D-day +4 months

[Father_x]

Hi
I am new to this forum and I have read a few of your stories. I thought I would share mine too. I initially wrote this on September 13th 2005 on another forum which now seems to be inactive.

My story (13/9/2005) :

Yesterday, it was exactly 4 months since my daughter Léah was rolled into theater for her operation (she had metopic synostosis). I'm writing this for all you parents out there who are anxious about your own child who will undergo the same procedure (and I guess also as some kind of therapy for my own benefit).

Our baby was born in late October and it was a rather difficult birth. Forceps had to be used and it took a very long time. My wife was very brave and so was our little princess. Eventually she entered this world at 20 minutes past midnight and we were immensely happy. The gynaecologist told us that the ridges on either side of Léahs head were most likely due to the forceps.

Léah, only a few minutes old :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/01_op_-7M.JPG

However, the very same morning at 8am when the pediatrician came to see us, he informed us that Léah would almost certainly need surgery. 3 weeks later his diagnosis was confirmed by professor Renier, one of France's most prominent experts in this field. It was also decided that he himself would perform the surgery 6 months later, when Léah would be 6-7 months old.

Evidently, the first few weeks (and indeed months) of parenthood were not exactly what we had imagined and of course we worried quite a lot about this surgery. We tried browsing the net for information and to read about other parents experiences on forums like this one. We took great comfort in reading some of the success-stories, but at the same time we could not simply ignore the gnawing pain we felt deep down inside that our baby-girl would had to endure such an ordeal. It seemed so unfair.

A few weeks after the first consulting with the surgeon, life returned to something that could be described as normal. Léah found her thumb at Christmas time which let us have some real peace and quiet at night for the first time since her birth.

At Christmas time :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/02_op_-5M.JPG

Months went past and the "ridges" on the sides of her head remained (of course, we kept on wishing for a miracle). Soon, we had to take Léah for various tests (blood, x-ray, irm etc. etc.) and before we knew it, it was time to take her to the hospital for the procedure. The days leading up to the operation were without any comparison the worst I have ever endured, culminating in the waiting room before she was rolled away by the anesthetist. I was sure that my hair was going to turn gray over night.

The operation took almost two hours longer than expected and the first words the surgeon uttered, when we met in the waiting room after the surgery, were "there were complications..." while shaking his head and fixing his eyes on the floor. My wife and I looked at one another for a split second in absolute terror before he realized what he had said and continued "no, no, no - the operation went well!!!". The "complications" were in fact a larger than usual amount of blood loss, but nothing critical to the results or the healing process.

It now started to dawn on us that we hadn't needed to worry so much during the horrendous months that led up to the hospitalization. The operation had gone well, but it was still hard preparing for the next step ; seeing your child entangled in a maze of tubes and wires. I for one, was not entirely prepared for this :

3 hours after the operation was completed :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/03_op_+3HRS.JPG

Her face looked totally "normal" at the time and her forehead was now "flat", whereas it had an abnormal bump before the operation. She looked peaceful as she was still sleeping. When she was coming to, we were asked to leave and as the hospital closed their doors we were not allowed to stay, but invited to come back the next morning.

For the next few days, Léahs state pretty much followed the pattern that the doctors had predicted (increased swelling in the face, fever and other minor expected complications). Here are some photos :

D-day +1 :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/04_op_+1D.JPG

D-day +2 :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/05_op_+2D.JPG

D-day +3 :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/06_op_+3D.JPG

D-day +4. Léah opened her eyes for the first time since the op. and she was in a surprisingly good mood and had a great appetite (which she did already on D-day +1) :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/07_op_+4D.JPG

On the 5th day we were supposed to go home but Léahs fever had gone up and as it was close to 40°C, Léah was kept for observation. This was hugely disappointing as we wanted our daughter to come home and get back to her own room, her toys and her friends.

Luckily the fever receded and we were given the green light in the afternoon. We packed our stuff, got the instructions from doctors and nurses on how to clean the stitches and so on.

