To close the chapter called "Reconstruction" for this sweet angel. 
I can't believe the 4th stage surgery is here!!!!!! We leave tomorrow for Atlanta once again -- surgery is scheduled for Tuesday (June 1) at 7:30 est. time. What a bittersweet feeling we are having ~~~ it's so great knowing that as long as there are no complications (which we know God will take care of that) this is the final time Nathan will go into the OR for any reconstruction, but at the same time, those feelings of nervousness, sadness, and stress are resurfacing because WHO THE HECK WANTS to send their baby to surgery. Please say some prayers for ALL of us on Tuesday~~~ God is in control and we know he will have His hand on all of us but most importantly on Nathan.
In the above picture, you can see what his ear looks like as of today. Still some swelling on the top portion of the ear but as I have stated before, Dr. Jones says swelling doesn't completely subside until about 2 yrs after the final surgery~~ the detail will be at it's best at that point. I try not to get anxious about it, considering it still looks GREAT as it is, but God is the ultimate physician and only he can create a "perfect" ear. I am just thankful he has blessed Drs with the talent to do what they do.
On Tuesday the surgery Nate will undergo is called the Tragus Construction. The tragus is the small flap-like cartilage we all have at the front of our ears. This surgery will create that for Nathan---but most importantly if the tragus heals favorably, when the light strikes the front of the ear, a shadow is thrown beneath which can look quite like an opening to an ear canal.
To create the tragus, two small grafts are borrowed from the opposite ear~~ this donor tissue is the same tissue one removes and discards when people with protruding ears have their ear "pinned back." In the instance of building a tragus, this tissue instead is used as "building material".
Because surgically-constructed ears rarely protrude as far as the opposite, normal ear, this operation is a "two-for-one" procedure as removing the grafts from one ear and switching them to the other tends to equalize the two ears' projections and give better frontal (head-on) symmetry.
With all that being said (sorry so lengthy) we are definitely excited we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tonight we had a mini-celebration with family and friends to show Nathan how proud we all are of him for being so brave and tough over this past year. Nothing like a good old fashion cook-out with people we love.
"Yea Nate!"
I can't believe the 4th stage surgery is here!!!!!! We leave tomorrow for Atlanta once again -- surgery is scheduled for Tuesday (June 1) at 7:30 est. time. What a bittersweet feeling we are having ~~~ it's so great knowing that as long as there are no complications (which we know God will take care of that) this is the final time Nathan will go into the OR for any reconstruction, but at the same time, those feelings of nervousness, sadness, and stress are resurfacing because WHO THE HECK WANTS to send their baby to surgery. Please say some prayers for ALL of us on Tuesday~~~ God is in control and we know he will have His hand on all of us but most importantly on Nathan.In the above picture, you can see what his ear looks like as of today. Still some swelling on the top portion of the ear but as I have stated before, Dr. Jones says swelling doesn't completely subside until about 2 yrs after the final surgery~~ the detail will be at it's best at that point. I try not to get anxious about it, considering it still looks GREAT as it is, but God is the ultimate physician and only he can create a "perfect" ear. I am just thankful he has blessed Drs with the talent to do what they do.
On Tuesday the surgery Nate will undergo is called the Tragus Construction. The tragus is the small flap-like cartilage we all have at the front of our ears. This surgery will create that for Nathan---but most importantly if the tragus heals favorably, when the light strikes the front of the ear, a shadow is thrown beneath which can look quite like an opening to an ear canal.
To create the tragus, two small grafts are borrowed from the opposite ear~~ this donor tissue is the same tissue one removes and discards when people with protruding ears have their ear "pinned back." In the instance of building a tragus, this tissue instead is used as "building material".
Because surgically-constructed ears rarely protrude as far as the opposite, normal ear, this operation is a "two-for-one" procedure as removing the grafts from one ear and switching them to the other tends to equalize the two ears' projections and give better frontal (head-on) symmetry.
With all that being said (sorry so lengthy) we are definitely excited we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Tonight we had a mini-celebration with family and friends to show Nathan how proud we all are of him for being so brave and tough over this past year. Nothing like a good old fashion cook-out with people we love.
The Cousins!
"Yea Nate!"Disney World HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!
Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com
5 comments:
yay nate!!! We're so so proud of you! Prayers for a speedy recovery! Can't wait to kiss that brand new ear!!!!!
Once again you have brought tears to my eyes. YEAH for Nate. I can't believe you are having stage 4 tomorrow. The Kentys are praying for you Nate and Dr. Jones tomorrow for a successful surgery.
We'll be praying from Thailand! Only a few more weeks until I get to hug my boys!
This is wonderful and all with a smile. Prayers for all of you tomorrow and especially for a speedy recovery for Nate!
Much love and prayers from The Thompsons!!
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