Shame on me!

It has been a crazy, long 1.5 years and yet...I have never updated this blog. I apologize to those of you who do read this. I do keep her facebook page more up to date but will try to do the same here. Hannahs facebook page can be found by typing in Hannahs Pickle Jar.
Anyways...We are doing great and Hannah is growing and starting to become a young woman. And that is scary! She is thriving at school and enjoying things.

we are almost there!!!

Wooooooohoooooooooo!!! Hannah had her surgery on Friday March 7th, and everything went great! I think the best part is she seems to be in little pain and has virtually left her incision area alone. that was our biggest fear.
She is one of a small group of people to have had this surgery. Only half a dozen have been performed in PA...first in the Lehigh Valley area.
Today (Wed.), she returned to school for the 1st time. Her classmates have been great. They sent many cards and gifts for Hannah to get well.
As we proceed, we are beginning to get really excited. Anytime in the next month to 8 weeks, Hannah will get the clearance, and then they will attach the sound processor, and she will hear clearly for the 1st time in her life!
I intend on video taping this, and sharing with all so stay tuned!!! And don't forget...Hannah has a Facebook page.  Hannahs Pickle Jar...stop by and join. Its much easier to update that the web page!!!
take care and talk soon!!!
thanks for the prayers and support!!!!

Its here!!!!

Hannah's surgery date is finally here. Next Friday March 7th, Hannah will have surgery for the BAHA Attract Hearing System. Its exciting and nerve racking at the same time. It will be a few weeks after surgery, before they actually "hook up" the sound processor, and she could hear. The surgery involves "drilling" a hole in her skull, behind her ear, then placing a screw in the skull, attatching a "plate" on top of the screw....then they cover it back w/ skin. When all is said and done, and the stitches heal, you will not be able to see anything. Then, the sound processor (hearing aid) will magnetically attatch behind her ear. Easy on, easy off.
We are hopeful that she will allow the area to heal properly, since Hannah will wonder why she has stitches and want to "play" with the wound.
A few weeks ago, I visited her Dr. for my own hearing issues and they "hooked up" a external BAHA for me.  It was AMAZING!!!! I could hear so clear out of my own "bad" ear. The only issue I had was I could not localize the sounds...meaning, I did not know where the sounds were coming from. This could be a issue for Hannah. BUT... I believe hearing clearly and louder will outweigh the localizing issue.
As we proceed through this process, I will be taking pictures and video and will post for everyone to follow. As I have said, this is an exciting time for all of us. It is a chance to insure that Hannah will be able to hear the world correctly without the muddled sound she has had for the last 8 years of her life.

Christmas is coming and a new world for Hannah!

As I wrote last month, Hannah is going to have an operation to give her hearing! It is so exciting and also very scary for all of us involved.
Hannah will be getting a Cochlear BAHA hearing device. It is NOT the coclear implant most are familiar with. It is a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid. It will be attatched to her skull, behind her ear, and will sort of give her 360 degree hearing. Localizing sounds will be close to impossible, but it will help her hear much better.
The surgery is scheduled for Dec. 20th. 77,000 Baha's have been successfully implanted throughout the world and I would be willing to bet, that very few of them have been done with a completely blind person.
So, please pray for us and Hannah.

the BAHA update...

Shame on me for not writing often enough. Time certainly goes quick and it is almost Christmas time again!!!
Hannah has been having "issues" with her good ear. She has always had ear infection problems and we have had a half dozen or so tubes placed in her ear. All of them have "disappeared" over time. At this point, there is no tube in her ear and she has a very large hole in her eardrum. As serious as that is, we have concentrated more on trying to bring hearing through a BAHA. (see older posts on the BAHA, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid). We have tentatively scheduled surgery for Hannah before Christmas break. It is a difficult decision, but also an easy one. If she ever loses her limited hearing in her good ear, she will be totally deaf. So, a BAHA will insure she always have hearing. We are just worried about post-op issues. The surgery is easy and quick. But during post-op, her incision site needs to heal w/out complications and that is NOT an easy task. Hannah focuses on cuts, burns, etc. non-stop. She rarely leaves them alone. There will also be a "button" sticking out behind her ear...this is where the hearing aid snaps on. We just can't have her picking at it.
As in the past, Hannah has been growing up quickly and becoming bored of her surroundings. She is an activity kinda girl who needs 24/7/365 one-on-one attention. She requires us to constantly be helping her with input....table work, etc. It is VERY exhausting for us and for Hannah.
I thank those who have helped us...it is VERY appreciative! Your gifts have helped us with physical items for Hannah, and also have helped with respite care. Anyone we have watch Hannah, has to have the skill set to work with a very special needs child.
So again, Thanks!!!!

We are at the beach!!!!

Finally! We are in the Outer Banks, N.C. Nags Head to be exact. 2 blocks from the ocean and really having a great time. Weather has been real nice and hot. And overall, Hannah is having a great time. Last night, we went to a go-kart track. Hannah rode with me and had a blast. Smiling and waving her hands in the air. A family I met, was taking pictures w/ a nice camera, and promised to send a few nice photos of the 2 of us, so I will upload when I get them.
Hannah has loved the ocean and swimming. Of course, her version of swimming is hard work for me, it works and she is happy. The waves really excite her, and her laugh is cute.
We also took in some sight seeing by going to the Wright Bros. Memorial State Park. We received a pass the at is good for free admission to ANY state park, for our entire family!!!! Then, a ranger asked if Hannah and Ben wanted to touch the plane....there are only 2 of these planes in the world. One at the Smithsonian, and this one (which is a re-creation but yet, one of a kind). Ben had to wear a white glove but Hannah touched it with her bare hands.
So, its been fun. And I promise to upload some pictures afterwards.

Summer time!

Haven't blogged since Memorial Day. Thats too long. Lots of stuff going on...
Hannah has recieved and started using her BAHA hearing aid. She uses it primarily at school for short durations. She tolerates it, but it is a start. It is difficult to tell if she notices the difference. Unfortunately, she only had 3 weeks of school left, and therefore did not get to wear it often. We will try at home.
It will be a long summer. Her extended school year is very little, so she will be home alot. Pray that her mother is well rested each day!
A week ago, we got out her little pool and she did some swimming. Last year, we were discouraged from swimming due to the freqency of ear infections. But this year, we recieved the green light for swimming.
You can tell how much she missed it.
Next week, we are going on a vacation! The 1st REAL one in 8 years! We are sharing a house with another family, on the Outer Banks, N.C. We are 2 blocks from the beach. This is the 1st time Hannah has ever been to the beach or ocean. In fact, her big brother has never been to the ocean.
We are also looking into a pool membership, for the summer. We have a nice town pool but are looking into a neighboring town. They have an outdoor and indoor pool in their community center. The rate is higher for out of town residents but I am hoping to somehow get a reduced rate.
Take care and thanks for reading about a little girl with a big heart.