Lucas is about to receive his second cochlear implant, on his left side.  We thought about this in depth because many members of the deaf community recognize that once the ear is implanted with the cochlear technology, then it will forever be unable to function should there be some "natural" cure to deafness...the ear is "ruined", so to speak after the cochlear implant. It is a difficult choice to make.  But, we want Lucas to hear.  It does not make us any less proud of his deaf heritage.  We are just making the choice which we have before us.  The surgery is this Thursday, October 31.  I feel badly that Lucas will miss "trick-or-treating"...but that was the date the surgeon had available.  I told Lucas about it...and he has been asking every day if he could go that day!