PDA

View Full Version : Surgery #2



vancesmommy
10-12-2006, 10:02 PM
First I want to say sorry for being out of the loop for the last week or so! The boys and I have been in Ohio for about a week now; Brian will be coming up next Thursday. We are both in a friends wedding on the 21st and my friend decided last minute to come down to GA and pick me up so I wouldn't miss the bridal shower and party. So anyways I have been busy. I have been reading and am thinking of everyone!

Now for an update on Vance... For those that don't know, our NS in GA and the PS that he works with both recommend that Vance has another complete reconstruction. With the major work being the brow area. Our PS in Ohio recommended that it be "evened out" with bone paste in Aug. The drs in GA don't feel that would be enough. Well I wasn't happy with the differences of opinions and wanted to run what the GA drs were saying by our PS in Ohio. I called his office Monday morning and he called me back around 8:45 Monday night. I told him what they said and he told me that what they wanted to do wasn't a wrong answer, just different. He said not all dr.s feel the same about using bone paste, and that it just depended on how aggressive we wanted to be. He reassured me that he personally knows our NS in GA and that he is a great surgeon who has plenty of experience with cranio. He recommended that I get into see our NS in Ohio while I am here just to get his opinion. I told him that our insurance wouldn't cover it and I couldn't afford an appointment, so he says "can I call you back?" “I’m going to make a few phone calls." So he calls me back about 10 mins later and tells me that our old NS will see us for no charge!! I absolutely love this dr.! He is really going out of his way to make sure I am comfortable with what ever decision we make. I have an appointment with the NS Monday and then will call Dr. Pearson (PS in Ohio) back on Tuesday and go over everything.

We did schedule the surgery in Ga, because unless the NS in Ohio feels strongly that he doesn't need that major of a surgery we will go ahead with it. So as of right now it is scheduled for Wednesday December 13th. His 2nd birthday is on Friday the 22nd followed my Christmas that Monday! Poor kid is going to have a rough holiday season! I was really comfortable being on "the other side" I didn't want to cross back over!!!!! I have a feeling it is going to be even tougher the second time around! Please keep us in your prayers. I will keep you updated!!!

Jennifer
10-12-2006, 11:22 PM
Of course your in our prayers :pray! Many :hugg's to you...I recall what a 'blow' I felt with the advise of a second surgery......:hugg

lucsdad
10-13-2006, 02:58 AM
oh, i feel for you. you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
were here for you!
lisa

Mom2William
10-13-2006, 07:40 AM
You are in our thoughts and prayers! What a great doctor that you have in Ohio! I am so thankful that you can get the 2nd opinion for free and I hope that will give you more peace of mind.
many hugs

Connor's Dad
10-13-2006, 09:59 AM
Good luck. It is nice to hear about Dr's going the extra mile, seems to happen less and less these days.

What part of GA are the Dr's your seeing? We drove to Atlanta last week and met with craniofacial (PS) and NS. We have seen or talked with 3 different Dr's and each wants to do a different procedure. The NS in Atlanta seemed very nice, had great bedside manor, and was very knowledgeable, however he wanted to do Pi or maybe even reverse Pi and through all talking and research we thought that procedure had mostly been abandoned?

frankiesmom
10-13-2006, 11:14 AM
you are definitely in our thoughts and prayers. Seems like your doc's really care, sorry about the setback, but I believe your son, as well as mine, and all the others would rather have this all done when they are young...I personally have to believe that.

All my best to you and your family.

laurensmom
10-13-2006, 01:26 PM
Oh Denise..you are in my thoughts and definetly in my prayers. Lauren's head doesn't seem to be growing right and it looks like we may need a second surgery. It's just awful when you think you made it to the other side...but we have to remember that it's better to do this while they are young and before they are in school. He'll be fine and better than every. My heart goes out to you. Please keep me posted. You seem to have wonderful doctors and you are very lucky for that.

Katie
10-13-2006, 02:09 PM
I'm sorry he needs another surgery, but it really sounds like you have a great team of proactive Dr's working for him! He will do awesome, as you already know! :hugg

Jules
10-13-2006, 03:37 PM
Denise-

Our thoughts and our prayers are with you right now. Christmas is so much more important to us because Gabe's first Christmas was spent in the hospital. As the Holidays draw near I start thinking back and it is humbling and it makes us grateful for what we have been given. These kids make us stronger and better. We will be ligthing candles for you.

vancesmommy
10-13-2006, 05:23 PM
Thank you all so much! I do know it is better to do it while he is younger, and that is why I don't want to wait. They said there is no big hurry, but I just want it over so we can get back to normal! Vance also spent his first Christmas in the hospital, and then his dad was in Iraq for his second, so hopefully we will atleast be home and together for this one! It is really nice to have people that understand.

plukids
10-13-2006, 11:19 PM
Hugs Denise! We'll be keeping Vance and your family in our thoughts and prayers! He will amaze you once again. He is such a strong little guy. I absolutely LOVE his smile. Too bad we are not closer Sylvie needs a bud! Keep us posted. How awesome your doctor went that extra mile for you!!

mom2mykidos3
10-14-2006, 03:56 PM
You are in our prayer too. I can't imagine the feeling of starting over again. Miriam just had her surgery and I would want to go through it again. Don't worry he will be fine and strong the second time too.
It is really nice to have great doctors that are on your side. I wish you the best.