Once we were home, things started to normalise and Léah could return to the life she had before the operation. Here are some pictures for you to see how quickly our amazing kids do heal and recover (they are incredible, aren't they!) :


D-day + 10 :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+10D.JPG

D-day + 1 month :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+1M.JPG

D-day + 2 months :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+2M.JPG

D-day + 3 months :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+3M.JPG

D-day + 4 months :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+4M.JPG

Léah recovered amazingly fast, I thought, but apparently most (if not all) kids do. It is a rather traumatic experience both for the parents and for the kids since it is a major operation. Doctors kept on telling us that we shouldn't worry because she is in good hands and that the procedure is now well known and presents very small, or virtually no risks at all.

It is very hard to believe and of course you do worry as a parent. But with all cards on the table, and with the results in front of my very eyes every day, I do realize that the doctors were right all along.

Kids a r e amazingly strong and can handle a great deal more than we might give them credit for. I hope that any parent who find themself in a situation were I was a bit less than a year ago can find comfort in reading this and witnessing the amazing progress our little wonder-kid has done.

Best of luck to you all
"Father X"

[Father_x]

A few more pictures :

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+5M.JPG
(5 1/2 months post-op)

10 months post-op :

Just to give you a piece of news from Léah. She's now slowly starting to talk and she's already saying things in three different languages (as her mum and dad are from two different countries and she's living in yet another country!). Walking, running and going up stairs is apparently a piece of cake and like most babies she's learning new things by the second - amazing. The scars on her head are still there but not visible. Don't know why, but they have almost disappeared on the left side of her head but are quite "bulky" on the other side. Last month we were on the beach (in India) for the first time and she did NOT like the sand...


12 months post op :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+12M.JPG

2nd birthday (18 months post-op) :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+18M.JPG

2 yrs post op :
My little Léah will soon be 2 1/2 and we will (not) celebrate the 2 yr anniversary of her operation in May.

Léah's progressing very fast by the looks of it and have (touch wood), as far as I can tell, no side-effects from the surgery. On the contrary she's been rather early in starting walking, talking, developing sentences etc. Weight/Height wise she's far bigger than her friends of the same age (perhaps because her friends are mainly French and her father is a far too big "viking").

Léah says hi to you all and so do I - all the best :

Léah :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+24M.JPG

Btw, Léah's getting a baby sister in July and we are praying that she will not have to go through the same ordeal as her big sister.

Big sister Léah (late June 2007) :
Léah got her babysister and Emma - luckily - does not have any head related problems. Thank God for that. Here are the first pictures of them :

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+25M.JPG


Léah will go to see her doctor for another check-up in October and after that, she's "all clear" until the age of 15 when she will need to do another visit to the doctors.

3 yrs old :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+30M.JPG
Making a "sad face" a few days before her 3rd birthday

The last picture was only a week or two ago. We will be going to the surgeon for her 3 yr check-up next week. If she gets the "all clear", we will (hopefully) not be seeing him again until she's 15 yrs old.

[charliesmummy]

:welcome to Cranio Kids & thank you so much for sharing your amazing story, we dont have that many dads on here. Your daughter Leah is absolutely beautiful & the surgeons have done an amazing job. My son Charlie had Metopic surgery 7 weeks ago & apart from the scar you would never even know hes been through anything. The picture at the bottom of my signature was taken a couple of days ago of Charlie.
Congratulations on little Emma xx

[Pocket]

Hi there - Welcome to the site. Firstly what gorgeous, gorgeous girls you have. Thanks for sharing your story. It means a lot to us mums who have yet to go through the surgery process with our wee ones. My son, who will be three in March, has metopic synostosis and has been recommended for surgery.Every day I just keep on reading the positive affirmations on this site and keep telling myself it WILL be okay.

[jenniferann75]

Hello and Welcome to Cranio Kids!! I have to say first that your documentation is just amazing. What a wonderful testimony you have to share not only with Leah but with so many other families facing the same situation. Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have two beautiful little girls. By the way, Congratulations on the birth of your Emma!

[mrs j]

Hi there, your story is amazing, looking through the pics i was in tears as its just so scary, my son will be 3 soon and is waiting surgery date, he too has metopic cranio. Your daughters are beautiful, and it just totally amazes me how quickly these children recover from this type of surgery. Im glad Leah is doing good, and your obviously very proud, quite rightly too, thankyou for sharing your story.

