Tomorrow is the big day!  I can hardly believe it is here.  Up until yesterday I was more excited than nervous.  That is probably still true today, but I am starting to feel the nerves!  I know it will all be fine.  The physical aspect of this process is the first step.  Once the surgery is done and I have recovered from the physical part of it, the next step will be the mental part. I was going to say that is also when the emotional aspect would take place, but the truth is that there are emotional aspects to all of this.  There have been since it all began back in 2000!  Since we are only implanting one ear now, I will not have the 3 week period of deafness.  My hearing will remain basically like it is now since I have been using my hearing aid on the opposite ear anyway.  There really is nowhere to go but improvement on the implant side.  Any usable sound will be an improvement.  Once activation takes place (it is currently scheduled for Dec. 3) I will no longer be allowed to wear my hearing aid.  They will likely have me use only the implant for 3 months.  That is the period of time I expect to be the most exhausting mentally.  I know from past experience that it is very tiring to have to work so hard to understand anything at all.  I do have lots of tools in place to help me, so maybe that period of time will not be as difficult as it was when my hearing loss was newer.  I hope my brain will be learning how to process the new signals throughout that time period, so depending on how quickly I accomplish that, the most difficult hearing stage may not last long at all.  I don’t know what to expect emotionally.  It might be frustrating or discouraging at times.  I think it is realistic to expect that.  It could be disappointing if I don’t get as much improvement or make  progress as quickly as I want to.  Mostly, I expect it to be exciting.  I know it is a process that takes time and I hope that I will see marked improvement at a nice steady pace.  How wonderful it would/will be to actually be able to hear and understand sound on both sides again!  It is truly amazing what technology is available now.  In addition to learning to interpret digital input as sound, I will also be learning how to use all of the options available on my device.  As we fine tune things, and I learn how to use the various features (like making changes in noisier environments or what settings work best outdoors, or in groups, or for church with a sound system, on the phone, etc) I expect to be amazed and how much this will improve my quality of life and ability to function. I am hoping to be able to participate in things that most people take forgranted once again!  It would be amazing to be able to hear comments in a Bible class or understand what everyone is saying at a family dinner.  I will try to keep myself calm today and not dwell on all of the details of what will take place tomorrow!  I trust that God has this and my job is simple – show up on time, go to sleep, and do what they tell me to recover!  I can handle that!  I will post as soon as I am able.  Please pray that all goes well and that the surgery is 100% successful with no complications!  Next time you hear from me, I will be a cochlear implant recipient!!!!!