A little video of Mariah
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Thursday, 19 February 09 - 03:10 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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As many of you know, our daughter is deaf, but was implanted with cochlear implants almost a year ago. The following video is of her trying to talk (repeat) and simply "hamming it up" for the camera. At times I had the camera's viewfinder turned where she could see it. I'm sure you can pick out those parts. Enjoy . . .
The Most Incredible Story of My Year . . . so far!
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Wednesday, 14 January 09 - 09:46 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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I thought I was going to cry in front of a room full of women! If I didn't hear it with my own ears and see it with my own eyes it would be hard to believe (warning: this story could get long).
Today we went to Chapel Hill with Mariah for her 9-month check-up for her cochlear implants. All went well with her check-up and she's doing better than I ever expected. Our appointment ended with one of the medical students telling us there was another little girl adopted from Guatemala who had just received her cochlear implant and that we may want to take Mariah in to meet her.
We went into the room and met Hannah and her mother. Come to find out Amy had talked to Hannah's mother the night before Mariah had her implant surgery. Mariah's audiologist had given Amy her phone number and said there were alot of similarities with Mariah and Hannah.
I was BLOWN AWAY when we actually realized how many similarities there were to these two little girl's stories. One of the audiologist asked, "How big is Guatemala?" To which I replied 8+ million (it's actually more like 13 million). The following question started the ball rolling, "Do you know where Hannah was born?" "She was born in Escuintla", her mother replied. WHAT? Mariah was born in Escuintla, Guatemala too!
Hold on, the story gets more bizarre. We already knew Hannah was 2 years old, but Amy asked, "What is her birthday?" December 27th was the reply. WHAT? Mariah was born on December 28th in Escuintla, Guatemala!
These little babies sitting in a doctor's office in Chapel Hill, NC were born within hours of each other in the same small town in Guatemala. They both were in the NICU and possibly shared those first tenuous weeks side by side. Both also have profound hearing loss and are now with Christian families in NC. Moreover, both have had cochlear implants by the same doctor in NC!
How does that happen? The only way I can explain it is a loving God chose them to be with our families. What would have happened to them if God had not chosen them to be with our families? Who knows? It's my speculation that they may have ended up in 
an orphanage and never had a way to communicate (like our deaf friends in orphanages in Honduras).
I don't know why God gave these two precious little girls to our families, but I'm confident that He has Big Plans for both of their lives.
Mariah Update . . . cochlear implants six months in
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Tuesday, 30 September 08 - 10:43 AM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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It's hard to believe that Mariah has had her cochlear implants for six months. It's even harder to believe how well she is hearing in just six months. As I told her audiologists last week, "it's a miracle!"
After her hearing test, her audiologists said she was the best "tester" they had all day and that she would be hard to beat for the week. We have been told that 20 decibels is considered to be a "normal" hearing level. Last week, Mariah's audiogram showed that she is hearing at 25 decibels! I can't believe it. WOW, that's huge.
This past week she has also connected the words, "bye, bye" with waving. Before now if you told her to wave "bye-bye" she would just wave. Now we can say, "Tell Daniel bye-bye" and she will way and say, "bye-bye". That's a huge step for a child with cochlear implants. I'm so proud of her!
Five Months - First Word!
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Sunday, 24 August 08 - 09:22 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Its been a little over five months since Mariah started hearing with her cochlear implants. It's been an incredible journey with many milestones along the way. Tonight, however, was the biggest milestone yet. She said her first word! The girls and I were cooking supper and Madison put her hand over the grill and said, "Hot", and out of the blue Mariah said, "Hot!" She didn't quite have the final consonant, but she repeated it several times. She would put her hand over the steam and say "hot."
We knew she was hearing well, but I didn't expect her to repeat words yet. She's not even saying "DaDa" yet (even though she did make the "D" sound today. I expect by Thanksgiving she'll be saying "DaDa". Don't worry, you won't miss it. I'll probably video it so I can share it with everyone! Below are more pictures of our little Guatemalan princess.
Mariah Update
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Sunday, 25 May 08 - 11:48 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Wow, I can't believe how well Mariah is hearing. It's been a while since many of you have heard an update on her progress. It's been an amazing journey.
