Wow is all that I would've had said, but I was speechless, when I walked into recovery and saw Owen today. His surgery went so incredibly well. He is like a new person, but also something hard to explain, which is that he now looks like what he is like on the inside, and how we have seen him with our heart's eye. So very very cute. He now has a cute little nose and a cute rosebud mouth. Swelling and bruising, sure, but that will pass soon.
He is doing very well. At dinner hour he was signing that he was hungry and hoovered back some yogurt and applesauce. He doesn't like the armbands, as predicted, so my work will be cut out for me the next 2 weeks. I think they'll probably end up releasing him from the hospital, because he won't be satisified with laying in bed for too much longer. That boy wants to go go go.
I didn't want to bother him with pictures today, but I will take a few once the swelling has gone down. It truly is a miracle. When I see Dr. Strumas tomorrow I may have to kiss him LOL.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
It's almost time!
Well Owen's little bag is packed and we're just getting ready for that early rising. His surgery is at 8 am so we have to be at the hospital for 6:15. Rae-Lynn is spending the night at Grandma's (thanks!) which makes things much more simple. She is a little upset to be separated from her brother, and I think a little worried for him too. Rae-Lynn said tonight "but I like him the way he is", which is very nice to hear.
As for myself, I am getting some jitters on Owen's behalf. He's going to be pretty miserable and I wish there was a way to take that away for him. But there isn't so we'll have to help him as best as we can. I had a dream the other night that when he came out of surgery his lip was beautifully fixed but they also made him Irish (red hair, the works). Crazy!
Ok, thats all for now. Stay tuned!
As for myself, I am getting some jitters on Owen's behalf. He's going to be pretty miserable and I wish there was a way to take that away for him. But there isn't so we'll have to help him as best as we can. I had a dream the other night that when he came out of surgery his lip was beautifully fixed but they also made him Irish (red hair, the works). Crazy!
Ok, thats all for now. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Pre-op visit
Owen and I spent the morning at Mac hospital yesterday, going over all of the pre-operative necessaries. I will say this, having a child with limited medical history has its downside but it definitely cuts down on the appointment times significantly (my answer to about 75% of it was 'I don't know'). We also saw the ENT doctor while we were there, who essentially looked in Owen's mouth and said "yup its a cleft". (sigh) I'm sure there was a good reason for that appointment, which has yet to reveal itself. Today we are off to Chedoke for a hearing test, which is needed before they can put in the ear tubes (for drainage).
We are told that one of us will be in the OR with Owen while they put him out. I have voted that someone will be Paul as I am not good with operating rooms at all (my own experiences being entirely too recent, thank-you very much). I will be in like Flynn for the recovery room, but do not want to be in the room where the sharp instruments are! Owen will be in the hospital for 2 nights and we will be taking shifts staying with him around the clock. Expect some sleep deprivation for sure. However, we are very excited for Owen and can't wait to see his new look!
We are told that one of us will be in the OR with Owen while they put him out. I have voted that someone will be Paul as I am not good with operating rooms at all (my own experiences being entirely too recent, thank-you very much). I will be in like Flynn for the recovery room, but do not want to be in the room where the sharp instruments are! Owen will be in the hospital for 2 nights and we will be taking shifts staying with him around the clock. Expect some sleep deprivation for sure. However, we are very excited for Owen and can't wait to see his new look!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
6 weeks later
Well its hard to believe we've been home 6 weeks already. Truthfully, it feels like Owen has always been here, isn't that weird. It took us at least 2 weeks to be truly right with the jet lag. Everything up to Dec 19 was a blur for me personally, as I had to jump right back into my human resources studying, projects, and then write three finals. My marks are ok (knock on wood, still waiting on the results of the finals) which amazes me as I did most of it in a fog. And often covered in baby goober! Oh yes, there was that little thing called Christmas. We were soooo unprepared. Next year will be better, I promise! Who knows what Owen must be thinking about all of it, or as my friend puts it, "I love this Canada, I just get here and everyone has parties and presents all of the time, woo hoo!" Owen took it all in stride and had a great time, he's very social thats for sure. Big sister Rae-Lynn is working on her jealousy but I suspect that one will take awhile. She enjoys Owen's company MOST of the time. Things are much more stable now. Owen sleeps through the night now, and we have a pretty established schedule. Now that I am finished with school, I am able to focus my attention on the kids, which is a relief. They do keep us busy! On the medical front, we jumped right into the line at Chedoke and Owen's surgeries are getting under way. He has already seen a surgeon, developmental specialist and an ENT doctor is soon to come. His lip closure surgery is scheduled for Jan 11. Owen's palate surgery will follow approximately March once his lip is fully healed. Then speech therapy begins. We can't wait to hear what he has to say, as it seems like it will be alot! Owen manages to communicate in his own way. We taught him basic baby sign language and he has his own sort of language that is pretty clear (example, hopping up and down when he wants his bottle, pretty clear eh?).
