Grant's Update

It's been a while since an update, but we kept thinking we'll wait until after this and so on. First of all, Grant has been eating very well and had a super weight gain this week --- he now weighs
7 lbs. 1.7 ozs. We were VERY excited.
Last Thursday evening we (Chris, DeAnn, & Grant) drove up to Kansas City, MO and stayed with Tasha & Sloan Cain so we could meet with the Craniofacial (Cleft Lip/Palate) Team at Children's Mercy Hospital early Friday morning.

Grant & Sloan (she wanted Grant to sit by her and then asked Chris if he had a camera)

We loved the surgeon, Dr. Singhal, and decided we will be going to Kansas City to have his cleft surgeries done. It was an overwhelming day meeting with many people although it was also very informative. Dr. Singhal had two major changes for us: 1) putting tape on Grant's face to keep the cleft from growing any larger 2) getting an obturator (you'll hear more about it later) for Grant's mouth to cover the cleft palate area inside. We also met with a nutritionist who helped us with feedings (we weren't doing it exactly right), a speech therapist (talking about cups and such for after the palate surgery), and the geneticist (we informed him the reason for the cleft lip/palate was due to EEC Syndrome). We tentatively scheduled his lip surgery for December 30 and then the palate surgery will be around one year of age. Here's the newest look for Grant.

Grant's new look (unhappy about life, not the tape at this moment)

Today, we drove back up to Olathe, KS to see a dentist, Dr. Fales, and have Grant fitted for the obturator (mentioned above). This device will go in his mouth until he has the palate surgery at a year. It covers the open cleft in his mouth so food, liquid, etc. won't go up into his nasal area. This dentist is one of two that Dr. Singhal said made these devices (the other one was in Joplin, MO). Dr. Fales was an AWESOME dentist - we really liked him. We will be traveling back up to Olathe next week Thursday to have the appliance fitted and get the instructions on how to use it.

Grant before his first dentist appointment (not too concerned)

Dr. Fales looking at Grant's cleft with a mirror (Grant isn't too fond of this part)

To make the form, the Dr. put a small tray that looked like a small football mouthpiece in Grant's mouth. Then he made a thick plaster mixture and used a large syringe to put it in his mouth on the tray (the mouthpiece thing). Right away he pushed the tray upward in Grant's mouth and held it for about 15 seconds. Yes, Grant cried hard during this time, but it was a short period and then it was all over. It made a perfect impression of the inside of his mouth.

Dr. Fales pulling the mold out of Grant's mouth --- it actually set up in 15 seconds - pretty cool!
You can also see the big syringe they used to squirt the plaster in his mouth.

Dad and Grant after the dentist was done.

It didn't seem to bother Grant for very long and he bounced right back. We'll see how the fitting goes next week as well as wearing the appliance all the time. Wish us luck!