Tuesday, October 12, 2010

In one week

For the past couple of months we have been trying to schedule Davy's first lip & nose surgery. Apparently her surgeon is one busy dude, cuz the first date he had available was December 21. That's right, 4 days before Christmas. Even worse then that, it was scheduled for 3:30 in the afternoon, which means I would have to starve Davy all day(she has to fast 8 hours). Brutal huh. I was sad that it would be ruining Christmas for the family, but happy that my boys would have no school and could be shipped off to their cousins house. I pleaded with the nurse that if there were any cancellations any time sooner to give us a call. 
So guess what? I got a call last night. Davy is now having her surgery October 19th, one week from today. It will be at 8:30 in the morning , so no all day starvation. This is very sudden, but I know it will be so much better to do it now rather then Christmas time.
I have to admit, I cried really hard after I got off the phone. I am not excited, I'm nervous and scared. It's weird to think of her looking any other way. I love her big clefty smile. She won't be the same Davy and it makes me sad. Dang it.....I'm crying again. 

22 comments:

Heather said...

HEY! She will 'ALWAYS' be the 'SAME' Davy you gave birth to... You will always remember how she looked before and after the surgery (you have taken enough pictures of the little cutie just to prove that point!) SHE will be FINE! It's the parents who have to go through the pain and torture and the 'what ifs'. (and yes I know that she will have pain too) But this is going to help HER in the long run, which is why all of your friends and family are here for you and your precious little family. So don't worry, this is a GOOD THING! I know it's a lot sooner than you wanted, but by Christmas, you will look back at this and think 'How fast this all has gone by'... Good luck and go ahead and cry it out now! It'll make you feel better!

EJ said...

You're doing an amazing job, Ruth. Cry when you want. You're doing what any mother would do: loving Davy through all of her trials and tribulations. Best of luck to you all next week!!!!
Erin, www.thesearemyreasons.blogspot.com

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

You're doing fine, hon. Surgery is a big old scary event any time. You have every right to cry and be worried and nervous and upset. Love her thru it and soon it will be history. Sending energy for you all.

Elaine said...

Ruth, I've been following your blog since I stumbled across it a week before Davy's birth. I'm hooked because I'm the mother of a "cleft" baby. He's 29 years old and about to become a father himself.

I understand your apprehension about the change to Davy's appearance. I have to confess that I felt a tug when you posted the pictures of Davy's "taping" because that picture showed me how she is going to change. But, one thing will not change, and that is her beautiful eyes. Clefty smile or a face like all the other kids have, those eyes will never change.

I have to tell you that I have a photo of my son five days post surgery--barely a scar visible! I'm so excited for you and I can't wait for Davy's debut post-surgery.

Bless you and your family,

Elaine

merideth said...

good luck davy. sending prayers your way!!

{ Bethany } said...

I guess you probably won't need this tip since her days of enduring the dreaded tape are almost over, but you can use this citrus adhesive remover stuff to get the tape off. The nurses/hospital can give it to you, they come in little individual packs like alcohol swaps do! They work really well and then you don't have red marks. :)

Good luck with the surgery! I will be thinking of your little Davy on the 19th.

P.S. We love Yo Gabba Gabba. I had the privilege of seeing the Jack Black episode for the first time a couple weeks ago and I laughed SO HARD! (which is a blessing right now). So thank you!

Unknown said...

Good luck! You're an amazing Mom. I cried when my 'baby' got his first teeth....I missed gummy grins! Nothing wrong with just riding the wave of emotions. :)

Stephanie said...

I'm so glad you got an opening.

I'll keep you all in my prayers.

I want to cry looking at her & thinking of her surgery, too. I can't imagine how you feel. :) She is such a sweet girl.

Georgia said...

Ruth....you are doing just what you need to....loving sweet Davy! I know all will go well. Sending you and the family big hugs!!!!!

lisastassforth said...

This post brought me to tears. She will be the same Davey. And you will be just fine through the surgery.
My second daughter was born with a congenital hairy nevus on her face and scalp. I knew immediately that it would be removed. We started the process at 6 months. She had a series of tissue expanders placed in her neck and scalp. I wasn't going to have my daughter go through life with a hairy birthmark on her face, and scalp. But wouldn't you know it,while at the doctor's office the day before a woman asked me, You aren't going to remove it are you? It's part of who she is." I couldn't believe what she was asking. I told the woman that this birthmark is not what identifies her. The surgery was successful and she is now a successful 17 year old AP student with a ton of friends. I taught her in elementary school that kids will look, and wonder about the scars on her face. and if they ask to just explain what you went through. I do remember how she looked pre surgery, and am so grateful for the talented surgeons who performed this surgery for her. Children's Hospital of LA rocks!
Davey will be fine because of the love and confidence you give her.

Melinda said...

I love her big clefty smile too! She's beautiful and will always be beautiful!

Jessica said...

Hang in there! Im sure it will go great! Youre a strong woman & Miss Davy will do awesome!!

Melany said...

that is so great about the date being moved up! i am not a patient person, anticipation kills me so the sooner she gets the operation over with the sooner she can heal. hope everything goes well!!

Julie said...

I remember that feeling so well, so concerned that my beautiful baby's face that I was in love with was about to change forever. And it was a big good-bye to her clefty grin, I brought home a different baby and I couldn't stop staring at her because she was so beautiful. I fell in love all over again.

My husband and I cleared a whole week off our schedule after her surgery and our older daughter went to stay with her Grandma for a few days, so I remember that time immediately following her hospital stay as very precious. All the two of us had to do was take care of her and it was actually a lovely time, albeit with a fussy baby who just wanted us to walk and walk and walk while holding her. It took her about a month to get back to herself 100%, but 48 hours after the surgery she was nearly there.

Good luck!!

Senja said...

Good luck! What a blessing that it all worked out so nicely :)

And just let your emotions come.

XO Senja

courtney said...

My little guy was born with Microtia ("little ear"). Pretty much has no left ear or ear canal. It is a 4 stage surgery process to rebuild it from rib cartilage and skin grafts. He is 2 surgeries down!! We miss his Nemo ear like crazy but this will build his confidence and increase his hearing possibilities for the future. You are doing the best you can for her!! We are so blessed that God has allowed such awesome medical miracles to be used on our babies!! Good luck and prayers!

desert dispatches said...

Considering how lovely she is now, I imagine she will, after her surgery, be a ravishing beauty-baby. Davy has an army of fans who will be praying for her!

heather said...

i'm so excited for you! that date & time is going to be so much better. i can't believe it's just a week away! (not that my situation is the same as davy's, but i think this will be harder for you than for her) i would be so scared as a mom, but as the kid going into surgery- it's not so bad.

Karyn said...

Great news Ruth. I know you were hoping to get it moved up, but wow - that's quick! You'll be so glad when the surgery is behind you. Sure her smile will change, but that twinkle she has will still be the same. She is precious.

Marianne said...

You are an amazing Mom! Go ahead and cry but just know that nothing will change who your little Davy is! Her unconquerable spirit will just shine on and on! Will be praying for you all!

Damaris @Kitchen Corners said...

I showed my BFF your blog and she cried so much. She was born with a cleft and her parents were too ashamed to ever take pictures of her. She so wishes she had pictures pre-surgery.

You are such a good mama. I hope all goes smoothly.

Paige said...

What a sweet, cute and loving Mom you are. It made me cry too. Your sister in the gospel in Texas. =)