NWR: BR: Edmund Update
Yesterdaywe met with plastic surgeons to discuss timelines and what steps will need to be taken to correct the lip and palate.
He will need a NAM device (Nasoalveolar Molding) to help mold and shape the palate so that it will be easier to close once that surgery comes up. So that pushes his lip repair back to 4 or 5 months instead of 3 months.
We also have to tape his lip to help stretch it and force it to grow closer together to make the lip repair go a little smoother.
Our next step is to meet with the Orthodontist to get Edmund fitted for his NAM which will require us to go to Children's hospital once a week to have the device adjusted. We will have to tape his lip continuously until the lip repair.
It's so frustrating to see him like this because he looks so sad and uncomfortable. He's not taking his bottle like he normally does but they told us that was normal for the first couple days.
He is feeding much better now and was back up to 7lbs 1oz yeterday.
The good news is that it can all be fixed! Yes it's going to be a stressful year of Drs appointments and at least 2 surgeries plus followups. I know it will all be worth it in the end and I'm just really glad that he won't remember any of it.
Re: NWR: BR: Edmund Update
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Surgeons are excellent at fixing these things! Our high school raised money every year for an organization known as Operation Smile. Volunteer surgeons, nurses, and regular people go several times a year to third world countries to fix cleft lip and palates of children who otherwise would never be fixed. It's amazing for them - some of the children die because they can't adequately drink milk or are shunned by their societies. They do over a hundred surgeries per two week visit (or something along those lines).
Anyway - long tangent. Good luck with everything!
"So I sing a song of love, Julia"
06.10.10
BFAR:We Defined Our Own Success!
[QUOTE]Joy we found out at our 20 week anatomy scan.
Posted by Ciaram22[/QUOTE]
Ah - at least it wasn't a surprise at the birth.
Best of luck to you and your little trooper! :-)
planning
I just wanted to send hugs to you both. I'm 51 and had a cleft lip but not palate. My surgery was done when I was 6 weeks old by military doctors. I have always been eternally grateful for what they did so long ago - I can only imagine the wonderful things they do know with the plastic surgery.
I have a scar above my lip but I really never notice it or become self conscious about it. It's not bad at all. I would love to see a picture of Edmund post surgery just to really see what wonderful things they can do now.
Good luck!