on Nov 20th, 2008 Morgan went to see Dr. Germiller (our favorite Dr.) for her regular check up for her tubes and her implant site. Our appt was for 9 am and we were not taken back until 9:50 am...so much for getting an early appt so we wouldn't have to wait long. Morgan's right tube is out and the left one remains in, thank goodness. We have had and ear infection at the end of Aug and in the beginning of Nov in that right ear, lets hope we don't get to many more or we will have to have another tube put in. The implant incision looks awesome...you can't even see it! That was pretty much it for that appt. we don't need to be seen for another 6 months.

Halloween

2008-11-01T04:10:00.000-07:00

Its really me

We both have tails and our faces painted

I didn't even have to go to Disney World to see Cinderella

Smile

Me and my Grandpop

I had a great time trick or treating...I got to trick or treating at school and I had a halloween party at Auntie Gail's. So much fun! I was Minnie Mouse and I also got to be a kitty cat for a Party that Mommy and Daddy took me too.

CI Circle

2008-10-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this web site for anyone that reads Morgan's blog that has a child with an Implant or is considering getting one. You have to first sign up and be accepted but it is well worth it. Its on Yahoo.com and you need to sign up the the "cicircle group". You get to talk to other parent who are a major help. When I have a question about anything, and I mean anything I post it and its amazing how fast of a response you will get back from other parents wanting to help you. This web site has truly been a blessing for my family. We have learned so many thing that have help with Morgan and have been able to open the door to finding out what other people are using and doing with their implant. For example we were just able to find someone that makes barrettes that will attach to the coil of her implant so there is no way we can lose it if it falls off her ear. Without this group I would have never found information like that. The web site is www.cicircle.org

2008-10-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

What an exhausting day!

This is my teacher Sherry and my friend Zoe!

I just love you Sherry!

Do I look like a cat?

Making sand art

Making spin art with paint

Decorating a cookie

On Saturday Oct 25 Morgan took all of us to her school for her Fall Festival. Mommy got to my teacher, and a few of my friends. I got to paint a pumpkin, make a sand art necklace, play with spin art, decorate cookies, and I even won a fish! I got to wear my kitty cat costume, and I got my face painted to match! I had so much fun, and I know my Mommy, Daddy, Mom Mom, Pop Pop, Grandmom, Grandpop, and Aunt Cathernie had fun too!

Urology Follow Up

2008-10-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

On Friday Oct 24, 2008...Morgan had a follow up visit with her urologist at CHOP to check her kidney stone. Our appt was for 7 am and they told me to arrive 15 min early so we get there at 6:45 am...not a sole in the parking lot and all the lights off. They didn't open the doors till 7:10 am. Then Morgan got her ultra sound of her kidneys...she wasn't to thrilled waking up to that. After the ultrasound we had to go next door to see the dr. Sure enough CHOP didn't have my referral...BIG SURPRISE. So now I have to call the pediatrician and have the quickly do another referral so that we could be seen, otherwise they wouldn't see her. By the time they took us back we have been waiting for over and hour and a half, needless to say Morgan has almost had enough. Well we are finally seen, for about two min. The Dr. says the ultrasound looks the same and the stone is still in the same spot...we will do a follow up ultrasound and check in a year. I was like are you kidding me, all this waiting for that. But I should have known that. GRRRR

2008-10-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

This is a little bit of what getting a cochlear implant looks like.
Morgan was admitted at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Chalfont outpatient center at 6 am on July 13. Due to unexpected procedures that came up for Dr. Germiller that morning he didn't start Morgan's surgery till almost 9 am. We got periodic updates from the nurse, but the waiting seemed like forever. We got to go back and see her around 1:30 pm. She did amazingly well with the surgery. She was very sleeply for the remainder of the day.

The California Ear Institute shows and an outstanding explanation of the implantation process! click the arrows to see the whole process!

2008-10-22T11:54:00.001-07:00

Introduction of Morgan

2008-10-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

My Name is Morgan Keely. My Mom wanted to start this blog so we figured we better give you a little history about me.

I was born on May 31, 2006. I am an only child. I didn’t pass my newborn hearing screening before I left the hospital. I had to go the audiology dept at CHOP for a follow up. They did some hearing tests and I was diagnosed to have severe to profound hearing loss. Boy was Mommy sad when they told her this. Luckily my Poppop was with her.
I really had one hard first year of life. When I was seen by my pediatrician they found a hole in my heart. I had to go back to CHOP but everything worked out fine there. I don’t have to go back anymore for that cause it closed on its own.

