Author Topic: BAHA - It's Official!  (Read 5794 times)

Tod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 661
    • My blog (work and life)
BAHA - It's Official!
« on: December 18, 2010, 03:33:22 pm »
Just got my coverage letter today. Happy Christmas to me! Funny thing though, I had checked the insurance company website a week ago Friday and had seen that it was approved on Dec 8th. Since I didn't want to get all excited and be disappointed, I didn't want to say anything until I got the letter.

So, my doc should be scheduling the surgery soon. I will follow-up with his office next week. The audiologist appointment is already set for January 6, so things are moving on.

I hope everyone is having happy days leading up to Christmas,

Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

Jim Scott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7241
  • 1943-2020 Please keep Jim's family in your hearts
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2010, 03:51:31 pm »
Tod ~

Congratulations on getting insurance coverage approval for your BAHA.  I think that is one of the biggest hurdles in the BAHA process.  Next, the abutment surgery, then the wait, then, ta-da! the processor - and a world of better hearing!

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

grega

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 318
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2010, 04:17:09 pm »
Congrats Tod!  I hope you enjoy the final product as much as I .... and I dare say, many, many others .... do.

Best of holidays to ya!

Greg
1.5 cm AN retrosig 11/04.
Drs. Henry Brem & Michael Holliday @ Johns Hopkins, Baltimore
SSD right. Tinnitus big-time, only when thinking of it.
BAHA since 7/20/10 ... really helps w/ hearing, specially after programming in subliminal message: "Hey, don't listen to your tinnitus!"

leapyrtwins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10826
  • I am a success story!
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2010, 01:16:30 pm »
Wonderful news, Tod!

Congratulations  ;D

Jan

Almost forgot.  When you have a surgery date, please PM the date and your mailing address to me so Lori and I can send you one of our complimentary Official BAHA Recovery Kits.  It's just a little something we created to spread BAHA joy and celebrate our infatuation with our BAHAs  ;D
« Last Edit: December 19, 2010, 01:18:05 pm by leapyrtwins »
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Tod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 661
    • My blog (work and life)
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2010, 01:27:57 pm »

Thanks everyone. Jan, will do.

Btw, article in the paper today in Richmond about a married couple receiving cochlear implants. The doctor interviewed is the neurotologist from my original surgery who will also be doing my BAHA as well.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/flair/2010/dec/19/tdflair01-cochlear-implant-technology-improving-ar-718763/

Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

leapyrtwins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10826
  • I am a success story!
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2010, 01:33:01 pm »
Great article, Tod.

My doc does CIs too.  As much as my BAHA fascinates me, CIs fascinate me even more.  Did you know they actually have remote controls?  Since they are implanted under the skin, remotes are necessary to change volume, change programs, etc..  CIs need to be "tweaked" and mapped before they work well, but most wearers get incredible results with them.

Medical science is just amazing!  ;D

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Mei Mei

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1278
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2010, 02:58:55 pm »
I agree.  I have a friend that has been deaf for the past 30 years and got her CIs last year at Hopkins.   She works at Gallaudet and is now hearing everything!   She's so excited.

Congratulations on passing yet another hurdle...insurance forms!   That makes two big hurdles in one year.   We're all proud of you!   

It'll sure be a Merry Christmas at your house!
Best,
Mei Mei
1 cm Tumor RetrosigmoidSurgery on Jan 12 at Johns Hopkins
Drs. Niparko and Tamargo
35dB loss pre surgery and now SSD
Post surgical Headaches and Tinnitus
Dr Ducic Georgetown Excision Surgery May 2011
Dr. Schwartz GW  Titanium Mesh  March 2012
Drs Kalhorn/Baker, Georgetown Removal of Titanium Mesh

Brewers7

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 389
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2010, 03:06:07 pm »
Ho ho ho.  Keep us posted!
Translab surgery 12/15/2008 followed by CSF leakage repair and 3 additional surgeries for MRSA of the brain (NOT typical) SSD,  facial and vocal cord paralysis, numerous reconstructive surgeries, Transear 12/2010

Tod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 661
    • My blog (work and life)
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #8 on: December 29, 2010, 08:37:04 pm »
Yep...big Christmas gift. Surgery is January 25.

Apparently I'm going to have to wear big plastic cone around my neck for a week following to keep me from scratching the site. At least, I think that's what I understood....

-tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

leapyrtwins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10826
  • I am a success story!
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2010, 08:44:41 pm »
Apparently I'm going to have to wear big plastic cone around my neck for a week following to keep me from scratching the site. At least, I think that's what I understood....

Seriously?  I've never heard of this.

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

sgerrard

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3475
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2010, 09:16:31 pm »
Hee, hee.  :D

Steve
8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.

Tod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 661
    • My blog (work and life)
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2010, 09:23:58 pm »

Seriously?  I've never heard of this.

Jan

I'll post pics afterward.  ;D

-Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.

leapyrtwins

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10826
  • I am a success story!
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2010, 11:01:40 pm »
Mind if I ask if your implant is being performed by a medical doctor or a veterinarian? ;)
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

lori67

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3113
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2010, 09:04:49 am »
Go with the veterinarian - they always have treats at the counter!   ;)
 
Congratulations and good luck, Tod!

Lori
Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Tod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 661
    • My blog (work and life)
Re: BAHA - It's Official!
« Reply #14 on: December 30, 2010, 10:28:30 am »
Well, you know, vets are better educated...they have to be able to treat multiple species, not just one. (At least, that's what the vets say...)

-Tod
Bob the tumor: 4.4cm x 3.9cm x 4.1 cm.
Trans-Lab and Retro-sigmoid at MCV on 2/12/2010.

Removed 90-95% in a 32 hour surgery. Two weeks in ICU.  SSD Left.

http://randomdatablog.com

BAHA implant 1/25/11.

28 Sessions of FSR @ MCV ended 2/9/12.