Good Luck Tracy!

Well, many of you know that I have a little sister who is hard of hearing (she's the one on the far right in this cute picture of me and my sisters). Tracy was born with a 75% hearing loss in both ears. She has worn hearing aids all her life. She's now 17 years old and has done very well with her hearing aids. She's always been amazing to me. She has a totally hilarious sense of humor, gets good grades, works full time at Lagoon in the summer, has lots of good friends, and never lets her hearing loss stop her from doing anything. I totally admire her.
Just in the last few months, however, Tracy started noticing that it was getting harder for her to understand what others were saying. In her classes at school, hanging out with her friends and especially talking on the phone required more and more concentration. She would be completely exhausted after a full day of listening to teachers and friends at school.
My parents decided to have her hearing tested to see if she was losing more hearing. The test confirmed their suspicions, Tracy's hearing levels were at 95% loss in both ears. Tracy had lost more of her limited hearing, and was likely to continue to lose her hearing until she did not have any left. Then the doctor dropped another bomb shell: he said her hearing is now outside the range where hearing aids can be helpful.
This news was a huge blow to Tracy, as it would be to anyone. However, with her typical brave, unstoppable spirit she decided to do something she hoped she would never have to do. She will be getting a cochlear implant this coming Monday to save the little hearing she has left, and hopefully give her much more to work with.
The technology is completely amazing, totally brilliant even. But as her big sister I can't help but feel a little anxious about her surgery. You would too if they were going to drill into your sister's skull. But, I know deep down if anyone can make surgery look like a breeze, it's Tracy.
I guess my point in telling you all this is that if you want to say a little prayer for her, I would really appreciate it. She's a really fantastic person and she deserves the very best life can give her. So, along with all the prayers in her behalf I just want to wish Tracy good luck and remind her how much I love and admire her. And Tracy, I can't wait to "jam" together when you finally get to learn to play the guitar!