How's she hearing? This past week Amy and Madison took Mariah to her audiology appointment in Chapel Hill. They did another hearing test and she's hearing sounds at 30 decibels. To understand the change, 3 months ago she couldn't hear anything at 115 decibels. To illustrate that point - 115 db is a loud rock concert, 30 db is described as sounds in a library. Madison said that Mariah heard noise she couldn't even hear!
The most amazing thing is that she already knows her name! You can call her name and she turns her head to look. I'm also teaching her another word - Kiss. I tell her all the time, "Give Daddy a kiss." I'd say it will be another week and she'll understand that one.
If you are reading this and you prayed for Mariah along our journey with her please realize you've had a huge part in her hearing journey. God has answered and is continuing to answer prayers for Mariah. One thing you can add to your prayer requests is that Mariah will stop chewing on "her ears". She's already broken one of her processors and we need a back-up while we are in Honduras! As you can see from the picture below, she's still in that "everything goes in the mouth" stage.
Mariah . . . learning to hear and walk!
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Thursday, 24 April 08 - 11:58 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Below is a short video (2 min.) of little Mariah learning to hear and to walk . . . .
Mariah's CI Update . . . Day 21
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Sunday, 06 April 08 - 02:08 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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For those following Mariah's story . . . she went back to Chapel Hill for an "adjustment" to her CI's. Her audiologists "cranked up" the volume and now she's actually responding a bit more to sounds. Still it hasn't affected her bubbly happy personality. It's a day by day process, but she's a blessing to our entire family!
For those who don't know already, Mariah's story made the newspaper. If you would like to read it you can click here for the online version. The print version had a little more detail about CI's and a huge picture of Amy and Mariah. Mr. Bernie Petit did a great job communicating her story. Thanks Bernie!
Mariah's CI Update . . . Day 9
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Wednesday, 26 March 08 - 09:42 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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That smile is still there after 9 days with her CI's. By day 9 we should have been on program 3-4 of the 4 first programs. It didn't take us long to realize that she wasn't hearing much or at all even at level 4. So, Amy talked with one of our audiologist in Chapel Hill and they had us FedEx our extra set of processors to them for re-programming.
We got them back today and at the "new" level 3 we have detected hearing! I must admit, I was getting a little worried. We had been told not to expect much in the first couple weeks, but we were just anxious for some type of response.
The response was not much today, but it was repeated. That gave us a lot of encouragement and hope. She's still doing well and almost walking. She can take at least 6-8 steps now without falling on her face. She's such a joy and we are blessed to be her parents!
Cochlear Implants Day Three . . . all is well!
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Thursday, 20 March 08 - 10:13 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Just thought I would post a picture of Madison (the little mother) and Mariah. For the past two days, Madison has kept asking me to take a picture of her and Mariah. I think she's figured out that many of the pictures I take end up on this blog. So, Madison made the blog today! Woo Hoo!!
Day 3 with CI's and Mariah is doing great. We haven't noticed much of a change with her hearing, but we have to understand that she's hearing like a 3 day old baby. She's hearing, but her brain doesn't yet know how to process individual sounds and give them meaning. Patience, that's what we are learning . . . all of us.
One last thing, it's still amazing to me to see how our other children have accepted Mariah. They help out tremendously and have even fought over who gets to put the magnet back on her head. No, they haven't tried to stick her to the fridge, but I'll take pictures if they do!
First full day . . . goals met!
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Tuesday, 18 March 08 - 09:48 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Day one ends, and we are encouraged. We're encouraged that she kept them in. We're encouraged because we think she's hearing something. We're encouraged because Mariah was the same happy child today that she was last week. Below are a few pictures to let the curious ones see what the devices look like.
Rear view with processors clipped to her pajamas. Notice the brown coil on her head.
Rear view with both coils visible (if you look close).
Side view with her processors clipped to her t-shirt under her sweater. You can click all the photos to see a larger image. Yes, that's David with her.
Mariah's Hearing Birthday
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Monday, 17 March 08 - 10:10 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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It might be just noise right now (who knows), but Mariah can finally hear something. We spent most of the day on the road or in Chapel Hill, NC. It's been a long day, but a great day. The staff at UNC Hospitals and the CCCDP are incredible. We have been so blessed to have them as Mariah's healthcare professionals. We don't believe she could be in better hands!
