We've been going to visit Ryker's orthodontist Dr. Yamashiro at Primary Children's, every other Tuesday since July 8th. Dr. Yamashiro made a small retainer called a NAM for Ryker and since he doesn't really have anything in his mouth for it to hook to, there are two small posts that come out of his mouth that we tape to his cheeks to hold it in place. Over the last month and a half adjustments have been made that have caused his cleft to come closer together. It's an amazing process, at first his cleft was large enough to stick the bottle nipple into and now I can barely slide a Q-tip in it to clean it out! The latest adjustment was a paper clip size wire that goes from the retainer into his nostril, at the end is a pink ball that pushes out on his nose, this is stretching his nostril so that it isn't so collapsed. Ryker is such a tough little man, he hasn't been bothered by any of it, except when the nose piece was first put on, the wire was rubbing on his gumline. I didn't know it except that he was really fussy. After a few days, I pulled it out to clean it and it started bleeding really bad. We were able to go back and have it adjusted around his gumline and almost immediately, he was back to his usual happy self. I can't believe how much such a small little appliance can make such a huge difference!! His whole face is changing before my eyes. We only have 2 more weeks until he's changed forever, Dr. Siddiqi is our plastic surgeon at Primary's and we'll be in for surgery on the 10th of September. His lip will be permanently repaired, his soft palate will be temporarily stitched and he will get a more permanent prosthesis screwed in over his hard palate, at this time, Dr. Grimmer, our ENT will also place tubes in his ears. It sounds overwhelming but we are lucky they can do so much at once and he will only have to be in the hospital for two days. It's scary to think our little guy will be changed for the rest of his life, it's a change that we have to make, but we've grown so used to how he was sent to us that it'll be really hard to let him be taken into surgery knowing that he'll come back completely different. He's so brave.Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ryker's NAM
We've been going to visit Ryker's orthodontist Dr. Yamashiro at Primary Children's, every other Tuesday since July 8th. Dr. Yamashiro made a small retainer called a NAM for Ryker and since he doesn't really have anything in his mouth for it to hook to, there are two small posts that come out of his mouth that we tape to his cheeks to hold it in place. Over the last month and a half adjustments have been made that have caused his cleft to come closer together. It's an amazing process, at first his cleft was large enough to stick the bottle nipple into and now I can barely slide a Q-tip in it to clean it out! The latest adjustment was a paper clip size wire that goes from the retainer into his nostril, at the end is a pink ball that pushes out on his nose, this is stretching his nostril so that it isn't so collapsed. Ryker is such a tough little man, he hasn't been bothered by any of it, except when the nose piece was first put on, the wire was rubbing on his gumline. I didn't know it except that he was really fussy. After a few days, I pulled it out to clean it and it started bleeding really bad. We were able to go back and have it adjusted around his gumline and almost immediately, he was back to his usual happy self. I can't believe how much such a small little appliance can make such a huge difference!! His whole face is changing before my eyes. We only have 2 more weeks until he's changed forever, Dr. Siddiqi is our plastic surgeon at Primary's and we'll be in for surgery on the 10th of September. His lip will be permanently repaired, his soft palate will be temporarily stitched and he will get a more permanent prosthesis screwed in over his hard palate, at this time, Dr. Grimmer, our ENT will also place tubes in his ears. It sounds overwhelming but we are lucky they can do so much at once and he will only have to be in the hospital for two days. It's scary to think our little guy will be changed for the rest of his life, it's a change that we have to make, but we've grown so used to how he was sent to us that it'll be really hard to let him be taken into surgery knowing that he'll come back completely different. He's so brave.
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9 comments:
What a tough little guy! He has really been put through a lot, but he seems to be fighting through it like a little champ. It is so nice to be able to keep up with you guys through the blog! If you need a place to crash for a break or even a night while Ryker is at primary's you know where we live! We missed you at Bear Lake.
What a cute little guy, I miss him! I wish we could have spent more time with you guys, we miss you guys tons! We're so glad that things have gone as well as they have and we hope that continues. Keep us posted.
Good luck with all the hospital stuff. It isn't any fun, but it will be good to get it over with at once. He is such a cute little guy! You are so lucky.
What a trooper! Babies are very resilient, You will be amazed by him after surgery. Take lots and lots of pictures! He will look so different after his surgery. I remember Raydn coming out after his first one and he looked so different but I knew it was him. It's quit amazing what the doctors can do! Good luck and we will be praying that all goes well.
You are all tough! It takes a lot to prepare emotionally for this kind of a thing. But he is a trooper and will do wonderfully! Dr. Sidiqi is an amazing doc... we work with him and his patients sometimes. We will keep our thoughts are prayers with you guys!
Hey Jayme.
Good luck with the sugery next week. I hope that everything continues to go well for you guys. Ryker is such a trooper. What a cutie. I love when I am at my parents house and I see you guys heading out on your bike ride.
Good luck!
Oh, he is such a tough little guy!!! You are such a great mother to be able to handle all that. I think I would get too overwhelmed. I hope everything goes well with all of his surgeries and I can't wait to see the pictures when he is done! Good luck!
He is such a good baby. It is amazing what these little ones can endure. I love reading the blog to keep up on things. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Let us know if there is anything else we can do on our end to help.
What a trooper! Not only Ryker, but your whole family as well! Jayme, I can only imagine the roller coaster of emotions you've been on since you first found out you were pregnant until now...totally admire you! Good luck this next week with his surgery. I'll be thinking about you and praying for you as well. Sure love you!
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