As mentioned before, the journey doesn't end here. Graci had her yearly evaluation with the Craniofacial Center at UNC on January 18, 2011 and they gave us recommendations of all the specialist with whom we met during the visit. It's always a long day for us but it's so good to be at UNC Children's Hospital around so many dedicated and brilliant individuals. Also, we are able to see other families with children similar to Graci and it reminds us that we aren't alone in this journey.
Graci was seen by the speech therapist who stated that Graci's language skills are age appropriate. She reported having mild hypernasality and inconsistent audible nasal air emission. The recommended that we encourage her to use correct pronunciation of sounds that are difficult for her during everyday speech. Thankfully, Graci passed her hearing screening in her good ear. Hopefully, the tube will stay in place for at least a year to keep her from having ear infections and causing her to have any mild hearing loss. Graci's ENT doctor discussed a possible bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA). We have discussed this with Graci but at this time we are so undecided. Graci of course doesn't want anyone to see the hearing aid; but, i want her to expereince the feeling of hearing out of both sides of her ears. We are unsure if Graci is a candidate for the ear canal reconstruction surgery and have many mixed feelings about it. I have to do more research on this surgery and this is something that will be discussed with Graci. At this point she is ok with not having a hole in her ear and she it doesn't bother her that she can't hear out of it.
The plastic surgeon stated Graci's ear reconstruction looked good and we discussed timing of the corrective jaw surgery. He stated she had a right cleft nasal deformity with slumping of the right lower cartilage. Her palate appeared to be intact. We aren't concerned with her nose and will decide on nose revision when Graci is ready. Graci will need TMJ reconstruction with a rib graft but will depend on the oral surgeons report. After speaking with the oral and maxillofacial surgeon we concluded that Graci has a large alveolar cleft on the right for which she will require bone graft reconsturction. Therefore, we need to make an appointment with Dr. Miller Gibbons (orthodonist) in Wilson who we feel comfortable with her going too. He will begin Phase I orthodontic maxillary incisors to plan timing for the bone graft.
About Me
- Mary Brown
- I am a mother of a beautiful daughter with Hemifacial Microsomia. Graci has changed my life forever. I am so thankful for every day God gives me with her. I believe God created her the way he wanted her to be; and placed her in my life for a reason. I pray that he gives me strength and guidance I need to raise her to be a beautiful lady. Graci was born with mulitple birth defects. She has already undergone several surgeries and now we have reached the point in her life where she will have ear reconstuction on her microtia. This blog is for family, friends and others to read as we go through this amazing journey in California as Graci gets her new ear.
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