Cleft Surgery Appointment at Children's

Warning - lots of unnecessary pictures ahead!

We had our big appointment at Children's Hospital today.  Honestly, it involved a little bit of doctors and testing and A LOT of waiting.  This time, we waited in a big room with lots of other families.  You expect to see sick people when you visit a hospital and clinic, but it is such a different feeling when all of those sick people are children.  It makes you thankful for the health of others around you and your family's health.

The girls were good, though there was a time out or two today...  : )

First, FL went to audiology.  Since Sam is her favorite, he took her.  She did great, but there is fluid behind both ears, scarring in both and she has most likely suffered from multiple ear infections over her little life.  There is hearing loss, but they tested the bone and hopefully isn't permanent!  When she does have surgery, she will have tubes put into her ears as well.  We are thankful she can hear, though.  We saw another family get the news that their son might not have any hearing at all.  Another reminder that it could be so much worse for all of us!

These two girls missed their nap again today.  You can see how tired they are in their little faces!  Thankfully, I have tons of stickers!  We leave a trail where ever we go!

After the audiologist, we saw the speech therapist/pathologist.  Two came in and they just loved the girls and thought they were cute and amazing (which they are!).  They were glad to know that FL is signing up to three words together unprompted, talking in one to two words and singing.  They gave Sam and I some exercises to do with her to start to prepare her for her new palate and making more consonant sounds (like b and p).  Children without a palate don't know how to use something they've never had. This preparation might help her to bypass some speech therapy in the future. 

We thought we would also see an ENT and someone from the dental department, but we didn't.  Not sure as to why.  I really didn't have it all together today.   There are so many questions I thought I would get answers to and I didn't.  Truthfully, I don't even know what all of those questions are right now.  When the surgeon finally came in, the girls were slap happy, clingy, silly, short on attention and I had a really hard time focusing on what he was saying (even though Sam did a great job of trying to occupy them while the surgeon was explaining things).  Also, I was a little slap happy, clingy, silly and short on attention from having two full days of appointments and trying to make sure my children had the best possible experience with their physicians.

They understand how little these children need to be handled by others, so he didn't examine her other than looking at her cleft while she voluntarily kept her mouth open.  He was very nice and had a little fun with the girls while in the room.  He was also willing to bend hospital rules just a little and accidentally be in a picture that I was taking of FL.  I like people who are willing to bend the rules as does Flora Lin.  : )

He had a retractable name tag that FL enjoyed snapping!

This is one doctors appointment she felt she could handle!

He drew a picture and explained exactly what we would be doing, what it would look like and what it would and wouldn't change for her.  He also told us of some upcoming surgeries to expect and possible complications.  He did tell us that the muscle in FL's upper lip is not connected and hasn't been.  China did her surgery in two parts and because of that the muscle wasn't connected.  When she gets close to school age, we will probably do a lip revision and connect the muscle.  It doesn't bother her, but I feel that it is something that she will want done in the future.

FL will have a bone graft around the age of seven, and at that point the will close a little hole in her palate that they will have to leave since part of the gum line is missing.

He told us a few things to expect and a few things to prepare for.   I'd explain it all here, but I haven't quite processed everything myself! : ). I will tell you that our follow up/pre-op/ENT visit is in February and FL's surgery will be early March.

And that was that!  All done!

Once the girls realized no blood was going to be drawn, they decided to celebrate by square dancing:

Slap happy square dancing!

Delirious do-si-do!

Swing your partner!

Ok, don't swing them that much! ; )

Square dancing was too tame, so they decided disco was the way to go:

Then line dancing was in order...

Sprinkler!!!!

Whew! All that dancing wears a girl out (don't worry - I was signing and saying "yucky, YUCKY!  Stand up!")!!!

They moved on to their new favorite activity... Pretending they are crying.  It is about as fun for parents as it sounds.  Sam told them we were "all done crying" (or frying, as C says).   FL was signing "more" as was C.   : )

Thank goodness for our Dollies, Salvador and Pardon! (Yes, that's a sticker on FL's hiney)

But then the dollies had to potty and needed to be cleaned up!

Someone's Dolly pooped!

Y'all, even the Dollies were tired after these two long days...

And all four of our sweet little dolls fell asleep quickly after a late lunch.  C shushed FL and told her "Quiet!  Night-night!"   The next second she fell asleep!

FL defied her sister and was not quiet, but only lasted a few minutes longer.

And now it is time for me to sleep!

I'm thankful for a good day and a sweet, healthy family!  Looking forward to a schedule and naptime tomorrow!

Thank you for your prayers!