The 2nd week he ate well but slept terribly. And then the third week just had to deal with keeping things from his mouth and the No-No's. But it's over now and Elijah is 98% back to normal. His sleep is still off a bit as he is not napping consistently any more, so he is a bit fussier than normal, but we can deal with that.
Nate had taken the week of Aug 25 off because that was the original date of Elijah's surgery before they bumped it up. Nate was itching to go somewhere for a few days, and Elijah has started to turn the corner of his recovery so we, like crazy parents, headed to Michigan for a mini vacation. Lots of vacation pics to follow so scroll towards the bottom for more cleft updates.
I was nervous about how Elijah would do, but it ended up being really good for all of us to get away and have a change of scenery. I get why Tim Allen loves Michigan. If you don't know what I am talking about, just google Pure Michigan commercial. We stayed in a different city every night because that's how my crazy husband does vacation. He golfed a couple times and then we did the following:
The next day we headed to Mackinac Island which was like being in another world without cars and with lots of fudge.
It was not a very relaxing vacation but it was what we all needed! And Elijah, despite my fears, did so great. We got rid of the restrictions a week and a half ago and are slowly introducing Elijah to table foods along with the puréed baby food. He loves it but won't pick things up himself and insists by whining that we feed him. He has figured out how to do his sippy cup all by himself. It's a huge mess but worth it for him to learn that skill.
Yesterday we followed up with the new plastic surgeon here in town. We saw Dr. Tahiri five days after surgery and learned Elijah had the fistula (aka hole) in the back of his newly repaired palate and he wanted to see us back yesterday. I suspect the fistula was caused by some violent coughing fits Elijah had a few days after surgery. Since my last post, I had thought that the fistula was getting smaller so I was interested and hopeful to see what Dr. Tahiri thought. Well yesterday right before the doctor came in, Elijah opened his mouth really wide and I caught a glimpse of a 2nd fistula. It is right behind his top front teeth. Bummer. However, Dr. Tahiri said that this new one wasn't one we should worry about. There is some bone there that may help close it off, but regardless of whether or not this one closes on it's own, they won't do a separate surgery to repair it. This one can wait to be repaired when they do the bone grafting surgery where they take bone from the hip and put it in the gumline around age seven. He definitely has to have that surgery so no extra there. But I think this is the fistula that most of the milk/food still comes up through and out of his nose so that is slightly annoying.
My suspicions were right about the first fistula towards the back of his mouth. It was smaller, and Dr. Tahiri was really happy about how much smaller it was now. If that one doesn't close on its own, they will do surgery in another year. Whatever happens, I am so thankful it has already gotten quite a bit smaller. Please pray that both fistulas close all the way. I hope they do, but ultimately will trust God's plan if not.
This little guy is so amazing, so resilient. Two surgeries (and recoveries which are just as hard as the surgery) down. Who knows but God how many more to go? I pray and long that these early traumatizing events won't have negative long-lasting effects on Elijah but instead would soften his heart early to the Lord. That his physical healing would remind him of his need for the healing of his heart. Oh that they would remind me too of my need for healing.
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17 ESV)
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