THE VERDICT IS IN......

Yesterday, September 28th, almost exactly 3 months to the day from her inital diagnosis, my daughter underwent her second ABR (auditory brainstem response) test. One foot stick and 2 scalp sticks later, she had an IV and was off to slumber for her test. This test is meant to determine essentially, how deaf Emerson really is and the results showed that she had no response to the limits of the equipment. What this means in layman's terms is that SHE IS REALLY DEAF, profoundly deaf, so deaf that only 30 years ago, my child would not have had any access to sound, not even through hearing aids. She would have only had access to communication through sign language and lip reading. She is so affected that even the super power aids that are available that have a 70 dB gain are not enough amplification to bring her into the speech banana, (the frequencies and decibels where speech is heard). She will get these power aids, however, and will wear them, as they say, this will still stimulate the auditory nerve whether she is hearing the sound or not. Although, this news is not surprising, it definitely brings a wave of different emotions. How do you express sorrow and joy all in the same moment??? for me.... with tears.

We then met with Dr. Little, to discuss the MRI, CT, and ABR results. He said she is a GREAT CANDIDATE FOR IMPLANTS!!!!!! He also said he would be willing to do her first implant in April, when she is only 10 months old. This is two months earlier than he has ever implanted anyone before, but we know the earlier the better. Our next appointment with him will be February 27th, to do pre-op "stuff." I can't believe we are finally here... probably the longest 3 months of my life, but we made it......... as I walked away from this appointment I looked at my sweet baby and wept tears of joy and sorrow. Tears of sorrow for what I know she is missing right now, for the total quietness she experiences, but more importantly tears of JOY, for I know Who holds her future, and I know what her future holds..... SOUND!!!!!

God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, HEAL, and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An EMPTY grave is there to prove my Savior Lives

Because He LIVES I can face tomorrow
Because He LIVES all FEAR IS GONE;
Because I KNOW HE HOLDS THE FUTURE
And Life is worth the living just because He LIVES.

How sweet to hold a new born baby
And feel the pride and joy she brings
But greater still the calm assurance
This child CAN FACE UNCERTAIN DAYS BECAUSE HE LIVES!

Because He LIVES I can face tomorrow
Because He LIVES ALL FEAR IS GONE;
Becasue I KNOW HE HOLDS THE FUTURE
And Life is worth the living just because He LIVES.

And then one day, I'll cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then as death GIVES WAY TO VICTORY,
I'll see the LIGHTS OF GLORY and I'll KNOW HE LIVES!!!!

Praise the Lord!!! Throughout this journey, my prayer has been, 'Lord, please let her hear. Be it through miraculous healing or medical technology.' He ANSWERS PRAYERS! Do I believe he still has the power to heal her miraculously, DEFINITELY, and I will continue to pray for this, however, he has already answered in a different way, she will get implants. My little girl WILL HEAR.

The real journey is just beginning and my prayers are as follows:
1) Emerson will continue to develop and meet her milestones appropriately
2) She will remain healthy
3) The implant malfunction will be resolved so that she can have access to the best implant available currently
4) Energy to sustain the therapy and appointment schedule
5) Sign language will be easily learned by me, Jesse, and Emerson. (with implants she will hopefully never need this, however, as another means of communication we are going to learn it.)
6) That a therapy center in Boise will be available and as good as the one in Knoxville, so that Emerson and I will be able to go with Jesse when he goes for his fellowship next year.
7) Dr. Little, her surgeon
8) The implant will take and be VERY successful

Thank you so much for your support and prayers already through this journey. I am so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends.

What a MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!