Cleft Assessment

From Evernote:

On Friday we got up early and drove to Sacramento to meet with Dr. Tollefson, who is a facial plastic surgeon with the UC Davis Cleft program. He has done cleft repairs in China and taught Chinese surgeons how to do the repairs. He has his own website http://www.drtravistollefson.com/cleft He got on very well with Thomas and once I told him I was a surgical nurse his explanations became more technical and he was respectful so intuitively I think UCD was the right choice for us versus a SF bay area team, plus it's my alma mater and a familiar place for me. He was very impressed with Thomas' adjustment to his new family, his curiousity, and his growing understanding of English. He thought that Thomas' lip and cleft repairs were well done but did recommend surgery to correct the fistula behind Thomas' gumline to prevent air and food from escaping into his nose. I had already suspected this recommendation from my reading. This repair needs to wait about 9 months after his palate surgery that was done in China. I am guessing that his surgery was around July/August because when I got an update last June, his palate had not been repaired yet but voila in September when we met Thomas it was repaired and healed. That will put us in May for surgery. Also, depending on how well speech therapy goes, Thomas may also need a p-flap; a flap from the back of the throat to prevent air from escaping into the nose from the throat. He also may need ear tubes depending on how his audiology testing comes out. The doctor couldn't assess Thomas' ears due to a lot of ear wax. Next, we will have to come back and meet with the other specialists from the cleft program, speech therapist, audiologist, social worker, dentist, surgeons... When Thomas is older he will get a bone graft in his gum line and then as a teenager a rhinoplasty and any other necessary repairs for his appearance.

This weekend Thomas got to meet his cousin Hunter and his uncles Tim and Jason. Hunter and Thomas have been having a great time playing together.

I have not updated the blog since we got home from China. I was thinking of not updating it any further but felt inspired this weekend. The last two months have been exhausting with adjusting to being a family of three. The jet lag after returning from China was excruciating. I had to stay up 24 hours twice to get myself adjusted and it took a couple of weeks for Thomas to sleep more at night than during the day. Thomas has bonded like glue. The first few weeks were also getting into a routine with feeding times and making sure he gets all the food groups. It was also a mental adjustment for me and John. What the hell did we get ourselves into? Can't send him back. Not sure I love him but I am responsible for the little monster. These are passing thoughts when I felt overwhelmed. All the appointments: immunizations at public health, post placement meetings with Adoption Horizons, pediatrician appointment, dentist appointment, regional center appointments and assessments. One of the easiest things was finding a daycare that is open in the evening. Then lets just throw in a flea infestation, a mysterious infection that put me in the hospital for four days so now I have my own legion of appointments. Getting adjusted to going back to work after 8 weeks off, work four days, off another week, and then Thanksgiving, and then back to work. I'd be in a pickle without keeping track of everything on my ipad.

Now, everything is just becoming a new normal. Thomas is an awesome kid. Thanks to everyone for their love and support.