Mariah has done great with keeping her devices on. It's not like the fight we used to have with her hearing aids. It's almost like she doesn't even know anything is on her head.
It was an experience for us as we stopped at Lexington Bar-B-Que for dinner. We knew it was coming, but I don't know if we were ready for all the stares. In some ways it was funny, but in another way I just wanted to get on the intercom and make an announcement and what was connected to her head. When we checked out, the cashier asked, "What's that on her head?" To which I replied, "We're in a beta study for the new baby iPod." No, I didn't say that, but I felt like it. I'm sure all the inquiries will give us countless opportunities to be a witness of the greatness of our God.
I know many of you want to know how she reacted. I think this picture says it all. There was little reaction except for stopping what she was doing and getting very wide-eyed. I made some video and I'll probably post it tomorrow, but it's not that exciting.
Mariah's journey to hearing has just begun. She's got a long road ahead of her, but we believe it's a road worth traveling. Thanks to all of you who are walking it with us.
Big Day For Mariah (03.17)
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Sunday, 16 March 08 - 11:02 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Today is a big day for Mariah, our Guatemalan princess. She get's her ears turned on. The correct terminology is she's going for her "hook-up". She has two appointments in Chapel Hill today. The first is a follow-up with Dr. Buchman her surgeon. Then we drive about 6 miles to the CCCDP (it stands for something) for her "hook-up".
I don't do a lot of videos, but I'm taking the video camera to document her reaction. I'll try to post it here. It may be Tuesday before I get the video up, but I'll at least give an update late tonight or early tomorrow.
Thanks for all your prayers. We are so excited for Mariah, but a little apprehensive as well. We know it's going to be an adjustment for the entire family. Yet, we know without a doubt that this is a journey that God chose for us. We're trusting Him day by day.
Back to normal?
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Wednesday, 05 March 08 - 09:39 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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The doctors and nurses said Mariah would be back to "normal" within a couple days. It's been a week and she's already trying to help wash the dishes.
This is for those of you who've checked for an update. She had an appointment in Chapel Hill with Dr. Buchman on Monday to take off the steri strips. He was a little concerned about the redness and gave us some antibiotic cream. The incisions seem to be better today. Keep praying that they don't get infected.
Turn on day is Monday, March 17th at 4:15 p.m. Keep praying for that day too!
Weekend photos . . .
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Sunday, 02 March 08 - 10:08 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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This was the view just before breakfast on Friday morning. Amy emailed the doctor and received a reply . . . "Take it off, don't tie it up with yarn!" I'm not conceding failure on my bandage engineering just yet. I'm am, however glad that she doesn't have to wear one of those any time soon.
This was the reaction shortly after the bandage was removed. I am amazed at how well she is doing. I'm glad it wasn't me. I'd still be whining! Tomorrow we go to Chapel Hill to get the steri strips removed. Only Two more weeks until she gets "hooked up" . . . Woo Hoo!
Prepare to Laugh
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Thursday, 28 February 08 - 10:24 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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You have my permission to laugh when you see the picture below. I'm not an engineer. My office was inside a civil engineering firm (thanks marvin) for 4 years. But it's not like staying at a Holiday Inn Express.
We were warned that the bandage may not stay on her head. Yet, Dr. Buchman said he would like for it to stay on until Sunday! How do you go from "keep it on until Sunday" to "It's going to come off"?
The answer . . . a little bandage engineering. We've tried a lot of things today - string, yarn, tape, and fish hooks (don't ask about the fish hooks). In the end Mariah went to bed with the yarn tied to hear "Princess Leah" head piece.
Enjoy a good laugh . . .
I promise it did look a little better with version 2 before she went to bed tonight. If you have a better idea, I'm open for suggestions . . . .
Mariah still can't hear . . .
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Thursday, 28 February 08 - 09:19 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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What? She still can't hear? I thought that's what the surgery was for!
Many of you know how cochlear implants work. Yet, I know some of you who have followed Mariah's story were disappointed when you read the title of this post. I thought I would do a little explaining.