[Elizabeth]

Gorgeous, gorgeous girls...thanks for sharing your story and for your encouragement for those of us yet to have surgeries! It helps me every day to see what others are going through and how similar our stories all are. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Elizabeth

[Tamz]

your children are beautiful. prayers that Leah is healthy for life.

[Father_x]

We will be going to the surgeon for her 3 yr check-up next week. If she gets the "all clear", we will (hopefully) not be seeing him again until she's 15 yrs old.

We had to cancel our appointment for today (she should be doing her x-rays right now) as she got a gastro yesterday. It's therefore been rescheduled in two weeks time. Now we are only wondering if we will all have had gastro by the time comes to go to see the surgeon...

[charliesmummy]

Oh poor Leah, i hope she gets better soon and that you all dont come down with it x

[Father_x]

Oh poor Leah, i hope she gets better soon and that you all dont come down with it x

We have another appointment for the 21st, but now she's come down with chicken pox! As far as I have read, it is contagious for 7-10 days after the marks start showing (yesterday). We can hardly go see the sugeon on the 21st if she's still contagious? Anyone know for sure how to know when she's no longer a "threat" to other kids?

In any case, if she's no longer at risk for passing it on to others, her baby sister might be as she's still not got it...

[charliesmummy]

Oh no, it's just one thing after the other isnt it? Im not sure about the contagious stage, isnt it until all the scabs come off......not 100% sure tho x

[melsch]

OH yuck! Chicken pox are no fun! Hopefully you get through them quickly!

[mrs j]

I would agree with Charliesmum, my kids had it a couple of years ago, they are highly infectious while there is still scabs, can vary between a week to nearly 2 weeks, Bradley had a really bad smit with it, ive never seen anybody with it so bad, he still has a lot of scars on his legs from them. goodluck they are quite a rotten thing for the kids to catch. x

[jenniferann75]

Poor baby, no fun. I think they are contagious until the scabs are all dry.

[Koops]

Hi...what a wonderful story and great coming from a dad. The stories bring tears to my eyes every time as I relive it and feel every moment. Although it was in June for us it seems like yesterday when I read the stories.
In relation to the chicken pox I had them three months before out wedding and didn't know what they were. I stratched them like crazy and scarred my face quite badly but they say they are worse for adults. Fingers crossed your gorgeous girl is over them and ready for her checkup. Goodluck-she will be fine. We had a scare last week and it just brings it all back every time. They are brave, wonderful little people aren't they. I marvel constantly at our precious lad. Thank you for your story.

[Father_x]

I've been away for a while but just wanted to complete the story of Léah. Eventually we managed to get an appointment when nobody was ill and the doctor was more than pleased with the results. Even though it is a bit hard as a parent to have someone examine your baby as if it was a piece of art, but when the only words that came out from his mouth was magnificent, marvellous, fantastic and equivalent, I could bare with it...

I.e. the results of the surgery still is to his liking (and ours) and we do not need to go for another check-up until the age of 15. He did however invite us to come by in a few years for a free check-up for his own personal benefit (research, follow-up etc.).

Feels really good to bring this story to an end! Hope you all can do the same soon! Here's Léah at Paris Disneyland just before Xmas.

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+40M.JPG

(though the link says 40 months, she's actually "only" 38 months old in the picture - don't ask me why!!!)

[Father_x]

Though the story of Léahs head issues is over from a medical standpoint, I'd still like to send you an update with her picture, now 4 yrs old. The scars are quite prominent on one side still - though covered by hair - and I am curious whether or not they will ever become more discrete. Anyone else have scars that cause (minor) cosmetic problems? In any case, they do not bother her and she has yet to ask us about them (I am presuming that one day she will realize that her friends do not have the same scar on the head).

Almost 4 yrs old (from Spain a couple of weeks back) :

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/+50M.JPG

[Janet]

She's so beautiful!!!!! Our plastic surgeon told us that if Fiona wants the scar fixed in the future, if it's still as wide as it is, he can fix it, but I'm going to let her make that decision when she is older.

[kking]

Leah is beautiful! She looks amazing and I'm glad to hear she's doing well!

[tracy_girl05]

First off I want to tell you how beautiful your sweet little Leah is, and socond thank you sooooooooooooooooooo much for sharing her story. It is so wonderdul to see a child go through the whole process-- thank you so much. My daughter will be having her surgery for left coronal cranio on the 27th and I am scared to death. Reading your story is so helpful. I just cant tell you thank you enough for sharing.

