Surgery

We had AB's dr appt yesterday and surgery for her cleft palate is scheduled for Jan. The dr doesn't see any other problems and the cleft is a soft cleft not affecting the bones and she expects the surger to go well. They may put some tubes in her ears though. It's very common for cleft children to have problems with their ears and they are going to take a look at them during pre-op and if they need to put the tubes in than they will during the surgery. I've noticed a lot of drainage in her left ear so I won't be surprised if they say that they need to do the tubes. After the surgery, we'll meet with the plastic surgeon, ear dr, dentist, and speech therapist on a yearly basis to monitor progress and if there's any problems we can have it corrected ASAP. The dr. was great - I really liked her and she talked very frank and answered our questions. The surgery will be at the Children's Hospital and we may be there for 2 or 3 days (the won't release her until she's eating). We'll also be able to stay at the hospital with her.

I'm glad that the surgery is after the holidays as I really want her first holiday's with us to be special and her not in any kind of pain because of the surgery. She really is such a sweetheart and she has captured all of our hearts.

Right now, all 3 kids are outside playing in the leaves. D has been popping out of the leaves after being covered with them. AB is the one trying to actually rake the leaves. J and D are back on the trampoline.