The dilemma I then had to face was which ear I should have implanted. Originally, I was hoping that the right side would be implanted (where I had no hearing), so that I’d have something to fall back on, should it not work. But they felt that the left, in which I wore my HA, would have better simulation, so a better chance of working. However, this meant that I would lose my residual hearing in that ear and would not be able to use HA again. I was quite worried about this prospect, but a friend had told me – forget all your fears and worries and just focus on actual thing. Those words were what made me decide to go for it!

It took about 18 months from first referral to the surgery. I was lucky I only had to wait about three months from the time I made my decision to the day I went under the knife, as I know there are several people who have been waiting for ages to get funding.

In August I had a letter from the hospital about my admission date – which was 12th Sept 2001 – just four weeks time! I was expecting to wait longer than this, but I was glad as it meant I could get the worst part over and done with (as I was dreading the surgery!)

I went into hospital on the 12th Sept (this was the day after the attack of the twin towers in America). Lynne, my speech therapist, popped in to see me, which was kind of her. She also popped in when I came back from theatre the next day. That night was the longest of my life! The following morning I was taken to theatre. I can clearly remember using my hearing aids for the last time – I wanted to relish the last moments of the hearing I had left, as I knew that I would not be able to use them again for the rest of my life. It was an ‘end of an era’ for me! I remember going down about 9.30am, then didn’t come round in recovery until 3pm. It was longer than I expected – I expected to be back on the ward by lunchtime!

I remember Mr. Robinson came to see me in his theatre greens before I went to theatre. He asked me if there was anything I wanted to ask? I said no, as I was too scared. I wanted to get through all this first, then ask questions later. Then I knew it would all be over.

I remember being asked repetitive questions whilst they tried to get me ‘under’, I cannot tell you how scared I was! I remember blacking out, and then it felt like only a moment until I was waking up, let alone five and half hours later! At first I was not sure where I was and remember panicking and feeling trapped as I had this bandage, oxygen mask, drip and all these wires all over the place! Then a nurse put up a sign right in front of my face; saying ‘Alison, you are in recovery – it’s all over’. I cannot tell you the HUGE relief – I was pleased it was over and I’d made it!

I remember the room was spinning really quickly, I felt sick and my head was sore. But I was pleased that I’d made it through. Just after I came back to the ward; a good friend of mine, Jo, who’d had her CI done the same time as me – only a year earlier, came to see me which really cheered me up.

I first got out of bed at midday the following day, and it felt like my head was falling apart. The room was spinning, but I did feel a lot better after a wash. That was when I first saw myself in the mirror.

Julia, one of the audiologists, popped in to see me, which was nice, and explained what would happen over the next few weeks. I was also able to ask her what had happened in theatre. Now it was all over, I didn’t mind hearing the details! It did help – just knowing what was causing the tinnitus for example. It was because they had to drill into the skull to put the implant in.

That afternoon I had a wheelchair ride down to radiology for an X-ray. What a sight I must have looked, in fluffy slippers, an IV drip in one arm and a huge bandage with hair sticking out of the top! (Must have looked like a pineapple!)

When the bandages finally came off, I felt sure that my head was going to fall apart – as it felt extra light! This also meant I was able to see the scar for first time. I am sure Mr. Robinson shaved more hair off than he stated a few months before! The scar was a banana shape and about seven inches long.

The pain was controlled by painkillers. That side was swollen but it was to be expected. Also affected was my tongue – it was numb and I lost my taste for a while.

I spent time recovering from the surgery, managing without hearing aids for the first time, and awaited switch on.

To be continued…

Readers can find Alison's Cochlear Implant Users Group here