I was fitted for hearing aids when I was 2 months old. Nice teething toy is about all they were good for. The whistling noise they made made my parents go crazy. It was so hard to get me fitted cause I would grow out of them before they could get them back to my Mommy. Early intervention would come out to my house once a week but because I couldn’t hear at all it really didn’t help much except to frustrate my Mommy even more.

In the early part of summer I developed eczema. I itched so bad that when I scratched at night time I would make my sheets all bloody! It was horrible. My Mommy had such a hard time finding a Dr to help me. She wasn’t crazy about using steroids. She tried every lotion and remedy people would tell her about. So, now Poppop picks me up at daycare and takes me to this reflexologist for not only my skin but my hearing. She plays with my feet. I am also starting to learn sign language.

Now it is January of 2007. The hearing aids are still not working. We can’t find anyone that will even make them for me. CHOP is making my Mom crazy cause they are messing everything up. My ENT put tubes in my ears cause of fluid. He is now starting to talk about me getting a cochlear implant. Mommy and Daddy went to genetic counseling. They had to go to St Christopher’s because CHOP couldn’t see them for over a year. So, now we have finally found out I am deaf because of some genetic term. I think it is called something like conexin 26. Some mutated gene I guess. My skin is driving me crazy! Mommy is using a humidifier to see if this will help. Nothing seems to help this. So, now CHOP’s allergist can see me to see if she can figure out this skin issue. They find out the only thing I am mildly allergic to is shedding dogs. Long story short, my skin still doesn’t get better.

Spring is here and we are moving right along with getting approved for my implant. Sometimes I am so good at reading lips my Mom and Dad along with the rest of my family swears I can hear. I am very good at fooling them. Those darn hearing tests let them know the truth though.
Its May 31, 2007 and it is my first birthday. I had a nice party with all my family there. We opened up our beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Well, we went back to our CHOP ENT and he won’t do the surgery unless my skin is better. Finally after 8 months Dr Germiller pulls some strings and the CHOP dermatologist will see me. Finally someone finds some lotion that works and my skin starts to get better.
Dr Germiller is finally satisfied with my skin and my surgery is to be on FRIDAY JULY 13th 2007! Not the UNLUCKY most people think Friday the 13ths are. I did so good! I was running around like my old self the next day. The bandages made me look worse than I really was.
On July 30, 2007 I was activated. It scared me and I cried. So, now July 30th is my Mom mom’s birthday and my ears birthday. We share that day now. I get birthday presents on May 31st and also on July 30th. It’s fun.

So, now we think everything is smooth sailing. My skin is good, I have a new ear. The hole in my heart is closed. Well, surprise Mommy and Daddy. It is Saturday August 11th. I wake up feeling not so good with a fever. Mommy takes me to the Dr and they say it is probably viral. Well, I wake up from a short nap around 2PM and I now have a high fever and every little part on my body hurts so bad you can’t even touch me. Well, Mommy is scared I have that meningitis the ENT talked about. We go to the hospital and they find out I have a urinary tract infection. So I spend a couple days in the hospital. They run some tests and find out I have grade 2 reflux. When they did the CAT scan they find a shadow on my kidney. Guess what, at just 1 year old they find a 2mm kidney stone. Lucky me! So, they send me home and put me on a preventative medicine for the reflux. Two weeks later I am back in the hospital with a severe allergic reaction to bactrim. Now they send me back to CHOP to the allergist again to find out what kind of medicine I would be able to take if I get sick. I spent an entire day get stuck by needles and all kinds of nasty stuff.

I love to hear, I love to listen to the birds. I am doing really well. When my yearly evaluation was a couple months ago they were so proud of me. I am hearing a normal 2 year olds level.
In September I started going to the Clarke School for the Hearing Impaired. My Grandmom takes me every Tuesday and Thursday. I love going with her! She sometimes surprises me with little presents. It is fun! I have 4 other kids in my classroom and two teachers. I am the only one that is potty trained in my class. When I don’t go to the Clarke School I go to Aunt Gail’s. She is who takes care of me when Mommy and Daddy are at work. I have lots of hearing friends at Aunt Gails. I taught them lots of sign language. I love going to Aunt Gails.

So, this gets you pretty current as to where I am at today. Now Mommy will be able to blog and keep you updated. She will fill in with stuff I forgot to tell you along the way. Oh yeah, I have a puppy named Toby.