surgery done!

Just talked to Dr. Sidman.  All went beautifully.  

Textbook operation.  Just as he planned.

He thinks she is going to graduate from speech therapy very quickly, as her articulation was already very good.  This surgery simply makes it possible for her mouth and throat to make full airway closures and allow for proper articulation.  No speech therapy for six weeks {Noelle won't like that!}.

Mush diet for two weeks.  Pain meds to come home with.

Next we get to have a little vocal roller coaster.  Emma Kate's voice will alternate between sounding hypo-nasal and then hyper-nasal in the next week or so as her palate heals.  She will experience some apnea and snoring in her sleep until the swelling abates.  We will have her sleep with Pa for the next month.  Just kidding, Pa.  

Dr. Sidman was, as always, very funny, and so sweet in regards to how he talks to and about our Emma Kate.  He always calls her, to her face, beautiful.  And I know he means it, it isn't just a nice word to sound good.  It is such a joy to work with him, and we feel very blessed to have him as Emma's ENT.  Truly a gift.

Hopefully we will be going back in the next few minutes to greet Emma Kate and then they will move us up to a room.  

Great relief to have the procedure behind us.  Now we face recovery, which is the painful part for our EK.  We would covet and so desire your prayers for EKs comfort, physical and emotional peace, healing.  That the swelling dissipate quickly, for no infection, that her palate quickly recover and recall function.  The muscles need to reattach themselves, and that is an important part of the healing process.  Also, we'd love prayers that the foods she is allowed to eat be delightful and inviting to her, nourishing both her body and her spirit in healthy and wholesome ways.

Thanks be to God.  Truly, truly what amazing things He has done!