Mason's 3rd Surgery

So, our journey for Surgery #3 began!!! We found out in February that Mason would be having his 3rd surgery this summer. He would have a nasal reconstruction and cheiloplasty (reconstruction to his upper lip). We have been taking Mason to the International Craniofacial Institute with Dr. Genecov since he was born. I made our first phone call to Dr. Genecov on the day that Mason was born. We have been very blessed to have such an amazing Dr. and his staff be with us through everything.

On June 2, 2009...Brian, my mom, and I took the day off to take Mason through all of his pre-operation appointments. Our first appointment was at Raintree Pediatrics with Amber. We have been going to see Amber since Mason was born. We Love her!

Mimi went through this with us 100% of the way! On our way to the doctor this day, Mason was worried that he was going to get a shot. Brian and I assured him there would be NO SHOTS! Well, what we didn't think about was that they would have to take some blood by pricking his finger. OOPS!!! Poor baby!

While we were waiting to see Dr. Genecov, our 5th appointment of the day, Mason was getting a little restless! He is such a good kiddo and we are extremely blessed that the Lord has given him to us.

ON THE DAY OF SURGERY:

Mason's before picture! This was taken in the car on the way to the hospital the day of the surgery.

Mommy, Daddy, and Mason! We were in the waiting room at Forest Park Medical Center. This is the new hospital that Dr. Genecov is part owner in. His surgical group joined a number of other doctors and opened this facility.

Of course Mimi and Papa were there with us! Mason was patiently waiting to be taken back to get prepped for surgery!

Getting his temperature taken!

It was right after he changed into his gown that Mason started getting extremely nervous. He was crying and wanted his Mommy. The nurses gave him some coloring sheets and a little box of crayons, stickers, and goodies! We were trying desperatly to distract him and cheer him up...it was a hard job to do!

The three of us! Mason, we love you with all of our hearts!

This is nurse Kelley, she was Mason's nurse in recovery. She came in to meet Mason! She gave him some "happy juice" to help calm him down. That stuff worked fantastic!!! He acted a little umm...intoxicated! He cheered up really quickly!

Mason begged Daddy and Mimi to put their "glasses" on! He was acting sooooo silly!

He even shoved tissue paper in his ears and he was laughing hysterically!

After SURGERY:

The nurses came and got me and Brian as soon as Mason was taken to recovery and they made sure that he was stable. He was still sleeping when we went back to see him. They had him on oxygen to help him come out of the anesthesia.

After Brian and I were able to hold his hands and give him kisses, I went and got Mimi and Grandma. I was trying to explain to them everything that Dr. Genecov and the nurses had been over with us. It's all kind of a blur now!! There was so much to take in!

He woke up!!! This is his after shot!!! He looks so great!

It didn't take long for Mason to ask for juice and pudding! He drank so many fluids we were nervous he was taking too much in too quickly, but he held it all in and did great!

Mason got to ride in a "TRANSFORMER" wheel chair on our way out of the hospital! He thought that he was so BIG and COOL! Nurse Kelley was awesome the entire time we were there!

AFTER THOUGHTS:

Through each step of our lives, we grow as parents, as a family, and as children of God. We have been extremely fortunate to live in an area that provides such amazing technology and medicine to children. Our family and friends have been a HUGE support system for us and we are fortunate to have each and every one of them. God gave Mason to us for a reason and we take each and every day as a blessing and we thank Christ for everything he has done for our family.

Please check out the following website:

http://www.operationsmile.com/

There is a lot of information provided on this site that explains a lot about cleft lips and palates. This is an organization the send doctors and other medical staff around the world to provide their services free of charge to children who are in need of correctional procedures for their cleft lips and palates. They are currently running a "Match Your Donation Challenge." They have a donor who has agreed to match any donation given to the organization. For only $240, a child in a third world country will be given an operation to fix their cleft lip/palate. This is something very close to our hearts and we adore this organization! There is also a website (http://www.smiletrain.com/), they do the same thing!