The Surgery In Which Graham Is Repaired.

I remember clearly as if it were yesterday laying on the bed in the hospital, alone at the precise moment Graham's pediatrician came in. She said a few things before telling me that my baby had a cleft palate. It was so overwhelming to hear. If I only knew how little of a deal it was at that moment, I would have understood and accepted it much better than I did. I held back the tears as I struggled to respond adult like. As soon as she left I called my mom and started crying when I told her, which she couldn't believe mostly because of the bizarre coincidence. My brother also has a cleft palate so it was crazy that it fell into my genes into Graham's. Graham and his uncle will have a special relationship. Anyway, now that it's been two days since Graham's surgery, I cannot believe how quickly the months of counting down have passed. Looking at my little newborn, picturing him an 11 month old at the hospital after surgery felt like an eternity away especially when you think your little baby will always stay that small, it was hard to believe we'd get to that point.

So, to the story. We had the pleasure of waking up at 4:30 am in order to get to Primary Children's Medical Center at 6:15. We were there plenty early which is always better than being late. We checked ourselves in and waited only ten minutes or so to be called back. Graham got to be put in this adorable hospital gown (if you can even call it that...I thought it was hilarious and cute) which, as you can tell, thought was the funnest thing.

So 7 am pulled around and we were taken to a different waiting room where Graham's Anesthesiologist and surgical doctor came to talk to us briefly. Twenty minutes after that we followed the nurse down the hall and we gave him up and went out different ways. I became emotional and shed a few tears. I knew he was in good hands and I was glad I didn't have to watch the surgery. We grabbed breakfast in the cafeteria (way cheap, it was awesome) and then hung out in the waiting room. Dr Muntz (Ear tubes) and Dr Schmelzer (Cleft Palate Surgeon) both came and talked to us when it was finished. About an hour and fifty minute wait. They only allowed one of us to see Graham fresh out of Post-op so I thought Nick should go since he'd be on his way to work shortly. I was called to come fifteen minutes later because they thought Graham might settle down better in the arms of his mother. So Nick and I traded places and I got to sit and hold my poor love in my arms. He was pretty hysterical. While they were finishing up whatever they do before they take us to his room, I was able to calm him down as best I could. Poor thing had no idea what was going on. 

This was the best picture I could take with my right hand reaching to this side. He was very "drugged up" and tired I know.

All was well once he was settled in his room, hooked up and had pain meds going through him. He was an angel.

So we stayed one night and enjoyed sharing a room and bathroom with complete strangers...the nurses were also kind enough to come in every hour (for us and the other baby) and leave the door wide open while we were trying to sleep waking Graham up almost each time. I especially enjoyed this during the day (before I finally drew the curtains around our vicinity) holding Graham while he was hysterical with pain watching all sorts of visitors walking past in hall way staring into our room (because the dang door was wide open all the time) probably thinking poor poor mom! Not a pleasant stay and I wish they would've given me a form to fill out my comments and complaints because my mind was fresh with plenty. My mom came Tuesday evening with dinner. I loved the company since my husband was at work and staying the night at home. But he came back first thing the next morning. Well Wednesday morning we anxiously awaited our discharge. They wanted to make sure Graham was feeding himself properly and sufficiently without a fluid tube. I told them I was perfectly comfortable to take him home and work with him, and I was. We finally got home at 2 pm. With pain meds hes practically the same kid. He sounds very congested when he breathes through his nose and I hope that it's meant to go away soon. Can't believe it's already over. We are so blessed to have a healthy child and that he had such a small problem compared to so many other babies. I kick myself for ever complaining that he had a small hole, unnoticeably inside his mouth that never affected 

his mental or physical health. So glad he's not going to remember any of this! We sure love our son. Thus concludes our story of the year (for now) Thank you, and Goodnight