Almost there

So little yet so mighty. 

Today is Ben's pre-op appointment for his surgery next week. I can not believe this day is here! One, because of how scheduling this surgery was a logistical and financial nightmare, but also because my 20 week sonogram last October feels so long ago. The pregnancy with those darn doctor's and their ridiculous opinions and guesswork inciting my fear and struggle to maintain peace melts further away each day. 

Today is our last appointment with the NAM team. I'm going to take a picture of them, because I love them. I may even miss them a little. I spent so. much. time with them in the beginning - more than I did with my friends I think. Week to week, hour long appointments. I feel like that office loves Ben. Maybe that is too strong of a word, but they sure seemed excited to see him and cheered his weight gain and NAM progress. Maybe I would invite them all out to drinks if I didn't have to pay.to.park every time I went!

This process is growing extinct!

Ben will, God willing, wear the NAM and tape (that now consistently breaks since he is getting bigger and stronger) for only 10 more days. That is only 20 more NAM changes. Only 20 more mouth scrubbings. Only 100 more minutes of holding that thing in place when we change out the fixadent.* God bless it.

As much work as it was and because not every Cleft team chooses to use the NAM, I am thankful for it. The transformation in Ben's cleft and face seems well worth it. Evidence:

So little yet so mighty

Look at how wide that gap is!

Notice no nostril and the maxilla turned outwards (1 week old)

Notice how much smaller the gap is! (4 weeks old/3 weeks of tape) This is before the NAM - nostril still flat

May 7 - after 5 weeks of NAM. nostril!

the handsome little man! - present day

Quick recap, birth to present:

So much less work involved for the surgeon, which means, hopefully, much better post surgey results.

Benjamin is a trooper - he never seemed to mind the NAM or the tape. Or even the times the tape caused his cheeks to rash or get little cuts. Ben might be my hero.

And so, we said goodbye to this part of Ben's cleft team. Joe and Dr. D who have helped Ben (and me) through so much!

*Note: when all is said and done, we will have held that NAM in place for a total of 14 hours (840 minutes) of our lives.