Two years!

It's been two years to the day (today!) that Miss Sunshine had her palate repair.  I can so clearly remember that day like it just happened this morning.  The worrying, the stress, the waiting, the fear.  In the end, it was all worth it, and we came away lucky.  Miss Sunshine had what I would term an easy recovery compared to most.  She was drinking breast milk within two hours of coming out of anesthesia, and by the next morning was eating more than she had eaten in her entire life.  Her healing was picture perfect, no fistulas, she didn't fight the arm restraints, she did well with the syringe feeding.  All in all, we were so very lucky.  I have no doubt that the wonderful, amazing staff at Shriner's Hospital had much to do with that.

Miss Sunshine with Memaw immediately after surgery.

Not happy about being awake.

Miss Sunshine the day after surgery, asleep after breakfast.

Looking back, it's a wonder how well she did.  We flew home less than 48 hours after surgery.  Her restraints got lots of stares for a few weeks, as did her syringe feedings out in public.  But, in the end, we were blessed.  Now we have an almost-three-year-old who no longer needs speech therapy or any other services.  She is being released from care by Early Intervention, and she tested higher than any child has ever tested at her age on the cognitive portion of her evaluations.  She is developmentally delayed in the r/w speech pattern, but that is the only one that she tested beyond normal in, and the speech therapist believes that it is really already starting to resolve itself and she needs no further assistance with it.  

The weight on our shoulders has been great these last three years.  The tears, the fear, the acceptance, the searching, the surgeries, the worries... but now.  Now I look at my daughter, and I am so grateful for all we have been through.  It makes me appreciate things so much more.  I can't help but look forward to what the future brings. 

Miss Sunshine with her special cleft palate bear from Monte's Bears for Clefts

(If you are interested in donating for a child to receive a cleft bear of their very own - personalized with their specific cleft (whether lip or palate), go to Monte's Bears for Clefts to see how, or to sign up your child for a spot on the sponsorship list.  *I was not in any way compensated for this referral.  Miss Sunshine received her cleft bear from a generous sponsor several months ago.  I just personally think it is a wonderful thing that the team at Monte's Bears for Clefts does.)