This past Tuesday, Mariah had the internal devices (pictured above) implanted into her head (BTW, the x-ray was very cool). In three weeks we will go back to Chapel Hill to have the external devices put on and adjusted.
So, right now she still can't hear, but in three weeks she'll begin to hear. It's a really long process with young children. Some of you may have seen kids on TV when their implants were turned on. Some of them squeal, some laugh and others cry.
For a 14 month old, it's like having the ears of a newborn. So she has to begin interpreting all kinds of sounds, as well as learn to filter out certain sounds. We're excited about the future for Mariah, but did I say it's a long process?
If you want to learn more about the cochlear implants and how they work, you can get more information here - (more info on cochlear implants).
Photo Review of Surgery Day
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Wednesday, 27 February 08 - 05:50 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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(I'm not big on signs and stuff, but as I was walking back from the hospital cafe with my medium Starbucks around 10:30 p.m. I looked right and this was hanging from one of the decorative plants . . . that was cool since I had written a couple hours earlier that the word for the day was peace)
(This photo was taken around 11:15 p.m. She wasn't in the best of moods. No, that's not blood on her headdress. She had just thrown up about 5 sips of grape juice and her pain meds. I missed all the action because I was at the car getting my night clothes)
(This photo was taken around 12:30 a.m. It looks like the beginning of a peaceful night of sleep. Mariah didn't get much sleep, but she got more than we did. You can see Amy in the background trying to catch a few winks. If you've ever spent the night in one of the those hospital recliners you know the emphasis is on the word "try")
(We were released from the hospital around 9:00 a.m. this morning. Mariah slept most of the way home and by my estimations she's about 90% back to her normal self. I think this photo with David was her first attempt at a smile. It looks like her headdress is sliding south. The way it looks now it should be covering her eyes by tomorrow morning. Pray we can keep it one her. Her doctor wants it on until Sunday)
Princess Leah . . .
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Tuesday, 26 February 08 - 08:56 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Praise the Lord the surgery part is over. Thanks to all who prayed for us and Mariah. We certainly felt your prayers. I guess the word that best described out day was PEACE. It was a long day, but a peaceful day.
It was about a 5.5 hour process. We got to go back and hold her around 3:15 this afternoon. She's done extremely well. She's in a little pain, but all in all she's done much better than I would have done.
Thanks to all who have emailed, called and commented on the blog. Your words have been an encouragement to us. It's been a long day and my brain is mushy so I'm going to stop writing and hold the little princess again.
Our CI Journey Begins . . .
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Monday, 25 February 08 - 10:23 PM (GMT -05:00) By Mark Moore in Cochlear Implants |
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Our Cochlear Implant (CI) journey actually begins tomorrow. If the pictures I took tonight (at the Holiday Inn) are any indication of Mariah's attitude, then she's very excited. I'm very nervous! I'm excited too, but just nervous about the surgery.
I have full confidence in Dr. Buchman. He's one of the countries leading cochlear implant surgeons. But he's only done 5 bi-lateral (both sides) implant surgeries. Yes, you read that correctly Mariah will be number 6! Nevertheless, I'm excited for the possibilities for Mariah's future hearing.
I'm encouraged because there are people we don't even know who are praying. I even met a man in Borders tonight who said he knew the guy who pioneered cochlear implant surgery at UNC Chapel Hill. His response to Mariah's upcoming surgery was, "I'll be praying for her tomorrow." I really believe he meant it.
I'm encouraged because we were able to have dinner tonight with some new friends from our church in Gastonia. Their son will be having a cochlear implant soon. I don't think it was an accident that they had an appointment scheduled with Dr. Buckman 20 minutes after our appointment today.
I'm encouraged by how God spoke to me through the bible today. I had prayed for God to speak clearly to my anxiety today. Here's what he led me to:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things . . . Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So, I'm setting my mind of the eternal love of God. My God who chose Mariah for our family and made the connections and provisions for her to have this surgery tomorrow. My words here cannot express my thanks to God for the gift of Mariah!
I wish I could say that we chose a hearing impaired child for our family, but I can say with certainty that I'm thankful that God chose her for us. I can't imagine my life without her smile and laugh. Thank you God for the indescribable gift you have given our family.
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