Fixing His Cleft Next!

I am optimistic! Oh, what a great feeling that is to have! Praise God! John and I went together up to Valley Children's Hospital for a consult with Dr Witt. Two dirty diaper changes later, we sat down with the plastic surgeon and went over the plan for Dennis' surgeries. A good thing I didn't take up our new friend's offer to watch Dennis and Jonny during this meeting because we will definitely need their help later. Hope you're reading this Tina!

Anyway, this doctor is incredibly hopeful while making it clear that due to Dennis severe banding, nothing will ever be perfect. He has made many suggestions and John and I feel confident that he is "the man." Next week, the office will be scheduling two surgeries for Dennis. The first is going to be a Palatoplasty which will correct his cleft palate on the inside of his mouth. Dennis will most likely be in the hospital for 2 nights. Linda, hope you'll be free to come and visit and have lunch.

The next surgery which will happen after his palate heals will address the right side of his face. I am not quite able to explain what it is the doctor will be doing, but I do know that it involves a cut from the upper lip, to the nose just under the eye, along the bottom of the eye to the top of his head. The doctor wants to recontruct Dennis' lip and hopefully move some of his facial skin and fat over some of his scar tissue which might might provide a little more flesh to help sew up Dennis' eye so that it will appear more normal without all the open red membrane showing. If the doctor can do this, then his eye will most likely support a prosthetic eye shell--- which would be awesome. Other surgeries that some are years out will include his ears, the left side of his face, and his jaws and teeth. We may also decide to look into Anaplastology when he gets older.

All in all, I feel that today's visit went well, and I am confident that Dennis is in good hands.