It dawned on me the other day that I never posted an update on Brady’s recovery from his cleft palate repair surgery. In all honesty, he’s recovered so well that I completely forgot, so I guess it’s a good thing!
Our little man was such a trooper and did so well once we got home from the hospital. The first few days after his surgery, I alternated every 3 hours during the daytime between doses of Ibuprofen and Tylenol {per doctor’s orders} and gave him ear drops to help his ears heal from his ear tubes.
After the fifth day, I just gave him meds as I felt he needed it, but after another day or so he was doing so well that I discontinued them altogether. My parents were in town for a couple of days after the surgery and we all remarked at how well Brady seemed to be feeling. His surgery was on a Wednesday and I could have taken him to church on Sunday, he was in that good of spirits. I opted to keep him home just to make sure.
His appetite bounced back within days and he was back in his sleeping and napping routine the day after he got back home from the hospital. I’d say he was back to his giggling, laughing, and overall happy self by day 2 or 3 after surgery.
Other than the obvious improvements we’ve seen with Brady’s eating {he has always been a good eater but it was pitiful to watch him deal with getting food up in his nasal cavity}, the biggest difference I’ve noticed in Brady has been in his speech. Almost immediately, he seemed to talk more and make more sounds. His personality also seemed to blossom. This just confirmed to me that the fluid in his ears truly was affecting his hearing, just as the ENT advised us.
In mid-July, we had Brady’s post-op appointment with the surgeon who performed the surgery. She said he looked great and was healing well! Unless there are issues that arise, we won’t need to bring him in for his next round at the Craniofacial clinic until he is 18 months old. She reminded me that he will be followed closely and seen by the doctors at the clinic every 6 months until he is at least 5 years of age.
The surgery had been the end goal for so long, but was really just the first step of the process. Hopefully, as the muscles in Brady’s mouth continue to heal and become supple, they will function properly so that he can speak clearly. But, time will tell and we won’t know until years down the road as his speech develops. We know that God will provide for Brady’s every need as we walk this path post- cleft palate repair.
In my opinion, the surgery itself and Brady’s recovery was nothing short of a miracle. The fact that a surgeon can close up a hole in an infant’s mouth is astounding to me. I’ve been tempted to look up videos on the internet to see how the surgery was done, but then part of me just wants to keep that part a mystery. I think I could stomach it on this side of surgery, but I don’t want to take a chance.
And as for Brady’s healing, it’s mind boggling. I can’t look at Brady’s mouth post surgery and not be amazed at the way God designed the human body to heal itself. Dr. Rhodes was correct when she told me his mouth would look like a bomb exploded in it, immediately after surgery. But, to look at it now, the uninformed person would never know.
I am so thankful for God’s provision in healing our little boy’s cleft and for seeing him through the weeks of recovery. I know medical professionals may think this surgery is routine and low risk, but as a mother, the only way to feel better is to have your baby at home and in your arms.
If you know of anyone who has a child with a cleft palate, please feel free to forward them to this blog or to contact me. Our experience is unique to us, but I do hope it might encourage someone who may be looking ahead to this surgery.
And in the meantime, I hope you were able to contain yourself with all the cuteness of our brave little man.
Fondly,