Reactions to Owen's appearance have been mostly positive. I admit I was a little bit nervous bringing Owen out socially for Christmas and around town but everyone has received him very well (thank-you!). We have had the odd uncomfortable "walmart moments", usually with other kids, but they are the exception. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many of our friends have been researching cleft and are very curious about it. So, we are going to track Owen's surgical procedures on this blog for those who are interested. I'll start today by posting some before pics in a separate posting. The thing that has us most nervous about Owen's surgery is not the procedure itself but the recovery. He has to be in arm restraints (that keep his elbows from flexing) for 2 weeks, and likely will be miserable. o boy. So here we go! stay tuned!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Ni hao Beijing
Greetings from Beijing. We are feeling much more comfortable here. I’m still not sleeping much but longer than I was able to manage in Nanchang. Beijing has changed quite a bit since we were here in 2004. It is much cleaner and the downtown feels much more upscale and prosperous. Some things have not changed, like the tourist destinations, pearl markets etc. It is wonderful to come to our hotel here and actually be able to drink the tap water. The hotel is very modern and comfortable and we have much more room. Owen really likes it here as he has room to run. We don’t stand out quite as much here because Beijing people are more used to seeing foreigners. Owen gets looks for his condition but not nearly as openly rude as we experienced in province.
Yesterday we attempted the Great Wall. Only problem was, it was bitterly cold with high winds. The kids were unable to handle the wind chill and retreated to the bottom pretty fast. Diehards like me (warmed by hormones) managed to get up to some views no problem. Oh well we tried it. As our guide says when in Beijing you pretty much have to go to The Wall. We are experiencing winter conditions here and I am very proud of self that I had the foresight to pack hats and mitts! Today we did some shopping at the Pearl Market (and so I was in my element). We travelled there by subway which was a first for me. The subway was excellent, very clean and modern. We had lunch at a local restaurant and it was very good. We’ve tried pretty much everything put on the plate and it has all been tasty.
Big sister challenges continue. As parents we are trying to be patient but it doesn’t always work. I’m hoping things will even out when we get back home to Canada. If anyone is thinking about bringing siblings on an adoption trip, feel free to call me for feedback on that topic. We are wondering now if we did the right thing by bringing her to China. We love Rae-Lynn dearly but man o man, its been a stressful week. The thing about adoption trips, they’re not vacations, they’re real work, integrating a new family member. At this point, although we are enjoying where we are, we are looking forward to getting home and getting everyone back into a stable routine. And having a proper cup of tea (although I did find Starbucks today and it was very good). And petting the cat :-D. Meanwhile, we have 2 more full days that are packed with goodies. Tomorrow we are off to Tienamen Square and forbidden city, and I am taking Rae-Lynn to see the Chinese acrobats in the evening (leaving Dad and son back at the hotel while we have some girl time). Wednesday, finishing up the shopping and then a Peking duck dinner. Then packing, then back on home.
Yesterday we attempted the Great Wall. Only problem was, it was bitterly cold with high winds. The kids were unable to handle the wind chill and retreated to the bottom pretty fast. Diehards like me (warmed by hormones) managed to get up to some views no problem. Oh well we tried it. As our guide says when in Beijing you pretty much have to go to The Wall. We are experiencing winter conditions here and I am very proud of self that I had the foresight to pack hats and mitts! Today we did some shopping at the Pearl Market (and so I was in my element). We travelled there by subway which was a first for me. The subway was excellent, very clean and modern. We had lunch at a local restaurant and it was very good. We’ve tried pretty much everything put on the plate and it has all been tasty.
Big sister challenges continue. As parents we are trying to be patient but it doesn’t always work. I’m hoping things will even out when we get back home to Canada. If anyone is thinking about bringing siblings on an adoption trip, feel free to call me for feedback on that topic. We are wondering now if we did the right thing by bringing her to China. We love Rae-Lynn dearly but man o man, its been a stressful week. The thing about adoption trips, they’re not vacations, they’re real work, integrating a new family member. At this point, although we are enjoying where we are, we are looking forward to getting home and getting everyone back into a stable routine. And having a proper cup of tea (although I did find Starbucks today and it was very good). And petting the cat :-D. Meanwhile, we have 2 more full days that are packed with goodies. Tomorrow we are off to Tienamen Square and forbidden city, and I am taking Rae-Lynn to see the Chinese acrobats in the evening (leaving Dad and son back at the hotel while we have some girl time). Wednesday, finishing up the shopping and then a Peking duck dinner. Then packing, then back on home.
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