All I Want for Christmas . . .

We found out this morning that Titus will have his Cochlear Implant surgery for his left ear on Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. Yep - a week from today!

We found out late last month that insurance had approved the cochlear implant, but the surgeon did not have any availability in December. Our insurance at work is changing carriers in January, so we have been praying very hard that a time slot would open up in December. Last Friday, we met with hearing specialist to review the two different brands/styles of implants so we could choose which one to use when surgery is scheduled. We mentioned to the specialist that we were still waiting on surgery date and she mentioned she would discuss with the doctor on Monday morning to see if they could schedule a time in December. Well, the next thing we know, is that we received a call this morning. Surgery will be at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. They have told us that it's basically day surgery, but we will see if Titus will need to spend the night or will be able to come home that night.

As an FYI, the cochlear implant consists of two devices: a small receiver that is installed into his skull with a fine wire that wraps around his cochlea and an external receiver/decoder that takes the sounds and translates it. The external device is worn around his ear with a quarter-sized, magnetic attachment that attaches to the internal receiver (which also has a small magnet).

After the surgery, they will wait for 3 weeks before they turn it on and then they will fine-tune it over the next few months.

Needless to say, we are thrilled and are praying that the cochlear will work as designed and provide Titus with the gift of hearing. If all goes as planned, they will do his right ear in 2009. Please pray for Dr. Bauer and his staff as they perform the surgery and that Titus' remain healthy this week.

Titus is growing - he's up to 17lbs and he's truly filling out. His knees are getting chubby! And, if anything, the child can grow a head full of hair. He is already in desperate need of another haircut since his hair is getting in his eyes. He continues to show improvement in therapy. And, he is just the happiest baby to be around.