Thankful: Day 4 [Uneventful Annual Checkup]

This thankfulness series is ambitious, I can say that much.

I am thankful that Henry's annual surgery follow up went so well yesterday!  We saw Henry's surgeon, an ENT doctor, an audiologist, and a speech therapist  (I think that's what she was?).  They are basically making sure his development, hearing, etc. is all on track.  I guess if it wasn't on track, that might be a sign of pressure in his head or something?  Not really sure.  But anyway, we "passed" all the exams, and we don't have to go back for another year so that's nice.

Plus, bonus. Henry saw his ophthalmologist last week, and she and the surgeon have decided that we can space out his semi-annual check ups... now he only has to go to the ophthalmologist once a year.  Yippee!  The ophthalmologist also looks for pressure in the brain via the eyes with some pretty amazing equipment.  Henry's eyes look great.

We also briefly met a couple in the waiting area today whose little 6 month old girl was meeting with the surgeon for her two month follow up of the same exact surgery.  I was sort of bummed that I didn't get to talk to them longer because, as you'd expect, we NEVER meet other kids who have experienced the same thing.  It was so fun to see that zig-zag scar on someone else... not that I wanted her to have the scar, but you know what I'm saying.

Anyway, enough is enough. Thank you, Lord, that this appointment was uneventful.

one year ago today...

I cannot believe it's been a year since Henry had surgery for his craniosynostosis.  At the time, we felt like the surgery was the big trial at hand, but now, we realize that the surgery was a MIRACLE!  Without the miracle of that surgery... well, let's just say to think about how Henry's life (and ours too) would have been without the surgery... could bring me to tears if I let it.  Jesus was good to us.  To God be the glory, for sure.

Here are some pictures from that day in 2010.  I still remember how sweet he was in the waiting room, even though we were pushed back hours and hours and he couldn't eat at all.  It still makes me sad to think that he had no idea what was coming for him, but now we have the joy of knowing that it was definitely the BEST thing for him.

Side view of sweet head.

He was such a happy baby!

Fell asleep in daddy's arms before the surgery.

Just after surgery, sleeping.  I love this little man.

We are glad to be celebrating a whole year later!  In case you were wondering, our follow ups for Henry include semi-annual trips to the ophthalmologist to check for pressure on the brain (the first of which was successful), an annual follow up with the surgeon, and then starting when he is three, he will have to have CT scans annually.  HOWEVER, I don't quite like the idea of that, so I am praying that there's a way we can space out those scans, or avoid most of them altogether.

Here's a picture of the side of Henry's head from a few days ago.  We just got his haircut before this picture.  You can only see tiny part of his scar right after he gets a haircut, and in this picture it's difficult to differentiate between what is blonde and what is the scar.  The scar is the part closest to his ear - everything else (that stuff above it) is just blonde hair.

It definitely looks like he's having a real conversation in this picture. :)

Thank you all for your love and support throughout that whole event last year.  Happy Last Day of August!

Day 6

Henry is doing great - minus the fact that he cut his first tooth yesterday, and he's about to cut the second one! That makes for a loooong week with not very much sleep for both him and us!

Here's two pictures we took tonight. He looks less like "Stewie" from Family Guy and more like Henry each day!

The sides of his head are yellowish because of bruising, and his head is still squishy feeling. I feel funny taking him in public because I don't want people to stare, but we've gone out anyway.

I was doing some web browsing today and came across some pictures of a man who never had his sagittal craniosynostosis corrected, and it was very sad. I don't want to post them here because they were linked on a craniosynostosis forum, and I don't feel like I have permission, so I won't. But, we are so thankful that God created a way for Henry's head to be healed. The man has endured a lifetime of ridicule and psychological problems, according to his daughter.

Anyway, thanks for your support this last week again. We feel so blessed and loved.

Pictures on Day 4 (Third Day After Surgery)

Right eye is squinty.

Busted out the infant swing, but it doesn't move when I'm in it.

What up?

Looks tired, but really just can't open all the way!

Both eyes open!

He is able to hold his head enough to get in the exersaucer! The playful face is returning.

Head is looking rounder already!

He gets better by the hour.  His head looks better now than it did at 7 PM when he got in his exersaucer!

Pictures Second Day After Surgery

Early morning on Thursday.

Eyest still shut, but acting more like himself.

Eyes not as purple.  His neck still looks bruised, but his ears are pink here.  They were purple before.

They were really child friendly.

Looking much better, but eyes still shut.

There's the scar.

He still gets better every hour.

His head swells in the direction that it was previously growing.  It's very mushy and feels like a water balloon.

Around 3 or 4 PM on Thursday! One eye open!

Daddy was able to make him laugh!

Going home! (Around 6PM. Just about 50 hours from end of surgery to going home)

Pictures First Day After Surgery

Early the first morning after surgery (about 16-18 hours after).

Finally getting a bottle!

Yummy!

Still had lots of IVs and monitors!

All of his stuffed animal friends!

I loved that his left eye didn't shut for awhile.

Frustrated.

Hungry as ever!

Both eyes shut, I think we were out of ICU at this point.

This is probably at his worst.  Whole head is bruised.  It actually looks better in the pictures than it did in person. First time in daddy's arm.

The scar looks really good.

First time for mommy to hold him.

Another view of the scar.

Late on the second night.  Like I said, I think he looked worse in person.

Pictures Day of Surgery: Immediately Following

Pictures Day of Surgery: Waiting Room