Easy Decision

Despite the risks and length of the procedure, Gemma knew exactly what she wanted to do. If there is a possibility that this surgery could help her, she is willing to take all the risks that are associated with it. She spent all this while thinking this will never go away and now finally there is actual hope. She can’t hesitate now.

The Surgery

The surgery took approximately 6 hours. The procedure was more complicated than the usual cases since Gemma had this condition since she was born. The part where the temporal bone was supposed to be, had a gap in the ear canal. During the surgery, that gap was bridged preventing Gemma to hear anything going on inside her body.

Silence

The heart monitor beeped in the otherwise quiet room. Gemma’s eyes opened slowly, facing the white ceiling in a dimly lit room. It took her a second to realize, that the left side of her ear could not hear anything apart from the steady beep of the monitor. Silence. Is this what silence feels like? 

Happy

Her happiness knew no bounds. Right there, in that instant, she felt something she has never felt before. It was peaceful and quiet, granted through one ear only. But going in for the second surgery didn’t seem like such a task anymore. She couldn’t wait to feel what complete silence feels like.

Second Surgery

Once Gemma had more or less recovered from the first surgery, she was ready for the second one. The recovery period was challenging no doubt. She was in bed all the time dizzy and in pain. But the reward from it was worth it. So there was no hesitation for the second surgery. 

Recovery

Once the second surgery was over, Gemma was on bed rest for weeks. If the recovery period from the first surgery was severe, then going through that for the second time was even more challenging. Most of her days were occupied battling severe headaches, nausea, dizziness. She even lost her appetite for a while. But Gemma never complained once, because she knew from this point forward, she will live a normal life.