Surgery Day
Side Two

Friday is the day. Side two.

CI number two.

The official insurance approval came through (grateful!), and I’m on my way to Columbus with a mix of excitement, nerves, and wonder that only a hearing journey to going bimodal can bring. I will be arriving bright and early (6 AM) to the surgery center with Troy (who will likely need a strong Starbuck’s coffee).

As I was packing and thinking of the date- it hit me—six years ago I was activated for the first time on my first CI. Happy 6 YEAR Activation Day for my left cochlear implant!!

I remember the activation appointment so clearly. I was prepared knowing that the hearingspanglish journey was going to be a marathon, not a sprint—and it was not going to sound great. That mindset saved me.

My CI side I described like New York City—bright, loud, busy, alive.
My hearing aid side I described like a back-country road—quiet, steady, full of familiarity.

And for exactly six years, these two worlds have worked together. One side in the city; one side in the country. Bimodal life.

Friday… These two worlds will be different. I’m stepping into the bilateral CI world, a thought that I have had for over a year. I love it when I hear from my CI friends that are interconnected ALL around the world. Dr. Michal Luntz who is a fellow CI user, physician-scientist, and CI surgeon reached out to wish me luck on my upcoming surgery. She provided insight that I appreciate and brings me JOY as I step in faith on the next step of my CI journey…

“The first CI is life-changing. The second CI is pure joy.”

So here I am—ready to run toward JOY. Ready for new sounds and ready for whatever this next marathon brings.

Many of you know that I am a planner and I have learned from my previous surgeries. My suitcase is packed with practical gear: comfy post-op clothes, a shirt that won’t fight with a bandage, extra pillows and blankets for the ride home and yes—my tiny eyeglass screwdriver. (If you know, you know.)

My heart is praying:

for my surgeon and the whole medical team
for saving those low-frequency hair cells
for manageable pain, no dizziness, and NO nausea (anesthesia and Carrie did not do well last time)

To everyone who has texted, called, messaged, prayed, and encouraged me….THANK YOU. I feel every single bit of your love and support.

As you enter into this holiday season, take a moment and share what brings you JOY!

Stay tuned… Activation Day is December 16.
A whole new world of bimodal sound is ready to start this marathon. And I’m ready.

PrevPreviousRoad to Second Cochlear Implant

Road to Second Cochlear Implant

Carrie Spangler
•
November 8, 2025
•
2025, Blog

It’s now less than a month away from surgery day—another milestone in my cochlear implant journey. As I reflect on my first surgery six years ago, I’m reminded that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about bouncing forward—growing stronger, wiser, and more grounded through change. Inspired by Valorie Burton’s Rules of Resilience, I’m focusing on my vision: embracing the gift of my second cochlear implant and expanding my connection to the sounds and people that give life meaning.
How are you learning to bounce forward in your own journey?

Moving Forward: Preparing for Side 2 of My Cochlear Implant Journey

Karen Storr
•
July 21, 2025
•
2025, 2025, Blog

Preparing for my second cochlear implant has been a journey marked by reflection, trust, and growth. From candidacy testing to setting a surgery date, I’m moving forward—supported by a trusted care team and reminded, even by a fossil on vacation, that transformation takes time.

One Step, One Ear at a Time

Carrie Spangler
•
June 15, 2025
•
2025, Blog

Five years after receiving my first cochlear implant, I’m preparing to take the next step toward going bilateral. Even as an audiologist, I still carry the “what ifs” — what if I lose my residual hearing, what if the sound doesn’t sync, what if I don’t adjust? But this journey isn’t about perfection — it’s about growth. And like any marathon, it’s one step at a time. I’m ready to keep moving forward.

Self Check: Cochlear Implant Gratitude

Carrie Spangler
•
September 2, 2024
•
2023, Blog, Everyday Living with CI

It’s been a while since I last posted, but recently I had a self-check moment that brought me back to reflecting on my cochlear implant journey.
Many grocery stores have transitioned to self-checkout lines, and my go-to, Aldi, has converted most of theirs to self-check.