We had our evaluation with Dr. Choo for the cochlear implant evaluation last week.  Dr. Choo said Amber would be a great candidate for the surgery because she does not have any nerve damage (compared to someone who is born deaf with nerve damage).  We go for a CAT scan of the ears this week to determine which side the implant should be done on.  The surgery will take about an hour & she will be admitted overnight for observation.  Our next appointment with the rest of the cochlear implant team is on Sept. 3rd. then we can schedule the surgery after that.  We are hoping to have the surgery done by the end of Sept. or beginning of Oct.  They do not hook the implant up until 3-4 weeks after surgery to allow the incision to heal.  Our goal is for Amber to be able to hear for her homecoming dance which is Oct. 11th.  None of this would have been possible without the transplants.  We think of the donor family often & we are still hoping to hear from them at some point so we can thank them personally for their gift of life for Amber.  Thank you everyone for your support.  Please feel free to leave Amber a message in her guestbook.  Thank you.

Tracy