Guest Blogger: Delaney

Delaney has been telling me I'm a terrible blogger (which I agree with....I've been too busy, and due to the number of papers I've been writing I'm just out of "words").

So, she is my guest blgger for today. Have at it D.
Delaney what was it like to lose your hearing in your aided ear?
I woke up last Thursday with ringing in my ear, it SUCKED (EDIT, by melissa: sorry, my 13 year old's vocabulary is limited) :)The following day I had an appointment with the ENT and audiologist. I had lost a good amount of hearing in my favorite ear, so the ENT decided to put me on steriods for a week... If that didn't work, I would have to have an injection in my ear...

I have been on steriods for a week, and had my follow up appointment today. I met with the ENT and audiologist again.. My hearing has gotten better, but still isn't as good as it was.. The ENT decided not to have me have the injection directly into my eardrum.. YAYY :)

While we were waiting for the ENT Jake had me cracking up.. He kept trying to do sign language and talking very SLOWLY (Even though i could hear fine)Jake kept saying "I come in peace" while making the peace sign with his fingers.. Since the ENT,my mom, and I were laughing at him.. He got WAY to carried away.. And started getting on my last nerves :)

This morning my mom and Trey were driving to school, and they were talking about what color Milo and Maxine were.. Trey was saying "We have one dog that is black, and one dog this is brown, black, and white" My mom said "Actually Maxine is black and white, because she has white around her nose and mouth" "Why mom?" Trey asked.. "Because Maxine is old".. "Oh she is white and black because she is old, like you mom" "But, I dont have white in my hair" my mom replied.. "YES YOU DO" Trey said.. :)

Hopefully this will inspire my mom to post more often..

EDIT: Melissa again, I also apologize for Delaney's unique use of the period???

Yes, I am a HUGE fan of cochlear implants....but

I have one hold-out. My oldest....She has never embraced her implant (which does not go over well amongst those of us who love them, and see no wrong). The main issue is her amazing hearing in her aided hear (which does not make sense when you see her audiogram...she should have marginal hearing from her dinosaur of a hearing aid, but no). She does so well. Long story short, that ear has quit on her (which we warned her about, due to our children's anatomy (LVAS....).

More to come tomorrow after many appts. I'm not sure whether to be thrilled (maybe she'll embrace her implant ), or sad, she's 13....change is bad :(

Life and Macaroni and Cheese (or more appropriately lasagna)

I am experimenting w/ homemade macaroni and cheese tonight. Why, you might ask. Because I am pretending I have some control over events by baking something from scratch. I remember way back when (September 26, 2008, not that I keep track ;), I left the gym to notice that I had several missed calls and messages. I quickly scanned them only to find that several were from my husband's boss....weird! I also (quickly) found out that my husband had collapsed due to sudden cardiac arrest and the outcome was unknown. I did not know what to do, how to proceed. This was not part of the plan. So I called the doctor who had been trying to reach me, then called my sister (to help w/ the kids), called my parents, and called Rob's family. Unsure what to relay, tried to sound like it would all be o.k. but was a wreck.

That's what family is for.....And, I have great family on both sides.

Rob survived, and emerged doing great. But, those meals that were delivered without request, and despite my protests carried me (and the kids, family) through. It seems that more and more we have friends, family, etc. that are in a similar position. At the time I did not realize that those meals probably helped the givers as much as they helped me. I felt guilty over lack of thank you notes.

But now, as I sit and watch another family struggle, the meal is really to make me feel better. One small way I can help, when really there is nothing I can do. What I can do is make sure that it is the best darn macaroni and cheese ever (breadcrumbs, a variety of cheeses, etc.)! And, I'll bring also bring Kraft (already prepared) because lord knows my kids hate mac n' cheese if it isn't bright orange.

Thinking of an amazing family as they embark on a huge journey.....If any of you have great casseroles/freezer meals I'm ready. I'm sure I'll be the bearer of many.