Reagan was given the medical clearance on his final follow up appointment with his surgeon who repaired his lip in June and his palate in November. Basically what that means is that he is allowed to do whatever his sisters were doing in terms of meals. The truth of the matter is he was already doing the same thing. They have all been eager little eaters and have been on finger foods for weeks.
The outcome for Reagan has been a success. Reagan's cleft lip and cleft palate are as perfect as can be. His surgeon even asked the others in the room if they could they tell which triplet had the cleft? That's how pleased she was. And so are we.
Leading up to this has been a process and anyone with a child born with a cleft lip or palate or both as he was, will understand. There is an emotional component to it. One that we had not considered or prepared ourselves for. Reagan was perfect to us when he was born and when it came time to repair his lip at 4 months we for a brief moment hesitated about the procedure. Medically there was no need, but for speech, and looks he would need it. My husband even asked, do you think we should move forward? Of course that was a brief thought and we did move forward.
His lip turned out beautiful and although we were pleased with his look, very pleased, we both went through a grieving process as there was somehow a loss our little boy. We didn't expect this feeling, but we both shared this sadness. We mentioned this feeling to the surgeon on a post surgery appointment and she assured us that this feeling is experienced by many families. That it is the big wide smile and the attachment to the cleft that you bonded with and was your child. That made sense.
Today we sat at our favorite spot in the cafeteria that we have been coming to for the last year. Our triplets have had many visits to the new Childrens Hospital over these past 11 months, but today we felt grateful that all of our triplets are healthy and thriving. Reagan has some time off from all of this and won't need to see his Cleft Palate team again for another 6 months. That team consists of his surgeon, ENT and Speech and orthodontist. Yes he will need braces.
If you have come across this blog and have questions about a child with a cleft lip or palate. It may be a question about feedings, what bottle did we use, or the surgery, or whatever you need to know. Please ask.
Here are a few pictures from our visit today. Running with Triplets says goodnight!
The outcome for Reagan has been a success. Reagan's cleft lip and cleft palate are as perfect as can be. His surgeon even asked the others in the room if they could they tell which triplet had the cleft? That's how pleased she was. And so are we.
His lip turned out beautiful and although we were pleased with his look, very pleased, we both went through a grieving process as there was somehow a loss our little boy. We didn't expect this feeling, but we both shared this sadness. We mentioned this feeling to the surgeon on a post surgery appointment and she assured us that this feeling is experienced by many families. That it is the big wide smile and the attachment to the cleft that you bonded with and was your child. That made sense.
Today we sat at our favorite spot in the cafeteria that we have been coming to for the last year. Our triplets have had many visits to the new Childrens Hospital over these past 11 months, but today we felt grateful that all of our triplets are healthy and thriving. Reagan has some time off from all of this and won't need to see his Cleft Palate team again for another 6 months. That team consists of his surgeon, ENT and Speech and orthodontist. Yes he will need braces.
If you have come across this blog and have questions about a child with a cleft lip or palate. It may be a question about feedings, what bottle did we use, or the surgery, or whatever you need to know. Please ask.
Here are a few pictures from our visit today. Running with Triplets says goodnight!
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| After Reagan's appointment we head to the Cafeteria for dinner. |
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| The triplets always enjoy the aquarium before leaving. |
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about Reagan's cleft palate, but am surely blessed to hear how beautifully you and your husband have handled this challenge. Having lived in the PI, I was very aware of this condition in many children and the great work that Operation Smile did to repair the smiles of so many who could not afford it(though they could never reach enough!) Years later I worked at a tv station in Norfolk directly across the street from OpSmile and we did their telethons. Anyway, I love hearing about your family, and your sister is so right - you are amazing! Hope to meet the triplets someday. Warmly, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. And how special it must have been to end up working right across the street from a wonderful cause. Honestly, I really didn't know much about Clefts before Reagan was born and learning the news while I was pregnant was a bit alarming, but soon went away as I learned more about it. I hope you get the chance to meet the triplets too. That would be wonderful. And Iike how you put it.. "repair the smiles". How very nice.
DeleteHey. It took me a second, but Reagan is wearing his outfit and booties from Aunt Steph! Loved this blog post for so many reasons. I don't know how you had the time to write it!!!
ReplyDeleteYES, it is the outfit and booties that you gave to Reagan for Christmas last year before they were born. I love it and sadly he really has outgrown it as you can see how short it was, but with the booties it worked! I am glad that you enjoyed this post. I honestly started it in the car. I get a lot of things done when the triplets are strapped in their carseats and Alex is driving.
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