Chapter Text
Patsy was getting ready for her big day in hospital. Delia prepared herself for a long day in hospital and provide support for Patsy. Patsy made her final decision about getting cochlear implant. It took a while for Delia to accept Patsy's decision to get cochlear implant. Ms. Turner, the audiologist emphasized that getting cochlear implant doesn't mean that Patsy was cured of deafness. The purpose of cochlear implant was to provide audiological support for people with permeant hearing loss. Patsy still had excellent speech. The cochlear implant would help Patsy with maintaining her speech skills.
Delia drove Patsy to the hospital. She was very silent as stone. Patsy became concerned about this type of silent. Patsy signed to Delia, "What's matter with you, you quiet for no reason?" (What is wrong with you. You are so quiet for some reasons.) Delia just focused on driving since she was so tensed about Patsy's cochlear implant surgery and how it would affect their long time relationship. When they arrived at the hospital. Delia parked their car and started to sign to Patsy, "me nervous your surgery, surgery looks like complicated and high risk can lost blood, infection etc." (I am very nervous about your surgery. The surgery looks like complicated procedure. There is high risk of losing a lot of blood and getting infected and long term effects of surgery on facial nerves. I want the best for you.). Patsy signed back to Delia, "stop think negative about my surgery, let's keep faith in God to keep me safe. Dr. Turner real good surgeon, his name real good." ( I would appreciate if you stop being negative about my upcoming surgery, let's have faith in God to keep me safe during surgery. Dr. Turner is very good surgeon. His reputation is very good." Patsy hugged Delia to reassure her that everything will be all right. They kissed in car. They would not be able to show affection in public inside of hospital. They walked into surgery center. The nurse took Patsy to another room for surgery preparation. Delia stayed in waiting room. Delia has a lot of paperwork to catch up for her work while waiting for Patsy to be done with surgery.
Patsy went under anthesis. The nurses took Patsy to operation room. Dr. Patrick Turner started to cut a big c shaped behind Patsy's ear. He opened skin, then drill skull bone. He inserted a coil inside of cochlear. then add magnet on skull bone for electronic transmission. Dr. Turner stitched the skin part. The nurses were watching Patsy's vital signs and keep everything clean to prevent bacteria from spreading. When surgery procedure is finished. The nurses wrapped Patsy's head with thick bandage. Nurses took Patsy to recovery room. Nurse gave painkiller and antiboditcs medication to Patsy through IV drip. Patsy finally woke up and relieved to see Delia in recovery room. Delia held Patsy's hand.
Dr. Turner came to Delia and Patsy in recovery room to let Patsy know that the surgery is successful. Patsy had to stay in the hospital for few days for recovery. Delia has power of attorney papers with her that allows her to be on Patsy's side and visit with her at anytime.
Delia was relieved that Patsy was doing very well with recovery from surgery. Patsy had to wait for three weeks for surgery location to heal before going back to audiologist for cochlear implant device to be mapped before wearing. Patsy would have to meet with speech therapist to develop different listening skills. Delia took care of Patsy in her recovery. They returned to audiologist's office for mapping. Delia stayed in waiting room while Patsy was in another room with Ms. Turner discussing how to wear cochlear implant device. Patsy was able to hear everything very clear, but some struggling with connecting words to sounds. It took a lot of time for Patsy to get used to new listening skills. Patsy was happy with outcomes.
Several months later, Patsy was able to find a better job in public school as a teacher of deaf working with mainstreamed deaf children. Patsy was able to complete her graduate school for school leadership degree.
Delia is relieved that everything in her relationship with Patsy remains same, but much better than before since Patsy was happy with her career for once. They still talk with each other in American Sign Language in their daily life. Patsy remains in the deaf community.