Thank you-- Thank you

[Father_x]

First off I want to tell you how beautiful your sweet little Leah is, and socond thank you sooooooooooooooooooo much for sharing her story. It is so wonderdul to see a child go through the whole process-- thank you so much. My daughter will be having her surgery for left coronal cranio on the 27th and I am scared to death. Reading your story is so helpful. I just cant tell you thank you enough for sharing.

Thank you-- Thank you

I think any parent that has gone through this would want to help others by telling their stories. As I also took great help from forums like this one prior to Léahs surgery, I am very very glad to share the concerns, fears and thoughts I had before and after.

I know exactly how you feel and all of us here are ready to listen and answer any questions you may want to have answered to feel just a little bit better. It is a bit of a nightmare but the light at the end of the tunnel is not that far away and I will cross my fingers and toes for your daughter. They are spectacular little creatures our kids and the surgeons are remarkable too. Your girl will be in good hands!

[Tawnia]

Thanks so much for sharing your story and her pics! She looks wonderful, you have a beautiful little girl!

[Tawnia]

oops I mean TWO beautiful little girls!!! :)

[Father_x]

Wow. Time really does fly but the memories from the months before and after the operation keep coming back. And I do log on here every once in a while to read your stories. This forum really helped and I am almost ashamed that I do not come back more often to offer a few words with those of you who need it.

My Léah will soon be 5 1/2 years old and she still has not noticed the scar under her hair line. It is only visible when she's got wet hair and even then, barely visible to anyone who doesn't know what to look for. I wonder how you guys have tackled the issue of briefing your children on the massive surgery they underwent. I am worried that she will think she's a freak or that she will think that she's got a defect or something (which is absolutely not the case).

I saw that the pictures I had previously posted have disappeared so I am linking to some of them again, and offer you one of her latest photos as well, just to show you why I am such a proud father (of two).

Léah
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/l.JPG

...and her "non-cranio" baby-sister :
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/e.JPG

[Janet]

Your girls are so beautiful :adore

My daughter is 3, she had surgery 2+ years ago....she knows that Dr. Phillips "fixed" her head, she'll feel her head sometimes and tells me that she feels bumps....I've been open about it since she started to understand.

[*jules*]

Wow, two beauties for sure! Leah looks amazing and I'd never know she was born a metopic baby.

I wasn't around when you first posted your story so this is my first time reading about all you and Leah have endured. I must say you had me shedding a few tears and reliving the moments before my son's surgery.

My son was also metopic and is now approaching 9mos post-op. He's only 17mos old right now so I don't have any advice on how to approach the subject with an older child. I also would imagine it would be more difficult and bothersome for a girl to deal with an obvious scar than a boy. You seem like an amazing father and I'm sure you will be able to tell her how amazing, special, and brave she is when the time comes.

Welcome back and thanks for sharing (and updating) your story.

[dannlark]

Welcome back! Your daughters are stunning!!! Leah looks fantastic and you'd NEVER know she'd been through so much by looking at her. They did an amazing job! I always look forward to your updates here. It gives us parents with post-op metopic kids a glimps into the future and reassures us that we did the right thing.

I posted a question on here a while ago about the whole, tell, don't tell, issue. My husband thinks that we shouldn't tell him at all about it, but I feel as though what Ian went through is a part of him. I think the more he knows about it now, and understands it and is proud of how he went through it and was a champ, the better he'll be able to handle the teen years. I'm going to take the approach that the scar on the head is just that, a scar. People get scars on all parts of their bodies for various reasons. Ian's just happens to be on his head. He had a boo boo (later we'll go into details if he wishes) that the Dr.'s were able to fix and he did awesome and is our Super Hero and we're very proud of him! I'm putting together a scrap book for him to have as he grows up. It's interesting because there have been grown adults coming to CK that have had the cranio surgery but know very little about what they went through or even what type of cranio they had. I want Ian to feel comfortable in his own skin, if that makes sense. What's that saying, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."? Our kids really are Super Hero's, in every way!!!!

