Bounce Forward: Road to Second CI

It’s now less than a month away from surgery day. I hadn’t been thinking much about the exact date, but something about crossing that “one-month mark” brings it all to the forefront. I recently had my pre-op phone call and went over every detail of the big day. My initial mapping appointment is also on the calendar—another milestone to look forward to.

And I’m grateful.  Grateful for my family and friends who are rooting for me.  Grateful for my DHH peers who have gone through the process ahead of me. Grateful for my cochlear implant team.  Grateful for my school districts I serve who’ve been incredibly supportive — they know I’ll be out for a few days, and they understand that when I return, communication will take extra effort. Listening fatigue will be real… but it’s all part of moving forward.

As I reflect on my first cochlear implant surgery six years ago (November 15, 2019), I remember the swirl of emotions that came before it. This time, I’m in a more “knowing” place, yet the same mix of anxious, nervous, excited, and even scared feelings are still here.

As a podcast host and listener, I love when an episode feels like it’s speaking directly to me. On October 17, 2025, that happened while listening to author and speaker Valorie Burton on the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, where she talked about her book Rules of Resilience (which I immediately ordered and started reading). She said something that made me replay several times…..

“We always hear about bouncing back, but the truth is, life changes us. You can’t always go back to what was—but you can bounce forward, stronger and wiser, into what’s next.”

That message resonates deeply as I look back on the last six years and prepare for what’s ahead. We all have resilience within us, but choosing to bounce forward—to grow stronger, wiser, and more grounded through change—is exactly the mindset I need right now.

In Rules of Resilience, Burton shares ten “Resilience Rules.” Rule #3 especially stands out to me: Focus on the Vision, Not the Obstacle. She reminds us that resilience isn’t just about handling what’s right in front of us—it’s about continually moving toward something transformative.

I know there will be obstacles along the way, and I’m prepared to face them. But rather than getting stuck in the “what-ifs” or daily challenges that come with this marathon, I’m focusing on my personal “hearingspanglish” vision.

As I move toward this next chapter, my vision is to embrace the gift of my second cochlear implant—to grow in confidence, find balance in the unfamiliar, and expand my connection to the people and sounds that bring life meaning. This isn’t about returning to what was; it’s about bouncing forward into what’s possible.

So, I’m not just bouncing back. I’m bouncing forward.

I’d love to hear from others walking their own hearing or life journey—how are you learning to bounce forward?