I recently came across this post on social media. It stopped me in my tracks and I knew I had to have Suzanne Tillitson’s story as part of the library of podcasts on Cochlear Implant Basics. There seems to be nothing that can stop Suzanne from accomplishing her goals. She is an ICU nurse with bilateral cochlear implants. Cochlear implants made much of it possible but her amazing perseverance and dedication is inspirational.
This is her story: Hi everyone! I hope you all are doing well. The bilateral CI life is treating me well. My word recognition is at 98% bilaterally and if we weren’t masked (double and triple ply) I’d be able to understand most anything. Do I still practice? Absolutely! What is my best story since I’ve become bilateral? Well, it’s actually a sad story. I’m all about the positive, but there are some sad things my implants have allowed me to do. This year has been difficult for all involved. It’s been especially difficult on patients hospitalized with COVID and their caregivers. Most recently I cared for a person at the end of life. The family was snowed in several hours away. I clocked out, set up the video monitor and called the family. My Eko stethoscope was gingerly placed where I could hear my friend’s heartbeat while I sat nearly under the bed and held the hand of a dying father while his daughter cried and said “Dad, I’m holding your hand.” I’d squeeze his hand to let him know he was not alone. “I’m with you Dad. I’m singing your favorite song Daddy. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.” All the while I held his hand. I stayed tucked under the view of the video in hopes the family didn’t feel I was intrusive. The heart beat slowed, breathing slowed to a few breaths a minute and their father passed away peacefully holding my hand as proxy to his daughter. My implants made this possible. My implants allowed me to return to my job as a nurse. My implants allowed me to be uprooted and deployed (I don’t like this term) to another hospital and begin the life of a COVID nurse. My implants allowed me the honor of hearing the last heartbeats of the loneliest people in the world. They provided me with hope for a better future for myself and now I work to provide a better future for our families and those recovering from COVID. Never sell yourself short. Being deaf doesn’t define me or limit me. It made me a better nurse, mother, and wife. The implants gave me the ability to communicate properly and effectively. If you are ever having doubts, think of me. If I can do this every day. Anyone can. Much love to you all in your journey. TRANSCRIPT IS AVAILABLE AT COCHLEARIMPLANTBASICS.COM