[joshmummy]

Wow your daughters are beautiful, its bought a tear to my eye reading your story and think its great you coming on here now and again and posting. xx

[Ger]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It really helps to hear how successful the procedure can be.

[GeorgesMum]

Hello, My baby son has metopic cranio. Thank you so much for sharing your story and gorgeous pictures of your little girl. Its reading stories like this that keep me feeling postive....... thanks again. Emily.

[Father_x]

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font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> Thank you all for your kind remarks. I know what you have been through and what some of you are going through and it feels great to be able to help (if only so little) the way I got help 5 years back (cannot believe it has almost been 5 years. It feels like yesterday!).

Hang on in there and have faith in your kids and in your doctors (- for you believers out there , also have faith in your God - whichever one it is you turn to in your prayers!).
There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

[Father_x]

I think the more he knows about it now, and understands it and is proud of how he went through it and was a champ, the better he'll be able to handle the teen years. I'm going to take the approach that the scar on the head is just that, a scar. People get scars on all parts of their bodies for various reasons. Ian's just happens to be on his head. He had a boo boo (later we'll go into details if he wishes) that the Dr.'s were able to fix and he did awesome and is our Super Hero and we're very proud of him!

Thanks for the ideas you've posted here. I think the one above might work rather well with my little one. Though, as you guys pointed out, girls and boys do have different approaches to scars. Luckily, this one doesn't show, so she can be a Super-Hero without worrying about it showing too much. It certainly was a (big) boo-boo and she did beautifully (much better than her parents!)!

Once I have approached the issue I'll let you know how she reacted.

[Father_x]

Just noted that the pictures do not work again! My bad! The links will work again very shortly!

[dannlark]

:hugg:adore

[bizzybeesmommy]

Father X, she is stunning! Thank you for the words...

[Terry17]

Thanks for sharing your story. I know it gives others' who are in the same situation lots of hope & faith.

[Father_x]

Today it's 5 years since the operation and perhaps it is normal, but I find it easier to remember this date than my own birthday! Léah's doing absolutely fine and she's growing into a very thoughtful and loving big sister and daughter.

No news otherwise since my last post three or four months ago. She still doesn't know about her op, nor has she spotted or been told of her scar. Physically she's doing great and personally I think she's the most beautiful person on the planet! ;-)

Here's a picture which is almost exactly from D-day + 5 years.

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/op+5y.JPG

Take care all of you!

[tracy_girl05]

WOW she is beautiful!!!!!!!!! Congrats on being 5 years post op!!!!!!!

[josh'smommy]

She is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.

[Zack91709]

What a lovely girl! She looks amazing :)

[Father_x]

Hi there all
Holiday's starting tomorrow! Whoopie! My in-laws are here and the girls got some beautiful local dresses. Posing here with the latest Mumbai fashion! ;-)

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/holidays.JPG

Wish you all a very nice summer holiday (if you are on this side of the hemisphere - if not, just enjoy and be happy anyways!).

[BrendansMummy]

Thank you so much for sharing! Our babies really are amazing and you have a beautiful daughter

[Jax's Mommy]

I must say your daughters are beautiful! It is so awesome that you have a running thread that just keeps us all updated from birth to 5 years post op. It is awesome to see awesome progress! Give me hope that my son will be just fine, granted i can approach the scars as the super hero thing since he is a boy. Im sure since my hubby is a teacher that the subject could be either a scary one for ppl ask about or a very talked about subject which to me is fine, it gets awareness out there and it is part of him forever. Thank you for sharing the progess of your daughter!!!!!

[Father_x]

Time is flying. Summer is over and October has begun. Léah's turning 6 later in the month and has started her 4th year in school already. Her baby sister did her first day in school a couple of weeks ago and she loves it. Having said that, I believe she loved being on holidays even more. We had a fantastic summer and I hope you all did to. Here are a couple of snaps of my babies from this summer.

