We attach the tension tape with rubber bands to the two "buttons" on the right. That is how the plate stays in his mouth and the tension pushes everything in line. The next big change occurred when they added the nasal stints to start shaping his nose. They are soft pads that are attached to the plate with metal wires that stick out the front of the plate and his mouth.
A few weeks later they added a bar across to connect the nasal stints to continue to support and shape the nose.
They continue to build the nasal stints up each week. Then they had us add the prolabial tape which is terribly hard to keep on. I have explained that I think in previous posts, but I just wanted to give a visual progression here.
Now for the fun part... Elijah's progression so far (and we still have two months left):
Left two: pre-NAM
Middle two: few weeks of NAM but pre-nasal stints
Right two: from this past week
We are so thrilled with his progress so far. Yesterday at the visit, Dr. Olson was explaining that because they are shaping the cartilage in the nose now before it hardens, Elijah shouldn't need additional nose surgeries while he is young. He did explain that as he grows, things do naturally change, but they generally don't do nose revisions in kids who had NAM. We can reevaluate when he is 18, and Elijah will be able to decide if he wants further revision. It's strange to think of my baby being 18 one day. Additionally, because of NAM, the gumline can be repaired in this first surgery and does not have to wait until later.
Speaking of surgery, Elijah's first surgery is scheduled for March 19. We would love your prayers to start now, but we will keep you posted about the surgery closer to the date once we learn more. It will be done in Indianapolis, not NY.
I am back in Indy now (thurs morning). Yesterday started out great. Elijah was in a great mood initially. He doesn't look super happy below, but he really was just alert, looking around, and cooing all morning.
I had great company. Caroline, a friend from church, accompanied us. We, along with another friend Katherine co-lead a 10th-12th grade "community/prayer/Bible study" group. I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her so much better during our 20 hour trip yesterday. She is a fantastic person and I am excited to see where God takes her with her talents and passions.
Elijah deteriorated a bit once we got to NY. He has been getting so much sleep at home, but didn't get his good long naps so he became tire and fussy for a good part of the afternoon. We took turns holding him and getting him to take little naps here and there.
Then we got to LaGuardia to head back and he lost it. He was mad, tired, and hungry but wouldn't eat or go to sleep. He was screaming and it was jam packed at our gate. There was no where to sit so Caroline stood in a corner with all our stuff, while I tried walking around to find a place to sit and feed Elijah. I was a little annoyed that no one offered us a seat, but I plopped on the floor away from the crowds to try to feed him. I was frustrated because I thought it was obvious that I was looking for a seat. I was also self conscious and in my head (although this probably isn't true), I felt like people were annoyed that I couldn't get Elijah to stop screaming. A few women offered advice which rubbed me the wrong way. I hate that I am so prideful that I get internally angry when people offer me advice for helping Elijah calm down. I think it makes me feel like a bad mom when I know they are just trying to be helpful. Eventually I just stopped trying to feed him, help him super tight, and gave him his pacifier. He settled down. The rest of the trip went pretty smoothly, and Caroline and I bonded over our deep, deep love for Chic-Fil-A sauce! Seriously, if you haven't tried it, you are missing out.
Elijah's restlessness and fighting sleep/food reminded me so much of my own fighting heart. God tries to satisfy us with things that are good much like I was trying to help Elijah. But we (or maybe just I, but probably you too) wrestle and fight against accepting his good for us. We scream and squirm and try to break loose from his grasp. I am reminded of lyrics from one of my of favorite songs written by our worship leader at church Nathan Partain (partainwordsandmusic.wordpress.com):
He came to us who were rich and complaining,
And he came to us who were poor and yet fighting,
And he came to us who were hungry and could never find sleep...
...he came to us who would meager return love,
And he came to us, who didn't recognize our own God,
And he came to us who would strike at his sweetest embrace...
Instead of God dropping us from his grasp when we push against him, he holds us tight until we give up. We can't fight it anymore. Why do we think we can find something better on our own? Something better than what the God of the Universe has for us? We let go. Release the pain, the fatigue. And he gives rest, healing, peace.
...Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2:12b ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2-5 ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. (Psalm 3:5 ESV)
Stop fighting.
Rest.
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