Léah
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/summer2010_L.JPG

Emma
http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/summer2010_E.JPG

P.S. Dramatic event during the summer. Léah lost her first tooth and it affected us in a way we could never have imagined. Emma started suffering from a stomach issue (we thought). She couldn't / wouldn't go to the potty. After 2 days (!) we got really worried and we forced her to sit on the potty. It was a real struggle and she almost panicked and finally burst out "I DOOOOON'T WANT TO LOSE MY TOOOOOOOTH, I DOOOOOOOOOON'T WANT TO....". We finally clicked. Léah had been on the loo when her tooth fell out and Emma had witnessed it. She obviously did not quite add up 1 and 1 correctly. Luckily she accepted our explanation and everything went back to normal again! :-))

[BrendansMummy]

That story about the tooth and the potty is simply adorable!! Once again you have stunning daughters and thank you for sharing and updating

[AddiesGramma]

thanks for sharing your daughters journey through cranio with us, and especially keeping us updated ... your girls are beautiful

[Nezzy]

Your daughters are beautiful.

[Father_x]

Léah asked me before bedtime if I could see "something strange" on her head. She'd felt like a bump and was pointing it out to me. I chickened out. Prepping myself to tell her the "hero story" some of you guys suggested earlier. Any other brilliant ideas? Still think she's too young to be told, too young to understand.
3023

[andrews mommy]

Hi, I've never seen this story before. You wrote it beautifully and those girls are beautiful!!!! I think you should tell her in a way that you think she's old enough to understand. I think by telling her you'll build her confidence, not break it. But only you know her and every kid is different. I try to stick to honesty but also don't give mine added info. that they wont comprehend. Maybe you should wait until she asks again and then tell her a story about an amazing little girl that made her parents proud with her bravery in the end tell her that babies her..i don't know, but best of luck.

[Father_x]

Merry Xmas and Happy New years to everyone. Wish you all the best for 2011.

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/xmas2010.JPG
Léah and Emma at Disneyland Paris a couple of weeks back.

[G2sMama]

Your girls are absolutely beautiful!! This is the first time I've found your story, and you have touched me with your telling of it. Thank you for sharing your experience. I really hope you have found a way to explain to Leah what happened to her, in a way that she can comprehend.

[fitmomof2ae]

Thanks for the update! Leah looks great! It's so nice to see the progression over the years .You've inspired me to update my son's story too! We have a 2 yr follow-up next week. Maybe I'll update our story after the appt.

Have a wonderful 2011 too!!!!

[Father_x]

Sorry sorry sorry! Have been terribly absent and terribly busy over the past few months. Have enjoyed a fantabulous Easter with lots of food and drinks, and even a few days off (hourray!).

Took these wonderful snaps of my wonderful babies during a trip to a zoo a couple of days back. We are rapidly approaching D-day + 6 years. Time does fly!

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/april01.JPG

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/april02.JPG

Wish you all a Happy Easter!

[G2sMama]

Such sweet, sweet photos!! Happy Easter to you and yours!

[Father_x]

6 yrs on the day since that dreadful morning when Léah was rolled away into theater. Amazingly, it feels like yesterday, though the photos tell a different story. Léahs grown up to become a young little lady / princess and I wish there was a way I could keep her the way she is right now. Stop growing! :-)

She is a wonderful little person and I am so glad that I have her and her baby sister. Life simply wouldn't be anywhere near the same without them.

Summer has come to town and they are both profiting to the max!

http://exilgnagare.com/images/op/+6yrs.jpg

God bless all you Cranio Kids and Cranio Parents out there! There is (lots of) light at the end of the tunnel!

:yipee

[Janet]

What a sweetie, she looks fantastic!

[Father_x]

Léah finished school yesterday and is now officially on holidays! :yipee

In a few days we're off to Stockholm for a couple of weeks.

Happy holidays every one!

http://exilgnagare.com/images/op/Leah.JPG

Léah, on her last day of school 2010/11! :-)




***************************** UPDATE 25/10/2011 *************************

Léahs 7th birthday is tomorrow and I am sad to see that I cannot continue updating her story by posting more messages. This may be the last update. Anyways, Léahs journey, in craniosynostosis terms, is just about finished. We are going to take her to her surgeon one more time in the coming year for a final and definitive check-up. After this, she is considered "home free" by French standards.

Here's a picture from a few days ago, enjoying lunch and drinks at a British pub in Paris.

All the best to all of you. God bless!

http://www.exilgnagare.com/images/op/IMG_0879.JPG

[fitmomof2ae]

Beautiful picture! It is amazing how quickly time flies.